Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry - Volume 25, Issue 3, 2025

In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as promising anti-cancer mediators with the potential to treat several cancers. MSCs have been modified to produce anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic molecules that could be effective against a variety of malignancies. Additionally, customizing MSCs with cytokines that stimulate pro-tumorigenic immunity or using them as vehicles for traditional chemical molecules with anti-cancer characteristics. Even though the specific function of MSCs in tumors is still challenged, promising outcomes from preclinical investigations of MSC-based gene therapy for a variety of cancers inspire the beginning of clinical trials. In addition, the tumor microenvironment (TME) could have a substantial influence on normal tissue stem cells, which can affect the treatment outcomes. To overcome the complications of TME in cancer development, MSCs could provide some signs of hope for converting TME into unequivocal therapeutic tools. Hence, this review focuses on engineered MSCs (En-MSCs) as a promising approach to overcoming the complications of TME.

Cancer cells are among the many types of cells that release exosomes, which are nano-vesicles. Because of their many potential applications, exosomes have recently garnered much attention from cancer researchers. The bioactive substances that exosomes release as cargo have been the subject of several investigations. The substances in question may operate as biomarkers for diagnosis or affect apoptosis, the immune system, the development and spread of cancer, and other processes. Others have begun to look at exosomes in experimental therapeutic trials because they believe they may be useful in the treatment of cancer. This review started with a short description of exosome biogenesis and key features. Next, the potential of tumor-derived exosomes and oncosomes to influence the immune system throughout the development of cancer, as well as alter tumor microenvironments (TMEs) and pre-metastatic niche creation, was investigated. Finally, there was talk of exosomes' possible use in cancer treatment. Furthermore, there is emerging consensus about the potential application of exosomes to be biological reprogrammers of cancer cells, either as carriers of naturally occurring chemicals, including anticancer medications, or as carriers of anticancer vaccines for immunotherapy as well as boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). We briefly review the key ideas and logic behind this intriguing therapy recommendation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Research shows that the development of AD is linked to neuroinflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, cell death, and abnormal cholinergic signaling. Glycyrrhiza compounds contain active ingredients and extracts that offer multiple benefits, including targeting various pathways, high efficacy with low toxicity, and long-lasting therapeutic effects. These benefits highlight the significant potential of Glycyrrhiza compounds for preventing and treating AD. This review summarizes recent advancements in Glycyrrhiza compounds for preventing and treating AD. It focuses on their inhibitory effects on key signaling pathways, such as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and cholinergic signaling. This study aims to establish a scientific framework for using Glycyrrhiza compounds in the clinical prevention and treatment of AD and to support the development of new therapeutic interventions.