Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, largely due to its asymptomatic nature in early stages and consequent late diagnosis. The development of reliable, non-invasive biomarkers for early detection is critical to improving prognosis and survival rates. Recent advances in omics technologies and liquid biopsy have led to the identification of novel biomarkers, including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), microRNAs (miRNAs), exosomes, and protein signatures. These biomarkers show promise in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, risk stratification, and monitoring of disease progression. This review highlights the current landscape of emerging biomarkers for early lung cancer detection, evaluates their clinical utility, and discusses the challenges in their translation to routine clinical practice. Integration of these biomarkers with imaging and artificial intelligence-based diagnostic tools may offer a transformative approach for early lung cancer diagnosis.

The primary benefit of a sustained release dosage form compared to a conventional dosage form, is the consistent drug plasma concentration and consequently uniform therapeutic effect. Matrix system are preferential because of their ease, patient compliance etc, than traditional drug delivery which have several drawbacks like reiterated administration, variation in blood concentration level etc. The aim of the present research study was to develop and evaluate sustained release matrix tablets of furosemide using direct compression method using natural gummy and waxy materials (Xanthan gum, bees wax) and synthetic polymers (HPMC K₄M). The matrix tablet formulations were prepared by using different drug: polymer ratios (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3). All formulations were assessed using micromeritics studies of powder blend and diverse physicochemical tests. All the physicochemical characters of the formulated tablets were within acceptable limits. The release pattern of the drug was viewed over a period of 12 hours and determined the amount of drug by the UV-Visible spectroscopic method. Dissolution data demonstrated that the formulated tablets with Xanthan gum and hydroxyl propyl methylcellulose (HPMC) provided sustained release of the drug up to 12 hrs. Therefore inexpensively it may be appropriate for the pharmaceutical industries to employ this kind of simple technologies for the expansion of advanced formulations. Hence, we conclude that the purpose of this study was to formulate a sustained release matrix tablet of furosemide using diverse polymers and their dissimilar proportions have been attained. Keywords: Furosemide, Direct compression, Natural, Synthetic polymers, Sustained release tablets.

Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic drug. Rectal administration of tramadol is useful in the treatment of post-operative pain or malignant pain in cases where it cannot be administered orally. Rectal suppositories of tramadol hydrochloride were prepared using different bases and polymers and the effect of different additives on in vitro release of tramadol hydrochloride was studied. The agar-based suppositories were non-disintegrating/non-dissolving. All the prepared suppositories were evaluated for various physical parameters like weight variation, drug content and hardness. In vitro release study was performed by USP type I apparatus. Addition of 10% w/w propylene glycol accelerates the release of tramadol hydrochloride significantly (P<0.05) as in A1, which may be due to decrease in the gel matrix of agar. In formulation A2, A3 Addition of HPMC (1%, 3% w/w) and in formulation A3 and A4 addition of PVP (1%, 3% w/w) retards the release significantly (P<0.05), which may be due to increase in the viscosity and gel strength of the polymer matrix. Hence, PVP, HPMC and similar polymers in higher concentration can be used to formulate sustained released suppositories. The sustained release suppositories can be prepared by addition of PVP, HPMC in agar-based suppositories. Keywords: Tramadol, Rectal suppositories, PVP, HPMC, Agar.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections, particularly those caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, have substantially compromised the therapeutic efficacy of cefotaxime, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. The present study was aimed at formulating and evaluating cefotaxime-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles as a controlled-release antibacterial delivery system capable of overcoming the pharmacokinetic and resistance-related limitations of the conventional drug. Nanoparticles were prepared by the solvent evaporation/nanoprecipitation technique, and formulation variables – namely drug-to-polymer ratio, PLGA concentration, surfactant (polyvinyl alcohol, PVA) concentration, stirring speed, and sonication time – were systematically optimized using a one-factor-at-a-time approach. The optimized formulation (drug:polymer 1:5, PLGA 2.0% w/v, PVA 1.5% w/v, stirring speed 14,000 rpm, sonication time 6 min) yielded nanoparticles with a mean particle size of 165.3 ± 1.9 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.214 ± 0.02, and a zeta potential of −28.6 ± 1.4 mV. Drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were found to be 21.4 ± 0.3% and 93.8 ± 0.7%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed the absence of significant drug–polymer interaction. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed smooth, spherical, well-dispersed nanoparticles. In vitro release studies demonstrated a biphasic pattern, with an initial burst release followed by sustained release of cefotaxime for up to 72 hours. Antibacterial evaluation by agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time–kill assays revealed significantly enhanced and sustained activity of the nanoformulation against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae relative to free cefotaxime. The formulation remained physicochemically stable for 90 days under International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) long-term storage conditions and exhibited hemolysis below the 5% safety threshold, indicating excellent hemocompatibility. Collectively, these findings indicate that cefotaxime-loaded PLGA nanoparticles represent a promising, biocompatible, and scalable sustained-release platform with potential application in the treatment of MDR bacterial infections. Keywords: Cefotaxime; PLGA nanoparticles; Multidrug resistance; Controlled drug release; Encapsulation efficiency; Antibacterial activity; Nanomedicine