Melanoma, a highly aggressive form of skin cancer, poses a major therapeutic challenge due to its metastatic potential, resistance to conventional therapies, and the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Materials science and nanotechnology advances have led to using nanocarriers such as liposomes, dendrimers, polymeric nanoparticles, and metallic nanoparticles as transformative solutions for precision melanoma therapy. This review summarizes findings from Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar and highlights the role of nanotechnology in overcoming melanoma treatment barriers. Nanoparticles facilitate passive and active targeting through mechanisms such as the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and functionalization with tumor-specific ligands, thereby improving the accuracy of drug delivery and reducing systemic toxicity. Stimuli-responsive systems and multi-stage targeting further improve therapeutic precision and overcome challenges such as poor tumor penetration and drug resistance. Emerging therapeutic platforms combine diagnostic imaging with therapeutic delivery, paving the way for personalized medicine. However, there are still issues with scalability, biocompatibility, and regulatory compliance. This comprehensive review highlights the potential of integrating nanotechnology with advances in genetics and proteomics, scalable, and patient-specific therapies. These interdisciplinary innovations promise to redefine the treatment of melanoma and provide safer, more effective, and more accessible treatments. Continued research is essential to bridge the gap between evidence-based scientific advances and clinical applications.

Cervical cancer, along with other sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) conditions, poses a significant burden in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Despite the availability of effective preventive methods such as vaccinations, particularly against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), awareness about such preventive methods and HPV vaccination remains alarmingly low in the KSA, even with governmental effort and support. While many women are aware of the risks, the uptake of the HPV vaccine remains below 10% (7.6%) at the country level. This highlights the urgent need for Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) at the community level to raise awareness, dispel misconceptions, and empower women to embrace vaccinations. Additionally, there is a need to revitalize the cancer registry system to better track and monitor cervical cancer cases. This short communication aims to map these barriers while identifying opportunities for impactful research. Drawing from the scientific literature, government reports, and expert insights, we highlight the challenges surrounding the tackling of HPV. By exploring diverse sources of knowledge, this paper not only highlights current obstacles but also proposes actionable solutions for future interventions.

The safety and effectiveness of nintedanib in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have been evaluated in several clinical trials. However, nintedanib exhibits low oral bioavailability due to its poor solubility and first-pass metabolism. To enhance the sustainability, targeting, bioavailability, and effectiveness of nintedanib, a targeted therapy for NSCLC was developed in the form of nebulized nintedanib ufasomes (NLU). Various NLU formulations were optimized utilizing the Design Expert software. The selected NLU was then evaluated for its aerodynamics, cytotoxicity, bioavailability, and targeting capabilities. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the optimal NLU formulation, a dose-dependent study was conducted using a mouse model of lung cancer induced by Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cell lines. The selected NLU formulation increased the sustainability, bioavailability, and targeting capability of nintedanib by 49.5 %, 6.63-fold, and 8.99-fold, respectively. Additionally, it decreased the IC₅₀ value by 4.7-fold. The nebulized NLU showed better anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects than oral nintedanib in terms of LDH, CEA, AFP, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β. The histopathological analysis confirmed these results. The safety and efficacy studies demonstrated that the nebulized NLU formulation at a dose of 100 mg/kg could serve as a viable therapy for NSCLC.

Background/Objectives: Timely initiation of antenatal care (ANC) services is crucial for ensuring maternal and fetal well-being. Despite the importance of ANC, research regarding its initiation remains limited in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia, an area with notable adverse birth outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess pregnant women’s initiation of ANC and identify associated factors and significant barriers for timely initiation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 369 Saudi pregnant women in their third trimester attending ANC clinics in the Jazan region in 2024. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Andersen’s behavioral model of healthcare utilization provided the framework for the study. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results: The majority of women (78.9%) initiated ANC in the first trimester. Higher maternal education was positively associated with early ANC initiation (aOR = 2.369, 95% CI: 1.154–4.901), whereas higher paternal education was negatively associated with early ANC initiation (aOR = 0.350, 95% CI: 0.175–0.699). When modeled independently, the positive association of higher maternal education was attenuated but was not significant, while the negative association of higher husband’s education remained the same. Those living more than three km from health facilities (aOR = 0.510, 95% CI: 0.276–0.941) and seeking care for reasons other than routine follow-up were less likely to initiate ANC early. Most women received essential services, but only 37.1% had ultrasound tests. Conclusions: While ANC initiation in Jazan showed promising trends, factors like geographical accessibility remain a significant barrier. Targeted interventions should address these identified barriers, which fall within predisposing, enabling, need, and external environmental factors. Further investigations of pregnant women’s familial decision-making and low ultrasound test utilization in relation to ANC are recommended.