Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are single-stranded noncoding RNAs with a covalently closed loop structure. They are known for their stability, abundance, and highly conserved nature. Their expression is often specific to tissues or developmental stages. They interact with microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and they undergo N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modifications, further affecting gene transcription and translation. Increasing evidence over the past decades has revealed that dysregulated circRNA expression is associated with various neurological disorders, particularly the glioma, one of the most malignant tumors with a poor prognosis. Due to the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and drug resistance, conventional therapeutic approaches have shown limited efficacy. Recently, increasing attention has been directed toward precisely targeted therapies, with circRNAs emerging as promising molecules for cancer treatment. Studies indicate that circRNAs play a key role in glioma proliferation and metastasis. Substantial evidence indicates that exosomes can package circRNAs and facilitate their transport across the BBB into brain tissue, highlighting the potential of circRNAs as therapeutic targets for glioma. This review summarizes circRNAs’ functional mechanisms, clinical application relevance, and current limitations. It offers future research directions in this evolving field, aiming to encourage further research on circRNAs’ therapeutic applications and contribute to the development of novel glioma-treatment strategies.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by immune-mediated pancreatic β-cell loss and progressive impairment of insulin production. This study evaluated the effects of combined rituximab, a B-cell-directed therapy, and exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, on β-cell-related function and metabolic outcomes in experimental type 1 diabetes. Pancreatic islets isolated from NOD-scid mice were used for in vitro assessment of viability, metabolic activity, insulin secretion under high-glucose conditions, and gene expression. Female NOD mice were assigned to control, exendin-4, rituximab, or combination treatment groups and treated for approximately 20 weeks. Combined treatment showed the greatest increases in insulin-related responses in vitro. In vivo, it was associated with more stable fasting blood glucose levels, improved oral glucose tolerance, delayed progression to hyperglycemia, increased circulating insulin and C-peptide levels, and reduced glucagon, HbA1c, and LDL levels. Histological and molecular analyses further demonstrated reduced pancreatic inflammatory damage, reduced apoptosis-associated changes, and increased BrdU- and cytokeratin-18-associated signals within insulin-positive islet regions. These findings support further investigation of combined B-cell-directed and β-cell-supportive strategies for preserving islet function and delaying disease progression in type 1 diabetes.