Chronic inflammation is a universally acknowledged characteristic of cancer, playing the role of a vital catalyst in cancer initiation and progression, and a chief predictor of the success or failure of cancer therapies. About 20% of all cancer cases are associated with states of chronic inflammation, and an even greater percentage of cancer cases exploit states of smoldering inflammatory microenvironments for cancer progression, immune escape, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), a systematic scoping review of literature indexed in Scopus was conducted to assess the potential value of inflammatory biomarkers in cancer diagnostics, prognosis, and therapy. The vital molecular players, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and combined hematological markers including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), together with the long-established erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), accurately represent the complex balance between cancer-promoting inflammation and tumor-inhibitory immunity. Critically, these mediators do not render tumors immunologically quiescent. They intensify inflammation while simultaneously engaging negative-feedback circuits - regulatory T-cell expansion via TNF receptor 2, myeloid-derived suppressor cell recruitment, and adenosine-mediated suppression - that produce an inflamed but T-cell-non-responsive phenotype refractory to checkpoint blockade. High levels of systemic inflammation at baseline significantly impair the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and conventional chemotherapies, via complex pathways including nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling, metabolic rewiring, and T-cell exhaustion. A direct comparison of assay cost, turnaround, and reported effect sizes indicates that routinely available indices capture much of the prognostic signal attributed to costlier multiplex cytokine panels, although published thresholds vary widely between cohorts and require prospective validation before clinical implementation. Integration of systemic inflammatory biomarkers into clinical practice guidelines is likely to offer a non-invasive and cost-effective strategy for patient stratification and disease monitoring. The use of precision medicine approaches that combine anti-inflammatory therapies such as anti-IL-6 or NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inhibition with immunotherapies is poised to revolutionize the management of therapeutic resistance. Future clinical practice guidelines must focus on the integration of multi-omics and artificial intelligence to address the complex biological and inter-patient and sex differences in the inflammatory tumor microenvironment.
Pritam Kayal, Ramit Rahaman, Apala Ghosh et al.· International Immunopharmaco...· 0 citations
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-lasting problem with the lungs that leads to many symptoms, poor quality of life, and greater use of the health care system. The aim of this study was to evaluate longitudinal changes in symptom distress among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) over a 6- months follow-up period and to examine the association between baseline symptom distress and disease severity. In total, 341 patients with COPD were recruited from the Department of Pulmonology at Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University) Hospital in Mullana, Haryana, India. The Symptom Distress Scale (SDS) was used to calculate symptom distress at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-enrolment into the study. Demographics (age and sex) and clinical data (exacerbation history, number of medications take, etc.) were collected using a standardized data collection sheet and statistical analyses were done using SPSS version 25.0. Most of the patients were in GOLD Stage II (58.7%) or GOLD Stage III (28.4%). The mean SDS scores decreased substantially from a baseline score of 26.38 ± 8.18 to a score of 24.59 ± 8.18 at 3 months and a score of 21.65 ± 9.39 at 6 months (p < 0.001). There were strong correlations between baseline SDS scores and the SDS scores at 3 months (r = 0.951, p < 0.001) and at 6 months (r = 0.812, p < 0.001). Baseline SDS scores did not differ significantly between the COPD severity stages (p = 0.271). Multiple regression analysis revealed that age, gender, smoking status, COPD duration, and disease severity were not significant predictors of baseline symptom distress. A significant reduction in mean symptom distress scores was observed among patients with COPD over the 6-months follow-up period; however, the observation design does not allow conclusions regarding the factors responsible for these changes.
Omveer Singh, Adarsh, M. Mishra et al.· Respiratory Medicine· 0 citations
Ufasomes-vesicular systems formed from long-chain unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid-have re-emerged as cost-effective, biocompatible alternatives to phospholipid liposomes. These bilayered assemblies self-organize at specific pH conditions and efficiently encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. Their highly fluid membranes, attributed to cis-double-bond-induced structural disorder, enhance interaction with biological barriers, particularly the stratum corneum, making them valuable for topical and transdermal delivery.This review outlines the chemistry and self-assembly of ufasomes, followed by a critical appraisal of preparation techniques-including thin-film hydration and reverse-phase evaporation-and their influence on vesicle size, stability, and encapsulation efficiency. Advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and pH-responsive release are highlighted alongside limitations including pH-dependent instability and oxidative susceptibility. Key characterization approaches are summarized, and the therapeutic scope of ufasomes is examined, encompassing enhanced dermal delivery of antifungals and antidepressants, targeted cancer therapy, and improved oral bioavailability of nutraceuticals like oleuropein. The review concludes with emerging strategies to overcome current constraints and perspectives on advancing ufasomes toward clinical translation as versatile drug-delivery systems.
Raghavi Bansal, D. Baloni, M. Mishra· Pharmaceutical development a...· 0 citations
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