Recently, we found that berberine (BBR) exerts anti-acute myeloid leukemia activity, particularly toward high-risk and relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia MV4-11 cells in vitro. However, the poor water solubility and low bioavailability observed with oral BBR administration has limited its clinical use. Therefore, we design and develop a novel oil-in-water self-nanoemulsifying system for BBR (BBR SNE) to improve oral bioavailability and enhance BBR efficacy against acute myeloid leukemia by greatly improving its solubility. This system (size 23.50 ± 1.67 nm, zeta potential − 3.35 ± 0.03 mV) was prepared with RH40 (surfactant), 1,2-propanediol (co-surfactant), squalene (oil) and BBR using low-energy emulsification methods. The system loaded BBR successfully according to thermal gravimetric, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. The release profile results showed that BBR SNE released BBR more slowly than BBR solution. The relative oral bioavailability of this novel system in rabbits was significantly enhanced by 3.41-fold over that of BBR. Furthermore, Caco-2 cell monolayer transport studies showed that this system could help enhance permeation and prevent efflux of BBR. Importantly, mice with BBR SNE treatment had significantly longer survival time than BBR-treated mice (P < 0.001) in an MV4-11 engrafted leukemia murine model. These studies confirmed that BBR SNE is a promising therapy for acute myeloid leukemia.

Vaccinations, especially DNA vaccines that promote host immunity, are the most effective interventions for tuberculosis (TB) control. However, the vaccine delivery system exhibits a significant impact on the protective effects of the vaccine. Recently, effective nanomaterial-based delivery systems (including nanoparticles, nanogold, nanoliposomes, virus-like particles, and virus carriers) have been developed for DNA vaccines to control TB. This review highlights the historical development of various nanomaterial-based delivery systems for TB DNA vaccines, along with the emerging technologies. Nanomaterial-based vaccine delivery systems could enhance the efficacy of TB vaccination; therefore, this summary could guide nanomaterial selection for optimal and safe vaccine delivery, facilitating the design and development of highly effective TB vaccines.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an invasive hematopoietic malignancy caused by excessive proliferation of myeloblasts. Classical chemotherapies and cell transplantation therapies have remarkable efficacy in AML treatment; however, 30–40% of patients relapsed or had refractory disease. The resistance of AML is closely related to its inherent cytogenetics or various gene mutations. Recently, phytonanomedicine are found to be effective against resistant AML cells and have become a research focus for nanotechnology development to improve their properties, such as increasing solubility, improving absorption, enhancing bioavailability, and maintaining sustained release and targeting. These novel phytonanomedicine and mineral nanomedicine, including nanocrystals, nanoemulsion, nanoparticles, nanoliposome, and nanomicelles, offer many advantages, such as flexible dosages or forms, multiple routes of administration, and curative effects. Therefore, we reviewed the application and progress of phytomedicine in AML treatment and discussed the limitations and future prospects. This review may provide a solid reference to guide future research on AML treatment.

Background: Paclitaxel (PTX) is a commonly used as a chemotherapeutic drug for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Exploring the underlying mechanism of PTX resistance is of great significance for NSCLC treatment. Methods: The expression levels of RNA and protein were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot assays. The targeted relationship was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA-pull down assay. The PTX resistance and cell proliferation were assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EDU) assay, respectively. Cell migration and invasion were analyzed by transwell assays. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry, and cell glycolysis was analyzed using the commercial kits. The role of circular RNA_0076305 (circ_0076305) in regulating the PTX sensitivity in vivo was explored in xenograft tumor model. Results: Circ_0076305 was up-regulated in PTX-resistant NSCLC tissues and cells. Mechanically, circ_0076305 bound to microRNA-936 (miR-936), and miR-936 targeted transmembrane serine protease 4 (TMPRSS4). Circ_0076305 could up-regulate TMPRSS4 expression by sponging miR-936 in NSCLC cells. miR-936 knockdown or TMPRSS4 overexpression reversed the anti-tumor effects of circ_0076305 knockdown in NSCLC cells with PTX treatment. Circ_0076305 silencing increased the PTX sensitivity of xenograft tumors in vivo. Conclusion: Circ_0076305 silencing promoted PTX sensitivity by targeting miR-936/TMPRSS4 axis in NSCLC cells.

Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide, and vaccine administration is an effective way to stimulate immune responses in patients and to achieve preventive and therapeutic effects. Few vaccines have been used in clinical settings because they have poor immunogenicity, and it is difficult to induce a robust immune response in patients. An adjuvant is an important component of a vaccine that can enhance the intensity, speed, and duration of immune responses. The achievements of adjuvants in the production of stable, safe, and immunogenic tumor vaccines have aroused the enthusiasm of researchers. Recent results have suggested that plant-derived adjuvants have unique advantages, such as greatly improving immune responses to cancer vaccines and promoting humoral and cellular immunity with good biocompatibility and biodegradability. When these adjuvants are used in combination with vaccines, they can not only activate the immune response in vivo but can also promote cytokine secretion and accelerate dendritic cell maturation. This review focused on the application progress of plant adjuvants, including saponins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, and plant virus-like particles, and their combination with nano-delivery systems in cancer vaccines. At the same time, we have also discussed the immunomodulatory mechanisms of these adjuvants and their prospects for improving vaccine efficacy in the treatment of cancer in the future. These promising plant adjuvants may provide prospects and a research basis for the development of tumor vaccines.

We have treated a rare case of elderly relapsed/refractory (R/R) duffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and SARS-CoV-2 infection, which achieved complete response (CR) without lymphoma-related symptoms after polatuzumab vedotin/bendamustine/rituximab (pola-BR) treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of R/R DLBCL with HLH and Covid-19 treated with pola-BR, and the patient is still alive at the time of report. We found that polatuzumab vedotin may have a potential therapeutic effect on HLH and Covid-19.