RBC-derived nanosystem with enhanced ferroptosis triggered by oxygen-boosted phototherapy for synergized tumor treatment.

Photodynamic and ferroptosis therapies for cancer treatment are restricted by the scarcity of oxygen and Fe in cancer cells, and the complicated structure of delivery systems. Herein, a red blood cell-derived vehicle (RDV) inherently enriched with hemoglobin co-delivers a photosensitizer, Ce6, and a ferroptosis promoter, sorafenib (SRF) into cancer cells for boosting oxygen and providing iron, which leads to enhanced PDT and stronger ferroptosis therapy. Damage to the RDV membrane under local irradation leads to SRF release at the tumor site for tumor-targeted therapy. The lipid membrane of the RDV could also improve the drug delivery efficiency in vitro and in vivo. The novel nanosystem exhibited enhanced tumor killing efficacy and improved safety compared with traditional PDT and ferroptosis therapy.

A prospective randomized comparison of PEEK cage containing calcium sulphate or demineralized bone matrix with autograft in anterior cervical interbody fusion.

PURPOSE: A variety of bone substitutes have been successfully used to fill PEEK cages in cervical interbody fusion in order to avoid the complications related to bone harvesting from the donor site. However, no controlled study has previously been conducted to compare the effectiveness of PEEK interbody cages containing calcium sulphate/ demineralized bone matrix (CS/DBM) with autogenous cancellous bone for the treatment of cervical spondylosis. The objective of this prospective, randomized clinical study was to evaluate the effectiveness of implanting PEEK cages containing CS/DBM for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy were randomly assigned to receive one- or two-level discectomy and fusion with PEEK interbody cages containing CS/DBM or autogenous iliac cancellous bone (AIB). The patients were followed up for two years postoperatively. The radiological and clinical outcomes were assessed during a two-year follow-up. RESULTS: The mean blood loss was 75 ± 18.5 ml in the CS/DBM group and 100 ± 19.6 ml (P < 0.01) in the AIB group. The fusion rate was 94.3 % in the CS/DBM group and 100 % in the AIB group at 12-month follow-up. The fusion rate was 100 % at final follow-up in both groups. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was found regarding improvement of JOA score and segmental lordosis as well as neck and arm pain at all time intervals between the two groups. The total complication rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the AIB group than in the CS/DBM group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05) when comparing the complications in the neck. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the PEEK interbody fusion cage containing CS/DBM or AIB following one- or two-level discectomy had a similar outcome for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and/or myelopathy. The rate of fusion and the recovery rate of JOA score between the two groups were the same. The filling of CS/DBM in the PEEK cage instead of AIB has the advantage of less operative blood loss and fewer complications at the donor site.