Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) refers to the excessive accumulation of fats in the liver caused by factors other than alcohol and drug consumption. Currently, it is the most common liver disease globally and is increasingly prevalent among individuals with cardiometabolic comorbidities. While lifestyle modifications remain the primary approach to managing MASLD, their effectiveness is often limited, underscoring the need for additional therapeutic options. In 2024, the Food and Drug Administration approved resmetirom as the first drug for MASLD, following its demonstrated histological efficacy in addressing both steatohepatitis and fibrosis in a large Phase III trial, with acceptable safety and tolerability profile. Recently, incretin-based therapies, including glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), either alone or in combination with glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and/or glucagon receptor agonists, have shown promising results in reducing liver enzymes and improving MASLD, particularly in decreasing liver steatosis. A comprehensive literature search of studies on GLP-1RAs in MASLD management, published from 2015 up to January 31, 2025, has been conducted using PubMed. This review aims to synthesize the growing body of evidence surrounding the efficacy of GLP-1 RAs and explore their future potential role in improving liver function and fibrosis outcomes in MASLD.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent liver disorder globally, and if left untreated, it may progress to liver cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. As of 2024, the European Association for the Study of the Liver Guidelines have recommended resmetirom as the only pharmacological treatment for adults with non-cirrhotic MASLD who have significant fibrosis (stage ≥2). However, lifestyle interventions and management of comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, remain the cornerstone of treatment. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, particularly semaglutide, have shown emerging promise in treating MASLD. Notably, the Phase III ESSENCE trial, presented in late 2024, demonstrated semaglutide's potential in improving liver fibrosis, confirmed through histological evaluation, marking a possible breakthrough for MASLD management. This review aims to synthesise current evidence on the efficacy of semaglutide in treating MASLD, highlighting its potential to fill a significant gap in the therapeutic options available for this growing global health concern.

Oral mucositis (OM) refers to the damage of the oral mucosa as a result of cancer treatments. It is a common and debilitating condition that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. Currently, a limited number of safe and effective preventive options is recommended for management of OM. Among the potential interventions for management of OM is zinc, an affordable nutritional supplement, which is typically well-tolerated and rarely causes serious side effects. In recent years, many publications have emerged, which investigated the efficacy of several forms of zinc in OM treatment. One of these forms is zinc sulfate, which can be administered as a mouthwash or taken in the form of a capsule. The most recent 2020 update of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society for Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) Clinical Practice Recommendations, published recommendations on zinc in OM treatment as no guideline possible (NGP) due to lack of Level I and II Evidence. Since then, several new randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been published, which were not included in the earlier analyses. These studies suggest positive outcomes for the use of zinc in managing OM. Consequently, the aim was to conduct a comprehensive review of all available evidence up to August 2024 regarding the use of zinc sulfate in cancer treatment. Based on 13 studies published between 2004 and 2024, the current review suggests that zinc sulfate may impact future treatment guidelines for cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis. However, further large-scale, high-quality randomized trials are necessary to validate these results. Keywords: oral mucositis zinc sulphate radiotherapy chemotherapy cancer

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system targets hair follicles, resulting in non-scarring patchy or total hair loss on the scalp and body. The disease affects approximately 2% of the global population and may occur at any age. Although spontaneous remission may occur, severe and chronic cases, including alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU), are common. Until recently, available therapeutic approaches were limited to immunosuppression or corticosteroids used off-label, often with unpredictable efficacy and a high risk of side effects. In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved baricitinib as the first drug for the systemic treatment of severe AA for adult patients, launching a new era of targeted therapy based on the inhibition of the Janus kinase (JAK) — signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway. Subsequently, in 2023, ritlecitinib became the next drug officially approved by the FDA for the treatment of severe alopecia areata in adults and adolescents aged 12 and over. Other JAK inhibitors, such as tofacitinib, ruxolitinib, brepocitinib, or delgocitinib, were investigated in alopecia areata, demonstrating favorable and promising outcomes. A comprehensive literature search of studies on JAK inhibitors in the treatment of AA published from 2012 up to 2nd April 2025 was conducted using the PubMed database. This review aims to synthesize the growing body of evidence on the efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of JAK inhibitors in AA and to outline the possible future directions for research on JAK inhibitors in the treatment of alopecia areata. Keywords: alopecia areata Janus kinase inhibitors baricitinib upadacitinib tofacitinib ruxolitinib

One of the most common and debilitating complications of cancer treatment is oral mucositis (OM), characterized by erythema and ulcerations of the oral mucosa. It mainly affects head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy and patients treated with high-dose chemotherapy for hematopoietic stem cell transplants. It is associated with excruciating pain, inability to eat or drink, and decreased quality of life. While numerous strategies for managing OM have been explored, few have shown sufficient effectiveness to establish clear treatment guidelines. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have investigated polaprezinc (PZ), an insoluble zinc complex of L-carnosine, as a new promising treatment in OM. We reviewed nine publications, including three randomized controlled trials, published between 2010 and 2023, focusing on polaprezinc’s potential benefits in managing OM. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive summary of research on PZ in its various forms and its efficacy in OM management. Despite the limited number of studies available, most of the research reviewed supported polaprezinc’s potential to reduce the incidence and/or severity of oral mucositis. Additionally, its role in addressing other complications, such as pain relief, xerostomia, and taste disturbances, has also been reported as promising. However, further evaluation through high-quality, multi-institutional randomized studies on a larger scale, preferably conducted outside of Japan, is needed to confirm polaprezinc’s efficacy in preventing and managing OM. Keywords: oral mucositis polaprezinc radiotherapy chemotherapy head and neck neoplasms

Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the most painful conditions a person can experience. Depending on the aetiology, 3 types of neuralgia can be distinguished: classic, secondary, and idiopathic. It can be a challenge in palliative care, especially in patients with multiple sclerosis, in whom...