Revolutionizing non-melanoma skin cancer treatment: Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors take the stage.

BACKGROUND: Innovative treatments for non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are required to enhance patient outcomes. AIMS: This review examines the effectiveness and safety of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKIs). METHODS: A comprehensive review was conducted on the treatment potential of several RTKIs, namely cetuximab, erlotinib, gefitinib, panitumumab, and lapatinib. RESULTS: The findings indicate that these targeted therapies hold great promise for the treatment of NMSCs. However, it is crucial to consider relapse rates and possible adverse effects. Further research is needed to improve treatment strategies, identify patient groups that would benefit the most, and assess the long-term efficacy and safety, despite the favorable results reported in previous studies. Furthermore, it is crucial to investigate the potential benefits of integrating RTKIs with immunotherapy and other treatment modalities to enhance the overall efficacy of therapy for individuals with NMSC. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted therapies for NMSCs may be possible with the use of RTKIs. The majority of studies focused on utilizing epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors as the primary class of RTKIs for the treatment of NMSC. Other RTKIs were only employed in experimental investigations. Research indicates that RTKIs could potentially serve as a suitable alternative for elderly patients who are unable to undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The role of IL-2 cytokine family in asthma.

BACKGROUND: The interleukin-2 (IL-2) family of cytokines, including IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15, and IL-21, are pivotal regulators of the immune response, impacting both innate and adaptive immunity. Understanding their molecular characteristics, receptor interactions, and signalling pathways is essential for elucidating their roles in health and disease. OBJECTIVES: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the IL-2 family of cytokines, highlighting their molecular biology, receptor interactions, and signalling mechanisms. Furthermore, it explores the involvement of IL-2 family cytokines in the pathogenesis of chronic respiratory diseases, with a specific focus on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. METHODS: A thorough literature review was conducted to gather insights into the molecular biology, receptor interactions, and signalling pathways of IL-2 family cytokines. Additionally, studies investigating the roles of these cytokines in chronic respiratory diseases, particularly COPD and asthma, were analysed to discern their implications in wider pathophysiology of disease. RESULTS: IL-2 family cytokines exert pleiotropic effects on immune cells, modulating cellular proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Dysregulation of IL-2 family cytokines has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic respiratory illnesses, including COPD and asthma. Elevated levels of IL-2 and IL-9 have been associated with disease severity in COPD, while IL-4 and IL-9 play crucial roles in asthma pathogenesis by promoting airway inflammation and remodelling. CONCLUSION: Understanding the intricate roles of IL-2 family cytokines in chronic respiratory diseases provides valuable insights into potential therapeutic targets for these conditions. Targeting specific cytokines or their receptors may offer novel treatment modalities to attenuate disease progression and improve clinical outcomes in patients with COPD and asthma.

RNA therapeutics for kidney injury.

RNA therapy involves utilizing RNA-based molecules to control biological pathways, aiming to cure specific diseases. As our understanding of RNA functions and their roles has expanded, the application of RNA therapies has broadened to target various therapeutic points. This approach holds promise for treating a range of diseases, including kidney diseases. Therapeutic RNA can be employed to target specific genes or pathways implicated in the development of kidney conditions, such as inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of RNA-based therapies across different types of kidney diseases, encompassing infection, inflammation, nephrotoxicity, and ischemia/reperfusion injury. Furthermore, studies have pinpointed the specific kidney cells involved in RNA therapy. To address challenges hindering the potential impact of RNA-based drugs on their targets, nanotechnology is integrated, and RNA-loaded vehicles with ligands are explored for more efficient outcomes.

Phytostilbenes in lymphoma: Focuses on the mechanistic and clinical prospects of resveratrol, pterostilbene, piceatannol, and pinosylvin.

Lymphoma is a cancer affecting the lymphatic system that fights infections and diseases. In addition to surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, novel approaches have recently been investigated, such as phytostilbenes in treating lymphoma. Phytostilbenes are natural compounds present in various plants and have been shown to have different therapeutic effects, including anticancer properties. Resveratrol is a main phytostilbene with various derivates followed by pterostilbene and piceatannol. Studies have revealed that phytostilbenes can suppress the growth and proliferation of lymphoma cells by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting specific enzyme activity in cancer cell survival. The compounds also have antiinflammatory effects contributing to reducing lymphoma-associated inflammation. Additionally, phytostilbenes have been shown to increase the immune system's ability to fight cancer cells by activating immune cells (T-cells and natural killer cells). This review investigates the potential therapeutic effects of phytostilbenes, including resveratrol, pterostilbene, piceatannol, and pinosylvin, against lymphoma.

Types of RNA therapeutics.

RNA therapy is one of the new treatments using small RNA molecules to target and regulate gene expression. It involves the application of synthetic or modified RNA molecules to inhibit the expression of disease-causing genes specifically. In other words, it silences genes and suppresses the transcription process. The main theory behind RNA therapy is that RNA molecules can prevent the translation into proteins by binding to specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules. By targeting disease-related mRNA molecules, RNA therapy can effectively silence or reduce the development of harmful proteins. There are different types of RNA molecules used in therapy, including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), aptamer, ribozyme, and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). These molecules are designed to complement specific mRNA sequences, allowing them to bind and degrade the targeted mRNA or prevent its translation into protein. Nanotechnology is also highlighted to increase the efficacy of RNA-based drugs. In this chapter, while examining various methods of RNA therapy, we discuss the advantages and challenges of each.

Emerging functions and significance of circCDYL in human disorders.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a group of non-coding transcripts in which a loop structure is shaped via a back splicing procedure. They have central roles in the regulation of gene expression. hsa_circ_0008285, alternatively named as circCDYL, is a circular RNA originated from the exon 4 of CDYL gene. It is produced by a back-splice incident and is mainly located in the cytoplasm. It has no internal ribosome entry site, open reading frame and intronic sequences. CircCDYL dysregulation has been reported in the malignant conditions including multiple myeloma, mantle cell lymphoma, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, Wilms tumor, bladder cancer, colon cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. It also has an emerging role in the pathophysiology of non-malignant conditions including myocardial infarction, gestational diabetes mellitus, membranous nephropathy, and abdominal aortic aneurysm. In the current study, we summarize the emerging roles of circCDYL in malignant and non-malignant conditions.

miR-638: A Promising Cancer Biomarker with Therapeutic Potential.

BACKGROUND: There is an unmet need to improve the diagnosis of cancer with precise treatment strategies. Therefore, more powerful diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers are needed to overcome tumor cells. microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs), as a class of small non-coding RNAs, play essential roles in cancer through the tumor-suppressive or oncogenic effects by post-transcriptional regulation of their targets. Many studies have provided shreds of evidence on aberrantly expressed miRNAs in numerous cancers and have shown that miRNAs could play potential roles as diagnostic, prognostic, and even therapeutic biomarkers in patients with cancers. Findings have revealed that miR-638 over or underexpression might play a critical role in cancer initiation, development, and progression. However, the mechanistic effects of miR-638 on cancer cells are still controversial. CONCLUSION: In the present review, we have focused on the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potentials of miR-638 and discussed its mechanistic roles in various types of cancers.

Socialization During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Social and Scientific Networks During Social Distancing.

In the COVID-19 era, while we are encouraged to be physically far away from each other, social and scientific networking is needed more than ever. The dire consequences of social distancing can be diminished by social networking. Social media, a quintessential component of social networking, facilitates the dissemination of reliable information and fighting against misinformation by health authorities. Distance learning, telemedicine, and telehealth are among the most prominent applications of networking during this pandemic. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of collaborative scientific efforts. In this chapter, we summarize the advantages of harnessing both social and scientific networking in minimizing the harms of this pandemic. We also discuss the extra collaborative measures we can take in our fight against COVID-19, particularly in the scientific field.

Functional mechanisms of miR-192 family in cancer.

By growing research on the mechanisms and functions of microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs), the role of these noncoding RNAs gained more attention in healthcare. Due to the remarkable regulatory role of miRNAs, any dysregulation in their expression causes cellular functional impairment. In recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that these small molecules contribute to development, cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and tumor growth. In many studies, the miR-192 family has been suggested as a potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarker and even as a possible therapeutic target for several cancers. However, the mechanistic effects of the miR-192 family on cancer cells are still controversial. Here, we have reviewed each family member of the miR-192 including miR-192, miR-194, and miR-215, and discussed their mechanistic roles in various cancers.