Drug discovery and development remains a complex and time-consuming process, often hindered by high costs and low success rates. In the big data era, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool to accelerate and optimize these processes, particularly in the field of oncology. This review explores the application of AI-based methods for drug repurposing and natural product-inspired drug design in cancer, focusing on their potential to address the challenges and limitations of traditional drug discovery approaches. We delve into various AI-based approaches (machine learning, deep learning, and others) that are currently being employed for these purposes, and the role of experimental techniques in these approaches. By systematically reviewing the literature, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of AI-assisted cancer drug discovery workflows, highlighting AI’s contributions to accelerating drug development, reducing costs, and improving therapeutic outcomes. This review also discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with the integration of AI into the drug discovery pipeline, such as data quality, interpretability, and ethical considerations.

The quest for youthful, healthy skin and full, vibrant hair has long been a driving force in the dermocosmetics field. However, traditional approaches often struggle to address the underlying causes of aging, damage, and hair loss. Regenerative cosmetics powered by skin tissue engineering offer a transformative alternative. This review explores the emerging field of using engineered skin tissues for cosmetic purposes, focusing specifically on their potential for anti-aging, repair, and hair restoration applications. We discuss how these technologies aim to rejuvenate aging skin by promoting collagen production, reducing wrinkles, and improving overall skin function. Additionally, the use of engineered skin for wound healing and scar reduction is examined, highlighting their potential to improve the appearance and functionality of damaged skin. Finally, we advance the exciting prospects of utilizing skin tissue engineering techniques to regenerate hair follicles, potentially offering solutions for hair loss and promoting denser hair growth.

The quest for youthful, healthy skin and full, vibrant hair has long been a driving force in the dermocosmetics field. However, traditional approaches often struggle to address the underlying causes of aging, damage, and hair loss. Regenerative cosmetics, powered by skin tissue engineering, offer a transformative alternative. This review explores the emerging field of using engineered skin tissues for cosmetic purposes, focusing specifically on their potential for anti-aging, repair, and hair restoration applications. We discuss how these technologies aim to rejuvenate aging skin by promoting collagen production, reducing wrinkles, and improving overall skin function. Additionally, the use of engineered skin for wound healing and scar reduction is examined, highlighting their potential to improve the appearance and functionality of damaged skin. Finally, we advance the exciting prospects of utilizing skin tissue engineering techniques to regenerate hair follicles, potentially offering solutions for hair loss and promoting denser hair growth.

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a blistering genodermatosis due to biallelic loss-of-function variants in the type VII collagen (C7) gene (COL7A1). We report the impact of inflammation/autoimmunity on the gut (and other organs) in the nine children with RDEB recruited to an early-phase clinical trial of systemic cell therapy (NCT04153630). This pilot study provides evidence that autoimmunity may play an important role in sustaining chronic inflammation and the coexistence of coeliac disease, which, in turn, could exacerbate anaemia/malnutrition and progression in RDEB. Testing this hypothesis in a larger cohort including children and adults with RDEB and other epidermolysis bullosa (EB) subtypes is warranted so that targeted interventions may improve outcomes.

Background/Objectives: Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a severe congenital genodermatosis characterized by skin and mucosa fragility, chronic inflammation, recurrent infections and high nutritional demands due to increased metabolism and epithelial barrier-related losses, placing patients at risk of zinc deficiency. We aimed to investigate the clinical relevance and biochemical determinants of zinc deficiency as a potentially modifiable contributor to disease burden in RDEB. Methods: In this cross-sectional study (n = 84), serum zinc levels were analyzed in association with sex, age, disease severity, percentage of body surface area (BSA) affected, inflammatory markers, infection burden, and common clinical complications including anemia and growth impairment. Results: Zinc deficiency, defined as levels below 670 µg/L, was identified in 35% of patients and became more frequent after age 5 and during adulthood, particularly among those with more severe disease. Deficiency was strongly associated with anemia, inflammation, infection burden, growth impairment, and extensive skin involvement. A revised cutoff of 780 µg/L is proposed, showing improved diagnostic performance for identifying patients at risk of systemic complications, and offering a more suitable threshold for starting preventive supplementation. Multivariate logistic modeling confirmed that low serum zinc independently predicted anemia risk, alongside transferrin saturation and C- reactive protein levels. Serum albumin was identified as the strongest determinant of zinc levels, partially mediating the effects of inflammation and skin involvement. Conclusions: These findings identify serum zinc as a clinically relevant marker of nutritional status and complication burden in RDEB. While no causal or therapeutic effects can be inferred from this cross-sectional study, the strong and biologically plausible associations observed suggest a rationale for systematic monitoring and correction of zinc deficiency as part of comprehensive supportive care, and warrant prospective studies to assess clinical benefit.