Atherosclerosis, which currently contributes to 31% of deaths globally, is of critical cardiovascular concern. Current diagnostic tools and biomarkers are limited, emphasizing the need for early detection. Lifestyle modifications and medications form the basis of treatment, and emerging therapies such as photodynamic therapy are being developed. Photodynamic therapy involves a photosensitizer selectively targeting components of atherosclerotic plaques. When activated by specific light wavelengths, it induces localized oxidative stress aiming to stabilize plaques and reduce inflammation. The key advantage lies in its selective targeting, sparing healthy tissues. While preclinical studies are encouraging, ongoing research and clinical trials are crucial for optimizing protocols and ensuring long-term safety and efficacy. The potential combination with other therapies makes photodynamic therapy a versatile and promising avenue for addressing atherosclerosis and associated cardiovascular disease. The investigations underscore the possibility of utilizing photodynamic therapy as a valuable treatment choice for atherosclerosis. As advancements in research continue, photodynamic therapy might become more seamlessly incorporated into clinical approaches for managing atherosclerosis, providing a blend of efficacy and limited invasiveness.

Research on the development of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of brain tumors has shown promise in the treatment of this highly aggressive form of brain cancer. Analysis of both in vivo studies and clinical studies shows that photodynamic therapy can provide significant benefits, such as an improved median rate of survival. The use of photodynamic therapy is characterized by relatively few side effects, which is a significant advantage compared to conventional treatment methods such as often-used brain tumor surgery, advanced radiotherapy, and classic chemotherapy. Continued research in this area could bring significant advances, influencing future standards of treatment for this difficult and deadly disease.

Nitric oxide (NO), the first gaseous molecule identified as a signaling mediator, plays a pivotal role in numerous physiological processes including cardiovascular regulation, immune response, and neurotransmission. Synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), NO exerts both protective and cytotoxic effects depending on its local concentration. At low levels, NO supports tumor growth by mitigating oxidative stress, while at high concentrations, it induces apoptosis through mechanisms such as p53 activation, cytochrome c release, and peroxynitrite formation. These dual properties position NO as a complex but promising agent in cancer therapy. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of NO in enhancing the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT), where it synergizes with reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce cytotoxic effects in tumor cells. Despite its promise, challenges such as rapid diffusion and limited tumor accumulation hinder NO’s therapeutic utility. This has spurred the development of NO donors and nanotechnology-based delivery systems to enable controlled, site-specific release. Moreover, NO has been shown to counteract multidrug resistance, improve tumor perfusion by dilating vasculature, and potentiate ROS-based therapies like PDT and radiotherapy. However, an emerging concern is NO’s role in promoting proliferation and migration of non-targeted “bystander” tumor cells following PDT-induced stress, primarily through iNOS upregulation. This feedback loop can contribute to tumor aggressiveness and metastasis, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of NO’s molecular actions. While iNOS inhibitors show preclinical promise in various inflammatory and neoplastic conditions, no such agents have reached clinical approval, due to the complexity and context-dependent effects of NO. Future research should focus on refining NO delivery systems, developing selective iNOS inhibitors, and elucidating NO’s dual role in cancer biology to fully harness its therapeutic potential in PDT and beyond.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising modality for the treatment of various diseases. This non-invasive approach utilizes photosensitizing agents and light to selectively target and destroy abnormal cells, providing a valuable alternative to traditional treatments. Research studies have explored the application of PDT in different areas of the head. Research is focusing on a growing number of new developments and treatments for cancer. One of these methods is PDT. Photodynamic therapy is now a revolutionary, progressive method of cancer therapy. A very important feature of PDT is that cells cannot become immune to singlet oxygen. With this therapy, patients can avoid lengthy and costly surgeries. PDT therapy is referred to as a safe and highly selective therapy. These studies collectively highlight the potential of PDT as a valuable therapeutic option in treating the head area. As research in this field progresses, PDT may become increasingly integrated into the clinical management of these conditions, offering a balance between effectiveness and minimal invasiveness.

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the ileum and/or large intestine. At the same time, it can also affect any other part of the human body, i.e., from the mouth to the anus. In Crohn’s disease, the physiology and functioning of the epithelial barrier are inhibited due to the correlation of various factors, such as the environment, genetic susceptibility or intestinal microbiota. The symptoms are very troublesome and cause a significant reduction in quality of life, sometimes occurring with paralyzing permanent damage to the digestive tract, requiring enteral or parenteral nutrition throughout life. In order to make a proper and accurate diagnosis, an appropriately selected diagnostic path in a given clinical entity is necessary. Standard diagnostic methods are: laboratory examination, histopathological examination, endoscopic examination, X-ray, computed tomography, ultrasound examination and magnetic resonance imaging. Medical biology and the analysis of metalloproteinases have also proved helpful in diagnosing changes occurring as a result of Crohn’s disease. Here we provide a thorough review of the latest reports on Crohn’s disease and its genetic conditions, symptoms, morphology, diagnosis (including the analysis of Crohn’s disease biomarkers, i.e., metalloproteinases) and treatment.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a collective term for two diseases: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). There are many factors, e.g., genetic, environmental and immunological, that increase the likelihood of these diseases. Indicators of IBDs include extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The aim of this review is to present data on the role of selected cytokines and metalloproteinases in IBD. In recent years, more and more transcriptomic studies are emerging. These studies are improving the characterization of the cytokine microenvironment inside inflamed tissue. It is observed that the levels of several cytokines are consistently increased in inflamed tissue in IBD, both in UC and CD. This review shows that MMPs play a major role in the pathology of inflammatory processes, cancer, and IBD. IBD-associated inflammation is associated with increased expression of MMPs and reduced ability of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) to inhibit their action. In IBD patients in tissues that are inflamed, MMPs are produced in excess and TIMP activity is not sufficient to block MMPs. This review is based on our personal selection of the literature that was retrieved by a selective search in PubMed using the terms “Inflammatory bowel disease” and “pathogenesis of Inflammatory bowel diseases” that includes systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials. The involvement of the immune system in the pathophysiology of IBD is reviewed in terms of the role of the cytokines and metalloproteinases involved.