Tumor organoid models have emerged as valuable 3D in vitro systems to study cancer behavior in a physiologically relevant environment. The composition and architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) play critical roles in tumor organoid culture by influencing the tumor microenvironment and tumor behavior. Traditional matrices such as Matrigel and collagen, have been widely used, but their batch-to-batch variability and limited tunability hinder their reproducibility and broader applications. To address these challenges, researchers have turned to synthetic/engineered matrices and biopolymer-based matrices, which offer precise tunability, reproducibility, and chemically defined compositions. However, these matrices also present challenges of their own. In this review, we explore the significance of ECMs in tumor organoid culture, discuss the limitations of commonly used matrices, and highlight recent advancements in engineered/synthetic matrices for improved tumor organoid modeling.

Cancer immunotherapy has received more and more attention from cancer researchers over the past few decades. Various methods such as cell therapy, immune checkpoint blockers, and cancer vaccines alone or in combination therapies have achieved relatively satisfactory results in cancer therapy. Among these immunotherapy-based methods, cancer vaccines alone have not yet had the necessary efficacy in the clinic. Therefore, nanomaterials have increased the efficacy and ef-fectiveness of cancer vaccines by increasing their half-life and durability, promoting tumor mi-croenvironment (TME) reprogramming, and enhancing their anti-tumor immunity with minimal toxicity. In this review, according to the latest studies, the structure and different types of nanovaccines, the mechanisms of these vaccines in cancer treatment, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of these nanovaccines are discussed.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most dangerous diseases that threaten human life, and investigating the details affecting its progression or regression is particularly important. Exosomes are one of the derivatives produced from different cells, including tumor cells and other cells such as Tregs, M2 macrophages, and MDSCs, and can help tumor growth. These exosomes perform their actions by affecting the cells in the tumor microenvironment, such as pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) that produce extracellular matrix (ECM) components and immune cells that are responsible for killing tumor cells. It has also been shown that pancreatic cancer cell (PCC)-derived exosomes at different stages carry molecules. Checking the presence of these molecules in the blood and other body fluids can help us in the early stage diagnosis and monitoring of PC. However, immune system cell-derived exosomes (IEXs) and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes can contribute to PC treatment. Immune cells produce exosomes as part of the mechanisms involved in the immune surveillance and tumor cell-killing phenomenon. Exosomes can be modified in such a way that their antitumor properties are enhanced. One of these methods is drug loading in exosomes, which can significantly increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. In general, exosomes form a complex intercellular communication network that plays a role in developing, progressing, diagnosing, monitoring, and treating pancreatic cancer.

Given the high incidence of infection and the growing resistance of bacterial and viral infections to the traditional antiseptic, the need for novel antiseptics is critical. Therefore, novel approaches are urgently required to reduce the activity of bacterial and viral infections. Nanotechnology is increasingly being exploited for medical purposes and is of significant interest in eliminating or limiting the activity of various pathogens. Due to the increased surface-to-volume ratio of a given mass of particles, the antimicrobial properties of some naturally occurring antibacterial materials, such as zinc and silver, increase as particle size decreases into the nanometer regime. However, the physical structure of a nanoparticle and the way it interacts with and penetrates the bacteria also appear to provide unique bactericidal mechanisms. To measure the efficacy of nanoparticles (diameter 100 nm) as antimicrobial agents, it is necessary to comprehend the range of approaches for evaluating the viability of bacteria; each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. The nanotechnology-based disinfectants and sensors for SARS-CoV-2 provide a roadmap for creating more effective sensors and disinfectants for detecting and preventing coronaviruses and other infections. Moreover, there is an increasing role of nanotechnology-based approaches in various infections, including wound healing and related infection, nosocomial infections, and various bacterial infections. To meet the demand for patient care, nanotechnology-based disinfectants need to be further advanced with optimum approaches. Herein, we review the current burden of infectious diseases with a focus on SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial infection that significantly burdens developed healthcare systems and small healthcare communities. We then highlight how nanotechnology could aid in improving existing treatment modalities and diagnosis of those infectious agents. Finally, we conclude the current development and future perspective of nanotechnology for combating infectious diseases. The overall goal is to update healthcare providers on the existing role and future of nanotechnology in tackling those common infectious diseases.

Purpose: To detect the spatio-temporal expression of S100A4 in a spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rat model. Also to figure out which other molecules directly interact with S100A4 to explore the possible mechanisms which might be involved in neuropathic pain. Methods: Seven-week-old male SD rats were used for the SNL model construction. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were used to detect the spatio-temporal expression of S100A4 in the model. S100A4 was co-labeled with a number of related molecules and marker molecules that can distinguish between cell types. After intrathecal injection of S100A4 neutralizing antibody, the behavioral changes of SNL rats were recorded, and molecular changes compared. The direct interaction between S100A4 and other related molecules was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) to explore its possible mechanism. Results: After spinal nerve ligation, the content of S100A4 in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal dorsal horn increased significantly. Intrathecal injection of S100A4 neutralizing antibody could effectively relieve the mechanical pain in rats. co-IP revealed a direct interaction between S100A4 and RAGE. Conclusion: The content of S100A4 in the DRG and spinal dorsal horn of SNL rats increased, compared with that of the control group. Intrathecal injection of S100A4 neutralizing antibody could effectively relieve the mechanical pain in SNL rats. S100A4 may be involved in the production of neuropathic pain through RAGE or other ways, but the specific mechanism needs to be further studied.

This study aimed to evaluate the value of chitinase activity in prognosticating the occurrence of metastasis in and prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The chitinase activity in four different groups, namely 335 CRC patients without distant metastasis at their first visit (Group 1), 51 patients with CRC having synchronous liver metastasis (Group 2), 100 healthy age-matched controls (Group 3) and 40 patients with liver cancer (Group 4), were assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Cox proportional hazards ratio model and Kaplan–Meier curve were used to identify the association between chitinase activity and the clinical outcome of CRC patients without metastasis in the training set and testing set at their first visit. An in vitro Transwell experiment was performed to evaluate the migration of colon cancer cells. Patients with high chitinase activity had a significantly higher metastasis risk than those with low chitinase activity in the training and testing sets during follow-up, both at stage I/II and stage III. Further, multivariate analysis revealed that chitinase activity was an independent risk factor prognosticating liver metastases (P = 0.001). The combination of chitinase activity and lymph node metastasis status increased the accuracy of the prognosis of liver metastases after radical resection (P = 0.454E-011). In addition, chitinase promoted CRC cell migration in vitro. Chitinase activity can prognosticate the occurrence of metastasis in patients with CRC. Moreover, the combination of chitinase activity and N stage increased the power of prognosticating the occurrence of metastasis. Inhibiting chitinase activity may serve as a new strategy to treat metastases of CRC.