Previous Issue
Volume 5, June
 
 

Biologics, Volume 5, Issue 3 (September 2025) – 5 articles

  • Issues are regarded as officially published after their release is announced to the table of contents alert mailing list.
  • You may sign up for e-mail alerts to receive table of contents of newly released issues.
  • PDF is the official format for papers published in both, html and pdf forms. To view the papers in pdf format, click on the "PDF Full-text" link, and use the free Adobe Reader to open them.
Order results
Result details
Section
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
23 pages, 680 KiB  
Review
Immunological Strategies for Enhancing Viral Neutralization and Protection in Antibody-Guided Vaccine Design
by Dimitrina Miteva, Maria Kokudeva, Latchesar Tomov, Hristiana Batselova and Tsvetelina Velikova
Biologics 2025, 5(3), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/biologics5030021 - 23 Jul 2025
Viewed by 337
Abstract
Background: Immunological strategies for antibody-guided vaccine design intend to enhance viral neutralization and protection and increase efficacy. Here, we discuss advances in antibody-guided vaccine design and current antibody-guided strategies, including epitope-based, nanoparticle-based, and scaffold-based vaccine approaches. We review the challenges and limitations of [...] Read more.
Background: Immunological strategies for antibody-guided vaccine design intend to enhance viral neutralization and protection and increase efficacy. Here, we discuss advances in antibody-guided vaccine design and current antibody-guided strategies, including epitope-based, nanoparticle-based, and scaffold-based vaccine approaches. We review the challenges and limitations of vaccines against different pathogens, such as influenza A virus, HIV-1 virus, single-celled malaria parasite, respiratory syncytial virus, and SARS-CoV-2. We summarize the available literature guidance, including emerging techniques in immunological vaccine design, to help understand and improve antibody-based immunity. The search strategy we applied is a comprehensive literature review of major databases, with specific search terms related to antibody-mediated vaccine design, viral neutralization, and immune protection. We discuss the how future directions for next-generation vaccine platforms and personalized vaccines based on immunogenetics will help improve vaccine design for increased specificity and potency of antibodies that neutralize pathogens, offering more precise and effective immune responses and, therefore, protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Antibody-Guided Vaccine Design for Viruses)
Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 333 KiB  
Article
Impact of Antidiabetic Medication on Therapy Outcomes in Metastatic Urothelial Cancer Patients Receiving Enfortumab Vedotin Monotherapy
by Laila Schneidewind, Bernhard Kiss, Friedemann Zengerling, Annemarie Uhlig, Niklas Klümper, Thomas Büttner, Julia Heinzelbecker, Thomas Elegeert, Cem Aksoy, Cindy Rönnau, Thilo Schiller, Oliver Hahn, Oliver Hakenberg, Georgios Gakis, Marco Hoffmann, Matthias Saar and Jennifer Kranz
Biologics 2025, 5(3), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/biologics5030020 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 291
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the association of diabetes mellitus and its medications with overall response (ORR) and mortality or cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer receiving enfortumab vedotin monotherapy. Methods: This multicentre retrospective [...] Read more.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the association of diabetes mellitus and its medications with overall response (ORR) and mortality or cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer receiving enfortumab vedotin monotherapy. Methods: This multicentre retrospective cohort study was designed according to the guidelines for the synthesis of qualitative research (ENTREQ). Eligible patients were adults (≥18) years treated with enfortumab vedotin monotherapy for metastatic urothelial cancer between June 2024 and January 2025. A total of 125 patients were reported across 11 centres. Results: The cohort included 93 males (74.4%) and 32 females (25.6%), with a mean age of 68.3 years (SD 9.3). The primary tumour site was the bladder in 109 (87.2%) cases and the upper tract (UTUC) in 16 (12.8%) cases. Interestingly, medication with metformin was significantly associated with cancer-specific mortality (37.9% versus 77.8%; p = 0.019), while patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus had a significantly better CSS (Log Rank = 0.004). Upon comparing only patients who already had diabetes mellitus and then received anti-diabetic medication, there was a significant association between patients with diabetes mellitus receiving metformin and a worse 3-month ORR (80.0% versus 55.6%; p = 0.039). Regarding the subpopulation of UTUC, cancer-specific mortality was significantly associated with metformin medication (p = 0.033). Conclusions: Despite recent reports that metformin has protective effects in urothelial cancer, our findings suggest that metformin use may be linked to worse responses and survival outcomes in patients treated with enfortumab vedotin monotherapy. Further research, particularly translational research into the underlying diabetic and pharmacologic pathways, is warranted. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2264 KiB  
Article
Antiproliferative Potential of Eugenia uniflora L. Leaf Essential Oil in Normal and Tumoral Human Colon Cells
by Ana G. Sánchez, Macarena Menoni, Pamela Lombardo, Eduardo Dellacassa, María Angélica Severi, Gabriela Ferragut, Beatriz Vignale, Juan Cedano, María José Zuluaga and Deborah J. Keszenman
Biologics 2025, 5(3), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/biologics5030019 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 376
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Natural products are important in healthcare due to their accessibility and linkage to a healthy lifestyle. However, their effectiveness is uncertain due to insufficient scientific data. Cancer patients are frequent users of natural products to relieve symptoms or for chemoprevention. Eugenia [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Natural products are important in healthcare due to their accessibility and linkage to a healthy lifestyle. However, their effectiveness is uncertain due to insufficient scientific data. Cancer patients are frequent users of natural products to relieve symptoms or for chemoprevention. Eugenia uniflora leaf essential oil (EO), traditionally used for digestive disorders, emerges as a potential antineoplastic agent. We investigated the cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects of E. uniflora EO in human normal CCD 841 CoN and tumoral Caco-2 colonic cell lines. Methods: CCD 841 CoN and Caco-2 cells were exposed to different concentrations of E. uniflora EO, and the cytotoxicity was determined by MTT and Trypan Blue assays. Cell proliferation kinetics were analyzed at a low EO concentration, and the induction of DNA damage and oxidative stress was assessed by Comet and Cellular ROS assays. Results: Both cell lines exhibited cytotoxicity produced by the EO and decreased cell viability of the exposed cells and their progeny. CCD 841 CoN proliferation was impaired by low EO concentration, while the proliferation kinetics of the Caco-2 cells was modified. EO treatment induced variable DNA damage and oxidative stress depending on the cell line. Conclusions: Our results suggest that E. uniflora EO may prevent the proliferation of normal cells, inducing loss of viability. The EO produced cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects in tumoral cells by inducing DNA damage and increased oxidative stress. These effects support the consideration of E. uniflora EO (or its bioactive compounds) as a potential agent for the chemoprevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Natural Products)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

18 pages, 17059 KiB  
Article
Unraveling Potential Compounds of Uncaria gambir (W.Hunter) Roxb. as Antikeloid Agent: In Silico, In Vitro and Ex Vivo Experimental Validation
by Sri Suciati Ningsih, Sri Widia A. Jusman, Rahimi Syaidah, Muhamad Arif Budiman, Alfi Khatib and Fadilah Fadilah
Biologics 2025, 5(3), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/biologics5030018 - 27 Jun 2025
Viewed by 397
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Keloid treatment remains challenging due to limited effectiveness and patient dissatisfaction. Herbal-based therapy offers promising alternatives that require further investigation. Uncaria gambir (W.Hunter) Roxb., an original plant from Indonesia, possesses an antifibrotic effect. However, its potential as an antifibrotic agent in keloid [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Keloid treatment remains challenging due to limited effectiveness and patient dissatisfaction. Herbal-based therapy offers promising alternatives that require further investigation. Uncaria gambir (W.Hunter) Roxb., an original plant from Indonesia, possesses an antifibrotic effect. However, its potential as an antifibrotic agent in keloid management remains unclear. This study aims to bridge this gap by evaluating the bioactive compound from gambir and its effects on keloid fibroblast primary culture. Methods: The bioactive compounds of gambir extract and fractions (ethanol, hexane, and ethyl acetate fractions) were identified by using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) analysis. The mechanism of gambir bioactive compounds for keloid was predicted using the compound–protein interaction network and enrichment analysis, and validated using molecular docking and dynamic simulation. The experimental study results, including cytotoxic and bioactivity effects, were represented as IC50 and selectivity index (SI) values, and the ex vivo analysis of keloid tissue explants. Results: Uncariagambiriine was identified as the most potent compound with the lowest binding energy and high stability to the core protein targets: AKT1 and TGFB1. The ethanol fraction was determined to have the highest abundance of gambir’s typical bioactive compounds, with the lowest IC50 (128.76 ± 0.24 µg/mL) and the highest SI (6.32) value. Furthermore, the results of the ex vivo analysis indicated the significant inhibition of keloid fibroblast proliferation and migration by the gambir ethanolic fraction. Conclusions: This study underlines the potential of the gambir ethanolic fraction as an antifibrotic agent in keloid, warranting further investigation and development for clinical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Natural Products)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 4179 KiB  
Article
Immunotherapy Potential of Animal-Sourced Probiotic Bacteria
by Isaac Oluseun Adejumo
Biologics 2025, 5(3), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/biologics5030017 - 27 Jun 2025
Viewed by 425
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Research efforts and substantial funding have been dedicated to finding cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to antibiotics. Probiotics have been proposed as promising substitutes for antibiotics in human nutrition and livestock production; however, their functional mechanisms remain incompletely understood, limiting their sustainable applications [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Research efforts and substantial funding have been dedicated to finding cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to antibiotics. Probiotics have been proposed as promising substitutes for antibiotics in human nutrition and livestock production; however, their functional mechanisms remain incompletely understood, limiting their sustainable applications as food supplements, feed additives and for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Methods: In this study, the probiotic potential of two bacterial genomes, Ligilactobacillus saerimneri and Ligilactobacillus salivarius, were explored. Their protein-coding hypothetical proteins were analyzed for their potential to induce interleukin-5 (IL-5) and interleukin-13 (IL-13). Results: The IL-5- and IL-13-inducing peptides were identified as immunogens against bacterial and tumor peptides. Conclusions: These findings provide insights into the probiotic bacteria’s immune functionality pathways, sustainability and potential as therapeutic feed additives, food supplements and candidates for vaccine development. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Previous Issue
Back to TopTop