Motamed Cancer Institute

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a genetically varied malignancy noted for its metabolic flexibility, which enables cancer cells to adapt to different energy sources. Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a significant ketone body that is elevated during ketogenic diets, has attracted considerable attention for its potential therapeutic benefits. ​However, recent evidence indicates that BHB may paradoxically facilitate the advancement of CRC by acting as an alternative energy source, especially in cancer cells with mutations in critical genes such as APC, KRAS, and TP53. This review investigates the mechanisms through which CRC cells utilize BHB for their survival, focusing on enhanced metabolic plasticity, resistance to apoptosis, and modified responses to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. It also explores the interaction between BHB and the tumor microenvironment (TME), emphasizing how BHB can influence immune responses and tumor progression. Given the complexity of BHB’s role in CRC, the review underscores the necessity for personalized approaches that consider the tumor’s genetic and metabolic characteristics. Understanding the dual role of BHB in CRC is essential for devising more effective therapeutic strategies that can either harness or counteract its effects, thereby guiding the application of ketogenic diets and other metabolic interventions in the treatment of CRC.

We aimed to assess the 5-year survival probability of childhood cancer in Iran, utilizing data from eight population-based cancer registries across the country. The study employed data from 1809 childhood cancer patients aged 0-14 years, diagnosed between 2014 and 2016. Patients underwent active and passive follow-up procedures, and cases with uncertain vital status were excluded. We used the relative survival method to estimate age-standardized net survival probability for childhood cancer in Iran. The 5-year net survival for leukemia was 67.85% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 64.57, 70.90), while for central nervous system (CNS) cancers, it was 48.63% (95% CI = 43.21, 53.82). An analysis of regional disparities revealed a significant discrepancy of 14.56% in the 5-year survival of childhood leukemia, from 56.96 % in West Azerbaijan to 71.52% in Fars province. The geographical disparity in the 5-year survival of childhood CNS cancer became more pronounced, with a staggering 57.33% difference ranging from 73.50% in Khuzestan to 16.17% in Isfahan provinces. The study highlights low childhood cancer survival rates in Iran and calls for a robust surveillance system, public awareness campaigns, implementing national clinical practice guidelines, and financial support from government and NGOs to improve patient outcomes.

The ongoing antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2, particularly within the spike glycoprotein, threatens the long-term efficacy of spike-focused vaccines and serodiagnostics. While most authorized COVID-19 vaccines exclusively target the spike protein, growing evidence underscores multivalent strategies incorporating conserved viral antigens. Here, we employed a baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) to co-express all four structural proteins, including spike, nucleocapsid, membrane, and envelope, in Sf9 insect cells. Surface-displayed antigens were used in a cell-based ELISA to profile IgG responses in convalescent sera. All antigens elicited detectable antibody binding, with nucleocapsid and membrane proteins provoking significantly stronger responses than spike (p < 0.001), and envelope protein showing intermediate reactivity. Statistical analyses revealed distinct patterns of antigenic reactivity. These findings validate the utility of BEVS for multiplex antigen presentation and highlight the immunological and diagnostic value of conserved non-spike antigens. Combined, this study advocates multivalent vaccine strategies and refines serodiagnostics by leveraging broader antigenic targets to counter immune escape.

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ABSTRACTBackgroundThe relationship between the triglycerides‐to‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL‐C) ratio and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear, as CKD is a major health challenge worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the association between the TG/HDL‐C ratio and the risk of developing CKD.MethodsTo find studies that examined the association of TG/HDL‐C ratio (without stratification restrictions for TG/HDL‐C) with CKD or renal disorders, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases, as well as study references, were searched by two independent investigators with no time limit until July 31, 2025 by related MeSH Terms. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using the Cochran's Q and I2 tests. Meta‐regression was employed to manage the heterogeneity.ResultsEleven studies involving 376,697 participants were included. The pooled prevalence of CKD was 12% (95% CI: 7–16). Subgroup analysis showed a significant positive correlation between increasing TG/HDL‐C ratio and increasing CKD prevalence. The prevalence of CKD in quartiles 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 8%, 10%, 12% and 15%, respectively. A high TG/HDL‐C ratio (q4) versus a low one (q1) was significantly associated with increased risk of CKD (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.39, I2: 73.8%, p: 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the increased risk of CKD in men and women with high versus low TG/HDL‐C ratio was 27% and 23%, respectively (p < 0.05).ConclusionA high versus low TG/HDL‐C ratio was significantly associated with an increased risk of CKD. This association was stronger in men than in women. Despite its limitations, the TG/HDL‐C ratio can be used as a simple, reliable and accessible biomarker for assessing CKD risk.

Background and purposeGene therapy has emerged as a transformative strategy for treating genetic and acquired disorders, but its clinical success relies heavily on the development of safe, efficient, and target-specific delivery vectors.Experimental approachThe paper systematically analysed published evidence on liposome composition, physicochemical behaviour, targeting strategies, and their applications in delivering diverse nucleic acids, with emphasis on the structure-function relationships of lipid components and the impact of biophysical parameters on transfection efficiency.Key resultsCurrent findings demonstrate that the molecular architecture of cationic, neutral, and anionic lipids, particularly variations in head groups, linkers, and hydrophobic tails, strongly dictates liposome stability, cellular uptake, and cargo release. Biophysical attributes such as vesicle size, zeta potential, membrane fluidity, fusion capacity, and PEGylation were identified as major determinants of in vivo fate. Active targeting through ligands, including antibodies, peptides, folate, and aptamers, enhances cell-specific delivery, while combinatorial approaches with physical enhancement techniques such as sonoporation and electroporation further improve nucleic acid transport.ConclusionBy integrating structural, functional, and application-based insights, this review highlights key design principles for optimizing next-generation liposomal vectors, although challenges remain in achieving consistent in vivo performance and clinical translation. The work advances the field by offering a unified framework to guide rational engineering of liposomal platforms for gene therapy.

ABSTRACT Introduction Conventional drug delivery for cancer therapy often suffer from poor targeting efficiency, limited bioavailability, and severe off-target toxicity. Nanoparticle-based approaches have emerged as transformative alternatives, particularly when integrated with microfluidic technologies. In the context of liver cancer, microfluidic-assisted polymeric nanocarriers provide a highly controllable and reproducible route for improving drug delivery outcomes. Areas covered We cover recent developments in polymeric nanoparticle systems; their integration with microfluidic fabrication platforms for liver cancer therapy; the ability to encapsulate therapeutic agents, achieve controlled release, and facilitate passive and active tumor targeting through physicochemical modulation and ligand functionalization; microfluidic-assisted synthesis, which enables fine-tuned control over particle size, surface chemistry, and payload distribution with minimal batch-to-batch variation; PEGylated PLGA, cyclodextrin-based, and stimuli-responsive polymeric nanocarriers, highlighting their potential in overcoming biological barriers and enhancing therapeutic index. Expert opinion Microfluidic-assisted nanoparticle fabrication represents a paradigm shift in the design and clinical translation of targeted therapies for liver cancer. By allowing real-time control over nanoparticle synthesis and enabling combination delivery strategies, this approach holds great promise for personalized and precision oncology. Continued integration of microfluidic engineering with biomaterial science and clinical insights is expected to accelerate the realization of safe, reproducible, and patient-tailored nanotherapeutics for hepatocellular carcinoma.