Research Topic: immunotherapy

When Nature Meets Oncology: Unraveling Herb–Drug Interactions in Cancer Therapy

Many cancer patients use herbal supplements and natural products alongside their cancer treatments without telling their doctors, which can be dangerous. Some natural products like St. John’s Wort and grapefruit juice significantly alter how the body processes cancer medications, potentially making treatments ineffective or toxic. The review provides guidance on which natural products are safe to use with cancer therapy and which should be avoided completely, emphasizing the importance of open communication between patients and healthcare providers.

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Tumor-associated macrophages in tumor progression and the role of traditional Chinese medicine in regulating TAMs to enhance antitumor effects

This review explains how tumor-associated macrophages (immune cells) can either fight or help cancer depending on their type. Traditional Chinese Medicine contains compounds that can reprogram these macrophages to fight cancer more effectively. By shifting macrophages from a cancer-supporting state to a cancer-fighting state, TCM treatments could enhance the body’s natural ability to combat tumors and reduce side effects of conventional cancer therapies.

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Edible Mushrooms: A Comprehensive Review on Bioactive Compounds with Health Benefits and Processing Aspects

Mushrooms are nutrient-rich foods packed with beneficial compounds that can help prevent various diseases including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. They contain natural antioxidants and immune-boosting substances that support overall health. Scientists are developing new extraction methods to capture these beneficial compounds more efficiently, and various cooking and processing techniques can help preserve their nutritional value for daily consumption.

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Bibliometric analysis of traditional Chinese medicine for viral infections through immune modulation (2015–2025)

This research analyzed over 3,300 scientific papers published between 2015-2025 to understand how traditional Chinese medicine helps fight viral infections by boosting the immune system. The study found that research on this topic has grown significantly, especially during disease outbreaks like COVID-19, with China leading in research publications. Key findings show that traditional Chinese herbal compounds work through multiple mechanisms including directly fighting viruses, reducing excessive inflammation, and enhancing vaccine effectiveness. The research points toward promising future applications of traditional Chinese medicine when combined with modern medical approaches.

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Advances in Fungal Infection Research: From Novel Diagnostics to Innovative Therapeutics

Fungal infections are becoming increasingly serious, especially for people with weakened immune systems, and some fungi are developing resistance to current medications. Researchers are developing faster diagnostic tests using molecular techniques and exploring new treatment approaches including repurposing existing drugs and developing vaccines. Monitoring and prevention programs in hospitals are essential to control the spread of these infections and improve patient outcomes.

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Clinical Mycology Today: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities

Fungal infections are becoming more common because of new medical treatments that suppress immune function, and some fungi are developing resistance to standard medications. However, exciting new antifungal drugs are in development that work in different ways and may be easier to use. The article discusses how doctors need better ways to identify patients at risk, design better clinical trials, and train more specialists to handle these increasingly complex fungal infections.

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Methods for Overcoming Chemoresistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Keeping the Focus on Cancer Stem Cells, a Systematic Review

Head and neck cancer is often resistant to chemotherapy because of cancer stem cells that survive treatment and cause recurrence. This review examined 31 studies on methods to overcome this resistance, finding that natural products like mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum), plants (sulforaphane from broccoli, curcumin from turmeric), and synthetic compounds can enhance chemotherapy effectiveness when combined with traditional drugs. These approaches work by targeting the specific pathways that allow cancer stem cells to survive, potentially improving treatment outcomes while reducing required drug doses and side effects.

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John Perfect Shares Insights on Infectious Diseases, Antifungal Therapy, and Drug Resistance

This interview with Dr. John Perfect, a leading expert in fungal infections, discusses how antifungal treatments have evolved over his 48-year career. He explains that while fungal resistance is a concern, it’s less problematic than bacterial antibiotic resistance because fungi don’t spread resistance through plasmids. Dr. Perfect emphasizes the importance of newer, faster-acting antifungal drugs and combining drug therapy with immune system support to better treat serious fungal infections like cryptococcal meningitis and candidemia.

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John Perfect Shares Insights on Infectious Diseases, Antifungal Therapy, and Drug Resistance

Dr. John Perfect, a leading expert in fungal infections, shares his 48 years of experience studying infectious diseases, particularly focusing on Cryptococcus and candida infections. He discusses how antifungal medications have evolved from highly toxic drugs to more effective treatments, while emphasizing the need for faster-acting drugs that require shorter treatment periods. The interview covers emerging diagnostic tools using molecular methods, the promise of combining drugs with immune-boosting therapies, and the importance of understanding how fungi survive in the human body to develop better treatments.

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