Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The etiology of cancer has not been fully elucidated yet, and further enhancements are necessary to optimize therapeutic efficacy. Butyrate, a short‑chain fatty acid, is generated through gut microbial fermentation of dietary fiber. Studies have unveiled the relevance of butyrate in malignant neoplasms, and a comprehensive understanding of its role in cancer is imperative for realizing its full potential in oncological treatment. Its full antineoplastic effects via the activation of G protein‑coupled receptors and the inhibition of histone deacetylases have been also confirmed. However, the underlying mechanistic details remain unclear. The present study aimed to review the involvement of butyrate in carcinogenesis and its molecular mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on its association with the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy, as well as discussing relevant clinical studies on butyrate as a therapeutic target for neoplastic diseases to provide new insights into cancer treatment.

Throughout tumorigenesis, the co-evolution of tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment leads to the development of malignant phenotypes. Cellular communication within the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in influencing various aspects of tumor progression, including invasion and metastasis. The release of exosomes, a type of extracellular vesicle, by most cell types in the body, is an essential mediator of intercellular communication. A growing body of research indicates that tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) significantly expedite tumor progression through multiple mechanisms, inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and macrophage polarization, enhancing angiogenesis, and aiding in the immune evasion of tumor cells. Herein, we describe the formation and characteristics of the TME, and summarize the contents of TDEs and their diverse functions in modulating tumor development. Furthermore, we explore potential applications of TDEs in tumor diagnosis and treatment.

Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80–85% of all lung cancers. In recent years, treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has gradually improved the survival rate of patients with NSCLC, especially those in the advanced stages. ICIs can block the tolerance pathways that are overexpressed by tumor cells and maintain the protective activity of immune system components against cancer cells. Emerging clinical evidence suggests that gut microbiota may modulate responses to ICIs treatment, possibly holding a key role in tumor immune surveillance and the efficacy of ICIs. Studies have also shown that diet can influence the abundance of gut microbiota in humans, therefore, dietary interventions and the adjustment of the gut microbiota is a novel and promising treatment strategy for adjunctive cancer therapy. This review comprehensively summarizes the effects of gut microbiota, antibiotics (ATBs), and dietary intervention on the efficacy of immunotherapy in NSCLC, with the aim of informing the development of novel strategies in NSCLC immunotherapy.

Objective: The gut–liver axis has emerged as a pivotal focus in hepatology and metabolic disease research. However, the quality of public-facing health information, particularly in short-form video content, remains largely unexamined. Methods: Between January 2021 and October 2025, we systematically screened and analyzed 210 short videos (70 per platform) on the gut–liver axis. Basic metadata were extracted, and video quality was assessed using three validated tools: the modified DISCERN instrument, JAMA Benchmark Criteria, and Global Quality Score (GQS). Pearson correlation was used to explore associations between video metrics and quality scores. Results: Bilibili videos showed the highest educational quality (mean GQS: 3.79), while TikTok videos had greater engagement (median likes: 74.00). Videos uploaded by healthcare professionals scored significantly higher across all quality measures (SUM score: 9.03 vs 3.87, p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between engagement metrics and content quality. Conclusion: A misalignment exists between user engagement and informational quality in gut–liver-related short videos. Content from verified health professionals delivers superior educational value yet remains algorithmically underprioritized. Efforts to enhance digital health communication should focus on promoting expert-led content, verifying source credentials, and integrating quality-weighted algorithms.

Gut microbes are considered to be key factors regulating host health and are closely related to tumorigenesis. Although the exact mechanism has not been clearly explained, many studies have shown that specific bacteria can affect cancer-related bioactive molecules, such as p53, Wnt, MAPK, and EGFR. Among them, p53 is the most commonly mutated gene in all tumor types. In this review, we systematically examine the gut microbes and metabolites that affect the tumor process by regulating p53, as well as the role of p53 in shaping the gut microbiota, and discuss their potential in the diagnosis and prognosis of tumors and the application value of clinical anti-tumor therapy. This study provides an important theoretical basis for the in-depth understanding and development of relevant treatment strategies.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by nearly all types of cells, and they communicate between cells by transporting bioactive molecules, including proteins, DNA, RNA, and lipids. In recent years, RNA carried by EVs, particularly the long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA) subtypes, has garnered interest with respect to their role in controlling tumor progression. Among them, there are increasing reports that mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) maintain a recently discovered function as transporters of lncRNAs and circRNAs. However, detailed molecular functions of lncRNAs and circRNAs contained in MSC-EVs are not presently summarized, and the efficacy of MSC-EVs as molecular carriers requires further elucidation. This review summarizes the biological characteristics of EVs and the common mechanisms of lncRNAs and circRNAs contained within them. The “double-edged sword” effect and related molecular mechanism of EV-derived lncRNAs (EV-lncRNAs) and circRNAs (EV-circRNAs) between differing tumor types and MSCs are highlighted. The potential of MSC-EVs in the field of tumor diagnosis and treatment is discussed to suggest new directions for the strategy of engineering MSC-EVs as anti-tumor drug carriers.