Moumita Kundu

Three‐dimensional (3D) cell culture has emerged as an advanced platform in biomedical research, offering more physiologically relevant models compared with conventional two‐dimensional (2D) systems. Traditional 2D cultures often fail to reproduce the complex cellular architecture, cell–cell interactions, and extracellular matrix signaling present in native tissues, resulting in limited predictive accuracy in disease modeling and drug screening. In this context, hydrogels have gained considerable attention as versatile biomaterials for constructing biomimetic 3D culture environments. With tunable mechanical properties, porosity, and degradability, these materials enable precise control over cellular behavior, making them ideal for diverse biomedical applications. Recent advancements in hydrogel engineering have significantly improved the design of physiologically relevant 3D culture models. These innovations have facilitated the development of complex cellular structures such as spheroids and organoids, enabling improved investigation of tissue development, tumor progression, and regenerative processes. This review aims to enlighten recent innovations in hydrogel design for 3D cell culture, with a focus on material composition, crosslinking strategies, and functional modifications that enhance biological relevance. The scope of the review encompasses emerging hydrogel systems and their applications in disease modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine, emphasizing how these advances are redefining in vitro biomedical research.

Background Autophagy plays a key role in cell recycling and also has a double-edged sword role in cancer. It serves as a tumor suppressor in the initial phases but eventually maintains stress resistance in cancer cells. Autophagy plays a role in immune cell interactions and cancer-associated fibroblasts within the tumor microenvironment, managing metabolism, immune evasion, and angiogenesis that enable tumor development and drug resistance. Autophagy is, therefore, a major target for cancer therapy. Method To investigate the function of autophagy and tumor microenvironment (TME) in cancer progression, we performed a comprehensive search of Scopus and PubMed. We mapped the collaboration network between different journals, countries, institutions, journals, and keywords using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) and extracted relevant quantitative information. Result There is increasing research into autophagy and the TME in cancer, with 3,002 articles showing a consistent annual increase. China and the United States have the highest outputs. “Cancer” is a leading journal in the topic, and “Frontiers in Oncology” is the most cited. Four primary research themes have been highlighted through keyword analysis. Autophagy and the TME play central roles in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer, and natural products and drugs targeting the TME are promising. Nevertheless, manipulating autophagy can result in greater resistance to cancer. Conclusion In conclusion, our study utilized bibliometric tools to investigate the emerging trend of autophagy and TME in cancer. It is the first extensive bibliometric study to comprehensively map the overlap of autophagy and tumor microenvironment in cancer biology. Our results indicate leading authors, collaborative communities, knowledge gaps, and promising subfields like immunotherapy and hypoxia. The findings provide a strategic guide for future directions in research and therapeutic development in cancer biology.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a specific subset of cancer cells that possess the ability to self-renew, resist therapies, and promote metastasis, making them a crucial target in cancer treatment. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of natural compounds in targeting CSCs, particularly their ability to inhibit key signaling pathways, induce apoptosis, and alter the tumor microenvironment. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms that maintain CSCs and contribute to their resistance, focusing on the roles of the WNT/β-catenin, Hedgehog, Notch, and PI3K/ATK/mTOR pathways. Several natural compounds, including curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, and sulforaphane, were assessed for their effectiveness in targeting CSCs. The finding revealed that these natural compounds can inhibit CSC proliferation, enhance sensitivity to chemotherapy, and suppress the tumor-supportive microenvironment. Notably, compounds such as berberine and piperine were found to reverse drug resistance by downregulating efflux transporters, while quercetin and salinomycin selectively induced apoptosis in CSCs. Overall, natural compounds show promising potential for targeting CSCs in therapy. However, challenges related to bioavailability and metabolic stability must be addressed through advanced drug delivery systems and combination therapy.