Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology - Online First

The world's one of the major causes of death are cancer. Cancer is still a complex disease over the years that needs to be cured. Traditional cytotoxic approaches, although they have been implemented for years for treating neoplastic diseases, yet are limited due to the intricacy and low efficiency of cancer cells. Researchers are thus compelled to seek more potent therapeutic strategies. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) cell therapy is one such innovative insight where T lymphocytes are altered genetically to target cancer cells. Despite the outstanding accomplishment in patients with haematological malignancies, CAR-T cell treatment has demonstrated minimal impact on solid tumours due to a number of obstacles, including proliferation, stability, trafficking, and fate within tumors. Furthermore, interactions between the host and tumour microenvironment with CAR-T cells significantly alter CAR-T cell activities. Designing and implementing these treatments additionally also requires a complex workforce. Overcoming these significant challenges, there is a requirement for innovative strategies for developing CAR-T cells with greater anti-tumour efficacy and reduced toxicity. In this chapter, the current advancement in CAR-T cell technology in order to increase clinical efficacy in both solid tumors and haematological, as well as possibilities to conquer the limits of CAR-T cell therapy in both solid and haematological tumours has been discussed.

Microneedles have been explored as a novel way of delivering active ingredients into the skin. They have various advantages, such as quick and efficient drug delivery, mechanical stability, minimal pain, variable capacity and easy use. Microneedles are enabled for the delivery of vaccine, peptides, medicinal components and in cosmetology, which couldn’t go unnoticed. The novel approaches in the transdermal drug delivery system have increased the efficiency of drug delivery into the skin by crossing the skin barriers. This platform has a wide range of applications and can also be used to deliver non-transdermal biomedicals. The variety in the design of microneedles has demanded similar diversity in their methods of fabrication; micro molding and drawing lithography may be useful methods. There are different types of polymers and materials for the fabrication of microneedles. Several synthetic and natural materials are used in the fabrication of microneedles. Unique shapes, materials, and mechanical properties are modified for organ-specific applications in microneedle engineering. In this review, we discuss several factors and their roles to cross the biological barriers for transdermal drug delivery in various sites, such as in ocular, vascular, oral, and mucosal tissue. Additionally, this article highlights the future scope of transdermal drug delivery systems through microneedles.

Poor water solubility of several drugs, especially BCS class II and IV drugs, restricts their dissolution and negatively affects oral absorption. Amorphization of drugs is a year-old approach to enhance solubility and dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs. Polymeric amorphous systems have been proven effective but have disadvantages, such as low drug loading, high carrier content, etc. In a coamorphous system, a small molecule can be used as a coformer that keeps the amorphous form of a drug stable. In a drug-drug coamorphous system (CAS), one therapeutically active moiety can act as a coformer for the other drug. Although effective, the rationale of selecting the drugs and optimising the ratio without compromising therapeutic effect and safety is challenging. The preparation method is also a challenge because the stress during the processing method may result in the loss of crystallinity. Hence, the processing stability of the amorphous drug is a significant concern. A stable CAS is formed when two drugs generate some molecular-level interaction. In silico prediction of miscibility, molecular dynamic simulation, functional group analysis by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, NMR, etc. contribute to the analysis of molecular-level interaction. Additionally, the article discusses the preparation method and the fact that the excipient must be selected carefully to form an effective CAS.

Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, plays a vital role in the synthesis of critical compounds like serotonin, melatonin, and niacin, which impact mood, sleep, and metabolic processes. It holds promise for improving the well-being of individuals with mood issues or sleep disorders through dietary enrichment. However, incorporating tryptophan into food products presents challenges related to stability, bitterness, and susceptibility to oxidative degradation. These issues can reduce consumer acceptability and effectiveness and may lead to the formation of harmful byproducts. This review comprehensively examines innovative strategies for enriching food products with tryptophan. Crucial approaches include using nano-emulsion systems to encapsulate tryptophan, thereby protecting it from environmental factors and enhancing its bioavailability, adding antioxidants to prevent degradation, and utilizing functional derivatives as alternatives to pure tryptophan. These strategies aim to improve the stability of tryptophan, reduce bitterness, and enhance consumer acceptability. This review provides valuable insights into practical methods for incorporating tryptophan into food formulations, with the goal of optimizing its health benefits and ensuring a positive consumer experience.

Influenza, a highly transmissible respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses A and B, poses a persistent threat to global public health due to its high mutation rate, ability to develop resistance to existing antiviral drugs, and capacity for rapid spread. Current treatment options, including four main classes of antiviral agents—adamantanes, neuraminidase inhibitors, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors, and polymerase acidic endonuclease inhibitors—are limited by the emergence of drug-resistant viral strains, non-specific drug distribution, and adverse side effects. Moreover, the effectiveness of traditional vaccines is often compromised by antigenic drift and shift, necessitating the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. This review comprehensively explores the potential of novel targeted drug delivery systems to address these limitations and improve influenza management. Nanotechnology-based platforms, including lipid-based, polymer-based, inorganic, and hybrid nanoparticles, offer enhanced drug delivery through improved bioavailability, targeted action, and controlled release, thus minimizing systemic toxicity and optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Inhalation delivery systems such as dry powder inhalers (DPIs), nebulizers, and nanotechnology-based inhalation formulations provide direct delivery of antiviral agents to the respiratory tract, ensuring rapid onset of action with reduced systemic side effects. Transdermal delivery methods, including microneedle patches and hydrogel-based systems, offer non-invasive alternatives that enhance patient compliance and allow for sustained drug release. Furthermore, this review discusses recent innovations, such as responsive drug delivery systems and multifunctional nanoparticles capable of simultaneous delivery of multiple therapeutic agents, representing a significant advancement in the fight against influenza. These novel approaches promise improved targeting and efficacy and enable personalized treatment strategies, enhancing patient outcomes in both seasonal flu and pandemic scenarios. Integrating these advanced drug delivery systems into clinical practice could revolutionize the management of influenza, offering a promising pathway toward more effective and safer therapies.

Vaginal douching is a centuries-old practice which is still in use, especially among adolescents. “Probiotic douches” are the vaginal douches that are formulated with probiotics and are intended to restore or maintain the vaginal microbiome balance. Probiotic douches are a new type of feminine hygiene product that claims to promote a balanced vaginal microbiome and improve overall well-being. However, the evidence supporting the use of probiotics for vaginal health is limited because of the variability in probiotic strains and dosages studied, and the lack of more comprehensive, long-term clinical trials. Most of the existing scientific literature on probiotics focuses on oral probiotic supplements and vaginal probiotic suppositories. Some potential benefits of probiotic douches include restoring a balanced vaginal microbiota, preventing, or managing infections, supporting local immune function, reducing odor and discharge, and enhancing overall vaginal comfort. However, it is important to note that these benefits have not been definitively proven and remain a subject of ongoing research. There are also potential risks associated with their use including disruption of the natural vaginal ecosystem by introducing foreign substances, risk of infection, and stability issues with the formulation that may lead to negative consequences. This review attempts to comprehend the critical need for robust scientific research to guide the safe and effective incorporation of probiotic douches into modern feminine hygiene practices, revolutionizing women's health, and well-being.

The gut microbiota is a varied population of microorganisms that live in the human gastrointestinal system. Emerging research emphasizes the importance of this microbial ecology in general health and its influence on a variety of disorders. The review explores the synergy between herbal treatment and traditional medicine, emphasizing their cultural significance and therapeutic benefits. It delves into the intricate relationship between herbal remedies, traditional healing practices, and their sustained usage over centuries. The review highlights the pivotal role of the gut microbiota in herbal medicine, elucidating how treatments influence the gastrointestinal microorganisms, impacting overall health. Dietary phytochemicals are underscored for their significance in herbal medicine and nutritional well-being, along with the interdependence of plant extracts and botanicals. The investigation explores the molecular connections between phytoconstituents and gut microbiota, aiming to deepen the understanding of herbal medicine's tailored approach to specific health challenges. The summary concludes by emphasizing herbal treatments' unique ability to regulate gut flora, contributing to overall gastrointestinal well-being. In closing, the review provides a concise overview, serving as a valuable resource for integrative medicine research, with recommendations for future exploration of herbal medicine's potential in healthcare.