Current Gene Therapy - Online First

RNA modifications play crucial roles in immune system development and function, with dynamic changes essential for diverse cellular processes. Innovative profiling technologies are invaluable for understanding the significance of these modifications in immune cells, both in healthy and diseased states. This review explores the utility of such technologies in uncovering the functions of RNA modifications and their impact on immune responses. Additionally, it delves into the mechanisms through which aberrant RNA modifications influence the tumor microenvironments immune milieu. Despite significant progress, several outstanding research questions remain, highlighting the need for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying RNA modification's effects on immune function in various contexts.

Lung cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Immunotherapy has emerged as a potentially effective strategy, as traditional medicines have shown minimal success. This review investigates the current state of immunotherapy for lung cancer treatment, focusing on its mechanisms, clinical applications, strategies, and future directions. This study focuses on the different characteristics of non-small and small-cell lung cancer to emphasize the need for targeted treatment strategies. In non-small cell lung cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitors that target PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 have shown a strong therapeutic benefit and increased survival rates. The complex interactions among tumor cells, immune cells, and the tumor microenvironment significantly impact the outcome of immunotherapy. The determination of predicting biomarkers and conquering resistance requires an understanding of the tumor microenvironment. This study addresses a range of immunotherapeutic strategies, such as immune modulators, monoclonal antibodies, and cancer vaccines. The combination approaches are being explored to enhance treatment effectiveness and address resistance mechanisms that integrate immunotherapy with other modalities. Despite advancements, challenges still exist. The identification of reliable biomarkers, regulating immune-related adverse effects, and the overcoming of limitations in treating metastatic disease require more investigation. Future research directions should include exploring the immune microenvironment, developing personalized treatment strategies based on tumor profiles, and integrating new technologies for patient screening. Immunotherapy holds immense potential to modify lung cancer treatment and enhance clinical results.

Glioblastoma is a malignant manifestation of a solid brain tumour with a very dismal prognosis due to an overall median survival of 14 months. The currently administered Standard treatment plan, the STUPP regimen, is not very effective in tackling this neoplasia. A major concern that affects the development of new drug formulations, specifically for Glioma, is the inherent sub-clonal heterogeneity, which includes the dynamic and intricate nature of the Tumour Microenvironment (TME). Targeting the cellular niche using personalized medication for glioma specifically gene therapy, seems to be promising, with most studies in preclinical models yielding optimistic results. This paper analyses the great headways made in glioma gene therapy in the last 10 years while looking into different therapeutic strategies. That said, certain challenges do plague the clinical use of gene therapy which have been highlighted in the hopes that future researchers will address these concerns and further propel gene therapy in its journey from the Lab to the bedside.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has become a significant threat in recent decades, and its incidence is predicted to continue rising. Despite notable advancements in therapeutic strategies, managing CRC poses complex challenges, primarily due to the lack of clinically feasible therapeutic targets. Among the myriad molecules implicated in CRC, the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) stands out as a promising target tightly regulated by various genes. This intracellular transcription factor, spanning 750-795 amino acids and weighing approximately 92 kDa, is crucial in key cellular activities such as growth, migration, invasion, inflammation, and angiogenesis. Aberrant activation of STAT3 signaling has been linked to various cancers, including CRC. Therefore, targeting this signaling pathway holds significance for potential CRC treatment strategies.STAT3, as a central intracellular transcription factor, is implicated in colorectal cancer development by activating aberrant signaling pathways. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the abnormal hyperactivation of STAT3 in CRC tissues enhances cell proliferation, suppresses apoptosis, promotes angiogenesis, and facilitates tumor invasion and metastasis. As a focal point in colorectal cancer research, STAT3 emerges as a promising candidate for detecting and treating CRC. This review aims to present recent data on STAT3, emphasizing the activation and functions of STAT3 inhibitors in CRC. Indeed, STAT3 inhibitors have been identified to have therapeutic potential in CRC, especially inhibitors targeting the DNA-binding domain (DBD). Indeed, STAT3 inhibitors have been identified to have a therapeutic potential in CRC, especially the inhibitors targeting the DNA binding domain (DBD). For example, imatinib acts by targeting cell surface receptors, and these inhibitors have shown potential for the control and treatment of tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Imatinib, for example acts by targeting cell surface receptors, and these inhibitors have shown the future direction toward the control and treatment of tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a prevalent neuropsychiatric condition, affects approximately 2%–3% of the global population. This paper provides an extensive overview of OCD, detailing its clinical manifestations, neurobiological underpinnings, and therapeutic approaches. It examines OCD's classification shift in the DSM-5, the role of the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical pathway in its development, and the various factors contributing to its etiology, such as genes, environmental factors, and genetic predispositions. The challenges in diagnosing OCD and the effectiveness of both psychological and pharmacotherapeutic treatments are discussed. The paper also highlights the significant overlap between OCD and other mental health disorders, emphasizing its impact on global disability. Moreover, the role of genetic factors in OCD, including twin studies and gene association studies, is elaborated, underscoring the complex interplay of hereditary and environmental influences in its manifestation. The review further delves into the polygenic nature of OCD, illustrating how multiple genes contribute to its development, and explores the implications of genetic studies in understanding the disorder's complexity. Additionally, this research study delves into the concept of polygenic inheritance in complex diseases, highlighting the role of multiple genes in increasing OCD risk. A Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS) is employed to assess Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) to unearth genetic associations with OCD. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into OCD's genetic landscape, paving the way for enhanced diagnostic approaches and treatment modalities.