To evaluate the preventive and therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture modalities in radiation/chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (RIOM/CIOM) management through evidence synthesis.

To systematically review all prediction models developed or validated for cancer therapy related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) and to quantitatively analyse their performance.

Background:Acacia catechu is an important traditional medicinal plant that has been used to manage several ailments. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that it exhibits chemopreventive and antineoplastic effects by modulating diverse signaling pathways and molecular targets involved in cancer progression. This review attempts to systematically investigate the anticancer mechanisms of A. catechu, encompassing antiapoptotic, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities. Material and Methods: This review was conducted using scientific databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering the studies from 2000 to 2024. The PRISMA methodology was applied, using the keywords A. catechu, phytoconstituents, and cancer. Results: A total of 39 studies were compiled from various databases that cited the biological use of A. catechu. The plant has an abundance of phenolic compounds, including catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate, and epicatechin-3-O-gallate, which show strong anticancer activities. The anticancer potential of A. catechu is explained as it regulates several modulators like reactive oxygen species and cytokines, and downregulates oncogenic molecules like c-myc and various signaling pathways, such as c-Jun and NF-κB. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that A. catechu and its bioactive constituents have the potential for cancer prevention and therapy. However, further mechanistic investigations using pure compounds, along with preclinical and clinical trials, are essential to translate this potential into clinical applications.

Intermittent fasting holds potential for improving cancer patient outcomes by promoting cancer cell death. Additionally, it depletes hepatic glycogen reserves, facilitating the release of fatty acids and ketones, which may enhance cancer cells sensitivity to chemotherapy and impede their proliferation. However, clinical data on fasting among cancer patients remain scarce. This systematic review intends to provide an overview of the impact of intermittent fasting on the safety, feasibility, tolerability, and metabolic effects of chemotherapy and targeted therapies in cancer patients.

While clinical trials confirm the therapeutic value of PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors in diffuse pleural mesothelioma, their real-world safety and efficacy profiles remain incompletely defined. This meta-analysis synthesizes clinical evidence to comprehensively evaluate these outcomes, addressing an urgent need for robust real-world evidence.

The aim of this umbrella systematic review was to critically synthesize impact of physical exercise programs for cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are an emerging treatment option for cancer. Many randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using ICIs have been conducted on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients, some of which are phase III trials of locoregionally advanced and recurrent/metastatic NPCs. We performed a systematic review to qualitatively assess the efficacy and safety of ICIs in NPC patients. PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Google, preprint servers, and references were thoroughly searched using Boolean search string (except for references) from inception through April 28, 2025. Full articles and conference abstract that met the eligibility criteria, such as reported studied population, intervention, comparison and outcome, were included. The quality of included studies was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) version 1.0 tool. Meta-analysis was not performed due to data heterogeneity, mainly from methodological variations. Seven phase III trials were shortlisted and tabulated. Three studies described on locoregionally advanced NPC (LANPC), with one article showing moderate RoB and two articles showing high RoB, while three out of four studies on recurrent/metastatic NPC had low RoB. Studies with high RoB provide low certainty/reliability, while those with low RoB offer higher reliability. Each study was unique in ICI usage and study design, including disease stage, adjuvant versus combination therapy, and participant selection criteria. Three high RoB studies, with two studies belonging to LANPC, reported negative effects (p > 0.05) on overall survival (OS). Two low RoB recurrent/metastatic studies reported positive outcome. Progression-free survival (PFS) was met (p < 0.01) in three low RoB recurrent/metastatic NPC studies. PFS [Hazard ratio-HR 0.52 (95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.37-0.73); p < 0.001] and OS [HR 0.63 (95% CI: 0.45-0.89); p < 0.01] were met in 1 low RoB recurrent/metastatic study (toripalimab). Overall, grade ≥ 3 adverse events, including immune-related ones (with rashes being the most common), were manageable. Based on our systematic review, combining ICIs with standard chemotherapy is probably a promising approach for PFS in recurrent/metastasic NPC patients. However, due to high RoB it is inconclusive for LANPC, and high-quality studies are needed.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Development of new methods or improving the efficiency of already existing methods is essential in the successful treatment of this disease. Topotecan, a chemotherapeutic drug, has been used to inhibit various cancer types. However, chemotherapy resistance to this drug in cancer has impeded its maximum performance. miRNAs and other non-coding RNAs play crucial roles in regulating this attribute. In this systematic review, we investigated the interaction mechanism between these molecules and Topotecan in the modulation of cancer sensitivity to this agent. This study was carried out according to PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were comprehensively searched, using our predefined search terms. Following a selective process based on strategic criteria, eleven studies were included in the analysis. Altered expression levels of non-coding RNAs, especially miRNAs, regulated the sensitivity of cancer cell lines and animal models, directly and indirectly, through affecting cascades of signaling molecules. This impact was recorded in a variety of cancer types, including retinoblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia. The highlighted interactions potentially offer new opportunities for modifying therapeutic intervention utilizing chemotherapeutic agents.

Cancer, a leading global cause of death responsible for nearly 10 million deaths annually, demands innovative therapeutic strategies. Intrinsic cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have rendered them promising nanoplatforms in oncology. We herein systematically review their applications for targeted cancer chemotherapy, with a focus on physicochemical properties, drug delivery mechanisms, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment (TME). We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science from inception through December 2024 for peer-reviewed preclinical studies on cancer models. Results were qualitatively synthesized. Quality was assessed with the SYRCLE risk of bias tool. Among 20 eligible studies, ZnO-NPs were frequently functionalized with ligands to enhance tumor targeting and minimize systemic toxicity. Chemotherapeutic agents (doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, docetaxel, cisplatin, gemcitabine, and tirapazamine) were loaded into ZnO-based carriers, with improved anticancer efficacy compared to free drug formulations, particularly in multidrug-resistant cell lines and in vivo murine xenografts. The mildly acidic TME was exploited for pH-responsive drug release, premature leakage reduction, and improvement of intratumoral accumulation. Enhanced therapeutic outcomes were attributed to reactive oxygen species generation, zinc ion-mediated cytotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and efflux pump inhibition. Deep tumor penetration, apoptosis induction, and tumor growth suppression were also reported, with minimal toxicity to healthy tissues. ZnO-NPs might constitute a versatile and promising strategy for targeted cancer chemotherapy, offering synergistic anticancer effects and improved safety profiles. Future studies emphasizing long-term toxicity, immune responses, and scalable production could lead to clinical translation of ZnO-based nanomedicine in oncology.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are widely used in cancer therapy yet are strongly associated with acute and chronic cardiotoxicity in patients. There is a critical need to advance our understanding of the pathophysiology that underlies TKI-mediated cardiotoxicity, and central to this is the use of reproducible and relevant preclinical models, which are employed in the evaluation of TKIs across the drug discovery pipeline. We have conducted a systematic review of the literature to determine how rodent models are used in the measurement of TKI-induced cardiotoxicity, focusing on animal reports, physiological cardiac outputs, histopathology, and biomarkers. A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify studies reporting on TKI-induced cardiotoxicity in rodents. Only controlled in vivo, primary in vitro, and ex vivo studies using rats, mice, hamsters or guinea pigs were included. Data were extracted on species, strain, sex, age, experimental design, and cardiac outcomes with risk of bias analyses performed using the SYRCLE and SciRAP tools. Among 92 studies, sunitinib, imatinib, and sorafenib were the most frequently examined TKIs, with cardiotoxicity exhibited as altered cardiac functional parameters, fibrotic changes, arrhythmias, and elevated cardiac biomarkers. Rats (51 studies) and mice (46 studies) were predominantly used to study the effects of TKIs, whilst guinea pigs were underrepresented, limiting insights into electrophysiological changes that are associated with cardiotoxicity. Most studies used male rodents, and only two studies assessed age-related effects. Comparison between species strains was rarely conducted, despite evidence of this being a contributing factor to pre-disposition to cardiotoxicity. Rodent models were shown to replicate TKI-induced cardiotoxic effects observed in humans, but risk of bias analyses revealed limited evidence for study randomisation, inconsistent blinding, lack of sex-balanced studies, and poor strain diversity. Poor methodological quality and reporting across studies compromised reproducibility and interpretation of clinical relevance. Our study highlights the need for implementation of standardised protocols, strain, sex and age-stratified analyses to better support preclinical-to-clinical translation, as well as improve the safety of TKIs for patients and ensure more ethical use of animals in research.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as the predominant histological subtype of lung cancer, accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), represented by programmed death 1/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors, have achieved breakthrough advancements in patients with driver gene-negative NSCLC. They have been established as a key component of first-line treatment regimens and have significantly improved clinical outcomes. However, limited clinical evidence has emerged showing the phenomenon of histological transformation from NSCLC to small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in patients experiencing disease progression after ICIs monotherapy or combination therapy. Systematic research data on the clinical characteristics, molecular biological basis, and subsequent treatment strategies for such transformation events are currently lacking. This article reports a case of SCLC transformation occurring in a patient with KRAS-mutated lung adenocarcinoma after 16 months of ICIs combination therapy and provides a systematic review of 22 similar published cases. The study demonstrates that small cell transformation is a critical mechanism of immunotherapy resistance, and transformed patients exhibit poor prognosis. The research emphasizes the importance of dynamic monitoring of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and standardized repeat biopsies during treatment, providing a basis for clinical practice. This aids in enhancing the recognition and management capabilities for this rare histological transformation, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

This study aimed to assess the potential risk of Bullous pemphigoid (BP) associated with antidiabetic agents, antimicrobials, diuretics, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and biological agents.

Melanoma is one of the most immunogenic malignancies, yet resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains a major obstacle to durable therapeutic success. Emerging evidence indicates that aging-related processes, including cellular senescence and immunosenescence, can reshape the tumor microenvironment (TME) to favor immune evasion and disease progression. Senescent melanoma and stromal cells secrete a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that alters immune cell recruitment and function, while immunosenescence leads to diminished cytotoxic responses and the accumulation of dysfunctional or suppressive immune subsets.

This study addresses the lack of a comprehensive meta-analysis comparing the efficacy and safety of first-line anti-blocking the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapies in patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer, using reconstructed individual patient data.

Population pharmacokinetic models can potentially provide suggestions for an initial dose and the magnitude of dose adjustment during therapeutic drug monitoring procedures of imatinib. Several population pharmacokinetic models for imatinib have been developed over the last two decades. However, their predictive performance is still unknown when extrapolated to different populations, especially children.

Introduction: Cisplatin (Cis), a key cancer chemotherapy drug, faces limitations such as dose-dependent side effects and resistance. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) shows promise as an adjuvant therapy to enhance Cis efficacy and reduce side effects. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the combined effects of PBMT and Cis on various cancers. After searching five databases using relevant keywords, nine studies were included, encompassing both in vitro and in vivo models. Results: Most in vitro studies showed a synergistic effect, with enhanced cancer cell inhibition, apoptosis induction, and reduced cell viability compared with Cis alone. The animal model confirmed these findings, showing PBMT mitigated Cis-induced acute renal failure. Conclusion: Mechanistically, PBMT may increase reactive oxygen species generation, cytochrome c release, modulate cellular metabolism, and involve the miR-124/STAT3 signaling pathway. Combining PBMT with Cis appears to be a safe and effective cancer treatment strategy, synergistically inhibiting cancer cell growth and reducing side effects. Further clinical trials are needed to validate these findings.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Curcuma longa L. has been used since ancient times to treat chest and abdominal distending pain caused by cold coagulation, qi stagnation, and blood stasis, as well as cold-bi syndrome shoulder-arm pain. Colorectal cancer (CRC) falls under the categories of "Jiju" (Mass Accumulation) in TCM. The core pathogenesis involves spleen deficiency, dampness-toxin accumulation, and blood stasis, which are closely related to qi circulation stagnation, blood stasis, and phlegm coagulation. Curcuma longa L. is pungent and warm in nature, with the effects of "breaking blood to eliminate masses and promoting qi to resolve stagnation". Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound, is the main pharmacological component extracted from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. Modern pharmacological studies have found that curcumin exhibits multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-angiogenic, anti-metastatic, and anti-multidrug resistance effects.

Cadonilimab (AK104) is a bispecific antibody that simultaneously targets programmed cell death-1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4. It has received approval for the treatment of cervical cancer and gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer. This meta-analysis aims to assess cadonilimab's safety profile.

To evaluate the risk of cardiovascular adverse events associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a key monomeric compound extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Astragalus membranaceus, has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as a malignant tumor posing severe threats to global health, is characterized by high incidence and mortality rates, imposing substantial burdens on patients, families, and society. Numerous studies have demonstrated that AS-IV exhibits significant inhibitory effects on HCC. However, the precise underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, this systematic review provides a comprehensive summary of current research findings.