Current Cancer Therapy Reviews - Volume 21, Issue 6, 2025

Cosmetics are items that are used to glorify or change facial looks and appearance as well as provide fragrance to the body. Their main aim is to cleanse, beautify, facilitate attractiveness, and change physical looks. Women use many different beauty products, such as skin care, hair, perfume, oral hygiene, and nail care items, which may include harmful substances that are threatening to their health. The controversy around cosmetics and beauty products promoting cancer threat has grown over the previous few years. According to data from the European Cancer Registries, postmenopausal and very young women are now seeing an increase in the occurrence of breast cancer, which is the more frequent form of cancer in women. Genetic predisposition, long-term hormone replacement treatment, and various environmental variables, including air pollution, agrochemicals, alcohol, and specific consumer goods like cosmetic additives, are some of the causes of breast cancer. Additionally, the USFDA made all adverse event reports, including those involving concerns about cosmetics, publicly accessible via the Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS) of the Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in 2016. In this period of modernization, CAERS is of limited use since there is a lack of different supporting data, such as demographic information, medical history, or linked product usage, and because the existing data is vulnerable to severe reporting bias. Despite the system's potential to protect the public's health, the database's future usefulness will depend on a wide range of reporting participants, more thorough reporting, and concurrent investments in regulatory science and enhanced molecular techniques.

The development of novel colloidal formulations that can regulate the pharmacological and biological properties of medications has been made possible by the developments of nanotechnology. Biodegradable nanoparticles were exploited as drug delivery methods because of their high bioavailability, improved encapsulation, controlled release, and less toxic characteristics. Over the past few decades, a variety of synthetic polymers have been investigated for application in nanomedicine, particularly in drug delivery systems. Drug delivery polymers need to be environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and biocompatible. As they have the ability to provide targeted delivery to a specified site, polymeric nanoparticles have the potential to increase the effectiveness of cancer therapies significantly. It is possible to modify the physical and chemical characteristics of polymers to provide delivery across the many biological barriers needed to reach different cell subsets. The use of biodegradable polymers as nanocarriers is particularly appealing since these materials can be developed to show triggered functionality at certain locations or activated by an external source in addition to degrading under physiological circumstances. Biodegradable polymers can be developed as easy drug-delivery systems that specifically target the tumour microenvironment. This is because these nanomedicines can directly target cancer cells, as well as blood vessels that supply the nutrition and oxygen required for tumour growth and immune cells that support anti-cancer immunotherapy. With the advancements in nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for pharmaceutical applications, it is exciting to examine and highlight the significance of polymeric nanocarrier systems for drug delivery in chemotherapy.

Hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) is a complex biological substance primarily composed of water, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, salts, enzymes, hormones, growth factors, immune modulators, and other bioactive molecules. Within HCF, antigens such as antigen B (AgB) and antigen 5 family members (Ag5) have been identified. These antigens have been found to possess the ability to hinder the progression of cancer. Although the exact mechanisms by which these components inhibit cancer progression are not fully understood; it is believed that they may impact various signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In vitro studies have demonstrated that treatment with HCF or specific antigens can impede cell growth, induce apoptosis, and suppress the migration of cancer cells. Animal model studies have also shown significant inhibition of tumor growth, reduction in angiogenesis, and suppression of metastasis. Although limited, clinical studies have displayed promising outcomes, including improved overall survival and reduced recurrence rates among breast cancer patients who received AgB immunotherapy alongside standard treatment. This study attempts to offer a thorough synopsis of research exploring the possible anti-cancer capabilities of HCF and related HFAs.

Diagnosing and successfully treating cancer remains to be a formidable challenge. Cancer diagnosis by conventional methods is laborious and highly subjective, reliant on the knowledge and experience of radiologists and pathologists. With the combination of AI and ML technologies, cancer imaging has seen a paradigm change. Medical imaging like CT, MRI, and PET scans may be analyzed using AIML algorithms and deep neural networks for characteristics and patterns that might indicate malignancy. More precise diagnosis and tailored treatment programs are possible with their aid in tumor segmentation and categorization. A type of artificial intelligence that has shown promise in cancer detection is radiomics. One more key approach utilized in AI-powered cancer detection is texture analysis. This technique entails analyzing the spatial organization of pixel intensities in a picture. The genetic elements that contribute to the genesis and progression of cancer are becoming better understood with the development of artificial intelligence systems that can analyze genomic data in addition to medical imaging. This review article delves into the revolutionary effects of AI and ML on cancer imaging, showcasing significant progress, obstacles, and potential solutions. Early detection, diagnosis, and personalized treatment methods are being transformed by these technologies, which are making use of the massive quantities of medical data that are accessible. The result is an improvement in patient outcomes.

Cancer is a serious health problem and one of the leading causes of death in humans in both developing and underdeveloped countries. Researchers are using nanotechnology to improve the specificity and effectiveness of cancer therapy as the number of cancer cases worldwide increases daily. The aim of this bibliometric analysis is to examine current advances in nanomedicine based on existing scientific work on the use of amygdalin in cancer research. Bibliometric analysis was performed with VOSviewer software using the Scopus database. Out of 439 articles in the literature, 149 were found for bibliometric analysis, 11 of which were about nanomedicine and were recently published. China was the most productive country in this field, with Tabriz University being the leading research organization. The journals that published the most articles on this topic were Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Biology Reports. The most frequently occurring keywords in these clusters were “cancer”,” “tumour” and “amygdalin.” This work provides a summary of the literature with a graphical representation of the research on the development of amygdalin through a bibliographic analysis. In addition, this study offers a new perspective that could serve as a guide for future research directions.

Cancer is a complex disease that leads to millions of deaths worldwide. Despite new and improved therapeutic approaches, achieving a complete cure for the disease and protection from its treatment side effects remains elusive. This challenge has prompted the exploration of alternative approaches to drug discovery from natural sources, making it a top priority. Insects, as well as their by-products, constitute a rich reservoir of amino acids, peptides, proteins, alkaloids, fatty acids, etc., which possess various biological activities such as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. The omnipresence of insects in nature and their long history in folk medicine makes them suitable candidates for exploring towards anticancer drug discovery. Among the four major orders of Class Insecta-Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera-there are members that have demonstrated potential anti-tumor activities. This article provides an overview of anticancer bio-actives isolated from various insect species belonging to the major orders of Class Insecta. These bio-actives have been analysed in vitro and in vivo at specific levels. The diverse range of bio-actives isolated from each insect species signifies the immense potential for discovering novel therapeutics to combat cancer. At the very least, these compounds can be used in combination therapies. In the current review, an attempt was made to highlight the importance of insect-derived compounds towards anticancer drug discoveries based on the existing data gathered through literature.

Breast fibroadenoma, a common benign tumor, presents unique challenges in diagnosis and management. This review article aimed to incorporate various aspects of fibroadenoma, including diagnostic methods, treatment modalities, clinical case descriptions, and recent research advancements. A comprehensive review of the literature and analysis of clinical cases were conducted to elucidate the characteristics and management strategies of this condition. The morphological size and nature of fibroadenoma were discussed, and clinical epidemiology and pathophysiology were presented. The outcome of this study is to describe the importance of accurate diagnosis through imaging techniques and histopathological examination. Furthermore, we explored evolving treatment options, such as minimally invasive procedures and surveillance protocols for conservative management. This article contributes to a deeper understanding of breast fibroadenoma and informs clinical practice. Further research is warranted to refine diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for optimal patient outcomes.

Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGFs) significantly impact mammalian physiology, including growth, development, ageing, and disease progression. The IGF system is composed of various growth factor receptors, including IGF-1R and IGF-2R. Serum IGF-1 levels and IGF-1R activation, along with downstream signaling components, are increasingly recognized as key factors in the expansion of prostate (PCa) and cervical cancer. The study on IGF-1/IGF-1R activity and regulation is crucial in PCa research and cervical cancer studies. This signaling pathway significantly influences various cancer cell processes, such as survival, migration, and resistance to treatment. The inhibitors targeting IGF-1/IGF-1R have been developed to prevent the progression of cancer. The use of nanotechnology, including trap decoys, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, and protein nanotubes, has significantly improved the treatment of cervical cancer. These agents have shown promise in preclinical models for cervical cancer research, but their efficacy in PCa patients requires clinical trial validation. Combining androgen deprivation therapy or chemotherapy with IGF-1R antagonists, using consistent predictive markers and evolving novel agents, may improve the results. This review highlights the importance of IGF-1 signaling in PCa and cervical cancer development and underscores its significance in potential cancer therapy strategies. The study has also explored prospective approaches to the next generation of IGF axis-targeting drugs.

Cervical cancer is one of the four most common cancers that affect women worldwide, along with breast, colorectal, lung, and cervical cancer. It is a major public health concern that mostly affects women. Virtually all cases of cervical cancer are linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Patients must be screened and immunized to prevent this disease, although developed and developing nations have different rates of cervical cancer incidence. Palliative chemotherapy continues to be the go-to therapy for patients who are not candidates for radiation therapy or curative surgery. To counteract chemotherapy's low effectiveness, other treatment approaches are being developed. The main goals of this review study are to advance knowledge of cervical cancer, promote awareness and educated decision-making, and investigate cutting-edge approaches to the disease's treatment. A literature review was done from databases like Google Scholar, PUBMED-MEDLINE, and Scopus using standard keywords “Cancer,” “Cervical Cancer,” “Human papillomavirus,” “Chemotherapy,” and “Treatment Therapies” from 2010-2023. The Government of India intends to initiate a three-phase vaccination drive against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for girls aged 9-14, aiming to mitigate the risk of cervical cancer. The vaccine also offers protection against the HPV strains that cause cancer of the anus, vagina, and oropharynx. Although cervical cancer is still a tough foe, we are getting closer to a time when it may be prevented and treated, even in the most underprivileged areas, due to continuous advancements and steadfast dedication.

Theranostics is an innovative field that utilizes nanotechnology and nanoparticles for a wide range of medical, diagnostic, and imaging applications. Therapeutic payloads, such as chemotherapeutic drugs, nucleic acids, and medicinal proteins or peptides, can be enclosed within nanoparticles or bonded to their surface for controlled release and extended circulation time. Nanoparticles can be used to enhance drug accumulation at the tumor site by traversing biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier, using active or passive targeting techniques. Theranostic systems based on nanotechnology offer various therapeutic approaches, including photodynamic treatment (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and gene therapy, which have become available in recent decades. Researchers are exploring nanomaterials with unique surface chemistry and form to combine cancer diagnosis with treatment methods, allowing for rapid diagnosis, precise imaging, therapy with an adequate dose, and real-time supervision of therapeutic efficacy. This review discusses various cancer theranostic applications, characterization techniques, synthesis steps, and types of nanoparticles, including the imaging and diagnostic applications of nanoparticles in cancer.