Deny Susanti

Hormone-dependent cancers, particularly estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and androgen receptor-driven prostate cancer, contribute substantially to global cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Endocrine therapy has long been the mainstay of treatment for these tumors because of its specific mechanism and good safety profile. The long-term success of common hormone-based treatments is often undermined by resistance, both intrinsic and acquired, disease recurrence, and the activation of compensatory pathways that tumor cells have adapted to. To overcome these challenges, it has been necessary to develop high-quality hormone-based biopharmaceuticals that target the molecular level, enhance pharmacokinetics, and apply precision medicine strategies. The goal of this literature review is to provide an update on progress in hormone-based biopharmaceuticals for cancer management, with a particular focus on preventing endocrine resistance in hormone-dependent cancers. Among the treatments mentioned in the review, most are oral selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) for ER-positive breast cancer, oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists for prostate cancer, genomically guided combination therapy that integrates inhibitors of the CDK4/6 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, and next-generation androgen receptor (AR) degraders based on proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology. There is new evidence that these biopharmaceutical methods may be able to treat patients better over longer periods. For those who are less responsive, these approaches are even more effective when paired with proper biopharmaceutical methods, as in the case of hormone therapy. While targeted protein degradation and biomarker-driven combination therapies are repositioning drug development away from receptor blockade, the latter remains the mainstay of treatment. However, these developments do not eliminate concerns related to long-term safety, cost-effectiveness, appropriate patient selection, and resistance to novel agents. The path for hormone-based biopharmaceuticals in personalized cancer therapy requires continuous translational research and clinical validation to determine the best place.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a critical public health concern due to its rising incidence and mortality. Early diagnosis is challenging due to nonspecific symptoms and limitations of traditional methods. This study explores the potential of three key biomarkers, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), des-γ-carboxyprothrombin (DCP), and glypican-3 (GPC3), in advancing personalized medicine for HCC, focusing on their roles in diagnostics and therapeutics. We conducted a literature review using specific keywords to narrow our search. Our findings indicate that AFP and DCP are primarily used for diagnostics, while GPC3 serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. AFP is commonly used in late-stage detection due to its limited sensitivity and specificity in early stages, which can lead to false diagnoses. DCP plays a significant role as both a diagnostic tool and therapeutic target, while GPC3 is used to differentiate malignant from non-cancerous liver tissues. The review highlights the mechanisms, roles, and personalised treatments associated with these biomarkers, while also addressing challenges such as biopsy issues and funding limitations. In conclusion, the development and improvement of AFP, DCP, and GPC3 as biomarkers for the diagnostics and treatment of HCC are important. Thus, their limitations should be addressed as these biomarkers play a crucial role in modern cancer therapy and are critical for increasing the survival rates of HCC patients.

Background: One of the main challenges with curcumin is its hydrophobic nature, which limits its solubility and bioavailability. This issue can be addressed by using poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs). The small size and large surface area of these NPs significantly enhance drug delivery systems by improving the solubility and bioavailability of the drug. Objective: This project focuses on the preparation, characterization, and bioactivity evaluation of curcumin loaded in PLGA NPs, intended for the delivery of curcumin extracted from Curcuma xanthorrhiza, commonly known as ‘temulawak’ or ‘Java turmeric’. Methodology: Curcumin was extracted and stored at 4?C for testing. PLGA-curcumin NPs were synthesized using the single emulsion method. Nanoparticle morphology was analyzed using SEM, while particle size and zeta potential were measured with a Zetasizer. Entrapment efficiency and drug loading capacity were calculated. In vitro release studies in phosphate buffer were conducted using UV-visible spectrophotometry. The cytotoxicity of the curcumin-loaded NPs was tested on MCF-7 breast cancer cells using the MTT assay. Statistical analyses were performed using Minitab 14, and Microsoft Excel was used for graphical representations, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean particle size of the curcumin NPs was 498.9 nm ± 597.4 nm. The entrapment efficiency and drug loading capacity were 50% and 5%, respectively. The average zeta potential was recorded as -28.7 mV ± 6.19 mV. The in vitro release study did not produce significant results as low concentrations of curcumin were detected. However, the bioactivity of the curcumin-loaded PLGA NPs demonstrated lower cell viability compared to the curcumin extract, suggesting that the PLGA formulation is more effective at inducing cancer cell death. This indicates its potential as a more efficient therapeutic option in cancer treatment. Conclusion: The single emulsion method managed to produce nano-sized particles with good zeta potential and bioactivity on MCF-7 cells. However, further study needs to be done to produce better formulation which can increase entrapment efficiency, drug loading capacity and also in vitro release profile.

Sea cucumbers, in Malaysia also known as gamat, have been used for food and folk medicine in Asia and the Middle East communities. Sea cucumbers have impressive Sea cucumbers, in Malaysia also known as gamat, have been used for food and folk medicine in Asia and the Middle East communities. Sea cucumbers have impressive

Seaweed or macroalgae are rich in valuable bioactive compounds like proteins, carotenoids, and phenolics, making them of high commercial interest. This study fo Seaweed or macroalgae are rich in valuable bioactive compounds like proteins, carotenoids, and phenolics, making them of high commercial interest. This study fo

Glucokinase plays an important role in regulating the blood glucose level and serves as an essential therapeutic target in type 2 diabetes management. Entada africana is a medicinal plant and highly rich source of bioactive ligands with the potency to develop new target drugs for glucokinase such as diabetes and obesity. Therefore, the study explored a computational approach to predict identified compounds from Entada africana following its intermolecular interactions with the allosteric binding site of the enzymes. We retrieved the three-dimensional (3D) crystal structure of glucokinase (PDB ID: 4L3Q) from the online protein data bank and prepared it using the Maestro 13.5, Schrödinger Suite 2022-3. The compounds identified were subjected to ADME, docking analysis, pharmacophore modeling, and molecular simulation. The results show the binding potential of the identified ligands to the amino acid residues, thereby suggesting an interaction of the amino acids with the ligand at the binding site of the glucokinase activator through conventional chemical bonds such as hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The compatibility of the molecules was highly observed when compared with the standard ligand, thereby leading to structural and functional changes. Therefore, the bioactive components from Entada africana could be a good driver of glucokinase, thereby paving the way for the discovery of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of diabetes and its related complications.

The administration of poorly water-soluble drugs represents a relevant problem due to the low body fluids transport efficiency through hydrophilic hydrogels. Star-shaped co-polymers, i.e., amphiphilic polymers such as those with a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic outer shell, can be used to improve weak interactions with drugs, with relevant benefits in terms of administration and controlled delivery. In this work, two different co-polymers, four-arm star-shaped PCL–PEG and six-arm star-shaped PCL–PEG, were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization to be loaded with ciprofloxacin. ¹H-NMR and FTIR analyses confirmed that PCL arms were successfully grafted to the mPEG backbone, while DSC analysis indicated similar crystallinity and melting point, ranging from 56 to 60 °C, independent of the different co-polymer architecture. Therefore, both star-shaped PCL-PEGs were investigated as cargo device for ciprofloxacin. No significant differences were observed in terms of drug entrapment efficiency (>95%) and drug release, characterized by a pronounced burst followed by a slow sustained release, only slightly affected by the co-polymer architecture. This result was also confirmed with curve fitting via the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. Lastly, good antibacterial properties and biocompatibility exhibited in both star-shaped PCL–PEG co-polymers suggest a promising use for oral delivery applications.

Smilax myosotiflora A. DC., the horny little devil, is a tropical creeping plant which popularly consumed as a male aphrodisiac, energy booster and lumbago reliever in the old traditional medicinal. The scientific studies showed that the plant able to increase sexual behaviors and testosterone level in male rats. However, its toxicity effect is still remained unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the toxicity effects of S. myosotiflora methanol extract (SMME) through in vitro and in vivo studies. The SMME was subjected to the brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT) to determine the LC50. Acute and subacute toxicity studies according to the Limit Test of OECD guidelines no. 425 and 407 was carried out through oral gavage accordingly. It was found that the LC50 of SMME was 674.4ppm while its LD50 via acute test was more than 5000mg/kg. Neither sign of toxicity nor significant difference in food intake, weight gain, gross necropsy, the hematological and biochemical analyses and histological evaluations were recorded between the control and treated groups except for the level of AST and testosterone in male and sodium and triglycerides in female rats. The increase of testosterone in male might occur through specific pathway as the SMME did not increase the hormone level in the female. According to GHS classification, SMME in this study can be classified as Category 5 (Safe) and non-toxic. Data from this study can be served as a primary predictive guide for future research in assessing the efficiency and safety of S. myosotiflora consumption for human trial.