Volume 111

Emerging pathogens underscore an urgent need for rapidly developed vaccines to minimize mortality and societal disruption. Traditional vaccine development requires time spans of years, making it ill-suited to fast-evolving viruses that can overwhelm healthcare systems and economies. In response, plug-and-play vaccine platforms offer a more agile solution. By reusing proven backbones, they reduce the repetitive safety and production steps otherwise required for each new pathogen, thus accelerating both regulatory approval and large-scale manufacturing. In parallel, artificial intelligence and computational tools enable faster antigen and epitope identification, more accurate immune response modeling, and improved vaccine design. These innovations have already shortened timelines and enhanced efficacy.

Show more

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide, and its incidence and mortality are growing year by year. In recent years, the beginning and course of CRC are directly linked to intestinal flora imbalance, according to an increasing number of research.Therefore, finding a unique treatment approach and direction that can regulate the intestinal flora is therefore urgently needed. Traditional Chinese medicine as an adjuvant therapy for CRC has the characteristics of multi-targets, multi-levels, multi-links, and overall regulation, and it has significant advantages in the prevention and management of CRC.Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG), as one of the main drugs in the utilisation of traditional Chinese medicine as an adjuvant therapy for CRC, has been widely studied and recognised. Studies have shown that SBG and its active ingredients can aid in the prevention and management of CRC by regulating the intestinal flora, improving the imbalance of the flora, inhibiting the proliferation of harmful microorganisms, and enhancing the function of advantageous microorganisms. In addition, scutellaria can also inhibit the incidence and development of CRC by inhibiting inflammatory response, inducing apoptosis of cancer cells and blocking signaling pathways

Show more

This review explores the evolution, mechanisms, and future potential of vaccines, with a comparative focus on traditional vaccines and emerging genetic vaccines. Traditional vaccines—such as inactivated, attenuated, and subunit types—have played a pivotal role in public health but face limitations in production complexity, efficacy, and storage. In contrast, genetic vaccines, particularly mRNA-based, offer higher efficiency, rapid development, and customizable antigen targeting enabled by gene-editing technologies like PCR and CRISPR. Despite challenges such as stability, delivery systems, and short-lived immunity in certain cases, genetic vaccines show promising adaptability in combating viral mutations and may redefine therapeutic strategies. The paper argues that with ongoing advances in biotechnology, genetic vaccines could gradually replace conventional types, shaping a new era in preventive medicine and global immunization.

Show more

Osteoporosis, a prevalent skeletal condition, markedly impacts the well-being of certain demographics, particularly postmenopausal women and the elderly. It is defined by diminished bone density, the deterioration of bone tissue, and disturbances in the bone's microarchitecture, which consequently heighten bone fragility and the likelihood of fractures. This treatise explores the incidence of osteoporosis within susceptible populations, elucidates the mechanisms underlying bone resorption, and examines various risk factors, including age, lifestyle choices, dietary habits, medical conditions, and pharmaceuticals, along with their respective evaluation techniques. The discourse also encompasses therapeutic strategies such as adjustments to diet and nutrition, the adoption of an active lifestyle, quitting smoking, and moderating alcohol intake, in conjunction with pharmacological interventions like antiresorptive drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and anabolic therapies. Grasping these elements is essential for the successful prevention and management of osteoporosis. By employing a multifaceted approach, it is possible to substantially decrease the occurrence of the condition and the associated risk of fractures. Nonetheless, ongoing research is imperative to refine treatment modalities and enhance early diagnosis and management protocols for this ailment.

Show more

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), recognized as a primary contributor to cancer-related fatalities on a global scale, makes for around 85% of all diagnosed lung cancer instances. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), recognized as a cutting-edge approach in cancer therapy, have demonstrated good curative effects in the treatment of numerous malignant cancers in recent years, encompassing NSCLC therapy. These drugs not only increase the patients' survival cycle and remission rate to a certain degree but also lessen harmful side effects and other side effects thanks to their precise guidance feature.They combine the potent damage impact of conventional chemotherapeutic medications with the specific target ability of monoclonal antibodies, overcoming the limitations of those conventional therapeutic approaches, including as targeted therapy, immunotherapy and so on, in terms of drug resistance and cancer progression. With the accumulation of more clinical data and optimization of technology, it gives rise to new expectations pertaining to the therapeutic approach for patients diagnosed with NSCLC, potentially transforming the therapeutic landscape. Next-stage study should focus on optimizing target selection, improving linker technology to enhance stability,and so on,as well as exploring combination strategies with immunotherapy or targeted therapy, thereby promoting the development of individualized therapy.

Show more

Nuclear - contaminated water, a concerning byproduct of nuclear mishaps and industrial operations, contains radioactive elements. These substances pose substantial threats to both human health and the environment. Since the release of processed water contaminated with nuclear substances into the Pacific Ocean in 2023, global concerns have been mounting. In this investigation, an analysis is conducted on the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects that nuclear - contaminated water exerts on MDA - MB - 231 cells. MDA - MB - 231 is a cell line typical of triple - negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is recognized for its aggressiveness and poor prognosis. We suspect that nuclear-contaminated water causes MDA - MB - 231 cells to enter a death pathway by ramping up reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inflicting DNA damage. With the utilization of MTT assays, flow cytometry (CellROX), TUNEL assays, and Western blot analysis, we assessed cell viability, ROS production, breaks in DNA double - strands, as well as the existence of DNA damage - related proteins like PARP and p53. Based on how we designed the experiment, we think nuclear - contaminated water will raise ROS levels significantly, lower cell viability, and inflict DNA harm on MDA - MB - 231 cells, thereby backing up our hypothesis. These findings show that nuclear - contaminated water has certain potential health risks and help us understand how it's toxic, especially in relation to breast cancer. Our study really highlights the need for more research on the environmental and biological effects of radioactive contaminants.

Show more

Today, Lung cancer is the cancer with the highest fatality rate worldwide,which seriously affects physical and mental health. Due to the inadequacy of existing treatment methods, people have launched extensive research on new drugs with potential for cancer treatment. Triptolide, a diterpenoid epoxide derived from Tripterygium wilfordii, has emerged as a promising multi-target agent against lung cancer. This review systematically summarizes triptolide's mechanisms including: (1) proliferation inhibition via HnRNPA2/B1-PI3K/AKT suppression; (2) apoptosis induction through mitochondrial (SIRT2/p53/Bcl-2/Bax) and cuproptosis (ATP7A/B-DLAT oligomerization) pathways; (3) Wnt/β-catenin signaling blockade by p70S6K/GSK-3 inhibition; (4) immunomodulation via Stat3/NF-κB axis. Despite demonstrating potent anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical models, clinical translation is hindered by its narrow therapeutic window (hepatorenal toxicity) and poor bioavailability. Recent advances in structural derivatives (e.g., Omtriptolide) and drug combinations (e.g., with cisplatin) show potential for overcoming these limitations. Further optimization of toxicity profiles and pharmacokinetics is essential for advancing triptolide into Phase II trials.

Show more

The invasion of immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is instantly correlated with the growing incidence of carcinoma of the colon (CRC). The distribution characteristics of immunosuppressive cells, which involves tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), in the tumor tissues of patients suffering carcinoma of the colon are meticulously gathered in the present investigation. In accordance with the data, individuals who had advanced cancer of the colon had a substantially greater proportion of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Tregs in their peripheral bloodstreams as compared to the healthy control group. With the goal to hinder anti-tumor immunity, the mechanism of action discovered in CRC patients' tumor cells encourages tumor-associated macrophages to polarize toward the tumor-promoting M2 type and collaboratively authority the inhibitory receptor axis by the accidental discharge of IL-10 and the IL-35. Myeloid cells proliferate abnormally, agglomerate MDSCs, and may decrease T cell responses when they happen to be in an ailing position.

Show more

Osteoarthritis (OA), as a degenerative joint disease, severely impacts life qualities of patients. With intensification of global aging and changes in modern lifestyles and dietary habits, its incidence has been rising annually among both middle-aged/elderly populations and younger groups. Currently, there is no cure for OA; therapeutic strategies primarily rely on anti-inflammatory agents, pain relief, and joint maintenance, most of which exhibit significant side effects. Marine Omega-3 PUFAs, the polyunsaturated fatty acids essential during human growth and metabolism, have demonstrated notable efficacy in OA treatment in recent years. This review systematically explores the potential roles and mechanisms of Marine Omega-3 PUFAs in OA management from multiple perspectives, including molecular pathways, in vitro experiments, and clinical studies; highlights their unique functions, such as reducing inflammatory cytokine levels, exerting antioxidant effects, and providing mechanical protection to chondrocytes. Representative applications in OA therapy are summarized, alongside discussions on current research limitations, developmental challenges, and future prospects for Marine Omega-3 PUFAs.

Show more

As a subtype, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents about 85% of all cases. This rate is largely due to the disease often being diagnosed at an advanced stage, the tendency for metastasis, and the development of resistance to treatments. While advancements in targeted therapies and immunotherapies have improved outcomes, challenges such as toxicity and tumor heterogeneity still persist. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, which has a breakthrough in the Leukemia, shows emerging potential in NSCLC despite limitations in solid tumor applications. This review summarizes recent progress in the CAR-T therapy for NSCLC, focusing on target selection, combination strategies, challenges, and future directions. Key targets under investigation include EGFR, MSLN, MUC1, PSCA, CD133+, EphA2, and B7-H3, which demonstrate varied efficacy in preclinical and early clinical studies. For instance, EGFR-targeted CAR-T cells reduced metastatic lesions and improved survival in murine models, while MSLN-directed therapy achieved partial remission in patients. Combination regimens with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, could enhance the constructed cell infiltration and improve the therapeutic efficacy. Despite these advances, challenges such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), antigen heterogeneity, immunosuppressive microenvironments, and high costs hinder clinical translation. Innovative solutions like dual-target CAR-T cells, gene-edited constructs and personalized approaches leveraging liquid biopsy are under exploration. While this therapy for NSCLC is still under research, ongoing preclinical optimization and clinical trials highlight its transformative potential. Future efforts must prioritize multi-target strategies, synergistic combination therapies, and cost-effective manufacturing to treat NSCLC patients.

Show more