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Introduction: Renal cancer is known for its aggressive progression and resistance to standard treatments, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic strategies. This study explores the potential of combining 6-shogaol (6-SHO), a bioactive compound derived from ginger (Zingiber officinale), with hyperthermia to enhance anticancer efficacy in ACHN renal cancer cells. Methods: ACHN cells were treated with 6-SHO and exposed to hyperthermic conditions. We evaluated the combined effects on apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and cell proliferation, as well as the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) in mediating these responses. Results: The combination of 6-SHO and hyperthermia significantly increased apoptosis, induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, and reduced cell proliferation more effectively than either treatment alone. ROS played a critical role in these effects, with modulation of HSPs and heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) further disrupting cancer cell survival mechanisms. Discussion: These findings highlight the synergistic potential of 6-SHO and hyperthermia as a novel therapeutic approach in renal cancer treatment, supporting the need for further research and clinical evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the sacroiliac joints and spine. Despite effective biological treatments, persistent pain is common in SpA patients, potentially due to central sensitization (CS), a condition of heightened central nervous system responsiveness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the link between disease activity and CS in SpA patients on biological therapy. Patients and Methods: One hundred and twenty SpA patients with at least six months of treatment with biological agents were included in this cross-sectional study. Patients' demographic, clinical, and functional information were collected. The assessment of CS was conducted using the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), whereas disease activity and quality of life were evaluated using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-C-reactive protein (CRP), and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL). Statistical analyses included correlation assessments and logistic regression to identify predictors of CS. Results: CS (CSI ≥ 40) was present in 40.8% of patients. Disease activity was significantly higher and quality of life was lower in patients with CS. BASDAI and ASQoL scores were strongly correlated with CS (r = 0.774 and r = 0.839, respectively). Logistic regression identified ASQoL and BASDAI scores as independent predictors of CS. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that ASQoL had the highest discriminative ability for predicting CS (AUC = 0.97). Conclusions: CS is significantly associated with higher disease activity and poorer quality of life in SpA patients receiving biological therapy. Incorporating CS assessment into routine clinical practice may enhance our understanding and management of persistent symptoms in SpA, improving patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower back pain (LBP) is a common condition affecting primarily populations in developed countries, placing a significant burden on public health systems around the world. A high rate of pain recurrence increases the risk of developing a chronic syndrome and the occurrence of complex psychosocial and professional problems. Symptoms lasting longer than 12 weeks are associated with the risk of sleep problems, depression, and anxiety. In the 21st century, the development of knowledge about central sensitization (CS) to pain allowed for a better understanding of the pathomechanism of pain and the transformation of LBP into a chronic form. Patients with chronic severe pain often experience accompanying symptoms such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, appetite disorders, flatulence, dyspepsia, and dizziness—these are part of the picture of CS. The article presents a narrative, chronological review of reports covering the current state of knowledge on the possibility of assessing central sensitization and its impact on low back pain. The authors also attempt to answer the question posed in the title. CS can be seen as an excessive reactivity of nociceptive neurons in the central nervous system to normal or subthreshold afferent chronic stimuli in people with certain mental predispositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has long been one of the most common and particularly invasive malignant gliomas. High-grade gliomas are highly prone to relapse and associated with poor prognosis. This study tests the hypothesis that hyper-thermal conditions could influence TAU and CD-44 protein expression by increasing temperature in glioblastoma cancer cell line culture. Methods: AMGM cancer cells were cultured and maintained under normal growth conditions, then separated into two groups: one group was cultured at 37°C, and the other at 40°C. After 24 hours of growth, cells underwent immunocytochemistry (ICC) to visualize the localization of TAU and CD-44 markers. Results: The results show that fewer AMGM cells remained stable enough to grow at 40°C; these cells lost their fusiform shape and became spherical compared to cells grown under normal conditions. Additionally, an increase in microenvironmental temperature significantly affected TAU protein expression in the nucleus of AMGM cells, with a 71.4% increase at 40°C. In contrast, the expression of CD-44, typically expressed on the cell membrane of AMGM cells, decreased by 42.9% at 40°C. Conclusion: Changes in the microenvironment may affect glioblastoma cell line development by influencing the cancer stem cell marker CD-44 and the microtubule-stabilizing protein TAU. These markers could serve as potential targets for the treatment and prevention of glioblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality globally, driving ongoing research into innovative treatment strategies. Preclinical research forms the base for developing these novel treatments, using both in vitro and in vivo model systems that are, ideally, as clinically representative as possible. Emerging as a promising approach for cancer management, targeted radionuclide theranostics (TRT) uses radiotracers to deliver (cytotoxic) radionuclides specifically to cancer cells. Since the field is relatively new, more advanced preclinical models are not yet regularly applied in TRT research. This narrative review examines the currently applied in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models for oncological research, discusses if and how these models are now applied for TRT studies, and whether not yet applied models can be of benefit for the field. A selection of different models is discussed, ranging from in vitro two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell models, including spheroids, organoids and tissue slice cultures, to in vivo mouse cancer models, such as cellline-derived models, patient-derived xenograft models and humanized models. Each of the models has advantages and limitations for studying human cancer biology, radiopharmaceutical assessment and treatment efficacy. Overall, there is a need to apply more advanced models in TRT research that better address specific TRT phenomena, such as crossfire and abscopal effects, to enhance the clinical relevance and effectiveness of preclinical TRT evaluations., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)