Allogeneic bone marrow transplant for refractory mediastinal germ cell tumour: possible evidence of graft-versus-tumour effect

Natural Killer Cells: Development, Maturation, and Clinical Utilization

Natural killer (NK) cells are the predominant innate lymphocyte subsets that mediate anti-tumor and anti-viral responses, and therefore possess promising clinical utilization. NK cells do not express polymorphic clonotypic receptors and utilize inhibitory receptors (killer immunoglobulin-like receptor and Ly49) to develop, mature, and recognize “self” from “non-self.” The essential roles of common gamma cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7, and IL-15 in the commitment and development of NK cells are well established. However, the critical functions of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-12, IL-18, IL-27, and IL-35 in the transcriptional-priming of NK cells are only starting to emerge. Recent studies have highlighted multiple shared characteristics between NK cells the adaptive immune lymphocytes. NK cells utilize unique signaling pathways that offer exclusive ways to genetically manipulate to improve their effector functions. Here, we summarize the recent advances made in the understanding of how NK cells develop, mature, and their potential translational use in the clinic.

Malignant transformations in a patient with a mediastinal germ cell tumour: lack of efficacy of bone marrow transplantation after chemotherapy on tumour recurrence

The report describes the case of a young male with a malignant teratoma which was followed by an acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia sharing similar chromosomal abnormalities. In leukemic cells, the authors have obtained cytogenetic evidence by fluorescent in situ hybridisation technique suggesting that this leukaemia arose directly from the germ cell tumour (GCT). The patient received allogenic bone marrow transplantation, which unfortunately, did not prevent the patient to relapse with an undifferentiated sarcoma containing rhabdomyosarcoma components, as well as reappearance of a residual teratoma with metastasis. The treatment strategy for malignant transformation of a GCT seems to be unpredictable and should be dictated by the malignant tissue counterpart. Except for acute leukaemia, unresectable or metastatic settings will generally require multi-modal therapy including chemotherapy, in addition to loco regional approaches. Additionally, long or even a life time follow-up is necessary in patients with poor prognostic characteristics.