Healthcare systems in developing countries faced significant challenges during COVID-19, grappling with limited resources and staffing shortages. Assessment of the impact of pharmaceutical care expertise, particularly in critical care units during the pandemics, in developing countries remains poorly explored. The principal aim of our study was to assess the impact of the Drug and Therapeutics Committee (DTC), comprising clinical pharmacists, on the incidence, types, and severity of medication errors and associated costs in using COVID-19 medications, especially antibiotics. An interventional pre-post study was carried out at a public isolation hospital in Egypt over 6 months. Out of 499 medication orders, 238 (47.7%) had medication errors, averaging 2.38 errors per patient. The most frequent were prescribing errors (44.9%), specifically incorrect drug choice (57.9%), excessive dosage (29.9%), treatment duplication (4.5%), inadequate dosage (4.5%), and overlooked indications (3.6%). Linezolid and Remdesivir were the most common medications associated with prescribing errors. Pharmacists intervened 315 times, primarily discontinuing medications, reducing doses, introducing new medications, and increasing doses. These actions led to statistically significant cost reductions (p < 0.05) and better clinical outcomes; improved oxygen saturation, decreased fever, stabilised respiratory rates, and normalised white blood cell counts. So, clinical pharmacist interventions made a notable clinical and economic difference (66.34% reduction of the expenses) in antibiotics usage specifically and other medications used in COVID-19 management during the pandemic. Crucially, educational initiatives targeting clinical pharmacists can foster judicious prescribing habits.

Background: Individualization of the therapeutic plan for cancer patients is the essence of modern clinical practice. Standard cancer diagnostic and prognostic factors are invasive, and their value for the stratification of cancer patients with a higher risk of local or distant recurrence is limited. YKL-40 is a protumor glycoprotein linked to the immunosuppressive tumor in a microenvironment and an important biomarker of cell activation, proliferation, and migration. Objective: The objective is to update the review, and molecular and clinical research should investigate novel modalities of targeting this glycoprotein for cancer treatment. Methods: Relevant studies published in the English language were identified by searching PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE from January 2000 to December 2023. Published studies that specifically elicited the role of YKL-40 as a biomarker in different types of tumors were included. Results: YKL-40 cancer prognostic effect was reported in various cancer types. Conclusion: Since antibodies against YKL-40 can inhibit tumor angiogenesis and cancer progression, it can be suggested as an attractive candidate for chemical cancer therapy and immunomodulation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that are essential for regulating gene expression at the posttranscriptional stage. Recent research shows that miRNAs are crucial in the development of two major global health issues: obesity and cancer, two significant health issues worldwide. This study examines the complex mechanisms by which miRNAs govern vital biological processes, including adipogenesis, cancer, and metabolic dysregulation. We highlight the dual function of miRNAs as oncogenes and tumor suppressors in obesity-related malignancies and investigate their potential as prognostic and diagnostic markers. To demonstrate their varied roles, specific examples of vital miRNAs are underscored, such as miR-21, which promotes adipogenesis and is overexpressed in various cancers, and miR-34a, a tumor suppressor involved in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, we examined the recent developments in miRNA-based therapies, which include miRNA inhibitors, mimics, and novel delivery vehicles and have the potential for treating obesity-related malignancies. This review aims to clarify, within the framework of miRNA biology, the therapeutic potential of miRNAs in addressing the interrelation between obesity and cancer.

Background: Studying single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in xenobiotic-transporting and metabolizing enzyme genes before administering the doxorubicin hydrochloride and cyclophosphamide (AC) regimen may help optimize breast cancer (BC) treatment for individual patients. Objective: Genotyping specific SNPs on genes encoding for the transport and metabolism of the AC regimen and study their association with its chemotherapeutic toxicity. Method: This prospective cohort study was conducted in two hospitals in Egypt. Before receiving AC therapy, venous blood was collected from female patients with BC for DNA extraction and the genotyping of four SNPs: rs2228100 in ALDH3A1 gene, rs12248560 in CYP2C19 gene, rs1045642 in ABCB1 gene, and rs6907567 in SLC22A16 gene. Patients were then prospectively monitored for hematological, gastrointestinal, and miscellaneous toxicities throughout the treatment cycles. Results: The ALDH3A1 gene polymorphism demonstrated a significant increase in nausea, stomachache, and peripheral neuropathy among patients carrying the GC+CC genotype, compared to those with the GG genotype (p = 0.023, 0.036, and 0.008, respectively). Conversely, patients with the GG genotype exhibited significantly higher fever grades after cycles 1, 2, and 3 of the AC regimen compared to those with the GC+CC genotype (p = 0.009, 0.017, and 0.018, respectively). Additionally, fatigue severity was significantly increased among patients with the GG genotype compared to those with the GC+CC genotype following AC administration (p = 0.008). Conclusions: The SNP variation of ALDH3A1 (rs2228100) gene significantly influenced AC regimen toxicity in female BC patients. Meanwhile, SNPs in CYP2C19 (rs12248560), ABCB1 (rs1045642), and SLC22A16 (rs6907567) genes showed a significant influence on the recurrence rate of certain toxicities.