Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) presents significant challenges in treatment, with current standard-of-care approaches offering limited efficacy and survival benefits. This necessitates the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to enhance treatment outcomes. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising avenue in cancer therapy, offering targeted drug delivery and enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Polymeric nanoparticles, particularly those based on Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), have gained traction as drug carriers due to their biocompatibility and controlled release properties. However, their interception by macrophages poses challenges to effective drug delivery. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles have shown promise as radiosensitizers, enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, cell membrane biomimetic drug delivery systems have garnered attention for their ability to improve biocompatibility and targeting capabilities. Leveraging these concepts, our study introduces a novel multifunctional platform, GM@P (T/S), comprising polymeric nanoparticles coated with cancer cell membrane. By encapsulating temozolomide (TMZ) and SPIO nanoparticles within GM@P (T/S), we aim to synergistically enhance the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy against GBM while overcoming limitations associated with conventional treatments. This innovative approach holds promise for addressing the unmet clinical needs in GBM therapy and advancing towards more effective and personalized treatment strategies.

Introduction: Elemene injection and oral emulsion, known as elemene, have been utilized have been used in adjuvant therapy for cancer patients in China for more than 20 years. In order to evaluate the efficacy and potential risks of the treatments in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, a system review and meta-analysis were conducted. Additionally, the factors that may influence the outcomes were also explored.Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across various databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, CKNI, Wan Fang, and VIP databases. Meta-regression, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the heterogeneity. GRADE system and TSA were used to assess the strength of evidence and robustness of the results.Results: The pooled data showed that combination with elemene could improve the response rate (RR:1.48, 95%CI:1.38–1.60, p < 0.00001), disease control rate (RR:1.20, 95%CI:1.15–1.25, p < 0.00001), the rate of quality-of-life improvement and stability (WMD:1.31, 95% CI:1.12–1.53, p = 0.0006), immune function (CD4⁺/CD8⁺: WMD:0.33, 95% CI:0.24–0.42, p < 0.00001), survival rate (1-year, RR:1.34, 95% CI:1.15–1.56, p = 0.0002; 2-year, RR:1.57, 95% CI:1.14–2.16, p = 0.006), and decrease the prevalence of most chemotherapy-induced side effects, especially leukopenia (Ⅲ-Ⅳ) (RR:0.46, 95% CI:0.35–0.61, p < 0.00001), thrombocytopenia (RR:0.86, 95% CI:0.78–0.95, p = 0.003), and hemoglobin reduction (RR:0.83, 95% CI:0.73–0.95, p = 0.007). However, the administration of elemene has been found to significantly increase the incidence of phlebitis in patients undergoing chemotherapy (RR:3.41, 95% CI:1.47–7.93, p = 0.004). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses discovered that the outcomes were rarely influenced by CR, CT, and dosage of elemene (DE) but the cycle number of elemene (CNE) and TT were the main sources of heterogeneity.Discussion: As the treatment time and the number of cycles increased, the efficacy of the elemene combination decreased across various aspects. Thus, shorter duration and fewer cycles are recommended.

As one of the most common cancers worldwide, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment always fails owing to the tumor microenvironment and resistance. UA, a traditional Chinese medicine, was reported to have antitumor potential in tumor models in vitro and in vivo, but showed impressive results in its potential application for poor water solubility. In this study, a novel biomimetic drug-delivery system based on UA-loaded nanoparticles (UaNPs) with a red blood cell membrane (RBCM) coating was developed. The RBCM-coated UANPs (UMNPs) exhibited improved water solubility, high stability, good biosafety, and efficient tumor accumulation. Importantly, the excellent antitumor efficiency of the UMNPs was confirmed both in vitro and in vivo in cancer models. In addition, we further investigated the antitumor mechanism of UMNPs. The results of Western blotting showed that UMNPs exerted an anticancer effect by inducing the apoptosis and autophagy of NSCLC cells, which makes it superior to free UA. In addition, body weight monitoring, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) analysis, and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis showed no significant difference between UMNPs and the control group, indicating the safety of UMNPs. Altogether, the preparation of biomimetic UMNPs provides a promising strategy to improve outcomes in NSCLC.

We evaluated the effects of atorvastatin and ticagrelor combination therapy on renal function and the levels of suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) and interleukin 33 (IL-33) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Eighty-four STEMI patients who underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention at our hospital from January 2015 to March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into a control group (n = 44) and an observation group (n = 40). The control group was treated with atorvastatin as routine STEMI treatment, whereas the observation group was concurrently administered ticagrelor. After treatment, significantly better outcomes were observed in the control group than in the observation group in terms of clinical indices, including chest pain relief, enzyme levels, duration of reperfusion-associated arrhythmia, and depression of the ST segment. Both groups exhibited improvements in cardiac ultrasound indices, whereas the observation group showed lower left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters and higher left ventricular ejection fractions than the control group. Atorvastatin and ticagrelor combination therapy is clinically effective and safe for STEMI patients as it reduces the degree of myocardial infarction, protects the heart and renal functions, improves inflammation, and reduces adverse cardiac event incidences.