CC chemokines (or β-chemokines) are 28 chemotactic cytokines with an N-terminal CC domain that play an important role in immune system cells, such as CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, dendritic cells, eosinophils, macrophages, monocytes, and NK cells, as well in neoplasia. In this review, we discuss human CC motif chemokine ligands: CCL1, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL18, CCL19, CCL20, CCL21, CCL25, CCL27, and CCL28 (CC motif chemokine receptor CCR5, CCR6, CCR7, CCR8, CCR9, and CCR10 ligands). We present their functioning in human physiology and in neoplasia, including their role in the proliferation, apoptosis resistance, drug resistance, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. We discuss the significance of chemokine receptors in organ-specific metastasis, as well as the influence of each chemokine on the recruitment of various cells to the tumor niche, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), Kupffer cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), osteoclasts, tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), and regulatory T cells (Treg). Finally, we show how the effect of the chemokines on vascular endothelial cells and lymphatic endothelial cells leads to angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive malignancies, with a median overall survival of approximately 15 months. In this review, we analyze the pathogenesis of GBM, as well as epidemiological data, by age, gender, and tumor location. The data indicate that GBM is the higher-grade primary brain tumor and is significantly more common in men. The risk of being diagnosed with glioma increases with age, and median survival remains low, despite medical advances. In addition, it is difficult to determine clearly how GBM is influenced by stimulants, certain medications (e.g., NSAIDs), cell phone use, and exposure to heavy metals.

Fractalkine/CX3C chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) is a chemokine involved in the anticancer function of lymphocytes—mainly NK cells, T cells and dendritic cells. Its increased levels in tumors improve the prognosis for cancer patients, although it is also associated with a poorer prognosis in some types of cancers, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This work focuses on the ‘hallmarks of cancer’ involving CX3CL1 and its receptor CX3CR1. First, we describe signal transduction from CX3CR1 and the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in this process. Next, we present the role of CX3CL1 in the context of cancer, with the focus on angiogenesis, apoptosis resistance and migration and invasion of cancer cells. In particular, we discuss perineural invasion, spinal metastasis and bone metastasis of cancers such as breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer. We extensively discuss the importance of CX3CL1 in the interaction with different cells in the tumor niche: tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and microglia. We present the role of CX3CL1 in the development of active human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumors. Finally, we discuss the possible use of CX3CL1 in immunotherapy.

(1) The specificity of a nurse’s work, apart from performing medical procedures, is characterized by intensive contacts with other people. Stress is an inevitable part of a nurse’s job and can affect their physical and mental health. Thus, strategies for coping with stress play an important role in improving health or well-being by reducing the level of stress. (2) The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of coping strategies in predicting the overall health of nurses. The study also assessed the impact of personality traits and emotional control (anger, depression, anxiety) on the choice of coping with stress among nurses. (3) The study included 811 nurses from the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, with an average age of 40 (SD = 9.8), working mainly in hospitals (82%). The research was carried out with a diagnostic survey method, using the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations questionnaire, NEO-Five Factor Inventor, Courtland Emotional Control Care Scale, General Health Questionnaire 30, and a demographic questionnaire. (4) Among the surveyed nurses, the dominant style of coping with stress was the style focused on emotions (MT 0.43), followed by the style focused on avoidance (MT 0.42). There were mental problems among 46.1% of the respondents. Nurses with mental problems according to GHQ-30 were characterized by a high intensity of coping styles focused on emotions (30.2%), avoiding (18.7%), and engaging in alternative activities (32.3%) (p = 0.000). (5) Most of the surveyed nurses have a tendency to cope with stress through an emotional-focused style, which may be associated with a higher level of occupational stress.

Pancreatic cancer is the seventh most common cause of death in the group of oncological diseases. Due to the asymptomatic course, early diagnosis is difficult. Currently, early detection methods are only used in high-risk groups. A literature review based on the available results of observational studies on patients with pancreatic cancer and people from high-risk groups was used to summarize the knowledge on risk factors. The GLOBOCAN 2020 data were used to assess the epidemiological situation in Europe. A summary of screening recommendations was prepared based on the available documents from medical organizations and associations. Pancreatic cancer risk factors are divided into two main groups: non-modifiable factors, e.g., hereditary factors and age, which increase the risk of developing this disease, and modifiable factors—BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Hereditary factors account for 10% of pancreatic cancer cases. The highly specialized methods of early detection, (MRI, CT, or EUS) are used for screening high-risk populations. Of all the imaging methods, EUS is considered the most sensitive for pancreatic cancer and allows an accurate assessment of the size of even small lesions (<30 mm) and the extent of tumour infiltration into blood vessels. The available studies vary on the level of sensitivity and specificity of these methods for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. EUS, MRI, and CT are also expensive procedures and in some patients can be invasive, which is one of the arguments against the introduction of population screening programs based on imaging methods. Therefore, it is important to look for viable solutions that would improve early detection. This is important from the point of view of healthcare systems in Europe, where almost 29% of all global pancreatic cancer cases are reported.