Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health burden, marked by complex tumor–microenvironment interactions, genetic heterogeneity, and varied treatment responses. Effective preclinical models are essential for dissecting CRC biology and guiding personalized therapeutic strategies. This review aims to critically evaluate current experimental CRC models, assessing their translational relevance, limitations, and potential for integration into precision oncology. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on studies employing defined in vitro, in vivo, and emerging integrative CRC models. Studies were included based on experimental rigor and relevance to therapeutic or mechanistic investigation. Models were compared based on molecular fidelity, tumorigenic capacity, immune interactions, and predictive utility. Results: CRC models were classified into in vitro (2D cell lines, spheroids, patient-derived organoids), in vivo (murine, zebrafish, porcine, canine), and integrative platforms (tumor-on-chip systems, humanized mice, AI-augmented simulations). Traditional models offer accessibility and mechanistic insight, while advanced systems better mimic human tumor complexity, immune landscapes, and treatment response. Tumor-on-chip and AI-driven models show promise in simulating dynamic tumor behavior and predicting clinical outcomes. Cross-platform integration enhances translational validity and enables iterative model refinement. Conclusions: Strategic deployment of complementary CRC models is critical for advancing translational research. This review provides a roadmap for aligning model capabilities with specific research goals, advocating for integrated, patient-relevant systems to improve therapeutic development. Enhancing model fidelity and interoperability is key to accelerating the bench-to-bedside translation in colorectal cancer care.

The global burden of heart failure (HF) continues to escalate, with a lifetime risk approaching one in four adults in the United States. Concurrently, advances in cancer therapeutics have created a burgeoning population of long-term survivors, who now face the significant morbidity and mortality of chemotherapy-induced cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review addresses the critical overlap of these two pathologies, which share fundamental drivers such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic dysregulation. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant and biologically active polyphenol in green tea, has demonstrated pleiotropic bioactivity in preclinical models, encompassing potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. The central aim of this review is to provide a critical and comprehensive synthesis of the evidence supporting EGCG’s dual protective role. This review dissects its molecular mechanisms in modulating key pathways in HF and cardio-oncology, evaluates its translational potential, and importantly, delineates the significant gaps that must be addressed for its clinical application. This analysis uniquely positions EGCG not merely as a nutraceutical, but as a multi-target molecular therapeutic capable of simultaneously addressing the convergent pathological cascades of heart failure and cancer-related cardiotoxicity. The synthesis of preclinical evidence with a critical analysis of its translational barriers offers a novel perspective and a strategic roadmap for future research.

Immediate direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction after mastectomy provides aesthetic and logistic advantages, including single-stage restoration and avoidance of tissue expansion. However, concerns persist that increased operative duration and procedural complexity may elevate thromboembolic and hemorrhagic risk. This study compared 90-day postoperative complication rates between mastectomy and mastectomy+DTI reconstruction. A multicenter cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX Research Network. Adult female patients with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy with or without immediate DTI between 2010 and 2025 were included; autologous and staged reconstructions were excluded. Propensity score matching (1:1) balanced demographics, body mass index, comorbidities, oncologic history, and preoperative medications. Outcomes included hematoma, acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE). After matching, 11 538 patients (5769 pairs) were analyzed. Mastectomy+DTI was associated with lower hematoma rates (54 patients [0.94%] vs 81 [1.40%]; risk ratio [RR], 0.675; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-0.95; P = .024) and fewer DVT events (22 patients [0.38%] vs 48 [0.83%]; RR, 0.458; 95% CI, 0.28-0.76; P = .002). PE occurred in 17 patients (0.29%) vs 29 (0.50%) (RR, 0.586; 95% CI, 0.32-1.07; P = .076). Immediate DTI after mastectomy was associated with lower short-term rates of hematoma and DVT, with a nonsignificant trend toward lower PE rates. These findings suggest that immediate DTI was not associated with increased short-term thromboembolic or hemorrhagic morbidity in this matched cohort. Given the limitations of coding-based observational data and potential residual confounding, prospective multicenter studies incorporating granular perioperative variables are required to confirm these associations and refine risk-stratified decision-making in reconstructive care.