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Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive cancer without currently effective therapies. Radiation and temozolomide (radio/TMZ) resistance are major contributors to cancer recurrence and failed GBM therapy. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), through regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), provide mechanistic pathways contributing to the development of GBM and radio/TMZ-resistant GBM. The Friend leukemia integration 1 (Fli-1) signaling network has been implicated in oncogenesis in GBM, making it an appealing target for advancing novel therapeutics. Fli-1 is linked to oncogenic transformation with up-regulation in radio/TMZ-resistant GBM, transcriptionally regulating HSPB1. This link led us to search for targeted molecules that inhibit Fli-1. Expression screening for Fli-1 inhibitors identified lumefantrine, an antimalarial drug, as a probable Fli-1 inhibitor. Docking and isothermal calorimetry titration confirmed interaction between lumefantrine and Fli-1. Lumefantrine promoted growth suppression and apoptosis in vitro in parental and radio/TMZ-resistant GBM and inhibited tumor growth without toxicity in vivo in U87MG GBM and radio/TMZ-resistant GBM orthotopic tumor models. These data reveal that lumefantrine, an FDA-approved drug, represents a potential GBM therapeutic that functions through inhibition of the Fli-1/HSPB1/EMT/ECM remodeling protein networks.

In recent times mucoadhesive drug delivery systems are gaining popularity in oral cancer. It is a malignancy with high global prevalence. Despite significant advances in cancer therapeutics, improving the prognosis of late‐stage oral cancer remains challenging. Targeted therapy using mucoadhesive polymers can improve oral cancer patients' overall outcome by offering enhanced oral mucosa bioavailability, better drug distribution and tissue targeting, and minimizing systemic side effects. Mucoadhesive polymers can also be delivered via different formulations such as tablets, films, patches, gels, and nanoparticles. These polymers can deliver an array of medicines, making them an adaptable drug delivery approach. Drug delivery techniques based on these mucoadhesive polymers are gaining traction and have immense potential as a prospective treatment for late‐stage oral cancer. This review examines leading research in mucoadhesive polymers and discusses their potential applications in treating oral cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Atorvastatin is one of the common drugs used for primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Various studies have suggested variation in C-reactive Protein (CRP) value, glycaemic status and liver enzymes of patients following statin therapy. However, the adequate and exact data regarding the impact of atorvastatin on the above parameters in the population of Eastern India is still limited. Aim: To estimate the effect of atorvastatin on CRP, glycaemic status and haepatic enzymes of non diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective longitudinal observational study was conducted in the Outpatient Department (OPD) of Internal Medicine at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, India. The duration of the study was one year six months, from June 2020-December 2021. A total of 150 non diabetic patients aged between 30-75 years receiving atorvastatin were enrolled in the present study. Patients with known Diabetes Mellitus (DM), impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, pregnancy and lactation were excluded. CRP, Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Postprandial Blood Sugar (PPBS), haepatic enzymes and lipid profile of participants were monitored at baseline, at the end of one month, six months and 12 months. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0, Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism. Results: The study population were predominantly males (69.6%), with mean age of 54±8.88 years and mean weight of 60±5.86 kg. Majority of the patients were on atorvastatin 40 mg (60.86%) followed by atorvastatin 20 mg (26.8%) and atorvastatin 10 mg (12.3%). There were statistical significant changes of mean CRP (1.502 mg/L), mean FBS (86.52 mg/dL), mean PPBS (113.57 mg/dL), mean Serum Glutamic-oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) (22.84 IU/L), mean Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) (25.24 IU/L) and lipid profile levels at the end of one year. None of the patients developed new onset DM at the end of one year. A 5% of patients developed prediabetes at the end of 3rd follow-up. Conclusion: Atorvastatin usage showed that, there was a significant increase in blood glucose and haepatic enzymes level in non diabetic population. Hence, strict monitoring of blood glucose levels along with periodic monitoring of haepatic enzyme levels should be done in regular intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of fluorescent imaging probes is an important topic of research for the early diagnosis of cancer. Based on the difference between the cellular environment of tumor cells and normal cells, several "smart" fluorescent probes have been developed. In this work, a glycopolymer functionalized Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) based fluorescent sensor is developed, which can monitor the pH change in cellular system. One‐pot sequential reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)polymerization technique is employed to synthesize fluorescent active triblock glycopolymer that can undergo FRET change on the variation of pH. A FRET pair, fluorescein o‐acrylate (FA) and 7‐amino‐4‐methylcoumarin (AMC) is linked via a pH‐responsive polymer poly [2‐(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDPAEMA), which can undergo reversible swelling/deswelling under acidic/neutral condition. The presence of glycopolymer segment provides stability, water solubility, and specificity toward cancer cells. The cellular FRET experiments on cancer cells (MDA MB 231) and normal cells (3T3 fibroblast cells) demonstrate that the material is capable of distinguishing cells as a function of pH change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]