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Dragu L. D., Chivu-Economescu M., Pitica I. M., Matei L., Bleotu C., Diaconu C. C. and Necula L. G. Targeting Exosomal PD-L1 as a New Frontier in Cancer Immunotherapy, Current issues in molecular biology, Vol 47, Issue 7, 2025, IF 3.0, doi 10.3390/cimb47070525

Abstract: Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach to cancer treatment, but only a small percentage of cancer patients benefit from it. To enhance therapeutic outcomes, it is essential to understand factors influencing immune response and tumor progression. Soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) has been identified as an essential element in immune regulation, with potential implications in cancer biology and treatment. This manuscript explores the sources and mechanisms of sPD-L1 production, its role in immune evasion and tumor progression, and its clinical significance. Elevated sPD-L1 levels have been linked to disease severity, survival, and treatment response in various malignancies, and as a consequence, strategies for combinatorial targeting of sPD-L1 with other immunotherapies are considered. Further studies are needed to understand sPD-L1 dynamics and to clarify the mechanisms of sPD-L1-mediated immunosuppression and its therapeutic implications.

Dragu L. D., Necula L. G., Bleotu C., Diaconu C. C. and Chivu-Economescu M. Soluble PD-L1: From Immune Evasion to Cancer Therapy, Life, Vol 15, Issue 4, 2025, IF 3.4, doi 10.3390/life15040626, PMID: 40283180

Abstract: Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach to cancer treatment, but only a small percentage of cancer patients benefit from it. To enhance therapeutic outcomes, it is essential to understand factors influencing immune response and tumor progression. Soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) has been identified as an essential element in immune regulation, with potential implications in cancer biology and treatment. This manuscript explores the sources and mechanisms of sPD-L1 production, its role in immune evasion and tumor progression, and its clinical significance. Elevated sPD-L1 levels have been linked to disease severity, survival, and treatment response in various malignancies, and as a consequence, strategies for combinatorial targeting of sPD-L1 with other immunotherapies are considered. Further studies are needed to understand sPD-L1 dynamics and to clarify the mechanisms of sPD-L1-mediated immunosuppression and its therapeutic implications.

Neagu A. I., Bostan M , Ionescu V. A., Gheorghe G , Hotnog C. M., Roman V., Mihaila M , Stoica S. I., Diaconu C. C., Diaconu C. C., Ruta S. M. and Bleotu C. The Impact of the Microbiota on the Immune Response Modulation in Colorectal Cancer, Biomolecules, Vol 15, Issue 7,1005, 2025, IF 4.8, doi.org/10.3390/ biom15071005, PMID: 40723882

Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a multifactorial disease increasingly recognized for its complex interplay with the gut microbiota. The disruption of microbial homeostasis—dysbiosis—has profound implications for intestinal barrier integrity and host immune function. Pathogenic bacterial species such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, Escherichia coli harbouring polyketide synthase (pks) island, and enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis are implicated in CRC through mechanisms involving mucosal inflammation, epithelial barrier disruption, and immune evasion. These pathogens promote pro-tumorigenic inflammation, enhance DNA damage, and suppress effective anti-tumor immunity. Conversely, commensal and probiotic bacteria, notably Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, exert protective effects by preserving epithelial barrier function and priming host immune responses. These beneficial microbes can promote the maturation of dendritic cells, stimulate CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity, and modulate regulatory T cell populations, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immunity. The dichotomous role of the microbiota underscores its potential as both a biomarker and a therapeutic target in CRC. Recent advances in studies have explored microbiota-modulating strategies—ranging from dietary interventions and prebiotics to fe- cal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and microbial consortia—as adjuncts to conventional therapies. Moreover, the composition of the gut microbiome has been shown to influence the responses to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, raising the possibility of microbiome- informed precision oncology therapy. This review synthesizes the current findings on the pathogenic and protective roles of bacteria in CRC and evaluates the translational potential of microbiome-based interventions in shaping future therapeutic paradigms.

Sandu A. M., Chifiriuc M. C., Vrancianu C. O., Cristian R.-E., Alistar C. F., Constantin M., Paun M., Alistar A., Popa L. G., Popa M. I., Tantu A. C., Sidoroff M. E., Mihai M. M., Marcu A., Popescu G., and Tantu M. M., Healthcare-Associated Infections: The Role of Microbial and Environmental Factors in Infection Control—A Narrative Review, Infectious Diseases and Therapy, Vol 14, 2025, pp. 933–971, IF ~4.6, doi: 10.1007/s40121-025-01143-0.

Abstract: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), previously known as nosocomial infections, represent a significant threat to healthcare systems worldwide, prolonging patient hospital stays and the duration of antimicrobial therapy. One of the most serious consequences of HAIs is the increase in the rate of antibiotic resistance (AR) generated by the prolonged, frequent, and sometimes incorrect use of antibiotics, which leads to the selection of resistant bacteria, making treatment difficult and expensive, with direct consequences for the safety of patients and healthcare personnel. Therefore, timely and accurate diagnosis of HAIs is mandatory to develop appropriate infection prevention and control practices (IPC) and new therapeutic strategies. This review aimed to present the prevalence, risk factors, current diagnosis, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning approaches, future perspectives in combating HAIs causative bacteria (phage therapy, microbiome-based interventions, and vaccination), and HAIs surveillance strategies. Also, we discussed the latest findings regarding the relationships of AR with climate change and environmental pollution in the context of the One Health approach. Phage therapy is an emerging option that can offer an alternative to ineffective antibiotic treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing HAIs. Clinical trials dealing with vaccine development for resistant bacteria have yielded conflicting results. Two promising strategies, fecal microbiota transplantation and probiotic therapy, proved highly effective against recurrent Clostridium difficile infections and have been shown to reduce HAI incidence in hospitalized patients undergoing antibiotic therapy. Artificial intelligence and machine learning systems offer promising predictive capabilities in processing large volumes of clinical, microbiological, and patient data but require robust data integration. Our paper argues that HAIs are still a global challenge, requiring stringent IPC policies, computer vision, and AI-powered tools. Despite promising avenues like integrated One Health approaches, optimized phage therapy, microbiome-based interventions, and targeted vaccine development, several knowledge gaps in clinical efficacy, standardization, and pathogen complexity remain to be answered.

Chifiriuc M.C., Bleotu C. Editorial: Common themes in drug resistance: from viruses to humans, Frontiers in Microbiology, Vol. 16, 2025, IF 4.5, DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1573798.

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