Modifications of the composition or organization of the cancer cell membrane seem to be a promising targeted therapy. This approach can significantly enhance drug uptake or intensify the response of cancer cells to chemotherapeutics. There are several methods enabling lipid bilayer modifications, e.g., pharmacological, physical, and mechanical. It is crucial to keep in mind the significance of drug resistance phenomenon, ion channel and specific receptor impact, and lipid bilayer organization in planning the cell membrane-targeted treatment. In this review, strategies based on cell membrane modulation or reorganization are presented as an alternative tool for future therapeutic protocols.

Until thirty years ago, it was believed that extracellular vesicles (EVs) were used to remove unnecessary compounds from the cell. Today, we know about their enormous potential in diagnosing and treating various diseases. EVs are essential mediators of intercellular communication, enabling the functional transfer of bioactive molecules from one cell to another. Compared to laboratory-created drug nanocarriers, they are stable in physiological conditions. Furthermore, they are less immunogenic and cytotoxic compared to polymerized vectors. Finally, EVs can transfer cargo to particular cells due to their membrane proteins and lipids, which can implement them to specific receptors in the target cells. Recently, new strategies to produce ad hoc exosomes have been devised. Cells delivering exosomes have been genetically engineered to overexpress particular macromolecules, or transformed to release exosomes with appropriate targeting molecules. In this way, we can say tailor-made therapeutic EVs are created. Nevertheless, there are significant difficulties to solve during the application of EVs as drug-delivery agents in the clinic. This review explores the diversity of EVs and the potential therapeutic options for exosomes as natural drug-delivery vehicles in oncology, neurology, and dermatology. It also reflects future challenges in clinical translation.

Pancreatic cancer has no symptoms until the disease has advanced and is aggressive cancer with early metastasis. Up to now, the only curative treatment is surgical resection, which is possible in the early stages of the disease. Irreversible electroporation treatment offers new hope for patients with unresectable tumors. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a type of ablation therapy that has been explored as a potential treatment for pancreatic cancer. Ablation therapies involve the use of energy to destroy or damage cancer cells. IRE involves using high-voltage, low-energy electrical pulses to create resealing in the cell membrane, causing the cell to die. This review summarizes experiential and clinical findings in terms of the IRE applications. As was described, IRE can be a non-pharmacological approach (electroporation) or combined with anticancer drugs or standard treatment methods. The efficacy of irreversible electroporation (IRE) in eliminating pancreatic cancer cells has been demonstrated through both in vitro and in vivo studies, and it has been shown to induce an immune response. Nevertheless, further investigation is required to assess its effectiveness in human subjects and to comprehensively understand IRE’s potential as a treatment option for pancreatic cancer.

Chronic inflammation, while originally a protective physiological response, is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to carcinogenesis. Prolonged inflammatory signaling leads to the sustained production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), resulting in direct and indirect DNA damage, including base modifications, strand breaks, and DNA cross-linking. Simultaneously, pro-inflammatory mediators such as NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α can interfere with DNA repair mechanisms, altering the efficiency of key pathways such as base excision and mismatch repair. Immune cells infiltrating chronically inflamed tissues, including macrophages and neutrophils, further exacerbate genomic instability through ROS/RNS release and cytokine production, creating a tumor-promoting microenvironment. Additionally, chronic inflammation has been implicated in the development of resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy by modulating DNA damage response pathways. Understanding the interplay between inflammation, genomic instability, and therapy resistance provides a framework for novel treatment strategies. Targeting chronic inflammation with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or biological agents such as monoclonal antibodies offers promising avenues for cancer prevention and treatment. Targeting inflammation with NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and monoclonal antibodies shows promise in cancer prevention and therapy, particularly in lung and pancreatic cancer. These agents act by blocking key inflammatory pathways like COX-2, NF-κB, and cytokine signaling. However, potential adverse effects require further clinical evaluation.

The NF-κB-signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cancer progression, including muscle-derived cancers such as rhabdomyosarcoma or sarcoma. Several natural compounds have been studied for their ability to alter NF-κB signaling in these types of cancers. This review paper summarizes the current knowledge on the effects of natural compounds, including curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and berberine, on NF-κB signaling in muscle-derived cancers. These compounds have been shown to inhibit NF-κB signaling in rhabdomyosarcoma cells through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting the activation of the IKK complex and the NF-κB transcription factor. These findings suggest that natural compounds could be potential therapeutic agents for muscle-derived cancers. However, further research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms of action and potential clinical applications.

(1) Background: The main purpose of the study was to determine whether altered gravity might alter cell viability, improve drug delivery and modulate the expression of drug resistance-related genes. (2) Methods: This study investigated the intracellular mechanisms activated by microgravity in human resistant and sensitive gastric cancer cells (EPG85-257 RDB) and (EPG85-257 P). We used a rotary cell culture system (RCCS) developed by NASA to expose cells to altered gravity. The antitumor potential of microgravity was simulated by the RCCS bioreactor, and its effectiveness was evaluated in sensitive cell lines compared to chemotherapy-resistant cells concerning drug-sensitive cancer cells. Microgravity with chemotherapy was estimated by the viability assay, cytoskeleton imaging, MDR (multidrug resistance) gene expression analysis, MTCO-1 (mitochondrially encoded cytochrome C oxidase I), and 8-OHdG immunocytochemical analysis. (3) Results: We found that altered gravity combined with doxorubicin was cytotoxic to cancer cells. Cells following simulated microgravity revealed decreased expression of genes related to drug resistance and increased DNA/RNA damage marker expression. Cytoskeleton evaluation demonstrated significant reorganization of F-actin fibers after exposure to changed gravity conditions. (4) Conclusions: Intracellular alterations caused by simulated microgravity can increase gastric cancer cells’ sensitivity to chemotherapy. We have obtained satisfactory results showing the correlation between altered gravity and MDR phenomena which seems promising in future therapeutic applications.