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This review documents the remarkable progress systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has made in the past 40 years especially in Asia. It provides a kaleidoscope in terms of prevalence, ethnic and regional variations, disease manifestation, treatment strategies, and outcome. From a seminal paper on the use of intravenous cyclophosphamide in 1964 from Singapore to the use of mycophenolate mofetil in 2000 from Hong Kong and Guangzhou, the prognosis of lupus has changed dramatically in the last few decades. With more targeted therapies and better translational research, this progress is set to continue in the coming years. From an acute fulminating illness, lupus has now evolved to one with a chronic, relapsing course. The main causes of morbidity and mortality are now either treatment-related or patient-related rather than the disease itself. The present time is one of unprecedented growth of new therapeutic approaches and reevaluation of past treatment modalities. With improving socioeconomic conditions in the region, we anticipate further rapid progress in disease outcome. Although living with the wolf is still an ordeal for our patients, optimism has now replaced nihilism in the lupus world. There is light at the end of the tunnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are being employed in clinical trials to facilitate engraftment and to treat steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, as well as to repair tissue damage in inflammatory/degenerative disorders, in particular, in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). When entering the clinical arena, a few potential risks of MSC therapy have to be taken into account: (i) immunogenicity of the cells, (ii) biosafety of medium components, (iii) risk of ectopic tissue formation, and (iv) potential in vitro transformation of the cells during expansion. This paper analyzes the main risks connected with the use of MSCs in cellular therapy approaches, and reports on some of the most intriguing findings on the use of MSCs in the context of regenerative medicine. Experimental studies in animal models and phase I/II clinical trials on the use of MSCs for the treatment of IBDs and other inflammatory/degenerative conditions are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper highlights the role of different HLA class II molecules in hepatic and lymphoproliferative HCV-related disorders. HLA molecules have been reviewed, according to an in silico cluster classification, based on the sequence, the biochemical structure of the pockets, and the functional characteristics of the HLA II molecules. Thus, by reducing the complexity of HLA II polymorphism, charateristics that unite different HLA molecules with specific HCV-associated pathologies may be recognized with greater case. Results show that HLA clusters associated with better dlimination of the virus are protective against HCC development, while the same clusters are associated with a higher risk of developing cryoglobulinemic syndrome and the concomitant NHL. These data added further acknowledgements on pathogenetic mechanisms associated with HCV infection. Results also highlight differences of NHL occurring in HCV-positive subjects, with or without a concomitant type II autoimmune cryoglobulinemic syndrome, suggesting that cryoglobulinemic background associated with NHL should be considered in the evaluation of the effectiveness of new therapies in the course of HCV-associated NHLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]