Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare systems since the advent of OpenAI in 2022. It encompasses a class of machine learning techniques designed to create new content and is classified into large language models (LLMs) for text generation and image-generating models for creating or enhancing visual data. These generative AI models have shown widespread applications in clinical practice and research. Such applications range from medical documentation and diagnostics to patient communication and drug discovery. These models are capable of generating text messages, answering clinical questions, interpreting CT scan and MRI images, assisting in rare diagnoses, discovering new molecules, and providing medical education and training. Early studies have indicated that generative AI models can improve efficiency, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance patient engagement, although most findings are preliminary and require rigorous validation. However, the technology also raises serious concerns around accuracy, bias, privacy, ethical use, and clinical safety. Regulatory bodies, including the FDA and EMA, are beginning to define governance frameworks, while academic institutions and healthcare organizations emphasize the need for transparency, supervision, and evidence-based implementation. Generative AI is not a replacement for medical professionals but a potential partner—augmenting decision-making, streamlining communication, and supporting personalized care. Its responsible integration into healthcare could mark a paradigm shift toward more proactive, precise, and patient-centered systems.

Recent progress in material science has led to the development of new drug delivery systems that go beyond the conventional approaches and offer greater accuracy and convenience in the application of therapeutic agents. This review discusses the evolutionary role of nanocarriers, hydrogels, and bioresponsive polymers that offer enhanced drug release, target accuracy, and bioavailability. Oncology, chronic disease management, and vaccine delivery are some of the applications explored in this paper to show how these materials improve the therapeutic results, counteract multidrug resistance, and allow for sustained and localized treatments. The review also discusses the translational barriers of bringing advanced materials into the clinical setting, which include issues of biocompatibility, scalability, and regulatory approval. Methods to overcome these challenges include surface modifications to reduce immunogenicity, scalable production methods such as microfluidics, and the harmonization of regulatory systems. In addition, the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is opening new frontiers in material science and personalized medicine. These technologies allow for predictive modeling and real-time adjustments to optimize drug delivery to the needs of individual patients. The use of advanced materials can also be applied to rare and underserved diseases; thus, new strategies in gene therapy, orphan drugs development, and global vaccine distribution may offer new hopes for millions of patients.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a central role in tumor progression, recurrence, and resistance to conventional therapies, making them a critical focus in oncology research. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of CSC biology, emphasizing their self-renewal, differentiation, and dynamic interactions with the tumor microenvironment (TME). Key signaling pathways, including Wnt, Notch, and Hedgehog, are discussed in detail to highlight their potential as therapeutic targets. Current methodologies for isolating CSCs are critically examined, addressing their advantages and limitations in advancing precision medicine. Emerging technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9 and single-cell sequencing, are explored for their transformative potential in unraveling CSC heterogeneity and informing therapeutic strategies. The review also underscores the pivotal role of the TME in supporting CSC survival, promoting metastasis, and contributing to therapeutic resistance. Challenges arising from CSC-driven tumor heterogeneity and dormancy are analyzed, along with strategies to mitigate these barriers, including novel therapeutics and targeted approaches. Ethical considerations and the integration of artificial intelligence in designing CSC-specific therapies are discussed as essential elements of future research. The manuscript advocates for a multi-disciplinary approach that combines innovative technologies, advanced therapeutics, and collaborative research to address the complexities of CSCs. By bridging existing gaps in knowledge and fostering advancements in personalized medicine, this review aims to guide the development of more effective cancer treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Background and Objectives: Cancer survival poses significant challenges in oncology, with lifestyle modifications increasingly recognized as crucial in modifying patient outcomes post-diagnosis. This meta-analysis aims to systematically evaluate the impact of various lifestyle interventions on cancer survival across different types of cancer. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane was performed to identify relevant studies up to 30 November 2024. Relevant studies were chosen and data were extracted and analyzed using SPSS Version 29.0 software. Results: Our systematic review included data from 98 studies involving a total of 1,461,834 cancer patients to evaluate the impact of lifestyle factors on cancer survival. Out of these, 64 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis demonstrates that adherence to specific dietary patterns significantly improves cancer-specific outcomes. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) diet was associated with a reduction in cancer-specific mortality (pooled log HR: −0.22; 95% CI: [−0.32, −0.12]; p < 0.001). Similar benefits were observed with the Mediterranean diet (aMED), which also reduced cancer mortality and recurrence (pooled log HR: −0.24; 95% CI: [−0.40, −0.07]; p < 0.001), and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet (pooled log HR: −0.22; 95% CI: [−0.33, −0.12]; p < 0.001). Additionally, general dietary improvements were beneficial for breast cancer-specific mortality across 17 cohort studies (pooled log HR: −0.15; 95% CI: [−0.25, −0.06]; p < 0.001). Engaging in any form of physical activity post-diagnosis was associated with significant improvements in cancer-specific mortality or recurrence (pooled log HR: −0.31; 95% CI: [−0.38, −0.25]; p < 0.001). Participants who ceased smoking after diagnosis exhibited more favorable cancer outcomes (pooled log HR: −0.33; 95% CI: [−0.42, −0.24]; p < 0.001), with smoking cessation notably reducing cancer-specific mortality among lung cancer survivors (pooled log HR: −0.34; 95% CI: [−0.48, −0.20]; p < 0.001). Additionally, reducing alcohol intake post-diagnosis significantly improved cancer outcomes (pooled log HR: −0.26; 95% CI: [−0.33, −0.19]; p < 0.001). Alcohol moderation in gastrointestinal tract cancer survivors specifically decreased both cancer-specific mortality and recurrence (pooled log HR: −0.22; 95% CI: [−0.29, −0.15]; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Lifestyle modifications after cancer diagnosis significantly improve cancer-specific outcomes. Specific dietary patterns, increased physical activity, smoking cessation, and reduced alcohol intake are all associated with lower cancer-specific mortality. Integrating these lifestyle changes into oncology care may enhance patient survival and quality of life.

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major global health issue, with diabetes being its primary cause and cardiovascular disease contributing significantly to patient mortality. Recently, two classes of medications—sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs)—have shown promise in protecting both kidney and heart health beyond their effects on blood sugar control. Methods: We conducted a narrative review summarizing the findings of different clinical trials and mechanistic studies evaluating the effect of SGLT2i and GLP-1 RAs on kidney function, cardiovascular outcomes, and overall disease progression in patients with CKD and DKD. Results: SGLT2i significantly mitigate kidney injury by restoring tubuloglomerular feedback, reducing intraglomerular hypertension, and attenuating inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress. GLP-1 RAs complement these effects by enhancing endothelial function, promoting weight and blood pressure control, and exerting direct anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic actions on renal tissues. Landmark trials—CREDENCE, DAPA-CKD, and EMPA-KIDNEY—demonstrate that SGLT2i reduce the risk of kidney failure and renal or cardiovascular death by 25–40% in both diabetic and non-diabetic CKD populations. Likewise, trials such as LEADER, SUSTAIN, and AWARD-7 confirm that GLP-1 RAs slow renal function decline and improve cardiovascular outcomes. Early evidence suggests that using both drugs together may offer even greater benefits through multiple mechanisms. Conclusions: SGLT2i and GLP-1 RAs have redefined the therapeutic landscape of CKD by offering organ-protective benefits that extend beyond glycemic control. Whether used individually or in combination, these agents represent a paradigm shift toward integrated cardiorenal-metabolic care. A deeper understanding of their mechanisms and clinical utility in both diabetic and non-diabetic populations can inform evidence-based strategies to slow disease progression, reduce cardiovascular risk, and improve long-term patient outcomes in CKD.

Drug resistance remains a major barrier to effective cancer treatment, contributing to poor patient outcomes. Multifunctional biomaterials integrating electrical and catalytic properties offer a transformative strategy to target diverse resistance mechanisms. This review explores their ability to modulate cellular processes, remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME), and enhance drug delivery. Electrically active biomaterials enhance drug uptake and apoptotic sensitivity by altering membrane potentials, ion channels, and intracellular signaling, synergizing with chemotherapy. Catalytic biomaterials generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), activate prodrugs, reprogram hypoxic and acidic TME, and degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) to improve drug penetration. Hybrid nanomaterials (e.g., conductive hydrogels, electrocatalytic nanoparticles), synergize electrical and catalytic properties for localized, stimuli-responsive therapy and targeted drug release, minimizing systemic toxicity. Despite challenges in biocompatibility and scalability, future integration with immunotherapy, personalized medicine, and intelligent self-adaptive systems capable of real-time tumor response promises to accelerate clinical translation. The development of these adaptive biomaterials, alongside advancements in nanotechnology and AI-driven platforms, represents the next frontier in precision oncology. This review highlights the potential of multifunctional biomaterials to revolutionize cancer therapy by addressing multidrug resistance at cellular, genetic, and microenvironmental levels, offering a roadmap to improve therapeutic outcomes and reshape oncology practice.