Epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer (HER2+ BC) is a highly invasive and malignant type of tumor. Due to its resistance to HER2-targeted therapy, HER2+ BC has a poor prognosis and a tendency for metastasis. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this resistance and developing effective treatments for HER2+ BC are major research challenges. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway, which is frequently altered in cancers, plays a critical role in cellular proliferation and drug resistance. This signaling pathway activates various downstream pathways and exhibits complex interactions with other signaling networks. Given the significance of the PI3K/AKT pathway in HER2+ BC, several targeted drugs are currently in development. Multiple drugs have entered clinical trials or gained market approval, bringing new hope for HER2+ BC therapy. However, new drugs and therapies raise concerns related to safety, regulation, and ethics. Populations of different races and disease statuses exhibit varying responses to treatments. Therefore, in this review, we summarize current knowledge on the alteration and biological roles of the PI3K/AKT pathway, as well as its clinical applications and perspectives, providing new insights for advancing targeted therapies in HER2+ BC.

As components of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with many physiological activities, perilla ketone and isoegomaketone isolated from perilla essential oil are important active components of Perilla frutescens. Recent studies have shown that these two compounds have promising antitumor, antifungal, antirheumatoid arthritis, antiobesity, anti-inflammatory, healing-promoting, and other activities and can be used to combat toxicity from immunotherapy. Therefore, the multitude of pharmacological activities and effects demonstrate the broad research potential of perilla ketone and isoegomaketone. However, no reviews have been published related to the pharmacological activities or effects of perilla ketone and isoegomaketone. The purpose of this review is as follows: (1) outline the recent advances made in understanding the pharmacological activities of perilla ketone and isoegomaketone; (2) summarize their effects; and (3) discuss future research perspectives.

Lysimachia christinae Hance (LCH), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, possesses the effects of "clearing heat and promoting diuresis, relieving stranguria and expelling stones, and detoxifying and protecting the kidneys". This study for the first time developed an efficient, green, and economical ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) process for extracting LCH polysaccharides (LCHP-UAE). Meanwhile, it systematically investigated the mechanisms of action of UAE and hot water extraction (HWE) technologies for extracting LCH polysaccharides. Finally, it comparatively analyzed the differences in physicochemical properties, functional characteristics, and bioactivities between LCHP-UAE and LCH polysaccharides obtained by HWE (LCHP-HWE). It was found that under the optimal operating conditions of UAE obtained by response surface methodology optimization, the extraction yield of LCHP-UAE reached 8.25 ± 0.13 %. Compared with HWE, UAE strongly disrupted the cell walls of raw materials through cavitation effect and mechanical vibration, thereby improving mass transfer capacity. Compared with LCHP-HWE, LCHP-UAE exhibited characteristics such as lower M_W and smaller particle size, increased content of uronic acid, better thermal stability, and stronger water- and oil-holding capacities.Owing to its unique structural advantages, LCHP-UAE showed superior antioxidant activity and kidney stone inhibitory effect. In conclusion, this study establishes a robust theoretical foundation for the efficient utilization of LCH and the deployment of LCHP-UAE in contexts including the food industry and kidney stone intervention.

Breast cancer (BC) is a global health risk for women and has a high prevalence rate. The drug resistance, recurrence, and metastasis of BC affect patient prognosis, thus posing a challenge to scientists. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (EVs) that originate from various cells; they have a double-layered lipid membrane structure and contain rich biological information. They mediate intercellular communication and have pivotal roles in tumor development, progression, and metastasis and drug resistance. Exosomes are important cell communication mediators in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Exosomes are utilized as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for estimating the treatment efficacy of BC and have the potential to function as tools to enable the targeted delivery of antitumor drugs. This review introduces recent progress in research on how exosomes influence tumor development and the TME. We also present the research progress on the application of exosomes as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers and drug delivery tools.