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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

pH-Dependent Surface Charge Modulation of Peptide-Coated Poly(lactic-co-glycolic Acid) (PLGA) Nanoparticle for Drug Delivery in Ovarian Cancer.

The development of nanoparticle (NP)-based drug delivery systems that combine passive tumor targeting, physiological stability, and therapeutic efficacy remains a key challenge in cancer nanomedicine. Here, we report a pH-responsive peptide-functionalized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NP system designed for cancer targeting. The PLGA core is coated with a short glutamic acid-lysine-histidine-phenylalanine x3 (EKHFFF) peptide shell, enabling tunable surface charge modulation around its isoelectric point and promoting environmental responsiveness. Physicochemical characterization confirms spherical NPs (~70-75 nm) with good colloidal stability, serum compatibility, and ion-dependent stability in physiological conditions. The peptide coating also provides pH-dependent modulation of the zeta potential. Evaluation of the NPs in ovarian cancer (OvCA) models, including immortalized and patient-derived cell lines (PDCLs), demonstrates efficient uptake across OvCA cell lines, with significantly enhanced internalization in PDCLs compared to immortalized cells. The EKHFFF nanoparticle (EKHFFF NP) induced minimal reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production in macrophages, indicating low immunogenicity and favorable biocompatibility. Upon platinum loading (EKHFFF-Pt NP), the system exhibits potent cytotoxicity in both platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant OvCA cell lines, outperforming carboplatin and showing comparable or improved efficacy relative to cisplatin in several cell lines. In vivo studies further demonstrate preferential tumor accumulation, sustained intratumoral retention, and measurable systemic circulation with a half-life of approximately 35 min.

Female↗

PubMed2025

Innovative strategies for mitochondrial dysfunction in myeloproliferative neoplasms a step toward precision medicine.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are clonal disorders of hematopoietic stem cells characterized by aberrant proliferation of myeloid lineages, driven primarily by mutations in JAK2, CALR, and myeloproliferative leukemia, leading to constitutive activation of the JAK-STAT pathway. Emerging evidence highlights mitochondrial dysfunction as a key factor in MPN pathogenesis, contributing to increased reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial DNA mutations, and dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics, which collectively promote clonal expansion and apoptosis resistance. Targeting mitochondrial pathways has gained attention as a therapeutic strategy, with approaches including mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, metabolic inhibitors, and modulation of mitophagy and mitochondrial fission/fusion dynamics. However, challenges such as drug delivery specificity, therapeutic resistance, and off-target effects remain significant. Recent advances in precision medicine, incorporating genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiling, offer a more personalized approach to MPN treatment by tailoring interventions to individual mutation patterns. Additionally, novel therapeutic strategies, including gene editing technologies, RNA-based therapies, and nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery systems, hold promise for overcoming current treatment limitations. The integration of artificial intelligence in drug discovery and biomarker identification further enhances the potential for targeted therapies. Future research should focus on refining these strategies, developing reliable biomarkers for patient stratification, and exploring combination therapies that enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. By addressing mitochondrial dysfunction as an underlying driver of MPNs, these emerging approaches have the potential to improve disease management, extend patient survival, and enhance quality of life. Also, this new approach of precision medicine allows patient stratification and ensures that treatments are formed according to the individual disease biology of each patient, which results in overall better outcomes.

combination drug therapy↗

PubMed2026

Lipid metabolic reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages drives resistance to immune checkpoint blockade in lung cancer: a narrative review of mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), represented by programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), have shown remarkable efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, many patients still develop resistance to immunotherapy. Although small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is also an important histological type of lung cancer, NSCLC accounts for the majority of lung cancer cases. Current research on ICI development, first-line treatment efficacy, and the mechanisms of lipid metabolism in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is predominantly focused on NSCLC. In patients with advanced NSCLC, objective response rates (ORRs) with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor monotherapy remain limited. Only in patients with high PD-L1 expression [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥50%] and without sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements does the ORR increase to approximately 40-45%. TAMs are a key component of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Lipid metabolic reprogramming profoundly influences the functional and transcriptional features of TAMs. This review aims to integrate relevant evidence, elucidate how TAM lipid metabolism promotes immunosuppression and resistance to ICIs, and outline potential therapeutic strategies. METHODS: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus for publications up to June 2026 using terms combining lung cancer, TAMs, lipid metabolism, and immune checkpoint blockade/resistance. Mechanistic, translational, and clinically relevant studies were selected by author consensus. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: Lipid uptake, de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid oxidation (FAO), cholesterol remodeling, and eicosanoid metabolism are not independent processes in TAMs. Lipid metabolic reprogramming in TAMs ultimately suppresses type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling, upregulates PD-L1 expression, and impairs the function of CD8+ T cells with stem-like features, thereby establishing an immunosuppressive TME and leading to resistance to ICIs. In lung cancer, hypoxia, high lactate levels, and tobacco exposure further shape the lipid phenotype of TAMs, such as lipid raft enrichment and lipid-laden macrophage subsets like SPP1+ macrophages. Different driver genomic backgrounds differentially impact tumor cell-intrinsic metabolism and the lipid metabolic programs of myeloid cells. In preclinical models, interventions targeting these metabolic axes, including TAM-directed delivery systems, have demonstrated potential therapeutic benefit when combined with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting TAM lipid metabolism to convert immunologically cold tumors into more inflamed, ICI-responsive tumors is a promising strategy to overcome resistance in NSCLC. Identification of predictive biomarkers of therapeutic response and development of cell-selective drug delivery systems come to be major challenges.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)↗

PubMed2026

Multidimensional Protein Corona Analysis Toward Predictive Nano-Bio Interface Design.

Nanoparticles entering biological fluids are rapidly coated by proteins and other biomolecules, converting their synthetic surfaces into biologically active nano-bio interfaces. These coronas regulate colloidal stability, immune recognition, cellular uptake, biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, cargo delivery, and toxicity. Yet a protein list obtained by mass spectrometry captures only part of this interface. Corona identity and function are also shaped by protein organization, binding stability, exchange dynamics, conformational changes, and molecular accessibility. Here, we discuss recent progress in protein corona isolation and analysis from a question-oriented analytical perspective, with emphasis on how centrifugation, magnetic recovery, affinity- or chemistry-enabled capture, chromatography, filtration, and field-flow fractionation (FFF) influence the fidelity, integrity, and comparability of recovered coronas. We then examine how proteomic profiling can be integrated with binding measurements, interfacial structural analysis and functional validation to distinguish descriptive corona signatures from biologically meaningful mechanisms. We further consider how biofluid composition, disease state, tissue interfaces and cellular environments remodel corona identity, presentation, and bioactivity. Finally, we argue that standardized reporting, computational modeling, and AI-enabled approaches are essential for converting protein corona datasets into reproducible and predictive knowledge that can guide the design of drug delivery systems and precision nanomedicines.

Protein Corona↗

PubMed2017

Drug target ontology to classify and integrate drug discovery data.

BACKGROUND: One of the most successful approaches to develop new small molecule therapeutics has been to start from a validated druggable protein target. However, only a small subset of potentially druggable targets has attracted significant research and development resources. The Illuminating the Druggable Genome (IDG) project develops resources to catalyze the development of likely targetable, yet currently understudied prospective drug targets. A central component of the IDG program is a comprehensive knowledge resource of the druggable genome. RESULTS: As part of that effort, we have developed a framework to integrate, navigate, and analyze drug discovery data based on formalized and standardized classifications and annotations of druggable protein targets, the Drug Target Ontology (DTO). DTO was constructed by extensive curation and consolidation of various resources. DTO classifies the four major drug target protein families, GPCRs, kinases, ion channels and nuclear receptors, based on phylogenecity, function, target development level, disease association, tissue expression, chemical ligand and substrate characteristics, and target-family specific characteristics. The formal ontology was built using a new software tool to auto-generate most axioms from a database while supporting manual knowledge acquisition. A modular, hierarchical implementation facilitate ontology development and maintenance and makes use of various external ontologies, thus integrating the DTO into the ecosystem of biomedical ontologies. As a formal OWL-DL ontology, DTO contains asserted and inferred axioms. Modeling data from the Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular Signatures (LINCS) program illustrates the potential of DTO for contextual data integration and nuanced definition of important drug target characteristics. DTO has been implemented in the IDG user interface Portal, Pharos and the TIN-X explorer of protein target disease relationships. CONCLUSIONS: DTO was built based on the need for a formal semantic model for druggable targets including various related information such as protein, gene, protein domain, protein structure, binding site, small molecule drug, mechanism of action, protein tissue localization, disease association, and many other types of information. DTO will further facilitate the otherwise challenging integration and formal linking to biological assays, phenotypes, disease models, drug poly-pharmacology, binding kinetics and many other processes, functions and qualities that are at the core of drug discovery. The first version of DTO is publically available via the website http://drugtargetontology.org/ , Github ( http://github.com/DrugTargetOntology/DTO ), and the NCBO Bioportal ( http://bioportal.bioontology.org/ontologies/DTO ). The long-term goal of DTO is to provide such an integrative framework and to populate the ontology with this information as a community resource.

Biological Ontologies↗

PubMed2026

HIV-Associated Lymphomas: Updates from Pathogenesis to Treatment Strategies.

HIV-associated lymphoma (HAL) is an aggressive malignancy directly linked to HIV infection and accounts for more than 30% of cancer-related deaths in people living with HIV (PLWH). HAL subtypes, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), Burkitt lymphoma (BL), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), and plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL), exhibit five to ten times higher incidence rates and distinct molecular profiles compared to HIV-negative lymphomas. Pathogenesis involves HIV-driven CD4+ T-cell depletion, chronic B-cell activation, and oncogenic viral coinfection. First-line therapy combines antiretroviral therapy (ART) with chemotherapy, achieving complete remission rates of 60-70% for DLBCL using R-EPOCH and 50-60% for BL with CODOX-M/IVAC. Relapsed/refractory cases show durable responses to CD19- CAR-T therapy; however, only 10% of HAL patients are enrolled in pivotal immunotherapy trials. Severe immunosuppression necessitates PET-CT-guided de-escalation and nanoparticlebased drug delivery systems to minimize toxicity. Emerging strategies include PD-1 inhibitors and broad-spectrum antivirals targeting HIV reservoirs, underscoring the need for precision medicine that integrates tumor genomics and viral dynamics.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Engineering strategies and translational progress in targeted nanoparticle drug delivery.

INTRODUCTION: Nanoparticle-based drug delivery has emerged as a transformative approach in modern therapeutics, offering improved targeting efficiency, enhanced pharmacokinetics, and reduced systemic toxicity compared to conventional drug delivery systems. AREAS COVERED: This review comprehensively examines major nanocarrier platforms, including lipid-based, polymeric, inorganic, and hybrid systems, with emphasis on their structural design and functional properties. It further explores current advancements in targeting strategies, including passive targeting via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and active targeting through ligand-receptor interactions involving antibodies, peptides, aptamers, and small molecules. Key biological and technological barriers to clinical translation are also discussed, such as tumor heterogeneity, abnormal vasculature, dense extracellular matrix, immune clearance, and limited cellular uptake. Additionally, emerging stimuli-responsive systems, including pH-, redox-, and enzyme-sensitive nanocarriers, are highlighted for their role in controlled and site-specific drug release. EXPERT OPINION/COMMENTARY: Despite significant progress, the clinical translation of nanomedicine remains constrained by biological complexities and scalability challenges. Future advancements integrating biomimetic strategies, multifunctional design, and artificial intelligence-driven modeling are expected to enhance targeting precision, biocompatibility, and translational success.

Humans↗

PubMed2021

GCN2 kinase activation by ATP-competitive kinase inhibitors.

Small-molecule kinase inhibitors represent a major group of cancer therapeutics, but tumor responses are often incomplete. To identify pathways that modulate kinase inhibitor response, we conducted a genome-wide knockout (KO) screen in glioblastoma cells treated with the pan-ErbB inhibitor neratinib. Loss of general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) kinase rendered cells resistant to neratinib, whereas depletion of the GADD34 phosphatase increased neratinib sensitivity. Loss of GCN2 conferred neratinib resistance by preventing binding and activation of GCN2 by neratinib. Several other Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved inhibitors, such erlotinib and sunitinib, also bound and activated GCN2. Our results highlight the utility of genome-wide functional screens to uncover novel mechanisms of drug action and document the role of the integrated stress response (ISR) in modulating the response to inhibitors of oncogenic kinases.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2026

Food-derived extracellular vesicles as delivery platforms for medicine-food homology components in metabolic syndrome.

Diet-induced obesity and associated metabolic syndromes have become major global public health challenge, highlighting the urgent need for safe and effective strategies. Recently, food-derived extracellular vesicles (FDEVs) have garnered increasing attention as natural nanocarriers due to their excellent biocompatibility and specific targeted delivery capabilities. FDEVs can efficiently deliver medicine-food homology components (MFHCs) to precisely regulate lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses, and insulin sensitivity, thereby improving obesity and its metabolic abnormalities. This systematic review summarizes recent advances in the use of FDEVs as delivery vehicles for MFHCs to suppress diet-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome, with a particular focus on the underlying molecular mechanisms, including signaling pathway regulation and cellular metabolic remodeling. In addition, the clinical translational potential and industrial application prospects of FDEVs are evaluated, and key challenges related to preparation techniques, safety assessment, and large-scale production are discussed. By integrating current evidence, this review aims to provide theoretical framework and future perspectives for the development of FDEVs as a novel targeted delivery platform and treatment of metabolic diseases.

Extracellular Vesicles↗

PubMed2024

Simultaneous targeting of peripheral and brain tumors with a therapeutic nanoparticle to disrupt metabolic adaptability at both sites.

Brain metastasis of advanced breast cancer often results in deleterious consequences. Metastases to the brain lead to significant challenges in treatment options, as the blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents conventional therapy. Thus, we hypothesized that creation of a nanoparticle (NP) that distributes to both primary tumor site and across the BBB for secondary brain tumor can be extremely beneficial. Here, we report a simple targeting strategy to attack both the primary breast and secondary brain tumors utilizing a single NP platform. The nature of these mitochondrion-targeted, BBB-penetrating NPs allow for simultaneous targeting and drug delivery to the hyperpolarized mitochondrial membrane of the extracranial primary tumor site in addition to tumors at the brain. By utilizing a combination of such dual anatomical distributing NPs loaded with therapeutics, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept idea to combat the increased metabolic plasticity of brain metastases by lowering two major energy sources, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis. By utilizing complementary studies and genomic analyses, we demonstrate the utility of a chemotherapeutic prodrug to decrease OXPHOS and glycolysis by pairing with a NP loaded with pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 inhibitor. Decreasing glycolysis aims to combat the metabolic flexibility of both primary and secondary tumors for therapeutic outcome. We also address the in vivo safety parameters by addressing peripheral neuropathy and neurobehavior outcomes. Our results also demonstrate that this combination therapeutic approach utilizes mitochondrial genome targeting strategy to overcome DNA repair-based chemoresistance mechanisms.

Brain Neoplasms↗

PubMed2014

Combinatorial approaches for the identification of brain drug delivery targets.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) represents a large obstacle for the treatment of central nervous system diseases. Targeting endogenous nutrient transporters that transcytose the BBB is one promising approach to selectively and noninvasively deliver a drug payload to the brain. The main limitations of the currently employed transcytosing receptors are their ubiquitous expression in the peripheral vasculature and the inherent low levels of transcytosis mediated by such systems. In this review, approaches designed to increase the repertoire of transcytosing receptors which can be targeted for the purpose of drug delivery are discussed. In particular, combinatorial protein libraries can be screened on BBB cells in vitro or in vivo to isolate targeting peptides or antibodies that can trigger transcytosis. Once these targeting reagents are discovered, the cognate BBB transcytosis system can be identified using techniques such as expression cloning or immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry. Continued technological advances in BBB genomics and proteomics, membrane protein manipulation, and in vitro BBB technology promise to further advance the capability to identify and optimize peptides and antibodies capable of mediating drug transport across the BBB.

Animals↗

PubMed2019

Targeted delivery of CRISPR interference system against Fabp4 to white adipocytes ameliorates obesity, inflammation, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance.

Obesity is an increasing pathophysiological problem in developed societies. Despite all major progress in understanding molecular mechanisms of obesity, currently available anti-obesity drugs have shown limited efficacy with severe side effects. CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) mechanism based on catalytically dead Cas9 (dCas9) and single guide RNA (sgRNA) was combined with a targeted nonviral gene delivery system to treat obesity and obesity-induced type 2 diabetes. A fusion peptide targeting a vascular and cellular marker of adipose tissue, prohibitin, was developed by conjugation of adipocyte targeting sequence (CKGGRAKDC) to 9-mer arginine (ATS-9R). (dCas9/sgFabp4) + ATS-9R oligoplexes showed effective condensation and selective delivery into mature adipocytes. Targeted delivery of the CRISPRi system against Fabp4 to white adipocytes by ATS-9R induced effective silencing of Fabp4, resulting in reduction of body weight and inflammation and restoration of hepatic steatosis in obese mice. This RNA-guided DNA recognition platform provides a simple and safe approach to regress and treat obesity and obesity-induced metabolic syndromes.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2022

AAV vectors: The Rubik's cube of human gene therapy.

Defective genes account for ∼80% of the total of more than 7,000 diseases known to date. Gene therapy brings the promise of a one-time treatment option that will fix the errors in patient genetic coding. Recombinant viruses are highly efficient vehicles for in vivo gene delivery. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors offer unique advantages, such as tissue tropism, specificity in transduction, eliciting of a relatively low immune responses, no incorporation into the host chromosome, and long-lasting delivered gene expression, making them the most popular viral gene delivery system in clinical trials, with three AAV-based gene therapy drugs already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA). Despite the success of AAV vectors, their usage in particular scenarios is still limited due to remaining challenges, such as poor transduction efficiency in certain tissues, low organ specificity, pre-existing humoral immunity to AAV capsids, and vector dose-dependent toxicity in patients. In the present review, we address the different approaches to improve AAV vectors for gene therapy with a focus on AAV capsid selection and engineering, strategies to overcome anti-AAV immune response, and vector genome design, ending with a glimpse at vector production methods and the current state of recombinant AAV (rAAV) at the clinical level.

United States↗

PubMed2026

Targeting of the oncogenic fusion EWSR1-FLI1 in Ewing sarcoma by CRISPR/dCas9 silencers.

Despite the revolutionary impact of genome engineering tools in medicine, the safe and effective intracellular delivery of CRISPR remains a major obstacle to clinical applications. Here, we utilize precision molecular targeting and delivery strategies based on CRISPR-nuclease-dead Cas9 (dCas9) systems adapted for epigenetic repression (dCas9-Krüppel-associated box [KRAB]) to silence oncogenic drivers with high selectivity. As proof of principle, we target the EWSR1-FLI1 translocation, which encodes a chimeric and hard-to-drug oncogenic transcription factor driving approximately 85% of the cases of Ewing sarcoma (EWS)-an aggressive childhood malignancy. We describe the development of a programmable, non-viral polymeric system for the delivery of dCas9-KRAB as ribonucleoprotein (RNP) payloads for EWSR1-FLI1 repression. We demonstrate highly efficient intracellular delivery of RNPs loaded in polyamide-amine (PAMAM) polymers functionalized by guanidino groups, resulting in robust silencing of EWSR1-FLI1 both in established cell line xenografts and in EWS-related patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) of EWS. We show that silencing of EWSR1-FLI1 is accompanied by potent anti-tumor effects. Collectively, we characterize an effective non-viral platform for in vivo delivery of dCas9-KRAB/RNPs, which could be adapted for the repression of any oncogene. We further outline dCas9/RNP formulations for future therapeutic applications to treat poor-prognosis cancers driven by hard-to-drug oncogenes.

CRISPR-dCas9↗

PubMed2026

An All-in-One Photothermal Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Controlling Inducible Transgene Expression.

We have developed a remotely near-infrared (NIR)-activated, implantable fibrin hydrogel for the controlled induction of transgene expression, designed to decouple the therapeutic efficacy of rapamycin from its systemic toxicity. Rapamycin, a drug widely used in clinical practice as an immunosuppressant and antiproliferative agent, is a potent transcriptional inducer that enables tightly regulated temporal transgene expression through chemically induced dimerization. However, its utility as a dimerizer is hindered by the unintended systemic immunosuppression and off-target effects inherent to its conventional administration. To address this, we developed poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles to encapsulate rapamycin, aiming to facilitate localized delivery and enhance drug stability. Engineered cells harboring a dual heat- and dimerizer-responsive gene switch exhibited robust reporter transgene expression following nanoparticle treatment and thermal activation. Nanoencapsulation preserved rapamycin activity against thermal and hydrolytic degradation, enabling superior, long-term dimerizer function compared to the free drug. To create a remotely actuated platform, we developed photothermal hydrogels by incorporating hollow gold nanoparticles and rapamycin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles within a fibrin matrix hosting the reporter cells. In mice, NIR irradiation of subcutaneously implanted constructs achieved transgene induction levels comparable to systemic administration of rapamycin. Notably, nanoparticle-mediated delivery resulted in negligible circulating rapamycin concentrations. Furthermore, localized rapamycin release initially promoted a pro-healing M2 macrophage phenotype, followed by a late-stage transition toward an M1-dominant profile that likely facilitated the clearance of scaffold degradation products. In hydrogels incorporating cells harboring a gene switch to control human VEGF165 production, NIR irradiation triggered a robust angiogenic cascade characterized by transient erythema followed by an increase in CD31+ microvascular density. Collectively, these data demonstrate the potential of this light-triggered and rapamycin-dependent platform as a customizable and safe tool for achieving the control required to advance the next-generation of site-specific, transgenic protein therapies.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Cell-type specific activation of the cGAS-STING pathway in tumor immunotherapy: mechanisms and therapeutic implications.

BACKGROUND: The cyclic GMP–AMP synthase–stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS–STING) pathway acts as a pivotal innate immune sensor that detects cytosolic DNA and links genomic instability to antitumor immune activation. Therapeutic activation of this pathway has garnered substantial interest as a strategy to enhance cancer immunotherapy by promoting dendritic cell maturation, augmenting antigen presentation, and facilitating cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltration. However, the functional outcomes of cGAS–STING signaling are highly context dependent and influenced by both cell type and tumor microenvironmental (TME) conditions. MAIN BODY: Recent advances in single-cell and spatial transcriptomic profiling have revealed profound heterogeneity in cGAS–STING activation across distinct cellular and regional compartments within tumors. Acute and spatially restricted activation of the pathway can elicit potent antitumor immune responses, whereas chronic or dysregulated signaling may promote immune tolerance and tumor progression. Moreover, metabolic stress, epigenetic silencing, and microenvironmental immunosuppressive factors such as TGF-β and IL-10 can further modulate STING activity, leading to resistance to immunotherapy. Current translational efforts focus on next-generation STING agonists, nanoparticle-based delivery systems, and rational combination strategies with immune checkpoint blockade and metabolic modulators to overcome tumor-intrinsic resistance and minimize systemic toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the cell-type-specific and spatial dynamics of cGAS–STING signaling is crucial for the rational design of precision immunotherapies. Future research should emphasize context-dependent modulation of STING activity to maximize therapeutic benefit while limiting adverse effects. Integrating multi-omics technologies and spatially guided drug delivery may ultimately enable personalized modulation of the cGAS–STING axis, transforming it into a clinically effective and safe strategy for cancer immunotherapy.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Beyond antibiotics: artificial intelligence-enabled anti-infective ecosystems for next-generation precision therapeutics against antimicrobial resistance.

The rapid global expansion of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens to undermine decades of progress in infectious disease management and highlights the limitations of conventional antibiotic-centered therapeutic strategies. Although emerging technologies-including antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophage therapy, CRISPR-based antimicrobials, microbiome therapeutics, anti-virulence approaches, nanotechnology-enabled drug delivery, and artificial intelligence (AI)-have individually demonstrated considerable promise, they are predominantly being developed as independent interventions rather than as coordinated components of an integrated therapeutic strategy. This Perspective proposes the Intelligent Anti-Infective Ecosystem (IAIE) as a conceptual systems-level framework that computationally integrates multimodal diagnostics, pathogen genomics, microbiome profiling, AI-assisted decision support, programmable precision therapeutics, ecological monitoring, and longitudinal clinical feedback within a continuously learning dynamically optimized workflow. Unlike existing paradigms that primarily optimize individual technologies or therapeutic decisions, IAIE emphasizes closed-loop coordination among complementary antimicrobial approaches to support precision-guided infection management while preserving microbiome integrity and mitigating resistance selection pressure. We further outline the core components, operational principles, translational challenges, and technology readiness of the major therapeutic platforms that could contribute to such an ecosystem, while distinguishing clinically established interventions from emerging experimental strategies. Importantly, IAIE should be interpreted as a prospective conceptual architecture rather than an existing clinical platform. Its proposed clinical value remains to be established through sequential computational, preclinical, and prospective clinical investigations using standardized microbiological, ecological, and patient-centered outcome measures. By framing antimicrobial innovation within an responsive systems perspective, IAIE provides a roadmap for future multidisciplinary research aimed at integrating artificial intelligence and systems microbiology to enable sustainable management of antimicrobial resistance.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

In vitro modeling of human dorsal root ganglion neurons for GCaMP6-based calcium imaging of sensory responses to HSV-1 infection.

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons play a pivotal role in transmitting sensory information from the periphery to the central nervous system, mediating diverse stimuli such as pain, touch, and temperature. Despite advances, translating findings from rodent models to human applications remains challenging due to species-specific differences, necessitating reliable human DRG neuron models. The immortalized human DRG neuronal cell line HD10.6, derived from embryonic DRG cells and capable of differentiating into functional nociceptive-like neurons, offers a promising in vitro system for studying sensory neuron biology and drug screening. This study explores the utility of GCaMP6s, a genetically encoded calcium indicator, as a molecular tool for imaging sensory activation in HD10.6 cells. To establish HD10.6 as a robust human DRG model, we constructed and characterized adeno-associated virus (AAV9) vectors for efficient GCaMP6s delivery. Differentiated HD10.6 cells were efficiently transduced, and calcium dynamics were validated to assess functional responses to sensory stimuli. The results showed that AAV9 serotype was sufficient to infect HD10.6 and the GCaMP6s was successfully introduced into the cells. The HD10.6-GCaMP6s responded to capsaicin well under the appropriate condition. A series of viral infection studies indicated that herpesvirus HSV-1 triggered robust calcium influx within 5 min after the exposure to the virus. Our findings highlight the potential of GCaMP6s-expressing HD10.6 cells as a high-throughput platform for studying nociception, neuronal signaling, host cell responses to viruses, and therapeutic interventions, bridging the gap between preclinical research and clinical applications.

Humans↗