Radiotherapy remains an effective conventional method of treatment for patients with cancer. However, the clinical efficacy of radiotherapy is compromised by the development of radioresistance of the tumor cells during the treatment. Consequently, there is need for a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of tumor cells in response to radiation to improve radiotherapy efficacy. The current study aims to highlight new developments that illustrate various forms of cancer cell death after exposure to radiation. A summary of the cellular pathways and important target proteins that are responsible for tumor radioresistance and metastasis is also provided. Further, the study outlines several mechanistic descriptions of the interaction between ionizing radiation and the host immune system. Therefore, the current review provides a reference for future research studies on the biological effects of new radiotherapy technologies, such as ultra-high-dose-rate (FLASH) radiotherapy, proton therapy, and heavy-ion therapy.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a significant clinical challenge, urgently requiring effective intervention strategies. In recent years, the application of radiopharmaceuticals has emerged as a promising modality for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of malignancies. Due to its high expression on pancreatic cancer cells, mesothelin (MSLN) has become an appealing target for radioimmunotherapy (RIT). In this study, we report the development of a novel radiotracer by conjugating amatuximab with zirconium-89 (⁸⁹Zr) to facilitate the non-invasive detection of MSLN expression. Immuno-positron emission tomography (immunoPET) imaging demonstrated a specific accumulation of ⁸⁹Zr-DFO- amatuximab in PANC-1-MSLN tumors. Subsequently, Lutetium-177 (¹⁷⁷Lu)-labeled amatuximab was utilized for MSLN- targeted radioimmunotherapy (RIT), resulting in a significant suppression of PANC-1-MSLN xenograft growth. Furthermore, in vivo studies indicated that ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTA-amatuximab exhibited limited side effects. The development of ⁸⁹Zr/¹⁷⁷Lu-labeled amatuximab may provide novel insights into the formulation of precision diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for MSLN- overexpressing tumors, including PDAC.

Gut microbiota coevolve with humans to achieve a symbiotic relationship, which ultimately leads to physiological homeostasis. A variety of diseases can occur once this balance is disrupted. Helicobacter bilis (H. bilis) is an opportunistic pathogen in humans, triggering multiple diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a chronic immunologically mediated inflammation of the human gastrointestinal tract, and its occurrence is closely related to the gut microbiota. Several studies have demonstrated that H. bilis colonization is associated with IBD, and its mechanism is related to host immunity. However, few studies have investigated these mechanisms of action. Therefore, this article is aimed at reviewing these studies and summarizing the mechanisms of H. bilis‐induced IBD from two perspectives: adaptive immunity and innate immunity. Furthermore, this study provides a preliminary discussion on treating H. bilis‐related IBD. In addition, we also demonstrated that H. bilis played an important role in promoting the carcinogenesis of IBD and discussed its mechanism.

Introduction: Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history and is widely popular in China because of its safety and small side effects. In Chinese families, people believe that the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine is more effective, and in terms of conditioning and health care, they tend to rely on traditional Chinese medicine. However, the toxic and side effects of traditional Chinese medicine, especially heavy metal poisoning, should not be ignored.Patient concerns: A case of non-occupational lead poisoning caused by long-term use of traditional Chinese medicine.Diagnosis: A 21-year-old man with severe colic periumbilical pain was referred to our hospital. Through careful inquiry of his medical history, we found that he had been taking traditional Chinese medicine to treat facial acne in the past year. His test results showed anemia, liver damage, blood lead concentration of 1,268.4 μg/L, and bone marrow smear showed basophilic stippling erythrocyte. The patient was diagnosed with “lead poisoning.”Interventions: The patient was given treatment with lead driving.Outcomes: The patient recovered after treatment.Conclusion: We found that lead poisoning in patients taking traditional Chinese medicine has been reported from time to time. Through consulting the data, we summarized the most common drugs leading to lead poisoning, and reviewed the pathogenesis and common clinical manifestations of lead poisoning. Because lead poisoning is easy to be misdiagnosed, we should ask more carefully about the past history and drug history of patients in order to make timely diagnosis and treatment.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still one of the most lethal human cancers in the world due to its high degree of malignancy, easy invasion and metastasis, poor therapeutic effect and poor prognosis. Nowadays, there is no very effective diagnosis and treatment method. It is crucial to elucidate the underlying pathogenesis and mechanisms of HCC for developing new and effective diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and therapies. Discoidin domain receptors (DDRs) belong to the family of transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and are recognized as playing central regulatory roles in a variety of high incidence human diseases, including tumors. DDRs have two members, DDR1 and DDR2. The role of DDR1 in several tumors has been extensively studied, and many researchers have identified it as a powerful candidate target for the development of functional and effective tumor treatment inhibitors. However, its role and mechanism in HCC are ill defined. In this article, we review the advanced insights into the progression of DDR1 in HCC, particularly the ligands and mechanisms in invasion and metastasis, which may open new avenues for the therapeutic utility of HCC.

Mediastinal cysts are rare benign lesions and their diagnosis and treatment remain difficult and controversial. The development of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has broadened the horizon for the precise treatment of diseases. The present study reports the case of a 53‑year‑old male hospitalized with chest pain. All imaging findings, including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and EUS, indicated a benign cystic mass in the posterior mediastinum. The posterior mediastinal cyst was treated with EUS‑guided fine‑needle aspiration combined with an intracapsular injection of antibiotics and ethanol, and the results indicated no mediastinal infection after the puncture and no recurrence after 3 months of follow‑up. The present study provides a new method for diagnosing and treating mediastinal cysts.