Driver mutations in GNAQ and GNA11 genes as potential targets for precision immunotherapy in uveal melanoma patients

Impact of Driver Mutations on Metastasis-Free Survival in Uveal Melanoma: A Meta-Analysis

The prognosis of uveal melanoma is significantly influenced by the risk of metastasis, which varies according to clinical and genetic features. Driver mutations can predict the likelihood of disease progression and survival, although the data in the literature are inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of driver mutations, including GNAQ, GNA11, BAP1, and SF3B1, in the advancement of uveal melanoma. A comprehensive search of databases yielded relevant studies, and data from 13 studies (848 eyes) were synthesized to assess the impact of these mutations on metastasis-free survival. The BAP1 mutation and negative immunohistochemistry were associated with a higher risk of metastasis (logHR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.05-1.83). GNAQ, GNA11, and SF3B1 mutations did not show a significant increase in risk. In summary, BAP1 has proven to reliably predict the likelihood of disease progression in uveal melanoma, while further studies are needed to establish the significance of other driver mutations.

CAR Immunotherapy for the treatment of infectious diseases: a systematic review

Immunotherapy treatments aim to modulate the host's immune response to either mitigate it in inflammatory/autoimmune disease or enhance it against infection or cancer. Among different immunotherapies reaching clinical application during the last years, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapy has emerged as an effective treatment for cancer where different CAR T cells have already been approved. Yet their use against infectious diseases is an area still relatively poorly explored, albeit with tremendous potential for research and clinical application. Infectious diseases represent a global health challenge, with the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance underscoring the need for alternative therapeutic approaches. This review aims to systematically evaluate the current applications of CAR immunotherapy in infectious diseases and discuss its potential for future applications. Notably, CAR cell therapies, initially developed for cancer treatment, are gaining recognition as potential remedies for infectious diseases. The review sheds light on significant progress in CAR T cell therapy directed at viral and opportunistic fungal infections.