Unit:
Faculty of MedicineLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Author:
Papakotoulas Pavlos
Dissertation committee:
Καραμούζης Μιχάλης, Αν. Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ (Επιβλέπων)
Παπαβασιλείου Αθανάσιος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Γκόγκα Ελένη, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Θεοχάρης Σταμάτης, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Πιπέρη Χριστίνα, Αν. Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Κασσή Ευανθία, Αν. Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Σχίζας Δημήτριος, Επίκουρος Kαθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Ανοσοθεραπεία ενάντια στον καρκίνο του παγκρέατος
Translated title:
Immunotherapy against pancreatic cancer
Summary:
The most common type of pancreatic cancer is pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide. About 60-80% of patients have advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis because it invades the surrounding tissues outside the pancreas (locally advanced), or has metastasized outside the pancreas (metastatic). As the disease has a very high mortality rate, it is imperative to find new and more effective treatments. With the development of a molecular and biological understanding of oncogenetic evolution, new strategies have been implemented in the treatment of cancer and, consequently, in the treatment of cancer immunotherapy. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern tumor immunodeficiency, as well as the interaction of cancer cells with immune system cells, has given a huge boost to cancer immunotherapy in the last decade. The cells of the human body are under constant immune surveillance. The immune system is a deterrent to neoplastic transformation and neoplasms. A clinical point that confirms the theory of immunoassay is the presence of CD8+ T-lymphocytes in the tumors (Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes - TILs). The result is treatments based on the suppression of the immune system's control points (Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors).
It is known that drugs with antifungal properties help to strengthen the immune system. A typical example is cyclopiroxamine (Ciclopirox Olamine, CPX), given to people suffering from fungal infections. According to current thesis, this treatment can drastically reduce the rate of progression of cancerous tumors, since the substances it reduces the volume but at the same time enhance the action of the chemicals in anti-cancer drugs that have been administered to the patient. Tinzaparin (Heparin Low Molecular Weight) is also used to prevent and treat venous thromboembolism, but the results of this thesis show that may play a role in the treatment of the tumor. The mechanisms by which the important in vivo results are due are the increase in IFN-γ, the increase in CD8+ cells, the decrease in Tregs cells, the decrease in the expression of VEGFR-2 and the increase in the apoptosis in cancer cells.
In the present thesis, it is suggested that combination therapy with the involvement of immunotherapy has a significant anti-tumor effect. This synergistic strategy may represent new avenues for the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Immunotherapy, Pancreatic cancer, CPX, Tinzaparin
Number of references:
219
