The primary cancer of the urinary system is bladder cancer, which includes 2 subtypes: muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy remains the gold standard for treating individuals with high-risk NMIBC. However, disease development and recurrence pose serious clinical problems. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as innovative therapeutic approaches for patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. We conducted this study according to the PRISMA guidelines. We systematically reviewed clinical trials that evaluated ICIs as a treatment for BCG-unresponsive NMIBC and reported predefined efficacy and safety outcomes. We synthesized data using R software and evaluated the risk of bias using the ROBINS-I tool. Nine studies (488 patients) were included in the review, of which 6 were pooled in the meta-analysis. Following ICI therapy, the complete response (CR) rates were 36% at 3 months, 25% at 6 months, and 18% at twelve months. Across all studies, 14% of patients had a radical cystectomy (RC), with the lowest rates occurring in patients receiving atezolizumab. Treatment-related adverse events (TrAEs) were common, occurring in 15% of patients at grades 3 to 5 and 67% of patients at grades 1 to 2. Adverse events related to the immune system (IrAEs) were noted in 6% of individuals with grades (3-5) and 22% of patients with (grades 1-2). Serious adverse events occurred in 15% of patients overall; the atezolizumab group had a greater incidence (21%) than the pembrolizumab group (11%). Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown encouraging effectiveness and safety in treating BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. However, the observed variability in therapeutic response and adverse events highlights the necessity for large-scale RCTs to clarify long-term efficacy and inform patient selection for ICI-based therapies.

Vernonia amygdalina Del. (VA) is an Asteraceae family plant locally grown in Western Africa and has been cultivated in South China for a short time. VA is regarded as a medicinal plant for the treatment of breast cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and malaria in folk Africa and Southeast Asia. This review aims to make a comprehensive analysis of the botanical characterization and distribution, traditional Chinese medicinal property, phytochemistry, pharmacology, safety, and industrial application of VA. The literatures about VA were searched from SciFinder, PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, CNKI, VIP, and patent databases published before April 2025. A total of 348 chemical components from VA, including 128 steroids, 14 sesquiterpene enolactones, 43 flavonoids, 62 terpenoids, 11 alkaloids, and 90 other constituents. The pharmacological activities of VA, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic effects, were also summarized. As a new exotic traditional Chinese medicine, the TCM property was assigned according to TCM theory. The safety and industrial applications of VA were also summed up. Future research on VA should focus on the pharmacological studies on single ingredients from VA and elucidations of their mechanisms. These efforts will facilitate the development and comprehensive utilization of VA application in food, TCM drug, and other supplements.

Cancer is a significant health burden throughout the world. Gliomas are a type of cancer with the origin of central nervous system. They are the most prevalent group of brain malignancies. Chemotherapy is an integral component of standard treatment strategies for this disease. Carmustine is regarded as one of the most effective chemotherapy drugs against different cancer types and, most importantly, Gliomas. However development of resistance to Carmustine has restricted its application. It is evidenced that non-coding RNAs, especially microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs), play significant roles in association with the occurrence of this phenomenon. In the present systematic study, the interaction mechanisms between non-coding RNAs And Carmustine in the modulation of sensitivity to this drug in cancer have been investigated. The search and analysis steps followed PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. According to the opted criteria, a total of 12 studies were eligible for inclusion in the study. Up or downregulation of non-coding RNA expression levels effectively influences the biology of various signaling pathways in Glioblastoma cell lines or tumors. Eventually, these significant influences would be translated into an altered status of sensitivity to Carmustine. A deeper understanding of the underscored network of interactions could be potentially helpful for improving the efficacy of chemotherapy-based approaches against cancer.

This systematic review was conducted to inform the development of clinical practice guidelines on the management of extravasation of antineoplastic agents in patients with cancer.

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) is an imaging technique that allows for the visualization of the cellular microenvironment by measuring the decay time of endogenous fluorescent molecules. Its advent has allowed the acquisition of information on previously undetectable aspects of the tissue environment, which also includes some mechanisms involving immune checkpoints. Understanding the level of interaction with their ligands is of paramount importance when stratifying patients for immunotherapy, as traditional methods such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) were found to be ineffective in predicting responders.

Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) have revolutionized treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but cardiovascular (CV) toxicities pose significant challenges. Second-generation BTKis offer improved target specificity, yet CV risks persist. This expert opinion review evaluates current evidence and offers guidance for managing BTKi-associated CV events, particularly in patients with comorbidities.

While immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been linked to improved outcomes in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), their prognostic role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a malignancy arising in a unique immune microenvironment shaped by chronic inflammation and cirrhosis, remains unexplored. This meta-analysis investigated the relationship between irAEs and the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in HCC.

Erodii Herba Geranii Herba (also called Laoguancao in China) is the dried aerial part of Geranium wilfordii Maxim., Geranium carolinianum L. or Erodium stephanianum Willd. It has developed into a natural remedy known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and hepatoprotective properties, and widely recognized within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its cultural context. Given the traditional applications of Erodii Herba Geranii Herba, which underscore its potential as a promising source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical development, geraniin-one of its principal active constituents-has attracted increasing attention for its prospective development and utilization. Previous studies have demonstrated that geraniin exhibits a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including metabolic regulation, organ protection mediated through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms, as well as antitumor and antiviral effects. Nevertheless, a systematic review of these pharmacological activities and their underlying mechanisms remains lacking.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most prevalent malignancies in men, often progressing to castration-resistant forms and resisting conventional therapies. Curcumin, a polyphenol from Curcuma longa, has emerged as a potent anti-cancer agent by modulating several molecular pathways.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a major malignancy within the digestive tract, with its incidence and mortality rates steadily increasing annually, posing a severe threat to human health. Despite the extensive clinical utilization of diverse chemotherapeutic agents, their propensity for deleterious side effects and the emergence of drug resistance can impede patient compliance, consequently culminating in chemotherapy failure. Consequently, the quest for novel therapeutic agents with high efficacy and minimal toxicity has become increasingly urgent. To address this critical clinical dilemma, there is an imperative need to develop effective and well‑tolerated anti‑CRC drugs. Plant‑based antioxidants (PBAs) are now understood to possess diverse biological activities, thereby offering significant advantages with respect to clinical anti‑CRC applications. Compared with synthetic chemical agents, they are ubiquitous in natural sources, possess high safety profiles and can act as detoxifying or sensitizing agents when combined with conventional therapies in CRC, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Hence, the present review systematically reviewed current research on PBAs for CRC treatment from the perspective of bioactive compounds, with the aim of offering theoretical foundations and reference values for future studies and clinical applications of PBAs in CRC therapies.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can cause adrenal insufficiency (AI) as an uncommon but potentially life-threatening immune-related adverse event (irAE). Early symptoms are often vague and may overlap with cancer-related fatigue or treatment side effects, contributing to diagnostic delays and under recognition.

Ovarian cancer is a common malignant tumor of the female reproductive system, and traditional treatments are unsatisfactory due to its intraperitoneal spreading mechanism and its biologic characteristic of being prone to drug resistance. Pembrolizumab has demonstrated high objective remission and overall survival rates in a variety of solid tumors, and clinical trials are now available to explore its efficacy in the treatment of ovarian cancer. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the findings of multiple clinical studies in order to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the immunotherapeutic agent Pembrolizumab in patients diagnosed with advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of solid tumors. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials aimed to assess the survival benefit of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies in women with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (EC) and mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR).

Adapalene is a derivative of retinoid used for the treatment of skin acne. However, in recent years, Adapalene has been studied for its anti-cancer activity. Adapalene exerts its chemotherapeutic effect against various cancers by targeting cell cycle apoptosis and DNA repair mechanism.

For centuries, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer has been widely employed in traditional medicine, and its primary therapeutic constituents are a class of compounds known as ginsenosides. In particular, protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type ginsenosides exhibit potent anticancer properties, largely mediated through epigenetic mechanisms.

The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of chemobrain in breast cancer patients, define it, and review the various tools used to measure it. A comprehensive literature review was performed, and covered all publications up to and including September 30, 2024. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported data on chemobrain in adults with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. The following data were extracted: study characteristics, information on chemobrain, and information on breast cancer treatment. A total of 287 records were identified by the literature search. After eliminating duplicates, irrelevant articles after title and abstract screening, or after full-text review, 11 records were included in the study. The incidence across studies ranged from 9.6 to 81.0%. The pooled incidence of chemobrain was estimated at 39.9% (95% CI 26.3%, 55.2%). Chemobrain appears to affect a significant proportion of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, with a pooled incidence estimate of approximately 40%. However, the wide range of reported incidences (9.6-81%) suggests that the true prevalence may vary depending on study design, definitions, and assessment tools used.

Cardiotoxicity is a growing concern in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), are widely used for cardiovascular protection, but their role in cancer care remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of RAS inhibitors on cardiotoxicity, dyspnea, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with malignancies. A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, from which 15 eligible RCTs were identified. These trials compared RAS inhibitor users and non-users. Group differences were analyzed using mean differences (MDs) or odds ratios (ORs), with heterogeneity assessed by the I² statistic. Pooled results suggested a possible association between RAS inhibitor use and higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) compared to controls (MD 4.42%, 95% CI -0.02 to 8.85; I² = 96%). Subgroup analysis revealed significant benefit in patients receiving HER2-targeted therapy and those undergoing non-specific chemotherapy, while no advantage was seen in patients treated with anthracyclines and HER2 blockade. RAS inhibitors showed limited benefit in anthracycline regimens. No significant reduction in cardiotoxicity was observed (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.19-2.30). Additionally, two trials evaluating ACE inhibitors with beta-blockers demonstrated additive effects in preventing LVEF decline in high-risk populations. One trial also reported improved dyspnea with ACE inhibitors in lung cancer. RAS inhibitors may help preserve cardiac function in cancer patients, but current evidence is inconclusive. Confirmation through large-scale RCTs is warranted.

Gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis carries a poor prognosis and is considered incurable. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) has been explored for preventing and treating peritoneal metastasis, but clinical trials show conflicting results and guidelines provide inconsistent recommendations. A comprehensive evaluation of intraperitoneal chemotherapy effects in gastric cancer is needed.

Cutaneous melanoma, a lethal neoplasm originating from epidermal melanocytes, stands out for its resistance to conventional therapies and high metastatic rate. Given the urgent need for new therapeutic approaches, this study focuses on the antitumor potential of natural compounds derived from plants, recognized as primary sources of antineoplastic chemotherapeutics. In this systematic review, we selected studies that evaluated the efficacy of such compounds in vivo, using the murine melanoma B16 model. The research was registered at the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols under the number INPLASY202490019 and conducted using the PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Embase databases, following predefined eligibility criteria and standardized terms from the MeSH and DeCS databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and data were extracted using a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet. Of the 361 identified studies, 33 were deemed eligible for analysis. Parameters such as routes of treatment administration and induction of melanoma, duration of treatment, and others were collected. The SYRCLE tool was used to identify methodological gaps, such as the absence or insufficient description of randomization and blinding. The results indicated that natural products, especially terpenes, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, quinones, fatty acids, and plant sterols, have considerable antimelanoma activity, with tumor inhibition above 70% and antimetastatic properties. These findings underscore the importance of investigating the potential of these plant compounds as antineoplastic agents and establishing standardized experimental protocols to increase the reliability of the results.

Cancer remains a critical global health threat, significantly compromising women's health and survival rates worldwide. However, most current chemotherapy drugs are often limited in clinical application due to their substantial side effects. Therefore, there is a pressing demand for the discovery and development of novel drugs. Given their low toxicity and multifaceted bioactivities, natural polysaccharides have emerged as promising anticancer candidates, attracting considerable research attention for their therapeutic potential.