Korea National University of Transportation

Cancer immunotherapy represents a remarkable breakthrough in oncology. However, the efficacy of existing therapeutic modalities is observed in only a subset of patients, highlighting the need for further advancements. Tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles (T-sEVs), nano-sized extracellular vesicles secreted by cancer cells, have been the focus of significant interest as contributors to immunotherapy resistance. T-sEVs serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets owing to their roles in mediating intercellular communication, promoting tumor progression and metastasis, and fostering immunosuppressive microenvironments that hinder immunotherapy. However, when appropriately utilized and their unique properties leveraged, T-sEVs exhibit therapeutic potential. This review explores the potential of T-sEVs as a multifaceted therapeutic option for enhancing cancer immunotherapies. It overviews the emerging research trends and applications of three main therapeutic strategies: eliminating immunosuppressive T-sEVs, utilizing T-EVs as drug carriers with tumor-targeting capabilities, and exploiting T-EVs as antigenic platforms to enhance anticancer immunity. In conclusion, the review provides insights into the potential clinical applications of T-sEV-based therapies and discusses future directions for their development.

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (CA), a member of the Apiaceae family encompassing around 50 species, has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and other folk medicine systems to manage inflammatory disorders.

This study explored the protective role of CA-Juice in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) mouse model. In addition, a validated method for its quality evaluation was established.

BALB/c mice were administered CA-Juice orally for two weeks prior to DSS induction of UC. An HPLC-UVD method was applied to quantify a marker compound for quality evaluation.

CA-Juice was well tolerated and significantly improved clinical symptoms of UC. It modulated inflammatory mediators and enhanced intestinal immunoglobulin A levels, while improving epithelial integrity. Histological analysis confirmed that CA-Juice reduced colonic tissue damage and improved mucin production, as demonstrated through the modulation of ERK/p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. CA-Juice also elevated cecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids, contributing to intestinal homeostasis. For standardization, an HPLC-UVD method was developed, showing high linearity, sensitivity, and specificity, and was applied to quantify miquelianin as a key marker compound in CA-Juice.

These findings support the potential of CA-Juice as a functional dietary component for preventing intestinal inflammation and provide foundational data for its standardization and future applications.

Urine is a favored matrix for biomonitoring of several important classes of chemicals. Because of variations in concentration, however, urine is often adjusted for dilution. Urinary creatinine (Cr) and specific gravity (SG) have been frequently employed for this purpose. The filtration function of the kidneys may influence the excretion of Cr and urinary SG levels; their influences on urinary exposure biomarker levels are of concern. We hypothesized that dilution adjustment of urine using Cr or SG could influence urinary biomarker levels depending on the kidney function of the subjects. Two groups of adults with different kidney functions, i.e., CKD patients and a general population of Korea, were chosen and measured for Cr, SG, and phthalate metabolites in urine. Urine dilution adjustment could impact the relationship between urinary biomarkers and kidney function differently depending on kidney function of the subjects. In CKD patients, positive associations were observed between eGFR and urinary Cr or SG, while inverse associations were found in the general population. CKD status also influenced the dilution marker-adjusted levels of exposure biomarkers. In CKD patients, Cr and SG correction resulted in higher levels of biomarkers in individuals with worse kidney function, whereas the opposite trend was observed in the general population. The current findings suggest that influences on kidney function should be carefully considered for exposure assessment of urinary chemicals and their association studies, particularly when kidney function is the outcome of concern. Further research is needed to refine urine dilution approaches for evaluating chemical exposure and kidney health outcomes.