Background Immune evasion in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is largely mediated by programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which is upregulated by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-induced STAT1 activation. Targeting this pathway may improve immunotherapy outcomes. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol, has been reported to modulate various oncogenic signaling pathways, but its role in inhibiting IFN-γ-driven PD-L1 expression in NSCLC remains unclear. Methodology The NSCLC cell line A549 were treated with curcumin (50 µM) for 2 h before stimulation with IFN-γ (500 U/ml). Western blot, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence microscopy were used to evaluate STAT1 phosphorylation, PD-L1 expression, and the localization of phosphorylated STAT1 (p-STAT1). The expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), including SOCS1 and ISG15, was also examined. Additionally, the Resazurin assay was performed to assess cell viability. Results IFN-γ significantly induced STAT1 phosphorylation, leading to a time-dependent upregulation of PD-L1 expression. Immunofluorescence confirmed that p-STAT1 is translocated to nucleus. Curcumin treatment inhibited STAT1 phosphorylation by 68% (p < 0.001), leading to a marked reduction in PD-L1 expression. Moreover, curcumin suppressed IFN-γ-induced SOCS1 (63%) and ISG15 (54%) expressions, indicating a broader effect on STAT1-mediated immune evasion. Finally, curcumin enhanced IFN-γ-mediated growth inhibition, reducing cell viability by 47% at 48 h (p < 0.01). Conclusion Curcumin effectively inhibits IFN-γ-induced STAT1 phosphorylation and PD-L1 expression, downregulates ISGs, and enhances IFN-γ-mediated tumor suppression. These findings suggest that curcumin may serve as a therapeutic adjuvant in NSCLC, potentially improving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway is essential for cellular processes such as proliferation, survival, and migration. Dysregulation of EGFR signaling is frequently observed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is associated with poor prognosis. This study aims to isolate and characterize extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by mutant EGFR lung cancer cell line PC9 and compare them with wild-type EGFR lung cancer cell line A549, while also evaluating the effect of gefitinib treatment on EV secretion and cargo composition. The two lung cancer cell lines were cultured with 2% EV-free serum, and EVs were subsequently isolated by differential ultra centrifugation. EVs were characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for quantification size and shape determination. Western blot analysis confirmed the enrichment and purity of isolated EVs. Results showed that EGFR mutation significantly increased EV release and altered their size, compared to EVs released by wild-type EGFR cells. In addition to classical EV markers such as CD81, Flotillin- 1, and TSG101, Western blot analysis also detected phosphorylated EGFR (p-EGFR) selectively packaged into EVs from PC9 cells. Gefitinib treatment significantly reduced EV secretion in PC9 cells and led to a marked decrease in p-EGFR incorporation into EVs, indicating that EV biogenesis and compostion are modulated by active EGFR signaling. In conclusion, this study highlights the significant influence of EGFR activation on EV secretion and cargo composition while demonstrating that EGFR inhibition via gefitinib alters EV-mediated signaling in lung cancer cells. These findings provide insights into tumor behavior, EV-mediated oncogenic communication, and the potential use of EVs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in NSCLC.

Background/Objectives: Despite the significant advancements made in the diagnosis of lung cancer, the traditional diagnostic methods remain limited because they are often invasive, expensive, and not suitable for regular screening, creating a need for more accessible and non-invasive alternatives. In this context, the analysis of miRNAs in EVs and free circulating microRNA may be used as liquid biopsies in lung cancer to identify individuals at risk. This study aimed to compare miRNA profiles in the serum and EVs derived from lung cancer patients by focusing on Let-7a-5p and miR-21-3p. Materials and Methods: Serum and EVs were isolated from lung cancer patients and healthy controls. EVs were characterized using nanoparticle tracking analysis, electron microscopy, and Western blotting for surface markers (CD63, CD81, TSG101). Total miRNA levels were quantified in the serum and EVs, and specific miRNAs (hsa-let-7a-5p and hsa-miR-21-3p) were analyzed using RT-qPCR. Statistical analysis evaluated miRNA expression across clinicopathological features, including age, gender, smoking status, tumor stage, cancer type, and EGFR mutation status. Results: Total miRNA levels were significantly enriched in EVs compared to the serum. Let-7a-5p was downregulated in EVs from patients with advanced-stage lung cancer (Stage III–IV) compared to those with early-stage cancer and controls (p < 0.05), while no differences were observed in the serum. Conversely, miR-21-3p was significantly upregulated in EVs and serum from advanced-stage patients (p < 0.01) and in adenocarcinoma compared to squamous cell carcinoma (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for age, gender, or smoking status. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the differential expression of miRNAs in EVs and the serum, emphasizing the diagnostic potential of EV-associated Let-7a-5p and miR-21-3p in lung cancer. These results suggest that EVs are a more robust source for miRNA biomarkers compared to the serum.

Background : Due to the increased occurrence of bacterial resistance to multiple antimicrobial drugs, there is a constant search for novel therapeutic strategies; medicinal plants represent an important source for obtaining such substances. The antimicrobial activity of extracts and essential oils of medicinal plants has been proven in several studies conducted in countries with diverse flora. Aim : To evaluate the antibacterial activity of cinnamon against multidrug- resistant bacteria. Material and Method: Bacterial susceptibility testing was conducted by the diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar using paper discs impregnated with test substances. Results: All test strains were sensitive to the essential oil of cinnamon. We observed low synergistic potential between essential oils against the strain of S. aureus. Conclusion: The essential oil of cinnamon has antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Future research should be conducted to define the best concentration and better extraction solution for mastic and cinnamon peels.

Background: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a clinical syndrome that has the wide range of infections and inflammatory diseases of the upper female genital tract. Microbiological researches revealed that multiple bacteria have been identified as causative agents and several types of antibiotics are required to cover causative pathogens. The choice of an appropriate treatment mostly depended on antimicrobial sensitivity tests. Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the compatibility between the prescribed antibiotics given to patients with PIDs based on the clinical features with microbial sensitivity tests. Materials and Methods: The present study included 70 patients who attend Amedy hospital in Duhok province and screened for PIDs based on the clinical features. Due to the lack of antimicrobial-sensitivity culture tests, the patients are treated according to the standard treatment. The clinician records the clinical features of each patient with their prescribed drugs and antibiotics and takes an endocervical swab of each patient. These swabs are undergone microbial sensitivity tests for drug resistance. Results: The results revealed that 62.86% of patients were positive for the infection pathogens. There were 13 bacterial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus as the most commonly isolated organism in (29.55%) of cases followed by Candida specious (25%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (15.1%) with one case of Escherichia coli (2.27%). Seven antibiotic and antifungal drugs were the most prescribed antibiotics to patients with PIDs. Conclusions: The results of our study concluded that treating PIDs according to the standard treatment and based on clinical symptoms only is limited to coverage these diseases. Additional clinical and microbial sensitivity test are required before prescribed antibiotics or antifungal to patients with PIDs.