Objective To analyze the advances of cancer stem cell (CSC) in recent years, and to propose a prospect for CSC research and cancer therapy. Methods Articles about important advances of CSC theory and cancer therapy were reviewed, and then selected and summarized. Results In 2001, CSC was first put forward as a concept, till now, which has been confirmed in many tissues. In recent years, efforts were dedicated to such topics including: identification of CSC in sol id tumors, the origin of CSC, its niche and growth mechanism, cancer therapy, etc. According to the CSC theory, traditional therapeutic methods have deficiencies, and new treatment targeting CSC may thoroughly el iminate tumors. Conclusion At present, CSC theory is still controversial, while it proposed revolutionary methods and directions for the therapy of cancer.
bjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and limits of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in tumor treatment. MethodsThe references about the application of HIFU in tumor treatment in recent years were reviewed.ResultsHIFU caused localized hyperthermia at predictable depth in a few seconds to make the tumor tissue coagulative necrosis without injuring surrounding tissue. HIFU treatment had the advantages of low morbidity, noninvasiveness, avoidance of systemic side effects, and repeatitiveness. However, the utilization of HIFU sometimes could be limited by some factors such as imaging technique, organ movement, incomplete tissue destruction, etc.ConclusionHIFU is a promising noninvasive therapy for tumor treatment, though there are lots of problems to be further studied.
Tumor cells have unique energy metabolism phenomena, namely high glucose absorption, aerobic glycolysis and high lactic acid production, which are characterized by down-regulation of related proteins involved in oxidative metabolism in tumor cells, and up-regulation of glucose transporters and monocarboxylate transporters. Studies have shown that drugs that target tumor cell glucose metabolism have the ability to selectively kill tumor cells, bringing new hope for tumor treatment. Tumor stem cells are considered to be the root cause of tumor recurrence, metastasis and poor prognosis, and their energy metabolism characteristics have not yet been agreed. Studies have shown that reversing the energy metabolism of tumor stem cells can increase their chemosensitivity. This article reviews recent studies on tumor and tumor stem cell glucose metabolism and the opportunities and challenges of tumor treatment through targeting glucose metabolism, which might provide new ideas and opportunities for clinical tumor therapy.
ObjectiveTo investigate the working principles, recent advances, and combined therapeutic efficacy of irreversible electroporation (IRE) in pancreatic cancer treatment when integrated with conventional therapies (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy), and to evaluate its potential for improving patient survival outcomes and quality of life. MethodsA comprehensive analysis of recent IRE researches in pancreatic cancer was performed, elucidating therapeutic mechanisms, technical merits, clinical limitations, and combinatorial effects with conventional therapies through examination of clinical trials and prospective studies. ResultsIRE induces irreversible nanopores in tumor cell membranes via high-intensity electric fields, disrupting membrane integrity and triggering apoptotic cell death. Notably, it promotes immunogenic cell death, activating dendritic cells and initiating tumor-specific immune responses. When combined with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy, IRE enhances therapeutic efficacy, prolongs survival in locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients, reduces postoperative recurrence rates, and significantly improves quality of life. ConclusionsAs a non-thermal ablation technique, IRE demonstrates unique advantages in localized pancreatic cancer treatment, particularly for surgically ineligible patients, and serves as a potent adjunct to traditional therapies. With technological refinements and accumulating clinical evidence, IRE is poised to play an increasingly pivotal role in future oncology practice.
ObjectiveTo study the latest progress of cancer therapy by using clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE). MethodsRecent advances in malignant tumor treatment based on the molecular structure and function of CPE and its receptor Claudin-3, -4 was focused. ResultsCPE is cytotoxic for ovarian, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancer cells which express its receptor Claudin-3, -4, it is also effective over the xenograft mode of those cancers. But CPE is limitted in clinics because of its side effect. Modifying the molecular structure of CPE had made some progress to reduce its toxicity. ConclusionAs the ligand of claudin protein, an important component of tight junction, CPE can attack the tumor cell. It is a potentially a chemotherapeutic drug.
Cimetidine was given intravenously in daily dose of 20mg/kg to 20 patients with malignant tumor from the operative day on. The results show that cimetidine can elevate CD4, CD4/CD8 and decrease CD8. For comparison, blood samples from 40 patients were taken before operation for extracorporal testing. The results show that cimetidine can elevate lymphocyte transformation test and interleukin-2 secretive cell. These indicate that cimetidine can enhance the immune function of the patient and can be used as an adjunctive treatment of neoplasm.
The aim of this study is to construct an injectable gel with stable phototherapy and chemotherapy. Res-PTX@IR780 gel with phototherapy and chemotherapy property was prepared by introduction of photosensitizer IR780 and antioxidant resveratrol (Res) into the polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution of paclitaxel (PTX). The results showed that PTX, PTX@IR780 and Res-PTX@IR780 could form gels and the gels were injectable. ATR-FTIR results indicated not only components of the gels but also the formation of hydrogen bonding during the gelation. The results of UV showed instability of IR780 solution and stability improvement of Res-IR780 solution under infrared radiation (IR) irradiation. Photothermal tests showed that Res-PTX@IR780 displayed better photothermal conversion and photothermal stability under multiple irradiations than PTX@IR780. The results of in vivo exploration in mice showed that the skin site injected with Res-PTX@IR780 gel heated up from 35 ℃ to 64 ℃, and the temperature difference was up to 30 ℃. Res-PTX@IR780 gel is very promising as a combination agent of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy for the in situ treatment of tumors due to good photothermal conversion and photothermal stability under multiple irradiations.
Ciliary body tumor is a rare intraocular tumor. Due to its unique anatomical location, its correct diagnosis and reasonable treatment are very difficult problems. In terms of diagnosis and differential diagnosis, ophthalmologists need to fully utilize the role of slit lamp microscope and transillumination experiment to capture secondary changes in the anterior segment caused by hidden ciliary body tumors, such as monocular localized cataract, lens indentation, and pigment dissemination, etc. Ophthalmological imaging methods, especially ultrasound biomicroscopy, can achieve the purpose of early detection and early diagnosis. According to the size, location and morphological characteristics of the tumor, a reasonable treatment plan is formulated. Since ciliary body tumors are mostly benign, the recurrence rate of local resection is low, which can satisfy the pathological diagnosis and preserve part of the patient's vision. Therefore, eye-preserving treatment should be advocated. However, enucleation remains the treatment of choice for tumors that are too large to be treated with local excision or radiation, eyes with refractory glaucoma, and tumors that do not respond to radiation therapy.
Objective To analyze the reason of tumor treatment-related premature ovarian failure, and to review the progress of ovarian functional reconstruction. Methods The l iterature about the effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy on ovarian function and reconstruct ovarian function was reviewed, analysed and summarized. Results Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can both affect ovarian function. The ovarian function reconstruction included fresh ovarian transplantation and ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation. Frequent ovarian cryopreservation was procedure slow-freezing protocols and vitrification protocols. Some laboratory and animal models of ovarian function reconstruction have come to gratifying results. Conclusion Ovarian function reconstruction has a potential cl inical value and provides a promising future.
Objective To provide an overview of the main anti-tumor mechanisms of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium（ST） and explore potential reasons for the limited clinical application of attenuated ST. Methods The literatures related to clinical and basic research on attenuated ST tumor treatment and virulence at home and abroad in recent years were reviewed and the relevant mechanisms of attenuated ST tumor treatment were summarized. And then, analyses were made regarding the failure of clinical application experiments of attenuated ST based on the characteristics of attenuated ST and the human immune microenvironment. Results Attenuated ST could inhibit the growth of primary tumors and reduce the metastasis of secondary tumor due to its effect of tumor-targeting, its property of facultative anaerobic and its characteristic of being able to carry plasmids. On the other hand, the toxicity of wild strains to hosts had been reduced through biotechnology. In terms of clinical application, the anti-tumor effect of attenuated ST was far lower than expected due to excessive detoxification of ST, the elimination effect of foreign substances by the human immune system, and the inactivation effect of various proteases in the body. Conclusion As an emerging bacterial mediated anti-tumor therapy, attenuated ST will provide a new treatment option for precise treatment of cancer patients once its clinical application problems are solved.