Injectable in situ forming hydrogel gene depot to improve the therapeutic effect of STAT3 shRNA

The Dual Roles of STAT3 in Ferroptosis: Mechanism, Regulation and Therapeutic Potential

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent programmed mechanism of cell death that is driven by lipid peroxidation, is an important pathogenic factor in oncological and non-oncological disorders. Dysregulation of iron and lipid metabolism profoundly influences disease progression through ferroptosis modulation. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a transcriptional regulator, regulates ferroptosis by binding to promoters of key molecules such as solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). In this review, we described the role of STAT3 in supporting tumors survival by suppressing ferroptosis in malignancies, and bidirectionally regulating ferroptosis in non-tumors to regulate the development of the disease. We also reported emerging therapeutic strategies that target STAT3-mediated ferroptosis, including natural phytochemicals, inhibitors, and nanotechnology-enabled drug delivery systems. These advancements deepen the mechanistic understanding of ferroptosis regulation, and provide new theoretical bases and strategies to treat ferroptosis-related diseases.

Cationic Polymers as Transfection Reagents for Nucleic Acid Delivery

Nucleic acid therapy can achieve lasting and even curative effects through gene augmentation, gene suppression, and genome editing. However, it is difficult for naked nucleic acid molecules to enter cells. As a result, the key to nucleic acid therapy is the introduction of nucleic acid molecules into cells. Cationic polymers are non-viral nucleic acid delivery systems with positively charged groups on their molecules that concentrate nucleic acid molecules to form nanoparticles, which help nucleic acids cross barriers to express proteins in cells or inhibit target gene expression. Cationic polymers are easy to synthesize, modify, and structurally control, making them a promising class of nucleic acid delivery systems. In this manuscript, we describe several representative cationic polymers, especially biodegradable cationic polymers, and provide an outlook on cationic polymers as nucleic acid delivery vehicles.

Polyester nanomedicines targeting inflammatory signaling pathways for cancer therapy

The growth of cancerous cells and their responses towards substantial therapeutics are primarily controlled by inflammations (acute and chronic) and inflammation-associated products, which either endorse or repress tumor progression. Additionally, major signaling pathways, including NF-κB, STAT3, inflammation-causing factors (cytokines, TNF-α, chemokines), and growth-regulating factors (VEGF, TGF-β), are vital regulators responsible for the instigation and resolution of inflammations. Moreover, the conventional chemotherapeutics have exhibited diverse limitations, including poor pharmacokinetics, unfavorable chemical properties, poor targetability to the disease-specific disease leading to toxicity; thus, their applications are restricted in inflammation-mediated cancer therapy. Furthermore, nanotechnology has demonstrated potential benefits over conventional chemotherapeutics, such as it protected the incorporated drug/bioactive moiety from enzymatic degradation within the systemic circulation, improving the physicochemical properties of poorly aqueous soluble chemotherapeutic agents, and enhancing their targetability in specified carcinogenic cells rather than accumulating in the healthy cells, leading reduced cytotoxicity. Among diverse nanomaterials, polyester-based nanoparticulate delivery systems have been extensively used to target various inflammation-mediated cancers. This review summarizes the therapeutic potentials of various polyester nanomaterials (PLGA, PCL, PLA, PHA, and others)-based delivery systems targeting multiple signaling pathways related to inflammation-mediated cancer.