A new insight into the early detection of HER2 protein in breast cancer patients with a focus on electrochemical biosensors approaches: A review.

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women and is a prevalent kind of cancerous growth, representing a substantial risk to women's health. Early detection of breast cancer is essential for effective treatment and improved survival rates. Biomarkers, active substances that signal the existence and advancement of a tumor, play a significant role in the early detection of breast cancer. Hence, accurate identification of biomarkers for tumors is crucial for diagnosing and treating breast cancer. However, the primary diagnostic methods used for the detection of breast cancer require specific equipment, skilled professionals, and specialized analysis, leading to elevated detection expenses. Regarding this obstacle, recent studies emphasize electrochemical biosensors as more advanced and sensitive detection tools compared to traditional methods. Electrochemical biosensors are employed to identify biomarkers that act as unique indicators for the onset, recurrence, and monitoring of therapeutic interventions for breast cancer. This study aims to provide a summary of the electrochemical biosensors that have been employed for the detection of breast cancer at an early stage over the past decade. Initially, the text provides concise information about breast cancer and tumor biomarkers. Subsequently, an in-depth analysis is conducted to systematically review the progress of electrochemical biosensors developed for the stable, specific, and sensitive identification of biomarkers associated with breast cancer. Particular emphasis was given to crucial clinical biomarkers, specifically the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2). The analysis then explores the limitations and challenges inherent in the design of effective biosensors for diagnosing and treating breast cancer. Ultimately, we provided an overview of future research directions and concluded by outlining the advantages of electrochemical biosensor approaches.

Fabricating niosomal-PEG nanoparticles co-loaded with metformin and silibinin for effective treatment of human lung cancer cells.

Background: Despite current therapies, lung cancer remains a global issue and requires the creation of novel treatment methods. Recent research has shown that biguanides such as metformin (MET) and silibinin (SIL) have a potential anticancer effect. As a consequence, the effectiveness of MET and SIL in combination against lung cancer cells was investigated in this study to develop an effective and novel treatment method. Methods: Niosomal nanoparticles were synthesized via the thin-film hydration method, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques were used to evaluate their physico-chemical characteristics. The cytotoxic effects of free and drug-loaded nanoparticles (NPs), as well as their combination, on A549 cells were assessed using the MTT assay. An apoptosis test was used while under the influence of medication to identify the molecular mechanisms behind programmed cell death. With the use of a cell cycle test, it was determined whether pharmaceutical effects caused the cell cycle to stop progressing. Additionally, the qRT-PCR technique was used to evaluate the levels of hTERT, BAX, and BCL-2 gene expression after 48-h medication treatment. Results: In the cytotoxicity assay, the growth of A549 lung cancer cells was inhibited by both MET and SIL. Compared to the individual therapies, the combination of MET and SIL dramatically and synergistically decreased the IC50 values of MET and SIL in lung cancer cells. Furthermore, the combination of MET and SIL produced lower IC50 values and a better anti-proliferative effect on A549 lung cancer cells. Real-time PCR results showed that the expression levels of hTERT and BCL-2 were significantly reduced in lung cancer cell lines treated with MET and SIL compared to single treatments (p< 0.001). Conclusion: It is anticipated that the use of nano-niosomal-formed MET and SIL would improve lung cancer treatment outcomes and improve the therapeutic efficiency of lung cancer cells.

Stimulus-responsive drug/gene delivery system based on polyethylenimine cyclodextrin nanoparticles for potential cancer therapy.

Combination therapy through simultaneous delivery of anti-cancer drugs and genes with nano-assembled structure has been proved to be a simple and effective approach for treating breast cancer. In this study, redox-sensitive folate-appended-polyethylenimine-ß-cyclodextrin (roFPC) host-guest supramolecular nanoparticles (HGSNPs) were developed as a targeted co-delivery system of doxorubicin (Dox) and Human telomerase reverse transcriptase-small interfering RNA) hTERT siRNA) for potential cancer therapy. The nanotherapeutic system was prepared by loading adamantane-conjugated doxorubicin (Ad-Dox) into roFPC through the supramolecular assembly, followed by electrostatically-driven self-assembly between hTERT siRNA and roFPC/Ad-Dox. The roFPC' host-guest structures allow pH-dependent intracellular drug release in a sustained manner, as well as simultaneous and effective gene transfection. This co-delivery vector displayed combined anti-tumor properties of the Dox-enhanced gene transfection, good water-solubility, and biocompatibility, possesses considerably enhanced hemocompatibility, and especially targets folate receptor-positive cells only at low N/P levels to prompt effective cell apoptosis for cancer treatment.

New Insights Toward Nanostructured Drug Delivery of Plant-Derived Polyphenol Compounds: Cancer Treatment and Gene Expression Profiles.

The increasing prevalence of cancer has led to expanding traditional medicine objectives for developing novel drug delivery systems. A wide range of plant-derived polyphenol bioactive substances have been investigated in order to explore the anti-cancer effects of these natural compounds and to promote the effective treatment of cancer through apoptosis induction. In this regard, plant-derived polyphenol compounds, including curcumin, silibinin, quercetin, and resveratrol, have been the subject of intense interest for anti-cancer applications due to their ability to regulate apoptotic genes. However, some limitations of pure polyphenol compounds, such as poor bioavailability, short-term stability, low-cellular uptake, and insufficient solubility, have restricted their efficiency. Nanoscale formulations of bioactive agents have provided a novel platform to address these limitations. This paper reviews recent advances in nanoformulation approaches of polyphenolic drugs and their effects on improving the delivery of chemotherapy agents to cancer cells.

Apoptotic Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on Human Colon Cancer SW480 Cells by Regulation of Akt/NF-ĸB Signaling Pathway.

Drug resistance is one of the major problems, which causes recurrence of cancers. Therefore, complementary treatments are needed to improve the impacts of chemotherapy agents. The effect of probiotics as cancer-preventing agents through involvement in the activation of apoptotic pathways has been established. The present study sought to investigate how the heat-killed form of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (as a probiotic) could affect the Akt/NF-kB-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells, the SW480 cell line. The cytotoxic effects of heat-killed yeast (HKY) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU, as a positive control drug) were assayed using the MTT method. Morphological changes followed by apoptosis were examined using DAPI staining. The transcription and translation level of apoptosis genes were explored with qRT-PCR and western blotting. The data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism V6.0 Software. The results showed that HKY could induce apoptosis in colon cancer cell line through downregulation of p-Akt1, Rel A, Bcl-XL, pro-caspase 3, and pro-caspase 9 expressions, and upregulation of BAX, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-9. Besides, Akt protein expression was not affected. It is noticeable that HKY had a better modulating effect on BAX expression compared with 5-FU. It was able to modulate Akt/NF-kB signaling pathway followed by the apoptotic cascade.

Growth of Microorganisms in Propofol and Mixture of Propofol, Lidocaine and Fentanyl.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the growth of microorganisms in propofol when combined with fentanyl and lidocaine in different temperatures and times in order to find out whether there is any improvement in antimicrobial effect to lengthen the safe duration of time for application of propofol. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Istanbul Aydin University Laboratory, Istanbul, Turkey, from June to September 2018. METHODOLOGY: The studied drugs and thier combination was used to determine their effect on bacterial growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Acinetobacter baumanni. Bacterial solutions were prepared at 0.5 MacFarland in sterile 0.9% physiological saline and diluted at 1:100 concentration. Colony numbers were measured as colony forming units mL-1 at 0, 8, and 24 hours and at 4oC, 22oC and 37oC. RESULTS: In general, propofol supported the growth of microorganisms. Fentanyl with propofol also promoted the growth, especially in room and body temperature at 8th and 24th hours but when combined with lidocaine, the number of CFUs was reduced significantly compared with propofol + fentanyl group. Lidocaine inhibited the growth of microorganisms in all the solutions except for candida albicans. CONCLUSION: Lidocaine was shown to have antibacterial effect which carries advantage for inhibiting infections due to propofol; but aseptic technique is essential during preparation of propofol infusions. Fentanyl like propofol also promoted the growth at room and body temperatures.