Abstract Severe psoriasis patients are reported to have a higher risk of liver abnormalities. Treatment option for severe psoriasis patients with liver disorder history remains a great challenge. Hepatic toxicity and long-term safety are the major concerns. Hence it is necessary to look for safer and more effective treatment for those patients. This retrospective review evaluated the safety and efficacy of combination therapy of infliximab and total glucosides of paeony (TGP) in treating 13 severe psoriasis patients with liver disorder history. Patients with severe psoriasis, comprising eight men and five women with a mean age of 37.3 ± 12.3, were observed. The patients experienced a mean course of psoriasis of 11.2 ± 7.1 years. The mean psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score was 29.3 ± 12.9. All patients have the history of liver disorder. In our study, these patients were treated with infliximab at a dose of 5 mg/kg and TGP at a dose of 1.8 g/day. No liver test abnormalities were seen during combination therapy. After treatment, 61.5% patients showed PASI 50 response at week 2, and 81.8% patients have PASI 75 response at week 6. The mean time for achieving PASI 75 and PASI 90 improvement was 4.2 weeks and 9.6 weeks, respectively. Our observation demonstrates that combined therapy of infliximab and TGP is effective and safe in the treatment of severe psoriasis, especially for patients with liver disorder history.

Abstract Mast cells are involved in many immune reactions and diseases through 1) the expressions of several receptors, 2) productions of various mediators such as histamine, cytokines, and chemokines, 3) direct interactions with immune cells. Besides allergic diseases, mast cells have been also assumed to be involved in autoimmune diseases such as bullous pemphigoid, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Moreover, several studies reported the involvement of mast cells in collagen disease. In this article, we review recent findings about the role of mast cells especially in systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. In these diseases, mast cells seem to be involved in local inflammation and tissue damage partially in the targeted organ rather than the development of autoimmunity including production of autoantibodies.

Abstract Cancer immunotherapy using cytokines has been sought as an alternative therapeutic approach for treating cancers. Besides remarkable immunoregulatory properties, interleukin (IL)-27 has recently been shown to possess promising anticancer functions; hence, its potential roles in cancer immunotherapy. Although proven to be effective against cancer cell growth and angiogenesis, given its dual immune-regulating functions (pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory), the use of IL-27 as a cancer immunotherapeutic cytokine could possibly be a two-edged sword without meticulous and thorough research. This mini-review mainly discusses the functions and future prospects of IL-27 as an effective anticancer cytokine. Hopefully, it imparts useful insights into the potential applications of IL-27 in cancer immunotherapy

Abstract Cancer immunotherapy involves the delivery of immunogenic compounds and/or the priming, or induction, of the body's natural immune system to target cancer. The use of cancer immunotherapy has led to various means of cancer prevention and treatment that have produced prolonged life expectancy and stabilized disease. Nanoparticles are promising vehicles or adjuvants for effective delivery of therapeutics, antigens, stimulatory effectors, or antibodies for therapeutic invention. Targeting nanoparticles are especially useful due to their capability of accumulating in specific sites of interest like tumors and, thereby, decreasing risks of damage to normal tissue. Targeting can be achieved by incorporation of cell-surface related binding molecules or antibodies. This review explores the role of targeting nanoparticles as delivery or adjuvant sys­tems to modulate immune response, and as imaging tracking systems for cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract Sirtuins (SIRTs) are initially recognized as NAD + -dependent histone deacetylase. SIRTs attract attention for their role as calorie restriction-induced “longevity proteins” to be expected to extend human life span and to promote health. As advancing studies, SIRTs have been recognized as cell signaling regulators which contribute to anti-inflammation, cell differentiation and so on. Therefore, SIRTs are supposed to affect wound healing which is comprised highly orchestrated complex four phases: hemostasis, inflammation, tissue formation and tissue remodeling. This review highlights the roles of SIRTs in wound healing process and provides a foundation and impetus for future basic and clinical research.