Tumor-derived systems as novel biomedical tools-turning the enemy into an ally.

Cancer is a complex illness that presents significant challenges in its understanding and treatment. The classic definition, "a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body," fails to convey the intricate interaction between the many entities involved in cancer. Recent advancements in the field of cancer research have shed light on the role played by individual cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment as a whole in tumor development and progression. This breakthrough enables the utilization of the tumor and its components as biological tools, opening new possibilities. This article delves deeply into the concept of "tumor-derived systems", an umbrella term for tools sourced from the tumor that aid in combatting it. It includes cancer cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (for tumor theranostics), extracellular vesicles (for tumor diagnosis/therapy), tumor cell lysates (for cancer vaccine development), and engineered cancer cells/organoids (for cancer research). This review seeks to offer a complete overview of the tumor-derived materials that are utilized in cancer research, as well as their current stages of development and implementation. It is aimed primarily at researchers working at the interface of cancer biology and biomedical engineering, and it provides vital insights into this fast-growing topic.

Trends in genital ulcer disease: An observational study at a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Introduction: Genital ulcer disease (GUD) often creates diagnostic difficulty in developing countries like India, with limited resources available in the health-care system. The changing etiology in GUDs over the years makes it imperative that a correct diagnosis is made to establish appropriate treatment and formulate awareness programs. Aims: This study was done to determine the recent trends in the demographic parameters, clinical presentations, etiology of GUDs, and their association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to August 2022 at the Dermatology Outpatient Department in our hospital. All the patients who presented with GUDs were included after written informed consent. The diagnosis of GUD was confirmed by thorough clinical examination and appropriate laboratory test. Data were entered and analyzed using IBM SPSS software. Results: Out of 135 cases of GUDs, the majority were males (79%). The most common age group was 21-30 years, with a mean age of 35.23 ± 14.98 years. Most of the patients were heterosexual (90%). Multiple sexual partners were found in 40% of cases. Herpes genitalis was the most common GUD (59%), followed by syphilis (15%). HIV infection was found in 6.6% of cases. Conclusion: This study represents the increasing burden of viral GUDs compared to the last three decades. The ulcerative sexually transmitted infection facilitates the transmission of HIV. In this HIV era, there is a need for increased efforts toward acknowledgment, safe sexual practices, periodic screening, and sexual health awareness programs in the high-risk population.

The Spectrum of Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions Following the Application of Topical Medications: An Observational Study at a Tertiary Care Center.

Introduction Topical medications are one of the most commonly used therapeutic agents in treating a wide spectrum of dermatological diseases. The misuse of topical medicines for inappropriate indications and an extended period may result in cutaneous adverse drug reactions (ADR). Aims We conducted this study to observe demographic parameters, commonly misused topical medicines, various clinical patterns of cutaneous ADR, and source of drug prescription among study participants. Materials and methods This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from October 2021 to May 2022 at the dermatology outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care center. All patients who presented with worsening pre-existing skin diseases or the development of skin disease after the topical application of some cream or ointment were included in the study with written informed consent. A detailed history was taken, and a clinical examination was done. Results We detected 200 cases (1.62%) of cutaneous ADR out of 12,346 OPD patients in the eight-month study period. The most common age group was 21-30 years (30%). Most of the patients had used topical medicines for fungal infections (76%). The most commonly used topical medication was a fixed drug combination (FDC) of steroid, antifungal, and antibacterial agents (40%). Tinea incognito (36%) was the most common cutaneous ADR noted. Conclusion This study shows that misuse of topical medications is rampant in our community because of their free and easy availability. There is an urgent requirement for strict regulations over the manufacturing, sales, and marketing of over-the-counter (OTC) topical medications to reduce the incidence of cutaneous ADR.

Engineering immunity via skin-directed drug delivery devices.

Extensive research is underway to discover a safe and effective vehicle to deliver the vaccines at the desired cutaneous site. These efforts majorly comprise the development of a fit-to-purpose vehicle for in-situ intracutaneous vaccine delivery for achieving the systemic cellular and humoral response to combat infectious diseases. Advancements in nanoscience, bioengineering, and skin science provided much support to vaccine adjuvant development. However, the bench-to-bed side translation of vaccines is still unsatisfactory. A skilfully designed vaccine delivery program aiming to translate the product into market use must address safety, efficacy, scaleup, reproducibility, cost of production, self-administrative potential, and regulatory concerns. This review provides deep insights into skin immunization approaches like mucosal vaccines, cellular/molecular immunological responses, and antigen-adjuvant combinations in modulating immunity. Further, the manuscript discusses distinct vaccine delivery systems used to date for engineering skin immunization, including microparticles, nanoparticles, spherical nucleic acids, STAR particles, niosomes, dendrimers, ethosomes, liposomes, and microneedles. The manuscript will interest researchers working towards developing a next-generation fit-to-purpose vehicle for intracutaneous vaccine delivery.