Ongoing research is gradually broadening the idea of cancer treatment, with attention being focused on nanoparticles to improve the stability, therapeutic efficacy, targeting, and other important metrics of conventional drugs and traditional drug delivery methods. Studies have demonstrated that drug delivery carriers based on biomaterials (e.g., protein nanoparticles and lipids) and inorganic materials (e.g., metal nanoparticles) have potential anticancer effects. Among these carriers, self-assembled proteins and peptides, which are highly biocompatible and easy to standardize and produce, are strong candidates for the preparation of anticancer drugs. Breast cancer (BC) and cervical cancer (CC) are two of the most common and deadly cancers in women. These cancers not only threaten lives globally but also put a heavy burden on the healthcare system. Despite advances in medical care, the incidence of these two cancers, particularly CC, which is almost entirely preventable, continues to rise, and the mortality rate remains steady. Therefore, there is still a need for in-depth research on these two cancers to develop more targeted, efficacious, and safe therapies. This paper reviews the types of self-assembling proteins and peptides (e.g., ferritin, albumin, and virus-like particles) and natural products (e.g., soy and paclitaxel) commonly used in the treatment of BC and CC and describes the types of drugs that can be delivered using self-assembling proteins and peptides as carriers (e.g., siRNAs, DNA, plasmids, and mRNAs). The mechanisms (including self-assembly) by which the natural products act on CC and BC are discussed. The mechanism of action of natural products on CC and BC and the mechanism of action of self-assembled proteins and peptides have many similarities (e.g., NF-KB and Wnt). Thus, natural products using self-assembled proteins and peptides as carriers show potential for the treatment of BC and CC.

There are many gynecological diseases, among which breast cancer (BC), cervical cancer (CC), endometriosis (EMs), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are common and difficult to cure. Stem cells (SCs) are a focus of regenerative medicine. They are commonly used to treat organ damage and difficult diseases because of their potential for self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation. SCs are also commonly used for difficult-to-treat gynecological diseases because of their strong directional differentiation ability with unlimited possibilities, their tendency to adhere to the diseased tissue site, and their use as carriers for drug delivery. SCs can produce exosomes in a paracrine manner. Exosomes can be produced in large quantities and have the advantage of easy storage. Their safety and efficacy are superior to those of SCs, which have considerable potential in gynecological treatment, such as inhibiting endometrial senescence, promoting vascular reconstruction, and improving anti-inflammatory and immune functions. In this paper, we review the mechanisms of the regenerative and anti-inflammatory capacity of SCs and exosomes in incurable gynecological diseases and the current progress in their application in genetic engineering to provide a foundation for further research.

Restrictions or prohibitions on the use of antibiotics in pig feed for growth promotion have been introduced in many countries. Bioactive compounds (BCs) as functional additives are emerging as an alternative to overcome these restrictions. These compounds include natural extracts from animals, plants, and microorganisms, as well as their chemically synthesized counterparts. Their growing popularity is due to their abundant sources, safety, and multiple biological functions, including antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and intestinal health-promoting effects. This review summarizes the various types of BCs developed to date, including polyphenols, polysaccharides, aldehydes, terpenes, and polypeptides, and their use in pig production. It also discusses how these BCs can be used in pig farming, particularly to improve sows' reproductive performance, reduce diarrhea in piglets, and enhance the meat quality of finishing pigs. Despite these functions, the broader application of BCs remains limited due to the challenges such as poor water solubility, low stability, intestinal malabsorption, and low bioavailability. These challenges can potentially be addressed through emerging technologies, particularly nanotechnology, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence. This review also highlights how these technologies may facilitate the translation of BCs into practical applications within commercial pig production. Finally, this review focuses on future perspectives of BCs in pig feed by exploring how advances in cell biology, materials science, and genetic engineering may interact to shape the future trajectory of BCs use in the pig industry.