This review examines the pharmaceutical applications of essential oils (EOs) and terpenes, highlighting their dual role as therapeutic agents and natural penetration enhancers. These volatile, hydrophobic compounds have well-documented antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, their clinical potential is limited by poor water solubility, high volatility, and sensitivity to environmental factors, including light, heat, and oxygen. To address these challenges, various advanced delivery systems have been developed to enhance stability, bioavailability, and controlled release. These systems not only protect chemical integrity but also exploit these compounds’ abilities to interact with lipid membranes, facilitating the transport of active compounds across biological barriers. Additionally, their inherent antimicrobial properties can contribute to the overall stability of formulations. The review critically examines the incorporation of terpenes and major essential oil (EO) components, such as limonene, linalool, eugenol, α-pinene, and menthol, into delivery systems, assessing their performance in enhancing drug permeability and targeting specific tissues. Current challenges and future directions in terpenes and EO-based delivery strategies are discussed, highlighting their promising role in developing multifunctional and efficient pharmaceutical formulations.

Introduction: The study examines the impact of regulatory tools, including PRIority MEdicines (PRIME) scheme, on the marketing authorization (MA) timeline of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).Methods: A retrospective analysis of EMA-approved ATMPs was conducted using publicly available European public assessment reports. Timelines from submission to approval, regulatory pathways, frequency of scientific advice (SA), and use of supportive mechanisms such as PRIME and Orphan designation were analyzed.Results: A total of 27 ATMPs were approved in the EU, 52% of which received PRIME designation and 74% held orphan status. PRIME participation was associated with a 42.7% reduction in time to MA (p = 0.001), and orphan designation with a 32.8% reduction (p = 0.021). PRIME-designated products also had fewer and shorter clock stops and more frequent scientific advice interactions.Discussion: The PRIME scheme facilitates earlier MA by supporting developers in addressing regulatory requirements more efficiently, shortening time to approval by approximately one year. The study underscores the value of early and frequent engagement with regulatory authorities and the need for tailored regulatory frameworks to support smoother approval processes. These insights can help developers better plan and optimize regulatory strategies. By demonstrating the measurable benefits of PRIME, this research supports its continued use to accelerate access for patients with high unmet medical needs.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), endometriosis affects roughly 10% (190 million) of reproductive-age women and girls in the world (2023). The diagnostic challenge in endometriosis lies in the limited value of clinical tools, making it crucial to address diagnostic complexities in patients with suggestive symptoms and inconclusive clinical or imaging findings. Saliva micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA) signature, nanotechnologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) have opened up new perspectives on endometriosis diagnosis. The aim of this article is to review innovations at the intersection of new technology and AI when diagnosing endometriosis. Aberrant epigenetic regulation, such as DNA methylation in endometriotic cells (ECs), is associated with the pathogenesis and development of endometriosis. By leveraging nano-sized sensors, biomarkers specific to endometriosis can be detected with high sensitivity and specificity. A chemotherapeutic agent with an LDL-like nano-emulsion targets rapidly dividing cells in patients with endometriosis. The developed sensor demonstrated effective carbohydrate antigen 19-9 detection within the normal physiological range. Researchers have developed magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles composed of iron oxide. As novel methods continue to emerge at the forefront of endometriosis diagnostic research, it becomes imperative to explore the impact of nanotechnology and AI on the development of innovative diagnostic solutions.

Bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a critical public health threat, with increasing resistance compromising the effectiveness of treatments worldwide. Resistance trends, such as fluctuating benzylpenicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, highlight the growing urgency, with projections indicating a rise in resistance to various antibiotics, including complete resistance to gentamicin and tetracycline by 2027. Despite substantial efforts to develop new antibiotics and drug delivery systems, these approaches must undergo rigorous clinical evaluation to ensure their safety and efficacy. In parallel, alternative therapies, such as phytotherapy and apitherapy, have garnered attention for their potential in combating infections. Natural substances like tea tree essential oils and propolis, which exhibit antimicrobial properties, are being increasingly incorporated into novel drug delivery systems. However, much of the research on these materials is not new, with several studies already exploring their effectiveness. To address the escalating AMR crisis, combining advanced therapies with alternative medicine could offer a promising solution. Advanced therapy products could target bacterial genomes and enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics and natural substances. This integrated approach remains underexplored in pre-clinical and clinical trials, presenting future research opportunities to develop more effective strategies in combating AMR. Given the rapid spread of resistant infections, there is an urgent need for innovative antimicrobial agents to overcome emerging resistance mechanisms and improve diagnoses and treatments.

Calcium electroporation (CaEP) is an innovative approach to treating cancer, involving the internalization of supraphysiological amounts of calcium through electroporation, which leads to cell death. CaEP enables the replacement of chemotherapeutics (e.g., bleomycin). Here, we present a standard microsecond (μsCaEP) and novel high-frequency nanosecond protocols for calcium electroporation (nsCaEP) for the elimination of carcinoma tumors in C57BL/6J mice. We show the efficacy of CaEP in eliminating tumors and increasing their survival rates in vivo. The antitumor immune response after the treatment was observed by investigating immune cell populations in tumors, spleens, lymph nodes, and blood, as well as assessing antitumor antibodies. CaEP treatment resulted in an increased percentage of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ central memory T cells and decreased splenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). Moreover, increased levels of antitumor IgG antibodies after CaEP treatment were detected. The experimental results demonstrated that the administration of CaEP led to tumor growth delay, increased survival rates, and stimulated immune response, indicating a potential synergistic relationship between CaEP and immunotherapy.

Background and Objectives: Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare, autoimmune, multisystemic disease characterized by vasculitis and necrotizing granuloma that commonly affects the upper and lower respiratory tract and kidneys. Audiovestibular dysfunction in GPA diseases may have different clinical presentations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate hearing function in patients with GPA and to compare the results with a healthy control group. Materials and Methods: A total of 34 individuals participated in the study. The GPA group consisted of 14 participants, and the control group was composed of 20 healthy participants with no signs or symptoms of ear disease. The ages ranged from 18 to 65 years old, with a mean age of 43.8 years. The participants underwent a complete audiological evaluation using otoscopy, impedance audiometry, pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry—evaluation of speech thresholds, and speech recognition in quiet. Both ears were tested. All of the participants of the study were native Lithuanian speakers. Data were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System software SAS^® Studio 3.8. A p value < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: 92.85% of patients from the GPA group reported hearing-related symptoms: hearing loss, tinnitus, and fullness in the ears. The arithmetic means of all hearing thresholds at frequencies from 125 Hz to 8000 Hz were significantly higher in the GPA group. The results revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups in the Speech Detection Threshold, Speech Recognition Threshold, Speech Discomfort level, and Word Recognition Scores. Conclusions: The frequency of hearing loss, the average hearing thresholds, and speech thresholds were higher in GPA patients than in healthy individuals. The most common type of hearing loss was sensorineural. Audiological assessments should be considered during the routine evaluation of patients with GPA disease to prevent hearing-related disabilities.