Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have proven to be of therapeutic potential against cancer. The feature of the surface coating can affect important properties of IONPs; it is therefore critical for further understanding how these materials react to physiological conditions, which is still needed to fully exploit the potential of IONPs for their theranostic applications. In this study, we explored the therapeutic potential of rutin and nisin conjugated IONPs as anticancer agents. One important hallmark of many cancers is the overexpression of the endoplasmic reticulum-resident chaperone, GRP78, and its translocation to many cellular compartments, including the cell membrane. We explored the potential binding affinity of rutin and nisin against the substrate-binding domain β (SBDβ) of GRP78. The results show promising results for both nisin and rutin, with more enhanced binding capability of the former due to its extended structure (peptide in nature), forming more non-bonded interactions with the GRP78 surface. Our findings pave the way for the use of these coating agents against the cell-exposed chaperone, GRP78, to alleviate its chemoresistance characteristics in cancer.

Computer-assisted medical interventions (CAMI) provide assistance to a physician (surgeon, interventional radiologist, etc.) to make the best diagnostic or therapeutic decisions for their patient and to execute the interventions safely and clinically efficiently. This entails constructing and continuously updating a digital twin using patient-specific multimodal information (such as images and signals) and prior knowledge (including atlases, models, and statistical data) and leveraging these for intervention planning and simulation. The execution phase is facilitated by various medical devices, whether robotic or not. Clinical scenarios featuring deformable and dynamic organs necessitate real-time monitoring and adjustment of the intervention plan. Achieving minimal invasiveness mandates the integration of devices and sensors to enhance perception and dexterity. Two illustrative examples of image-based prostate cancer treatments (laparoscopic prostate surgery and ultrasound-based brachytherapy) are used to provide insight into the current state of the field and to address existing challenges and bottlenecks of CAMI.

Cancer immunotherapies are a promising method for treating cancers and directly enhance the antitumor capabilities of a patient's immune system. In particular, therapeutic mRNA cancer vaccines are an attractive strategy as they offer a specificity and safety level that other immunotherapies are unable to achieve. Incorporation of tumor-specific or tumor-associated antigens in mRNA vaccines aims to enhance tumor antigen-specific T cells. mRNA vaccine adjuvants often encode immune stimulating proteins such as proinflammatory cytokines, costimulatory molecules, and pattern recognition receptors or their corresponding agonists. This review summarizes prominent clinical and preclinical therapies utilizing mRNA tumor-associated or tumor-specific antigens and mRNA encoding immunostimulants delivered either as vaccine adjuvants or as monotherapies for the treatment of cancer. The limitations, challenges, and future directions of therapeutic mRNA vaccines are also discussed.

Telomere biology disorders (TBDs) are inherited conditions characterized by premature telomere shortening, leading to multisystemic manifestations and a high predisposition to hematologic complications. These include mainly myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that may show a unique mutational spectrum and cytogenetic abnormalities. Management of MDS/AML in TBD is challenging due to heightened sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents and transplant-related toxicity, necessitating individualized approaches and multidisciplinary care. Emerging therapies such as thymidine supplementation, gene therapy, and treatment with antisense oligonucleotides, offer promising results for improving clinical outcomes. Continued research and collaborative efforts are essential to optimize screening, risk stratification, and treatment strategies for this vulnerable population.

Testicular germ cell tumors are the most common solid malignancy in young men and are associated with high cure rates. Given the young age at diagnosis and prolonged survivorship, testicular cancer survivors (TCS) may be vulnerable to alcohol use disorder (AUD). We evaluated the incidence and predictors of AUD and examined whether chemotherapy increased risk.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the VA national healthcare system through the Veterans Informatics and Computing Infrastructure, identifying patients with testicular germ cell tumors from 1990-2021. A cancer-free comparison group was created using 1:5 exact matching on birth year and race, with assigned index dates. Patients with preexisting AUD were excluded. AUD was defined using ICD-9/10 diagnosis codes and alcohol-related CPT codes. Cox proportional hazards models assessed associations, adjusting for demographic and clinical variables. Cumulative incidence was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods.

We identified 1,774 TCS and 3,224 matched controls. At 10 years, cumulative AUD incidence was 21.6% in TCS vs 1.5% in controls (HR 13.8, 95% CI 9.2-20.8, P < .001). Chemotherapy was not independently associated with AUD (HR 1.16, P = .26). Higher risk was observed with unemployment (HR 1.43, P = .001) and Black race (HR 1.60, P = .01), while never smoking was protective (HR 0.46, P < .001).

AUD risk is markedly elevated in TCS and is driven by sociodemographic factors rather than treatment exposure, highlighting the need for targeted screening and survivorship interventions.

Curcumin (CUR), an active secondary metabolite of Curcuma longa, is known for its therapeutic effects in diverse neoplastic and nonneoplastic conditions. Here, we systematically reviewed relevant literature to explore the efficacy and cytotoxicity of CUR and its derivatives in treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in preclinical and clinical settings.

We followed the PRISMA guideline to conduct a systematic literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase on March 8, 2025, using relevant keywords, including chronic myeloid leukemia, CUR, and CUR derivatives. A manual search on Google Scholar was also performed to ensure comprehensive literature coverage. Duplicates were removed, and papers were evaluated for eligibility through a two-phase screening process. Data were then extracted and qualitatively analyzed.

A total of 728 publications were identified. After removing duplicates and irrelevant literature, the abstracts of 318 papers were assessed for eligibility. Finally, 64 studies (55 retrieved via database search and nine through manual search) were analyzed. Preclinical evidence demonstrated the antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of CUR and its derivatives, alone or in combination with traditional therapies, against CML cells and models. Also, a single clinical study supported the adjunctive therapeutic effect of CUR in combination with imatinib.

Preclinical evidence supports the potential role of CUR and its derivatives, adjuvant or stand-alone therapeutic agents, for CML management. More comprehensive clinical trials are warranted to validate these findings, optimize CUR formulations and dosing strategies, and maximize their clinical benefits.

Skin cancer carries a significant global health concern; the incidence is further rising due to environmental exposure and genetic predisposition. In this chapter, nanotechnology is explored in the context of its practical and clinical importance for skin cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It discusses, through real-world applications and case-based insights, how nanotechnology played a role in precise drug delivery, improved immunohistochemistry (i.e., for diagnosis and marking cells), and the manufacture of diagnostic tools for early detection. The manuscript emphasizes the use of nano enabled strategies like nanovaccines that modulate the immune system against tumor antigens, nano biosensors/ biomarker detectors, nano photothermal and photodynamic therapies. Furthermore, preventive nano-devices for high-risk people are presented in terms of wearable nano-devices that monitor ultraviolet exposure. Current literature and clinical outcomes allow this to be supported for each application, showcasing the integration of advanced materials science with oncology and how this benefits patient care. The chapter bridges theoretical innovation to clinical utility in dermatologic oncology through the example of these translational advances.

Skin cancer, encompassing non-melanoma types such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and the more lethal melanoma, remains a global health burden. Traditional therapies-including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy-often encounter limitations like toxicity, drug resistance, and low specificity. Nanotechnology offers transformative potential by enabling targeted, efficient drug delivery through carriers such as liposomes, dendrimers, and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). These nanocarriers enhance drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability, while passive, active, and stimuli-responsive targeting mechanisms improve precision in delivery. Controlled drug release is governed by diffusion, solvent interaction, degradation, or external triggers such as pH, temperature, and magnetic or electric fields. Lipid-based nanocarriers, including SLNs, liposomes, and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), are particularly effective for poorly water-soluble drugs, allowing dual-phase release and enhanced penetration. Drug-release kinetics can be modeled using equations such as Korsmeyer-Peppas, Higuchi, and zero-order kinetics. Additionally, inorganic nanoparticles (INPs) like gold nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and quantum dots offer multifunctional roles in imaging, therapy, and tumor targeting due to their unique physicochemical properties. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), particularly when enhanced through nanocarriers, offer minimally invasive solutions for melanoma. Formulations using photosensitizers like indocyanine green, chlorin e6, and phthalocyanines have demonstrated improved ROS production and tumor regression. Hybrid systems combining PDT/PTT with targeted delivery and immune modulation further amplify therapeutic outcomes. Overall, nanotechnology represents a promising frontier in skin cancer treatment, offering improved efficacy, reduced side effects, and enhanced precision.

Skin cancer remains one of the most significant global health issues due to its high prevalence and wide range of clinical outcomes. The management of skin cancer has changed as a result of recent developments in theranostics and nanotheranostics, which combine therapeutic and diagnostic modalities into single platforms to enable precision medicine and customized treatment. Current developments in molecular biomarkers, diagnostic technologies, epidemiology, and therapeutic approaches-such as immunotherapy and nanocarrier-based methods-are summarized in this review. Multimodal imaging, AI-powered diagnostic models, targeted molecular medicines, and risk assessment tools are some of the major advancements that have improved early identification, individualized care, and monitoring. Obstacles include tumor heterogeneity, safety issues, and regulatory restrictions that prevent widespread clinical translation still exist despite the success of preclinical and a few clinical uses. To further improve the efficacy of skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, future directions suggest the use of multiomics, consumer-driven digital health technologies, sophisticated nanomaterials, and AI-powered customisation. If remaining scientific and practical concerns are resolved, theranostics and nanotheranostics present intriguing opportunities for attaining high degrees of personalization, efficacy, and safety in the treatment of skin cancer.

The world's most prevalent malignancy, skin cancer, is a major public health problem due to its high mortality, morbidity, and rising incidence. There are still limitations, such as off-target toxicity, risk of recurrence, and resistance to therapy, particularly in advanced disease, even with the progress in early detection and conventional therapies such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Employing the immune system of the body to generate targeted anti-tumor responses, immunotherapy is a game-changing strategy. Its broader success is, however, limited by clinical challenges, including immune evasion, low response rates, and adverse immune-related side effects. The application of nanotechnology to immunotherapy and theranostics is discussed in this chapter and presents a synergistic approach to refining the precision, efficacy, and individualization of skin cancer therapy. Real-time image-guided therapy, better local concentration, reduced systemic toxicity, and enhanced immunotherapeutic delivery are all facilitated through nanomaterials, ranging from liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles to metallic and carbon-based platforms. Molecular pathophysiology of the two most common types of skin cancer, melanoma and non-melanoma and most current immunotherapeutic strategies, clinical outcomes, and associated toxicities are discussed in this chapter. The applications of nanotechnology in theranostics for concurrent therapy and diagnosis, targeted delivery of checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapy are highlighted with specific emphasis. Combinatorial nanoplatforms and bionanomaterials that can be programmed have the possibility to bypass tumor resistance and offer truly personalized treatment. The chapter concludes with consideration of the present clinical applications, challenges, and possible future directions of theranostics and nanotechnology-enabled immunotherapy for skin cancer.