Conventional Cancer Treatment Research Articles

A Review on Edibile Mushrooms and their Cancer Cure Properties

Edible mushrooms have emerged as a compelling subject of study in the context of cancer therapy due to their potential anticancer properties. This review paper comprehensively examines the significance of edible mushrooms in cancer treatment, elucidates their mechanisms of action, presents findings from preclinical and clinical studies, discusses the safety and side effects of mushroom consumption, and explores dietary recommendations and integrative approaches. Key bioactive compounds within mushrooms, such as beta-glucans, polysaccharides, and lectins, are scrutinized for their roles in modulating immune responses, apoptosis induction, and antioxidant effects. Clinical trials involving mushroom interventions are summarized, offering insights into their effectiveness and safety. Safety considerations are addressed, with a focus on potential side effects, contraindications, and comparative safety with conventional cancer treatments. The paper also highlights the importance of integrating edible mushrooms into cancer care strategies, both as dietary components and complementary therapies. Potential synergies between mushrooms and other natural remedies, such as probiotics, are explored. This review concludes by emphasizing the promising prospects of edible mushrooms in cancer treatment, calling for further research, and advocating for their informed inclusion in holistic cancer care.

Regulation of DNA damage-induced HLA class I presentation

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are cancer therapies that restore anti-tumor immunity; however, only a small percentage of patients have been completely cured by ICI alone. Multiple approaches in combination with other modalities have been used to improve the efficacy of ICI therapy. Among conventional cancer treatments, radiotherapy or DNA damage-based chemotherapy is a promising candidate as a partner of ICI because DNA damage signaling potentially stimulates immune activities turning the tumor’s immune environment into hot tumors. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I), which are immune ligands, regulate the balance of anti-tumor immunity in the tumor microenvironment. PD-L1 functions as a brake to suppress cytotoxic T cell activity, whereas HLA-I is an immune accelerator that promotes the downstream of the T cell signaling. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that DNA damage enhances the presentation of HLA-I on the surface of damaged cells. However, it is unclear how signal transduction in DNA-damaged cells upregulates the presentation of HLA-I with antigens. Our recent study uncovered the mechanism underlying DNA damage-induced HLA-I presentation, which requires polypeptide synthesis through a pioneer round of translation. In this review, we summarize the latest overview of how DNA damage stimulates antigen production presented by HLA-I.

Nano-injectable pH/NIR-responsive hydrogel for chemo-photothermal synergistic drug delivery.

Conventional cancer treatments are highly toxic and ineffective; therefore, it is essential to develop less toxic and minimally invasive treatment methods. A pH/Near Infra-red (NIR) dual-responsive, nano-injectable smart hydrogel was fabricated by incorporating CuS nanoparticles into the hydrogel networks formed by a random copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and double-bond functionalized uracil. Microstructural characterizations of synthesized polymer and hydrogels were carried out using transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Multiple hydrogen bonding interactions between uracils function as physical cross-linking points to construct the network structure of the polymeric nanogel without the addition of additional cross-linking agents, ensuring the material's safety. The amino group on the structure of uracil gives the uracil-modified polymeric hydrogel excellent pH responsiveness. Notably, as a temperature-responsive material, poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) nanogel solution can achieve in situ gel formation (within 100 s at 37°C) above its lower critical solution temperature (LCST), granting injectability to polymeric solutions. Moreover, using a hierarchical construction strategy, the variable loading of DOX and CuS was achieved. First, a heterogeneous system was created by encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX) inside the nanogel via hydrophobic and π-π stacking interactions, followed by the introduction of CuS nanoparticles as photosensitizers outside of the nanogels. Due to the presence of CuS nanoparticles, the gel is able to convert NIR light into local heat to enhance the destruction of tumor cells while simultaneously achieving rapid in situ gel formation. The in situ-forming hydrogel showed promising tissue biocompatibility. The in vitro antitumor test demonstrated the capacity of the nanocomposite hydrogel for chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy. Therefore, this prepared platform has the potential to become a safe and effective, smart-responsive drug carrier for chemotherapy and PTT synergy, a minimally invasive material for tumor treatment.

Oncolytic adenovirus as pancreatic cancer-targeted therapy: Where do we go from here?

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers with extremely high mortality rate, and the number of cases is expected to steadily increase with time. Pancreatic cancer is refractory to conventional cancer treatment options, like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and commercialized immunotherapeutics, owing to its immunosuppressive and desmoplastic phenotype. Due to these reasons, development of an innovative treatment option that can overcome these challenges posed by the pancreatic tumor microenvironment (TME) is in an urgent need. The present review aims to summarize the evolution of oncolytic adenovirus (oAd) engineering and usage as therapeutics (either monotherapy or combination therapy) over the last decade to overcome these hurdles to instigate a potent antitumor effect against desmoplastic and immunosuppressive pancreatic cancer.

Overcome of Cisplatin Resistance in Ovarian Cancer by Combination of Low-intensity Ultrasound and Cisplatin.

Platinum-based chemotherapeutics are the main treatment options for ovarium cancer. However, the development of drug resistance is one of the major issues in chemotherapy. Even targeting a specific pathway may not produce an efficient sensitization to the chemo agent due to various pathways related to developing resistance against cisplatin. Hence, more effective strategies against drug resistance are essential for cancer treatment. In the presence of the ultrasonic waves, increased membrane porosity enables more drug uptake into the cancer cell. Therefore, the promising method in cancer therapy is seen as the use of the combined effect of chemotherapy and low-Intensity Ultrasound (LIUS) to overcome chemoresistance. The present study aimed to examine the effects of Ultrasound (US)+Cisplatin (Cis)- based combination therapy to advance an effective treatment against drug resistance in cisplatinresistant ovarian cancer cells A2780 (A2780cis) under in vitro conditions. Treatment groups as Cis and LIUS with two different ultrasound parameters (10% duty cycle (DC), 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm2, 1 min and 50% DC, 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm2, 3 min) were investigated to cope with the chemoresistance in A2780cis. After Cis therapy with IC50 concentrations determined in A2780 and A2780cis, drug-sensitive/resistant ovarian cancer cells were treated by ultrasound. The effects of the US+Cis combination therapy were evaluated by cell viability assays, colony formation, and cell cycle analyses. In both US parameters, the waveform was shown to be more effective in preventing drug resistance. While more than 80% of the cell population was suppressed with the US+Cis combination treatment, more than 90% of the colony formation was suppressed according to the colony formation test results. In addition, US+Cis combination therapy caused different cell cycle arrests in both A2780 and A2780cis cells. Ultrasound-based combination therapies show promising results in combating chemoresistance, and the disadvantages of conventional cancer treatments, such as cancer recurrence, drug resistance, and high cost, might reduce by the effectiveness of combination therapy of ultrasound therapy and chemotherapy.

Review of Plant-Based Diets and Comprehensive Lifestyle Changes on Prostate Cancer Reversal without the Use of Chemotherapy

Prostate cancer poses a significant health challenge, warranting innovative therapeutic strategies. This review explores the potential of plant-based diets and comprehensive lifestyle modifications as a non-chemotherapy approach to prostate cancer reversal. While chemotherapy is the conventional treatment for advanced prostate cancer, the adverse effects it entails have driven the exploration of alternative, less invasive interventions. The analysis considers a wide range of research, including interventional and observational studies, revealing the positive impact of plant-based diets on short-term oncologic outcomes, general health, and nutrition. Lifestyle interventions significantly reduced the need for conventional treatments, demonstrating the potential for delaying or avoiding them altogether. Furthermore, adopting plant- based diets exhibited a notable association with lower risks of advanced and fatal prostate cancer. Although direct evidence on prostate cancer reversal without chemotherapy remains limited, the reviewed studies underscore the importance of dietary and lifestyle adjustments in mitigating prostate cancer risks and enhancing overall outcomes. Further research is needed to explore the long-term implications of whole-food plant-based diets and to develop targeted interventions for prostate cancer prevention and treatment without chemotherapy

Polybenzoxazines as new photothermal therapy agents

To make photothermal therapy an attractive alternative to conventional cancer treatments, the development of novel photothermal agents with enhanced properties is demanded. To tackle this challenge, herein we explored the use of polybenzoxazines, a well-known class of phenolic resins. Two different types of polybenzoxazine materials were prepared as potential photothermal agents: water-soluble polybenzoxazines as well as nanoparticles of hydrophobic polybenzoxazines, which can be generated in situ by polymer addition to cell culture medium. For both systems, irradiation with visible light led to significant photothermal effects, whose application to photoinduce human breast cancer cell’s death was investigated in vitro. The best results were obtained for polybenzoxazine nanostructures, which exhibited successful cell internalization, minimal cytotoxicity in the dark and efficient photothermal killing of cancer cells upon illumination with high-penetrating red light. In combination with their low cost and facile preparation, this makes these polymer nanomaterials highly promising for photothermal therapy applications.

Paralemnalia thyrsoides-associated fungi: phylogenetic diversity, cytotoxic potential, metabolomic profiling and docking analysis

BackgroundCancer continues to be one of the biggest causes of death that affects human health. Chemical resistance is still a problem in conventional cancer treatments. Fortunately, numerous natural compounds originating from different microbes, including fungi, possess cytotoxic characteristics that are now well known. This study aims to investigate the anticancer prospects of five fungal strains that were cultivated and isolated from the Red Sea soft coral Paralemnalia thyrsoides. The in vitro cytotoxic potential of the ethyl acetate extracts of the different five isolates were evaluated using MTS assay against four cancer cell lines; A549, CT-26, MDA-MB-231, and U87. Metabolomics profiling of the different extracts using LC-HR-ESI-MS, besides molecular docking studies for the dereplicated compounds were performed to unveil the chemical profile and the cytotoxic mechanism of the soft coral associated fungi.ResultsThe five isolated fungal strains were identified as Penicillium griseofulvum (RD1), Cladosporium sphaerospermum (RD2), Cladosporium liminiforme (RD3), Penicillium chrysogenum (RD4), and Epicoccum nigrum (RD5). The in vitro study showed that the ethyl acetate extract of RD4 exhibited the strongest cytotoxic potency against three cancer cell lines A549, CT-26 and MDA-MB-231 with IC50 values of 1.45 ± 8.54, 1.58 ± 6.55 and 1.39 ± 2.0 µg/mL, respectively, also, RD3 revealed selective cytotoxic potency against A549 with IC50 value of 6.99 ± 3.47 µg/mL. Docking study of 32 compounds dereplicated from the metabolomics profiling demonstrated a promising binding conformation with EGFR tyrosine kinase that resembled its co-crystallized ligand albeit with better binding energy score.ConclusionOur results highlight the importance of soft coral-associated fungi as a promising source for anticancer metabolites for future drug discovery.

Dendritic Glycerol-Cholesterol Amphiphiles as Drug Delivery Systems: A Comparison between Monomeric and Polymeric Structures.

The application of micelles as drug delivery systems has gained a great deal of attention as a means to overcome the current several drawbacks present in conventional cancer treatments. In this work, we highlight the comparison of polymeric and monomeric amphiphilic systems with a similar hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) in terms of their biocompatibility, aggregation behavior in aqueous solution, and potential in solubilizing hydrophobic compounds. The polymeric system consists of non-ionic polymeric amphiphiles synthesized via sequential RAFT polymerization of polyglycerol first-generation [G1] dendron methacrylate and cholesterol methacrylate to obtain poly(G1-polyglycerol dendron methacrylate)-block-poly(cholesterol methacrylate) (pG1MA-b-pCMA). The monomeric system is a polyglycerol second-generation [G2] dendron end-capped to a cholesterol unit. Both amphiphiles form spherical micellar aggregations in aqueous solution, with differences in size and the morphology in which hydrophobic molecules can be encapsulated. The polymeric and monomeric micelles showed a low critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 0.2 and 17 μg/mL, respectively. The results of our cytotoxicity assays showed that the polymeric system has significantly higher cell viability compared to that of the monomeric amphiphiles. The polymeric micelles were implemented as drug delivery systems by encapsulation of the hydrophobic small molecule doxorubicin, achieving a loading capacity of 4%. In summary, the results of this study reveal that using cholesterol as a building block for polymer synthesis is a promising method of preparation for efficient drug delivery systems while improving the cell viability of monomeric cholesterol.

Liposomes for Cancer Theranostics.

Cancer is one of the most well-studied diseases and there have been significant advancements over the last few decades in understanding its molecular and cellular mechanisms. Although the current treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, gene therapy and immunotherapy) have provided complete cancer remission for many patients, cancer still remains one of the most common causes of death in the world. The main reasons for the poor response rates for different cancers include the lack of drug specificity, drug resistance and toxic side effects (i.e., in healthy tissues). For addressing the limitations of conventional cancer treatments, nanotechnology has shown to be an important field for constructing different nanoparticles for destroying cancer cells. Due to their size (i.e., less than 1 μm), nanoparticles can deliver significant amounts of cancer drugs to tumors and are able to carry moieties (e.g., folate, peptides) for targeting specific types of cancer cells (i.e., through receptor-mediated endocytosis). Liposomes, composed of phospholipids and an interior aqueous core, can be used as specialized delivery vehicles as they can load different types of cancer therapy agents (e.g., drugs, photosensitizers, genetic material). In addition, the ability to load imaging agents (e.g., fluorophores, radioisotopes, MRI contrast media) enable these nanoparticles to be used for monitoring the progress of treatment. This review examines a wide variety of different liposomes for cancer theranostics, with the different available treatments (e.g., photothermal, photodynamic) and imaging modalities discussed for different cancers.

Biolistic Delivery of Photosensitizer‐Loaded Porous Si Carriers for Localized Photodynamic Therapy

AbstractAmong numerous approaches for treating cancer, clinically approved photodynamic therapy (PDT) is considered a promising non‐invasive therapeutic strategy for solid tumors. While PDT has distinct advantages over conventional cancer treatments, systemic exposure to the photosensitizer and its stability are some of the limitations of clinical PDT. Herein, a therapeutic strategy for highly localized focal PDT is introduced based on direct biolistic delivery of photosensitizer‐loaded carriers to cancerous tumors. Degradable porous silicon microparticles (PSiMPs) are used as efficient carriers for the photosensitizer, meso‐tetrahydroxy‐phenylchlorin (mTHPC), and its conjugates with gold nanoparticles (AuNP‐mTHPC conjugates). The loaded PSiMP carriers are successfully bombarded using a pneumatic gene gun to breast cancer cells in vitro and into tumor xenografts in vivo, and subsequent uptake of the released photosensitizer payload is demonstrated. PDT irradiation is commenced after 24 h based on the release profile, resulting in complete cell death in vitro and substantial inhibition of tumor growth in vivo. Notably, using empty PSiMP carriers also leads to some tumor growth inhibition, ascribing to its intrinsic photosensitizing activity. Treatment with AuNP‐mTHPC‐loaded PSiMPs exhibits a superior therapeutic effect in comparison to bombarded mTHPC‐loaded carriers and administration of free mTHPC. This biolistic delivery scheme may be advantageous for precision photodynamic therapy.

Optimal Treatment Strategy for Cancer Based on Mathematical Modeling and Impulse Control Theory

Adaptive therapy is a new type of cancer treatment in which time and dose are dynamically changed according to different individuals, which is very different from conventional cancer treatment strategies that use the maximum dose to kill the tumor cells. However, how to determine the time and dose of drug treatment is a challenging problem. In this paper, a competition model between drug-sensitive cells and drug-resistant cells was established, in which pulse intervention was introduced. In addition, based on the theory of pulse optimal control, three pulse optimal control strategies are proposed in the process of cancer treatment by controlling the pulse interval and dose, minimizing the number of tumor cells at the end of the day at minimal cost. Finally, three optimization strategies were compared, using numerical simulation, in terms of tumor burden and the effect on drug-resistant cells. The results show that the hybrid control strategy has the best effect. This work would provide some new ideas for the treatment of cancer.

A Mini Review: Zinc Oxide NPs as a Promising Cancer Treatment Strategy: Insights into Synthesis Methodology and Mechanisms

Abstract: Cancer has become a major global public health concern, with millions of new cases and deaths reported annually. Conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and surgery, continue to be the standard of care; however, they frequently bear significant risks and high costs, necessitating the development of more cost-effective and safe alternatives. These limitations can be overcome by nanoparticle (NPs), composed of organic or inorganic substances in the nanoscale range, which offer benefits including enhanced pharmacokinetics, selective targeting of cancer cells, reduced toxicity, and decreased drug resistance. Green nanotechnology, which integrates nanotechnology with natural compounds, has emerged as a strategy for reducing toxicity on human health and the environment by functioning as reducing, capping, and stabilising agents. Compared to other NPs, Zinc oxide NPs (ZnO NPs) possess a unique selectivity and a potent capacity to target cancer cells, in addition to being biocompatible and considered safer for both humans and the environment. Due to the physiological function of zinc, an essential micronutrient, ZnO NPs have demonstrated greater bioavailability than other metal or metal oxide NPs. NP plays a more significant role in bioavailability than particle size, making ZnO NPs an attractive option for various applications. This mini review aims to comprehensively explore the synthesis methodology of ZnO NPs and the potential mechanisms underlying their anticancer properties. `

PH-Responsive Upconversion Mesoporous Silica Nanospheres for Combined Multimodal Diagnostic Imaging and Targeted Photodynamic and Photothermal Cancer Therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) have gained considerable attention as potential alternatives to conventional cancer treatments. However, these approaches remain limited by low solubility, poor stability, and inefficient targeting of many common photosensitizers (PSs) and photothermal agents (PTAs). To overcome the aforementioned limitations, we engineered biocompatible and biodegradable tumor-targeted upconversion nanospheres with imaging capabilities. The multifunctional nanospheres consist of a sodium yttrium fluoride core doped with lanthanides (ytterbium, erbium, and gadolinium) and the PTA bismuth selenide (NaYF4:Yb/Er/Gd,Bi2Se3) enveloped in a mesoporous silica shell that encapsulates a PS, chlorin e6 (Ce6), within its pores. NaYF4:Yb/Er converts deeply penetrating near-infrared (NIR) light to visible light, which excites Ce6 to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), while Bi2Se3 efficiently converts absorbed NIR light to heat. Additionally, Gd enables magnetic resonance imaging of the nanospheres. The mesoporous silica shell is coated with DPPC/cholesterol/DSPE-PEG to retain the encapsulated Ce6 and prevent serum protein adsorption and macrophage recognition that hinder tumor targeting. Finally, the coat is conjugated to the acidity-triggered rational membrane (ATRAM) peptide, which promotes specific and efficient internalization into malignant cells in the mildly acidic microenvironment of tumors. The nanospheres facilitated tumor magnetic resonance and thermal and fluorescence imaging and exhibited potent NIR laser light-induced anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo via combined ROS production and localized hyperthermia, with negligible toxicity to healthy tissue, hence markedly extending survival. Our results demonstrate that the ATRAM-functionalized, lipid/PEG-coated upconversion mesoporous silica nanospheres (ALUMSNs) offer multimodal diagnostic imaging and targeted combinatorial cancer therapy.

Algae: A Robust Living Material Against Cancer.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Its incidence has been increasing in recent years, and it is becoming a major threat to human health. Conventional cancer treatment strategies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, have faced problems such as drug resistance, toxic side effects and unsatisfactory therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, better development and utilization of biomaterials can improve the specificity and efficacy of tumor therapy. Algae, as a novel living material, possesses good biocompatibility. Although some reviews have elucidated several algae-based biomaterials for cancer treatment, the majority of the literature has focused on a limited number of algae. As a result, there is currently a lack of comprehensive reviews on the subject of anticancer algae. This review aims to address this gap by conducting a thorough examination of algal species that show potential for anticancer activity. Furthermore, our review will also elucidate the engineering strategies of algae and discuss the challenges and prospects associated with their implementation.

Molecular Docking Studies and In-silico ADMET Profile Analysis of Triphala Plant constituents Morin and 9, 10-anthraquinone as Potential Inhibitors of human Estrogen Receptor Alpha

The expanding global burden of cancer demands novel treatment options. Herbal medicine offers a viable alternative to conventional cancer treatment. Breast cancer is frequently diagnosed cancer among women all over the world. Normal breast cells and specific breast cancer cells containestrogen and progesterone receptors. Estrogen and progesterone bind to receptors and stimulate cancer cell proliferation and expansion with growth factors (e.g., oncogenes and mutated gene suppressors). Tamoxifen, raloxifene, andtoremifene are among the most frequently used drugs for breast cancer, whereas estrogen continues to be produced in breast cancer cells. These medications primarily function against theestrogen binding to theestrogenreceptors on these cells. Protein-ligand interaction plays a major role in structural drug design. In this study, the molecular interactions between theHuman estrogen receptor alpha (PDB ID: 2IOK), and the two ligands isolated from Triphala Ayurvedic formulation morin, and 9,10-anthraquinone, an endogenous estrogen receptor ligand, estradiol, and the three economically available breast cancer drug, tamoxifen, raloxifene, and toremifene using the AutodockVina software tool. The ADMET properties of these substances were determinedusing popular web-based software tools that include preADMET, admetSAR, Molinspiration, and SwissADME.The present available anti-cancer drugs have so many side effects. The present work is aimed at determining the efficacy ofestrogen receptor inhibitors and the safety profile of morin, anthraquinone molecules isolated from Triphalapolyherbal formulation by in-silico methods. The binding energies (Kcal/mol) of ligands with human estrogen receptor were calculated as follows: morin (-9.0), 9,10-anthraquinone (-8.7), estradiol (-10.1), tamoxifen (-9.6), raloxifene (-9.8) and toremifene (-8.9). The resultssupported the drug-like properties of the molecules tested and they are likely to have a therapeutic effect.Further,in vivo and pre-clinical trials of the most active compound are also worthwhile for producing effective inhibitors.

Alkaloids and Flavonoids the Phyto Adjuvants in Cancer Therapy

Cancer represents the second leading cause of deaths throughout the world. Though orthodoxic/ conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery assure the survival of cancer patients, they do not insure cure to life. They are often painful due to adverse side effects and also bring resistance to drugs and radiation. In recent years WHO Geneva cancer conference also proclaimed that regional herbal therapy can be given as adjuvants alongside chemotherapeutic agents since the former causes minimal side effects and are also safe to the normal cells and to the body. Herbal compounds being antioxidants and antimicrobial in nature and operate the apoptosis of cancer cells in-vivo through their innumerable mechanisms, they show greater potential as anti- cancer agents. Among the multitudes of herbal agents, the alkaloids and flavonoids proved as anti-proliferative, anti- angiogenic, anti-metastatic and anti-cancer adjuvants through cell line studies and in clinical therapy.

Synergistic Combination of Letrozole and Berberine in Ascorbic Acid-Stabilized AuNPs: A Promising Solution for Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is a deadly disease that affects countless women worldwide. The most conventional treatments for breast cancer, such as the administration of anticancer medications such as letrozole (LTZ), pose significant barriers due to the non-selective delivery and low bioavailability of cytotoxic drugs leading to serious adverse effects and multidrug resistance (MDR). Addressing these obstacles requires an innovative approach, and we propose a combined strategy that synergistically incorporates LTZ with berberine (BBR) into stabilised AuNPs coated with ascorbic acid (AA), known as LTZ-BBR@AA-AuNPs. The LTZ-BBR@AA-AuNPs, a novel combined drug delivery system, were carefully designed to maximise the entrapment of both LTZ and BBR. The resulting spherical nanoparticles exhibited remarkable efficiency in trapping these two compounds, with rates of 58% and 54%, respectively. In particular, the average hydrodynamic diameter of these nanoparticles was determined to be 81.23 ± 4.0 nm with a PDI value of only 0.286, indicating excellent uniformity between them. Furthermore, their zeta potential was observed to be -14.5 mV, suggesting high stability even under physiological conditions. The release profiles showed that after being incubated for about 24 h at pH levels ranging from acidic (pH = 5) to basic (pH = 7), the percentage released for both drugs ranged from 56-72%. This sustained and controlled drug release can reduce any negative side effects while improving therapeutic efficacy when administered directly to cancer. MDA-MB-231 cells treated with LTZ-BBR@AA-AuNPs for 48 h exhibited IC50 values of 2.04 ± 0.011 μg/mL, indicating potent cytotoxicity against cells. Furthermore, the nanoparticles demonstrated excellent stability throughout the duration of the treatment.

MicroRNA-based genetic therapy in leukemia: properties, delivery, and experimental models.

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells. In this disease, immature blood cells undergo genetic mutations, leading to excessive replication and reduced cell death compared to healthy cells. In cancer, there may be the activation of oncogenes and the deactivation of tumor suppressor genes that control certain cellular functions. Despite the undeniable contribution to the patient's recovery, conventional cancer treatments may have some not-so-beneficial effects. In this case, gene therapy appears as an alternative to classical treatments. Gene therapy delivers genetic material to cells to replace or modify dysfunctional genes, a safe method for neoplasms. One of the types of nucleic acids explored in gene therapy is microRNA (miRNA), a group of endogenous, non-proteincoding, small single-stranded RNA molecules involved in the regulation of gene expression, cell division, differentiation, angiogenesis, migration, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis. This review aims to bring together the most recent advances found in the literature on cancer gene therapy based on microRNAs in the oncological context, focusing on leukemia.

Escape from senescence: molecular basis and therapeutic ramifications.

Cellular senescence constitutes a stress response mechanism in reaction to a plethora of stimuli. Senescent cells exhibit cell-cycle arrest and altered function. While cell-cycle withdrawal has been perceived as permanent, recent evidence in cancer research introduced the so-called escape-from-senescence concept. In particular, under certain conditions, senescent cells may resume proliferation, acquiring highly aggressive features. As such, they have been associated with tumour relapse, rendering senescence less effective in inhibiting cancer progression. Thus, conventional cancer treatments, incapable of eliminating senescence, may benefit if revisited to include senolytic agents. To this end, it is anticipated that the assessment of the senescence burden in everyday clinical material by pathologists will play a crucial role in the near future, laying the foundation for more personalised approaches. Here, we provide an overview of the investigations that introduced the escape-from-senescence phenomenon, the identified mechanisms, as well as the major implications for pathology and therapy. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.