Gene Therapy for Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a devastating, aggressive primary brain tumor with poor patient outcomes and a five-year survival of less than 10%. Significant limitations to effective GBM treatment include poor drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier, drug resistance, and complex genetic tumor alterations. Gene therapy uses a mechanism different from other GBM therapies to reduce tumor growth and enhance antitumor immunity.

Targeting EBV Episome for Anti-Cancer Therapy: Emerging Strategies and Challenges.

As a ubiquitous human pathogen, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has established lifelong persistent infection in about 95% of the adult population. The EBV infection is associated with approximately 200,000 human cancer cases and 140,000 deaths per year. The presence of EBV in tumor cells provides a unique advantage in targeting the viral genome (also known as episome), to develop anti-cancer therapeutics.

Feline Papillomatosis.

Different types of feline papillomaviruses (PVs) are associated with a variety of skin lesions and neoplasia, such as papillomas and cell carcinomas, but the virus can also be found in healthy skin. In this review, the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD), a scientifically independent board of veterinary experts on feline infectious diseases from 11 European Countries, discusses the current knowledge of feline PV infections. Cats most likely become infected through lesions or abrasions of the skin.

Plant Compounds Inhibit the Growth of W12 Cervical Precancer Cells Containing Episomal or Integrant HPV DNA; Tanshinone IIA Synergizes with Curcumin in Cervical Cancer Cells.

This study explores the effects of plant compounds on human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced W12 cervical precancer cells and bioelectric signaling. The aim is to identify effective phytochemicals, both individually and in combination, that can prevent and treat HPV infection and HPV associated cervical cancer. Phytochemicals were tested using growth inhibition, combination, gene expression, RT PCR, and molecular docking assays.

Virological Aspects of COVID-19 in Patients with Hematological Malignancies: Duration of Viral Shedding and Genetic Analysis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with a significant fatality rate and persistent evolution in immunocompromised patients. In this prospective study, we aimed to determine the duration of excretion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 37 Tunisian patients with hematological malignancies (40.5% with lymphoma and 37.

eEF-2K Deficiency Boosts the Virus-Specific Effector CD8 T Cell Responses During Viral Infection.

In this study, we revealed a critical role of eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (eEF-2K), a negative regulator of protein synthesis, in regulating T cells during vaccinia virus (VACV) infection. We found that eEF-2K-deficient (eEF-2K⁻/⁻) mice exhibited a significantly higher proportion of VACV-specific effector CD8 T cells without compromising the development of VACV-specific memory CD8 T cells. RNA sequencing demonstrated that eEF-2K⁻/⁻ VACV-specific effector CD8 T cells had enhanced functionality, which improves their capacity to combat viral infection during the effector phase.

Viral Transcript and Tumor Immune Microenvironment-Based Transcriptomic Profiling of HPV-Associated Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Identifies Subtypes Associated with Prognosis.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-positive HNSCC) has distinct biological characteristics from HPV-negative HNSCC. Using an AI-based analytical platform on meta cohorts, we profiled expression patterns of viral transcripts and HPV viral genome integration, and classified the tumor microenvironment (TME). Unsupervised clustering analysis revealed five distinct and novel TME subtypes across patients (immune-enriched, highly immune and B-cell enriched, fibrotic, immune-desert, and immune-enriched luminal).

Correction: Alhakamy et al. Green Nanoemulsion Stabilized by In Situ Self-Assembled Natural Oil/Native Cyclodextrin Complexes: An Eco-Friendly Approach for Enhancing Anticancer Activity of Costunolide against Lung Cancer Cells. 2022, , 227.

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Monitoring M-Protein, Therapeutic Antibodies, and Polyclonal Antibodies in a Multiparametric Mass Spectrometry Assay Provides Insight into Therapy Response Kinetics in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy caused by clonally expanded plasma cells that produce a monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-protein), a personalized biomarker. Recently, we developed an ultra-sensitive mass spectrometry method to quantify minimal residual disease (MS-MRD) by targeting unique M-protein peptides. Therapeutic antibodies (t-Abs), key in MM treatment, often lead to deep and long-lasting responses.

Nanoparticle-in-Hydrogel Delivery System for the Sequential Release of Two Drugs.

Background/objectives: Glioblastoma is the most common and lethal primary brain tumor. Patients often suffer from tumor- and treatment induced vasogenic edema, with devastating neurological consequences. Intracranial edema is effectively treated with dexamethasone.

Nanoformulation of Spirooxindole and Methods for Treating Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

This in vivo study introduces a newly developed spirooxindole derivative that is deemed safe and effective as a potential targeted therapy for various cancers. Extensive in vivo investigations, including histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biology, validated its potential for further preclinical and clinical exploration, necessitating comprehensive examinations of its bioavailability, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics. Additionally, this study involves the development of a commercially viable proniosomal drug delivery system for the compound, facilitating controlled drug release.

Emerging Nanoparticle-Based Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Cancer: Innovations and Challenges.

Malignant growth is expected to surpass other significant causes of death as one of the top reasons for dismalness and mortality worldwide. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) study, this illness causes approximately between 9 and 10 million instances of deaths annually. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery are the three main methods of treating cancer.

Advances in Pure Drug Self-Assembled Nanosystems: A Novel Strategy for Combined Cancer Therapy.

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems hold great promise for improving the effectiveness of anti-tumor therapies. However, their clinical translation remains hindered by several significant challenges, including intricate preparation processes, limited drug loading capacity, and concerns regarding potential toxicity. In this context, pure drug-assembled nanosystems (PDANSs) have emerged as a promising alternative, attracting extensive research interest due to their simple preparation methods, high drug loading efficiency, and suitability for large-scale industrial production.

Innovative Strategies in Oncology: Bacterial Membrane Vesicle-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy.

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are double-layered structures of nanoscale lipids released by gram-negative bacteria. They have the same membrane composition and characteristics as primitive cells, which enables them to penetrate cells and tissues efficiently. These OMVs exhibit excellent membrane stability, immunogenicity, safety, and permeability (which makes it easier for them to penetrate into tumour tissue), making them suitable for developing cancer vaccines and drug delivery systems.

Inhibition of Endothelial Cell Tube Formation by Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/Anti-Angiopoietin-2 RNA Nanoparticles.

RNA nanoparticles, derived from the packaging RNA three-way junction motif (pRNA-3WJ) of the bacteriophage phi29 DNA packaging motor, have been demonstrated to be thermodynamically and chemically stable, with promise as a nanodelivery system. : A previous study showed that RNA nanoparticles with antiangiogenic aptamers (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and anti-angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) aptamers) inhibited cell proliferation via WST-1 assay. To further investigate the antiangiogenic potential of these RNA nanoparticles, a modified three-dimensional (3D) spheroid sprouting assay model of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was utilized in the present study.

Sorafenib-Loaded Silica-Containing Redox Nanoparticle Decreases Tumorigenic Potential of Lewis Lung Carcinoma.

Orally administered sorafenib has shown limited improvement in overall survival for non-small-cell lung cancer patients, likely due to poor pharmacokinetics and adverse effects, including gastrointestinal toxicity. To address these issues, we developed silica-containing antioxidant nanoparticles (siRNP) as a carrier to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of lipophilic sorafenib. Sorafenib was loaded into siRNP via dialysis (sora@siRNP).

Peptides as Versatile Regulators in Cancer Immunotherapy: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Future Prospects.

The emergence of effective immunotherapies has revolutionized therapies for many types of cancer. However, current immunotherapy has limited efficacy in certain patient populations and displays therapeutic resistance after a period of treatment. To address these challenges, a growing number of immunotherapy drugs have been investigated in clinical and preclinical applications.

Liposomal Formulation of Hydroxychloroquine Can Inhibit Autophagy In Vivo.

Preclinical studies have shown that the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) improves the anti-cancer effects of various therapeutic agents by impairing autophagy. These findings are difficult to translate in vivo as reaching an effective HCQ concentration at the tumor site for extended times is challenging. Previously, we found that free HCQ in combination with gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839) significantly reduced tumor volume in immunocompromised mice bearing gefitinib-resistant JIMT-1 breast cancer xenografts.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Does Not Change the Pharmacokinetics and Transplacental Distribution of Fluoxetine and Norfluoxetine Enantiomers.

: Fluoxetine (FLX) is the inhibitor of serotonin reuptake most prescribed in pregnant women with depression. This study evaluates the influence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on the enantioselective pharmacokinetics and transplacental distribution of FLX and its metabolite norfluoxetine (norFLX). : Ten pregnant women diagnosed with GDM (GDM group) were investigated in the third trimester of gestation after they achieved good glycemic control.

The Role of Pentacyclic Triterpenoids in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: The Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Potential.

Lung cancer remains a major global health problem because of its high cancer-related mortality rate despite advances in therapeutic approaches. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a major subtype of lung cancer, is more amenable to surgical intervention in its early stages. However, the prognosis for advanced NSCLC remains poor, owing to limited treatment options.

Long-Term Therapeutic Effects of Ac-DOTA-E[c(RGDfK)] Induced by Radiosensitization via G2/M Arrest in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

: Alpha radionuclide therapy has emerged as a promising novel strategy for cancer treatment; however, the therapeutic potential of Ac-labeled peptides in pancreatic cancer remains uninvestigated. : In the cytotoxicity study, tumor cells were incubated with Ac-DOTA-RGD. DNA damage responses (γH2AX and 53BP1) were detected using flowcytometry or immunohistochemistry analysis.

Innovative Solid Lipid Nanoparticle-Enriched Hydrogels for Enhanced Topical Delivery of L-Glutathione: A Novel Approach to Anti-Ageing.

Skin ageing, driven predominantly by oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by environmental factors like ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, accounts for approximately 80% of extrinsic skin damage. L-glutathione (GSH), a potent antioxidant, holds promise in combating UVA-induced oxidative stress. However, its instability and limited penetration through the stratum corneum hinder its topical application.

Ethanolic Extract of Leaf Has an Anticancer Activity on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study.

: , or star fruit, is a shrub known for its medicinal properties, especially due to bioactive metabolites identified in its roots and fruit with anti-cancer activity. However, the biological effects of its leaves remain unexplored. This study aimed to assess the effects of ethanolic extract from leaves on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive subtype lacking specific therapy.

An Investigation of the Anticancer Mechanism of L. Extract Against Colorectal Cancer by Integrating a Network Pharmacological Analysis and Experimental Validation.

L. has exhibited various pharmacological effects, yet its anticancer activities against colorectal cancer (CRC) and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the anticancer properties of an ethanol extract of L.

Egg Consumption and Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Study of Australian Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Background/objectives: Egg consumption in adults has been linked with a modestly increased risk of all-cause and CVD mortality. However, evidence on adults aged 65 y+ is limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between egg intake and mortality in community-dwelling older adults.