Chinese medical journal
-
Chinese medical journal · Dec 2024
Regulatory T cell: A promising therapeutic target in tumor microenvironment.
Regulatory T cell (Tregs) predominantly maintain the immune balance and prevent autoimmunity via their immunosuppressive functions. However, tumor-infiltrating Tregs (TI-Tregs) may mediate tumor immune tolerance in complex tumor microenvironments, resulting in poor prognosis. ⋯ In this review, we summarize novel therapeutic approaches targeting both the metabolic pathways and hallmarks of TI-Tregs in preclinical and clinical studies. Although the phenotypic and functional diversity of TI-Tregs remains unclear, our review provides new insights into TI-Treg-based therapies and facilitates precision medicine for tumor treatment.
-
The rise in global life expectancy has led to an increase in the older population, presenting significant challenges in managing infectious diseases. Aging affects the innate and adaptive immune systems, resulting in chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammaging) and immune function decline (immunosenescence). These changes would impair defense mechanisms, increase susceptibility to infections and reduce vaccine efficacy in older adults. ⋯ Moreover, comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which are common in older adults, amplify immune dysfunction, while immunosuppressive medications further complicate responses to infections. This review explores the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving inflammaging and immunosenescence, focusing on genomic instability, telomere attrition, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, we discussed how aging-associated immune alterations influence responses to bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections and evaluated emerging antiaging strategies, aimed at mitigating these effects to improve health outcomes in the aging population.
-
Cellular senescence, an irreversible state of cell cycle arrest characterized by phenotypic changes and a specific secretory profile, plays a dual role in liver health and disease. Under physiological conditions, senescence aids organ repair and regeneration, but its accumulation due to aging or pathological stress significantly contributes to chronic liver diseases, including alcoholic liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Senescence is identified by a range of cellular and molecular changes, such as morphological alterations, expression of cell cycle inhibitors, senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, and nuclear membrane changes. ⋯ The objective of this review is to offer a contemporary overview of the pathophysiological events involving hepatic senescent cells and to elucidate their role in the onset and progression of liver diseases, particularly through mechanisms like telomere shortening, genomic and mitochondrial DNA damage, and inflammation. Additionally, this review discusses the emerging senolytic therapies aimed at targeting senescent cells to delay or mitigate liver disease progression. The therapeutic potential of these interventions, alongside their safety and effectiveness, highlights the need for further research to refine these approaches and address unresolved problems in the field of hepatic cellular senescence.
-
Chinese medical journal · Dec 2024
Global esophageal cancer epidemiology in 2022 and predictions for 2050: A comprehensive analysis and projections based on GLOBOCAN data.
The burden of esophageal cancer varies across different regions of the world. The aim of this study is to analyze the current burden of esophageal cancer in 185 countries in 2022 and to project the trends up to the year 2050. ⋯ The burden of esophageal cancer remains heavy. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including reducing tobacco and alcohol intake, avoiding moldy foods, and increasing intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, can help reduce the risk of stomach and esophageal cancer. In addition, the development and implementation of evidence-based and effective public health policies are critical to reducing the global disease burden of esophageal cancer.
-
Cancer remains a major global health challenge, with conventional treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy often hindered by significant side effects, lack of specificity, and limited efficacy in advanced cases. Among emerging therapeutic strategies, mRNA vaccines have shown remarkable potential due to their adaptability, rapid production, and capability for personalized cancer treatment. This review provides an in-depth analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines as a therapeutic approach for cancer immunotherapy, focusing on their molecular biology, classification, mechanisms, and clinical studies. ⋯ It further explores their mechanisms of action, including antigen presentation and immune activation, while emphasizing findings from clinical studies that demonstrate the potential of mRNA vaccines in cancer therapy. Despite their promise, challenges remain in enhancing delivery systems, improving immunogenicity, and addressing tumor heterogeneity. Overcoming these obstacles will require further investigation to fully harness the potential of mRNA vaccines in personalized cancer treatment.