Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive malignant disease with poor prognosis, often diagnosed late, progressing rapidly, and resistant to chemotherapy. Although small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) show promise in preclinical PC models, translation into clinics remains challenging. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we screened literature according to predefined criteria to identify preclinical PC mouse models used for SMI therapy in primary tumors, assess reporting quality, and evaluate tumor reduction, heterogeneity and publication bias. Following a pre-registered PROSPERO protocol (CRD42022314932), literature searches in PubMed and Embase yielded 2972 articles, of which 297 were included for data extraction. Most studies used PDX models or MiaPaCa-2 and PANC-1 cell lines as heterotopic xenografts, with Foxn1nu mice representing the predominant genetic background. Reporting quality, assessed using the ARRIVE guidelines, revealed substantial gaps, particularly in blinding (94% not reported), inclusion/exclusion criteria (49% not reported), and randomization (34% not reported). Meta-regression accounted for part of the observed heterogeneity and funnel plot asymmetry was consistent with publication bias. This study emphasized the large variability among preclinical PC mouse models used to investigate SMI candidates and the complexity of model choice highlighting the critical need for improved reporting practices to enhance reproducibility and reliability of preclinical tumor models.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a rare and diverse group of mesodermal-origin cancers with limited systemic treatment options in advanced-stage disease. Recent evidence suggests that combination therapies involving tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) may enhance clinical outcomes.

Lycopene (LYP), the red pigment found in tomatoes, is a non-provitamin A carotenoid recognized for its biological significance and anticancer potential. Beyond its direct anticancer effects, LYP has been shown to enhance the efficacy of various anticancer agents when used in combination. Herein, we have conducted a literature survey using PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, to systematically review LYP's efficacy in combination therapy. A search in PubMed using the keywords "lycopene and combination and cancer" yielded 206 studies, while "lycopene and cancer" retrieved 27 clinical trials from ClinicalTrial.gov. After applying the defined eligibility criteria, 45 relevant studies were included: 37 unique to PubMed, six unique to ClinicalTrials.gov, and two common to both databases. These studies collectively demonstrate that LYP, when used in combination with other therapeutic agents, can modulate several key oncogenic signaling pathways, including JAK2, MAPK, Akt/mTOR, IGF-1R, Akt/EZH2/AR, and PPARγ/LXRα/ABCA1. Additionally, LYP influences the activity of NF-κB, IFN-γ, and Nrf2, and also modulates cellular processes such as autophagy, apoptosis, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. These alterations have been observed when LYP is combined with various anticancer therapeutics, including radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, standard chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, taxanes, and sorafenib, as well as several phytochemicals and other potential anticancer agents, across various cancers. Nevertheless, robust clinical validation is required to confirm the therapeutic potential of these combinations and to establish LYP as an effective adjuvant in cancer treatment.

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.

Cancer continues to pose a major global health burden, with rising incidence and mortality rates. The protracted timelines, and high costs associated with traditional drug development highlight the urgent need for alternative drug development strategies. Drug repurposing, which involves identifying new anticancer uses for existing FDA-approved drugs, offers a promising and cost-effective approach. Lanatoside C, a cardiac glycoside approved for heart conditions, has recently gained attention for its potential anticancer properties. This systematic review consolidates preclinical evidence on the anticancer effects of Lanatoside C, focusing on its molecular mechanisms of action across various cancer types in both in vitro and in vivo models. A systematic search was conducted to identify preclinical studies assessing Lanatoside C’s effects on cancer cell lines and animal models. Studies were included if they evaluated anticancer efficacy and elucidated molecular mechanisms. Data extraction and methodological quality assessment were performed independently by multiple reviewers, using the Toxicological Data Reliability Assessment Tool (ToxRTool). Eighteen studies met inclusion criteria. Lanatoside C consistently inhibited cancer cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and caused cell cycle arrest (primarily at the G2/M phase) in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistically, Lanatoside C modulated key signaling pathways, like Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK, JAK/STAT, and ER stress/GRP78. Additional mechanisms included ferroptosis induction in lung cancer, and TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in glioblastoma. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated significant antitumor effects, supporting the translational potential of Lanatoside C as a repurposed anticancer agent. In conclusion, available Preclinical evidence indicates that Lanatoside C exerts broad-spectrum anticancer effects via modulation of different molecular pathways. These findings demonstrate its clinical utility as a monotherapy and in combination regimens, while emphasizing the need for rigorous translational and safety studies to facilitate its integration into oncology practice.

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.