Search Results (275)

This study investigated the evolving trends, current research hotspots, and future directions of radiotherapy combined with nanobiomaterials through a bibliometric analysis. Publications related to nanobiomaterials used in radiotherapy between 2004 and 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database and analyzed using VOSviewer, R, and CiteSpace. China emerged as the leading contributor, accounting for 1051 publications (50.41%), followed by the USA. Liu Zhuang is the most productive author in this field. American Chemical Society (ACS) Nano published the most influential articles and accumulated the highest number of citations. Advanced Targeted Therapies in Cancer: Drug Nanocarriers, the Future of Chemotherapy was the most cited, with 1255 citations. Citation bursts have revealed emerging research trends in targeted delivery, cellular studies, co-delivery strategies, immunogenic cell death, polymeric nanoparticles, tumor research, and drug delivery systems, indicating potential avenues for future research. Over the past two decades, nanomaterials for radiotherapy have gained substantial attention. Key areas of focus include enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy, achieving targeted drug delivery, minimizing adverse effects, and integrating nanomaterials with other therapeutic modalities. Future investigations are expected to improve the precision of radiotherapy, augment radiation effects, and optimize the tumor microenvironment. Full article

Introduction: Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a common precancerous condition affecting the lips, primarily caused by prolonged ultraviolet radiation exposure. Various treatment options are available. However, the optimal treatment approach remains a subject of debate. Objective: To summarize and compare practice-relevant interventions for AC. Materials and Methods: A pre-defined protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021225182). Systematic searches in Medline, Embase, and Central, along with manual trial register searches, identified studies reporting participant clearance rates (PCR) or recurrence rates (PRR). Quality assessment for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2. Uncontrolled studies were evaluated using the tool developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The generalized linear mixed model was used to pool proportions for uncontrolled studies. A pairwise meta-analysis for RCTs was applied, using the odds ratio (OR) as the effect estimate and the GRADE approach to evaluate the quality of the evidence. Adverse events were analyzed qualitatively. Results: A comprehensive inclusion of 36 studies facilitated an evaluation of 614 participants for PCR, and 430 patients for PRR. Diclofenac showed the lowest PCR (0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.41; 0.66]), while CO₂ laser showed the highest PCR (0.97, 95% CI [0.90; 0.99]). For PRR, Er:YAG laser showed the highest rates (0.14, 95% CI [0.08; 0.21]), and imiquimod the lowest (0.00, 95% CI [0.00; 0.06]). In a pairwise meta-analysis, the OR indicated a lower recurrence rate for Er:YAG ablative fractional laser (AFL)-primed methyl-aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) (Er:YAG AFL-PDT) compared to methyl-aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) alone (OR = 0.22, 95% CI [0.06; 0.82]). The CO₂ laser showed fewer local side effects than the Er:YAG laser, while PDTs caused more skin reactions. Due to qualitative data, comparability was limited, highlighting the need for individualized treatment. Conclusions: This study provides a complete and up-to-date evidence synthesis of practice-relevant interventions for AC, identifying the CO₂ laser as the most effective treatment and regarding PCR and imiquimod as most effective concerning PRR. Full article

The incidence and mortality rates associated with melanoma are increasing. Due to their high proliferation rate, ability to self-renew, and resistance mechanisms, cancer cells often withstand conventional therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy. Therefore, further research is required to develop novel melanoma therapies with fewer adverse effects, but effective therapeutic impacts. This study aims to investigate how femtosecond laser treatment affects melanoma cells using the A375 cell line as an in vitro model. A375 melanoma cells were plated at a concentration of 10⁴ cells per well in 96-well plates and incubated overnight; then, they were subjected to femtosecond laser irradiation for durations of 3, 5, or 10 min, maintaining a steady power of 100 mW. The laser operated across different wavelengths in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared ranges. Cell viability was evaluated 24 h after irradiation using the MTT assay. The results showed the significant inhibition of melanoma cell growth with various femtosecond laser parameters, particularly at 380 and 400 nm. At 380 nm, the cell viability was reduced by approximately 90%, and at 400 nm by 73%, after 10 min of exposure. Additional reductions were observed at 420 nm (47%) and 440 nm (18%), while no significant effects were found at 700–780 nm. The most effective exposure time was 10 min. Femtosecond laser radiation exerts a noteworthy anticancer effect on A375 cells, particularly at specific wavelengths and exposure durations, underscoring the potential of femtosecond laser therapy for treating melanoma. Exploring the underlying mechanisms of these effects and evaluating the clinical potential of this treatment modality requires further research. Full article

Modern oncology increasingly relies on personalized strategies that aim to customize medical interventions, using both tumor biology and clinical features to enhance efficacy and minimize adverse effects. In recent years, precision medicine has been implemented as part of systemic therapies; however, its integration into radiation therapy (RT) is still a work in progress. Conventional RT treatment plans are based on the Linear Quadratic (LQ) model and utilize standardized alpha and beta ratios (α/β), which ignore the high variability in terms of treatment response between and within patients. Recent advances in radiobiology, as well as general medical technologies, have also driven a shift toward more tailored approaches, including in RT. This review provides an overview of current knowledge and future perspectives for the personalization of RT, highlighting the role of tumor and patient-specific biomarkers, advanced imaging techniques, and novel therapeutic approaches. As an alternative to conventional RT modalities, hadron therapy and Flash RT are discussed as innovative approaches with the potential to improve tumor targeting while sparing normal tissues. Furthermore, the synergistic combination of RT with immunotherapy is discussed as a potential strategy to support antitumor immune responses and overcome resistance. By integrating biological insights, technological innovation, and clinical expertise, personalized radiation therapy may significantly advance the precision oncology paradigm. Full article

One of the most common malignant tumors worldwide is lung cancer, and it is associated with the highest death rate among all cancers. Traditional treatment options for lung cancer include radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgical resection. However, the survival rate is low, and the outlook is still dreadfully dire. The pursuit of a paradigm change in treatment approaches is, therefore, imperative. Tyrosine kinases (TKs), a subclass of protein kinases, regulate vital cellular function by phosphorylating tyrosine residues in proteins. Mutations, overexpression, and autocrine paracrine stimulation can transform TKs into oncogenic drivers, causing cancer pathogenesis. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have emerged as an attractive targeted therapy option, especially for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, resistance to TKIs, and adverse cardiovascular effects such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and sudden death, are among the most common adverse effects of TKIs. There is increasing interest in plant-derived natural products in the hunt for powerful chemosensitizer and pathway modulators for enhancing TKI activity and/or overcoming resistance mechanisms. This highlights the mechanism of TKs’ activation in cancer, the role of TKIs in NSCLC mechanisms, and the challenges posed by TKI-acquired resistance. Additionally, we explored various plant-derived natural products’ bioactive compounds with the chemosensitizer and pathway-modulating potential with TKs’ inhibitory and anticancer effects. Our review suggests that a combination of natural products with TKIs may provide a novel and promising strategy for overcoming resistance in lung cancer. In future, further preclinical and clinical studies are advised. Full article

When lithium-ion batteries experience thermal runaway, a large amount of heat rapidly accumulates inside, causing the internal pressure to rise sharply. Once the pressure exceeds the battery’s safety valve design capacity, the valve activates and releases flammable gas. If ignited in a high-temperature environment, the escaping gas can cause a jet fire containing high-temperature substances. Effectively controlling the internal temperature of the jet fire, especially rapidly cooling the core area of the flame during the jet process, is important to prevent the spread of lithium-ion battery fires. Therefore, this work proposes a strategy of a synergistic effect using microcapsule fire extinguishing agents and fine water mist to achieve an external barrier and an internal attack. The microcapsule fire extinguishing agents are prepared by using melamine–urea–formaldehyde resin as the shell and 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluoro-4-methoxybutane (C₅H₃F₉O) and 1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclopentane (C₅H₃F₇) as the composite core. During the process of lithium-ion battery thermal runaway, the microcapsule fire extinguishing agents can enter the inner area of the jet fire under the protection of the fine water mist. The microcapsule shell ruptures at 100 °C, releasing the highly effective composite fire suppressant core inside the jet fire. The fine water mist significantly blocks the transfer of thermal radiation, inhibiting the spread of the fire. Compared to the suppression with fine water mist only, the time required to reduce the battery temperature from the peak value to a low temperature is reduced by 66 s and the peak temperature of the high-temperature substances above the battery is reduced by 228.2 °C. The propagation of the thermal runaway is suppressed, and no thermal runaway of other batteries around the faulty unit will occur. This synergistic suppression strategy of fine water mist and microcapsule fire extinguishing agent (FWM@M) effectively reduces the adverse effects of jet fires on the propagation of thermal runaway (TR) of lithium-ion batteries, providing a new solution for efficiently extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires. Full article

With rapid global urbanization, glass curtain wall buildings have been widely adopted due to aesthetics and natural lighting. However, during summer time, intense solar radiation leads to significant indoor heat gain, which adversely affect thermal comfort and energy efficiency. The conventional air conditioning systems are typically equipped with a cooling capacity sufficient to maintain an indoor air temperature at the design values specified in the Design standard for energy efficiency of public buildings, which fails to account for the effects of radiation temperature, potentially resulting in reduced thermal comfort and energy inefficiency. By integrating the Thermal Comfort Tool to calculate the PMV index, this study evaluates the affection of solar heat gain on indoor occupants’ thermal comfort and proposes an optimized air temperature control strategy to realize thermal comfort. Based on the dynamic air temperature strategy, an energy consumption model is developed to evaluate the affection of solar radiation on energy consumption for glass curtain wall buildings based on the PMV index. The synergistic effects of shading measures are then evaluated. This study conducts simulation analysis using an office building with a glass curtain wall located in Beijing as a case study. When accounting for radiant heat gain, a significant portion of the time (53.89%) fall outside the thermal comfort range, even when the air conditioning is set to the designated temperature. To maintain thermal comfort, the air conditioning temperature must be lowered by 1.4–3.5 °C, resulting in a 28.08% increase in energy consumption. To address this issue, this study finds that installing interior shading can reduce radiant heat gain. Under the same thermal comfort conditions, the required air temperature reduction is only 0.8–2.1 °C, leading to a 24.26% reduction in energy consumption compared to the case without interior shading. Full article

Purpose: We present our single-institution experience of sarcomatous brain metastasis patients who underwent stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) over the past 35 years. Methods: In total, 31 patients (16 males) who underwent SRS for sarcoma brain metastases were identified. Median age at presentation to SRS was 47 (range: 4–78) months. Common histopathologies included leiomyosarcoma (eight patients), osteosarcoma (six patients), alveolar sarcoma (three patients), Ewing sarcoma (three patients), and undifferentiated/unclassified sarcoma (three patients). The median Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) was 90. Nine patients underwent pre-SRS craniotomy. The median dose prescribed was 18 Gy. The median cumulative tumor volume was 1.4 cc. Results: Median patient overall survival (OS) after SRS was 7 (range: 0–155) months. Local tumor control (LTC) was achieved in 105 out of 113 tumors, at a median time of 3 (range: 0–17) months between SRS and progression. LTC rates per patient and per tumor were 74.2% and 92.9%, respectively. Following SRS, 10 patients (32.3%) developed new tumors at a median time of 6 (range: 1–25) months. Four patients experienced adverse radiation effects (AREs). At the last follow-up, all patients died, one patient from intracranial progression, 27 from systemic disease progression, and the remaining from unrelated medical conditions. Conclusions: Given high LTC and low ARE rates, this suggests SRS as a strong candidate for the non-invasive management of sarcomatous brain metastases, which typically present late following initial presentation of the primary disease. Full article

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women worldwide. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone-based treatments are standard therapeutic approaches, but drug resistance and adverse effects necessitate the search for novel anticancer agents. Quinazolinedione derivatives have emerged as potential anticancer compounds due to their cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing properties. This study aimed to evaluate the apoptotic induction of previously reported quinazolinedione derivatives on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The cytotoxic effect was assessed using the MTT assay, apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V-PE/7AAD staining and flow cytometry, and apoptosis-related protein expression was analyzed via multiplexed bead-based immunoassays. These findings indicate that two derivatives in the series significantly reduced the cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Apoptosis was induced primarily through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway as evidenced by the upregulation of caspase-9 and p53 and the downregulation of Bcl-2 and p-Akt. These results highlight quinazolinedione derivatives as promising candidates for breast cancer therapy prompting further investigation into their molecular mechanisms and potential clinical applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in green tea. Based on results from in vitro studies, EGCG—with its wide range of beneficial properties—has been considered a promising option for the treatment of patients with various skin conditions. Methods: The aim of this systematic review, conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EGCG in the treatment and prevention of various types of dermatitis. Results: A search of PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases identified eight trials (including four randomized trials) that investigated the use of EGCG alone (as a saline solution) for the treatment and prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis or as a component of a shampoo or cream for atopic and seborrheic scalp dermatitis. The identified single-arm and randomized controlled trials were characterized by low methodological quality, were in early phases of development, and/or included a small number of participants. The topical effect of EGCG on the severity of dermatitis was shown to depend on the type of dermatitis, concentration, and pharmaceutical form used. The administration of EGCG resulted in a significant reduction in skin symptoms in patients with radiation-induced dermatitis compared with placebo and with baseline, while in seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, the results of shampoo with EGCG component were similar to those of active conventional treatment. The EGCG treatment was generally well tolerated, with no serious treatment-related adverse events. Conclusions: This study showed that EGCG can be a promising option for the treatment and prevention of various types of dermatitis. However, due to the small sample size, large, well-designed, randomized phase III trials are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Medulloblastoma is a rare tumor that represents almost two-thirds of all embryonal pediatric brain tumor cases. Current treatments, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, are often associated with adverse effects, such as toxicity, resistance, and lack of specificity. According to multiple bulk and single-cell omics-based approaches, it is now clear that each molecular subgroup of medulloblastoma possesses intrinsic genetic and molecular features that could drive the definition of distinct therapeutic targets, and of markers that have the potential to improve diagnosis. Nanomedicine offers a promising approach to overcome these challenges through precision-targeted therapies and theranostic platforms that merge diagnosis and treatment. This review explores the role of nanomedicine in medulloblastoma. Here, possible theranostic nanoplatforms combining targeted drug delivery and simultaneous imaging are reviewed, highlighting their potential as tools for personalized medicine. Methods: We performed a chronological analysis of the literature by using the major web-based research platforms, focusing on molecular targets, and the potential application of nanomedicine to overcome conventional treatment limitations. Results: Advances in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems enable selective targeting of key molecular pathways, improving therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. Additionally, nanotechnology-based imaging agents, including MRI contrast agents and fluorescent probes, improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment monitoring. Despite these advantages, some significant challenges remain, including overcoming the blood–brain barrier, ensuring biocompatibility, and addressing regulatory pathways for clinical translation. Conclusions: In conclusion, we sought to identify the current knowledge on the topic and hope to inspire future research to obtain new nanoplatforms for personalized medicine. Full article

Background: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by immunotherapy is a standard treatment for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC), yet many patients are ineligible due to treatment-related toxicity or poor functional status. Chemotherapy-free approaches using radiotherapy (RT) and immunotherapy may offer a safer and equally effective alternative in select patient populations. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and relevant conference proceedings focusing on trials between 2000 and 2024. Studies investigating chemotherapy-free regimens combining RT and immunotherapy in LA-NSCLC were analyzed, with emphasis on clinical outcomes, biomarker use, treatment sequencing, radiation dose/fractionation, and safety. Results: Multiple Phase I/II trials reported promising efficacy with one-year progression-free survival (PFS) ranging from 39% to 76%. Toxicity was generally acceptable, though higher-grade adverse events were more frequent in older, frail populations. Trials integrating PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) showed potential for improved patient stratification. Variation in immunotherapy timing (induction, concurrent, or consolidation) and radiation schedules highlight the need for optimization. Conclusions: Chemotherapy-free regimens represent a promising treatment strategy for patients with LA-NSCLC, especially those that are ineligible for standard CRT. Biomarker-driven patient selection and the rational integration of RT and immunotherapy are critical to improving outcomes. Randomized trials are warranted to establish the efficacy and safety of these emerging approaches. Full article

There is an escalating need to comprehend the long-term impacts of nuclear radiation exposure since the permeation of ionizing radiation has been frequent in our current societal framework. A system evaluation of the microbes that reside inside a host’s colon could meet this knowledge gap since the microbes play major roles in a host’s response to stress. Indeed, our past study suggested that these microbes might break their symbiotic association with moribund hosts to form a pro-survival condition exclusive to themselves. In this study, we undertook metagenomics and metabolomics assays regarding the descending colon content (DCC) of adult mice. DCCs were collected 1 month and 6 months after 7 Gy or 7.5 Gy total body irradiation (TBI). The assessment of the metagenomic diversity profile in DCC found a significant sex bias caused by TBI. Six months after 7.5 Gy TBI, decreased Bacteroidetes were replaced by increased Firmicutes in males, and these alterations were reflected in the functional analysis. For instance, a larger number of networks linked to small chain fatty acid (SCFA) synthesis and metabolism were inhibited in males than in females. Additionally, bioenergy networks showed regression dynamics in females at 6 months post-TBI. Increased accumulation of glucose and pyruvate, which are typical precursors of beneficial SCFAs coupled with the activated networks linked to the production of reactive oxygen species, suggest a cross-sex energy-deprived state. Overall, there was a major chronic adverse implication in male mice that supported the previous literature in suggesting females are more radioresistant than males. The sex-biased chronic effects of TBI should be taken into consideration in designing the pertinent therapeutics. Full article

Grapevines in cold regions are prone to frost damage in winter. Due to its adverse effects on soil structure, plant damage, high operational costs, and limited mechanization feasibility, buried soil overwintering has been gradually replaced by no-burial overwintering techniques, which are now the primary focus for mitigating frost damage in wine grapes. While current research focuses on the selection of thermal insulation materials, less attention has been paid to the insulation mechanism of covering materials and covering methods. In this study, we investigated the insulation performance of two covering materials (tarpaulin and insulation blanket) combined with six height treatments (5–30 cm) to analyze the effect of insulation space volume on no-buried-soil overwintering. The results show that the thermal insulation performance of the insulation blanket is significantly better than that of the tarpaulin. The 5 cm height treatment under the tarpaulin cover and the 25 cm height treatment under the insulation blanket cover exhibited the best thermal insulation performance. Using a neural network machine learning approach, we constructed a model related to the height of the insulation material and facilitate the model’s accurate predictions, in which tarpaulin R²_branches = 0.92, R²_{20 cm} = 0.99, and R²_{40 cm} = 0.99 and insulation blanket R²_branches = 0.89, R²_{20 cm} = 0.98, and R²_{40 cm} = 0.99. The model predicted optimal insulation heights of 6 cm for the tarpaulin and 22 cm for the insulation blanket. Factors like solar radiation within the insulation space, ground radiation, airflow, and material thermal conductivity affect the optimal insulation height for different materials. This study used a neural network model to predict the optimal insulation heights for different materials, providing systematic theoretical guidance for the overwintering cultivation of wine grapes and aiding the safe development of the wine grape industry in cold regions. Full article

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is one of the most common non-melanoma skin cancers, and particularly challenging to treat in advanced or metastatic stages. Traditional therapies, including chemotherapy and radiation, often result in limited efficacy and severe side effects. Cosibelimab, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting PD-L1, has emerged as a promising immunotherapy for advanced CSCC. In this review, we evaluate the therapeutic potential of cosibelimab by analyzing its mechanism of action, clinical trial data, and its role compared to other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab and cemiplimab. We synthesized the available preclinical and clinical data on cosibelimab, focusing on published Phase I and II trial results involving 76 patients. Objective response rates (ORRs), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety profiles were compared between cosibelimab, pembrolizumab, and cemiplimab. Mechanistic insights into cosibelimab’s dual action, including PD-L1 blockade and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), were also explored. Phase II trials demonstrated an ORR of 47.5%, with a median PFS of 12.9 months in advanced CSCC patients. Cosibelimab demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with predominantly mild to moderate adverse events. Comparative analysis with pembrolizumab and cemiplimab showed similar efficacy, although long-term survival data for cosibelimab is still emerging. Given its efficacy and safety, cosibelimab holds promise not only as a monotherapy but also for future exploration in combination regimens and broader oncologic indications. Future trials are required to validate its long-term outcomes, including overall survival, and to explore its use in combination therapies and neoadjuvant/adjuvant settings. Full article