BUFFALO, NY - November 10, 2025 – A new #research paper was #published in Oncotarget (Volume 16) on November 6, 2025, titled “Anti-DNA virus agent cidofovir - loaded green synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles (Nanoceria): Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) binding affinity and cytotoxicity effects.”
In this study, led by Nahid Shahabadi from Razi University in Kermanshah, researchers developed an environmentally friendly approach to enhance the performance of cidofovir, a drug used to treat infections caused by DNA viruses. The work responds to the growing need for therapies that are safer, more effective, and better targeted.
The research team developed a new compound by loading cidofovir onto green-synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria), known as CDV-CeO2 NPs. This method combines the drug’s antiviral and anticancer properties with the biological activity of nanoceria, which is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and tumor-targeting effects. To avoid toxic chemicals, the nanoparticles were synthesized using quince fruit peel extract, making the process more sustainable and suitable for medical applications.
Laboratory experiments showed that the CDV-CeO2 nanoparticles were significantly more effective at killing breast cancer cells than either cidofovir or cerium oxide nanoparticles alone. At the highest tested concentration, the new compound destroyed more than 97% of cancer cells, compared to 72% with cidofovir alone and 50% with nanoparticles alone. These findings suggest that the combined formulation enhances anticancer activity and may allow for lower drug doses with fewer side effects.
To understand how these nanoparticles interact with genetic material, the team studied their binding to DNA and RNA, two key molecules involved in cancer development and viral replication. CDV-CeO2 nanoparticles showed strong binding affinity through two mechanisms: groove binding, which fits into natural curves of the genetic molecule strands, and intercalation, which inserts between base pairs. The nanoparticles formed stable complexes that responded to temperature, indicating reliable interactions in biological systems.
“The novelty of this work lies in the innovative green synthesis method, the dual-functional therapeutic application, and the enhanced biological activity of the CDV-CeO2 NPs, which collectively position these nanoparticles as promising candidates for future cancer and antiviral therapies.”
This research presents a potential new strategy for improving drug targeting and delivery using green nanotechnology. The approach could lead to more effective treatments for diseases such as breast cancer and infections caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and other DNA viruses. However, further research, including animal and clinical studies, is needed to confirm the safety and long-term effectiveness of this treatment.
Overall, this study represents a significant step toward combining natural materials with nanomedicine to create more efficient therapies. If supported by future research, CDV-CeO2 nanoparticles could offer a new generation of dual-action treatments.
DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28774
Correspondence to - Nahid Shahabadi - nahidshahabadi@yahoo.com
Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il9CsfgO2mU
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BUFFALO, NY - November 10, 2025 – A new #research paper was #published in Oncotarget (Volume 16) on November 6, 2025, titled “Anti-DNA virus agent cidofovir - loaded green synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles (Nanoceria): Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) binding affinity and cytotoxicity effects.”
In this study, led by Nahid Shahabadi from Razi University in Kermanshah, researchers developed an environmentally friendly approach to enhance the performance of cidofovir, a drug used to treat infections caused by DNA viruses. The work responds to the growing need for therapies that are safer, more effective, and better targeted.
The research team developed a new compound by loading cidofovir onto green-synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria), known as CDV-CeO2 NPs. This method combines the drug’s antiviral and anticancer properties with the biological activity of nanoceria, which is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and tumor-targeting effects. To avoid toxic chemicals, the nanoparticles were synthesized using quince fruit peel extract, making the process more sustainable and suitable for medical applications.
Laboratory experiments showed that the CDV-CeO2 nanoparticles were significantly more effective at killing breast cancer cells than either cidofovir or cerium oxide nanoparticles alone. At the highest tested concentration, the new compound destroyed more than 97% of cancer cells, compared to 72% with cidofovir alone and 50% with nanoparticles alone. These findings suggest that the combined formulation enhances anticancer activity and may allow for lower drug doses with fewer side effects.
To understand how these nanoparticles interact with genetic material, the team studied their binding to DNA and RNA, two key molecules involved in cancer development and viral replication. CDV-CeO2 nanoparticles showed strong binding affinity through two mechanisms: groove binding, which fits into natural curves of the genetic molecule strands, and intercalation, which inserts between base pairs. The nanoparticles formed stable complexes that responded to temperature, indicating reliable interactions in biological systems.
“The novelty of this work lies in the innovative green synthesis method, the dual-functional therapeutic application, and the enhanced biological activity of the CDV-CeO2 NPs, which collectively position these nanoparticles as promising candidates for future cancer and antiviral therapies.”
This research presents a potential new strategy for improving drug targeting and delivery using green nanotechnology. The approach could lead to more effective treatments for diseases such as breast cancer and infections caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and other DNA viruses. However, further research, including animal and clinical studies, is needed to confirm the safety and long-term effectiveness of this treatment.
Overall, this study represents a significant step toward combining natural materials with nanomedicine to create more efficient therapies. If supported by future research, CDV-CeO2 nanoparticles could offer a new generation of dual-action treatments.
DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28774
Correspondence to - Nahid Shahabadi - nahidshahabadi@yahoo.com
Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il9CsfgO2mU
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Immunotherapy Response in Pancreatic Cancer: What a New Study Reveals
Oncotarget
4 minutes 59 seconds
2 months ago
Immunotherapy Response in Pancreatic Cancer: What a New Study Reveals
Immunotherapy is not usually effective against pancreatic cancer (PC), but a new study published in Oncotarget (Volume 16, 2025) highlights rare cases where it did help. These examples, though uncommon, may offer valuable insights for future treatment.
Pancreatic Cancer and Immunotherapy
Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, which limits treatment options and contributes to its poor prognosis. While chemotherapy remains the standard treatment, it usually offers only modest benefits in terms of survival. Immunotherapy—an approach that activates the immune system to fight cancer—has been effective in other cancers but has shown limited success in PC.
This is largely due to the tumor’s ability to suppress immune responses and create an environment that protects it from attack. Currently, these drugs are only approved for a small subset of patients whose tumors have a specific genetic feature called high microsatellite instability (MSI-high), found in just 1 to 2 percent of cases.
The Study: Pancreatic Cancer Immunotherapy Responders
The study, titled “Exceptional responders to immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer: A multi-institutional case series of a rare occurrence,” was led by first author Kavin Sugumar and corresponding author Jordan M. Winter, from University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center.
The researchers examined medical records from 14 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who had responded unexpectedly well to immune checkpoint inhibitors—drugs that help reactivate immune cells to attack cancer. The drugs included PD-1 inhibitors such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, CTLA-4 inhibitors like ipilimumab, and agents targeting tumor-associated macrophages. To find these rare cases, the research team contacted 471 oncologists from 91 major U.S. cancer centers between 2020 and 2021.
Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2025/09/11/immunotherapy-response-in-pancreatic-cancer-what-a-new-study-reveals/
Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28739
Correspondence to - Jordan M. Winter - jordan.winter@UHHospitals.org
Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeWTcuVmqgM
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Keywords - cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, immunotherapy, exceptional responders, microsatellite instability, survival
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Oncotarget
BUFFALO, NY - November 10, 2025 – A new #research paper was #published in Oncotarget (Volume 16) on November 6, 2025, titled “Anti-DNA virus agent cidofovir - loaded green synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles (Nanoceria): Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) binding affinity and cytotoxicity effects.”
In this study, led by Nahid Shahabadi from Razi University in Kermanshah, researchers developed an environmentally friendly approach to enhance the performance of cidofovir, a drug used to treat infections caused by DNA viruses. The work responds to the growing need for therapies that are safer, more effective, and better targeted.
The research team developed a new compound by loading cidofovir onto green-synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria), known as CDV-CeO2 NPs. This method combines the drug’s antiviral and anticancer properties with the biological activity of nanoceria, which is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and tumor-targeting effects. To avoid toxic chemicals, the nanoparticles were synthesized using quince fruit peel extract, making the process more sustainable and suitable for medical applications.
Laboratory experiments showed that the CDV-CeO2 nanoparticles were significantly more effective at killing breast cancer cells than either cidofovir or cerium oxide nanoparticles alone. At the highest tested concentration, the new compound destroyed more than 97% of cancer cells, compared to 72% with cidofovir alone and 50% with nanoparticles alone. These findings suggest that the combined formulation enhances anticancer activity and may allow for lower drug doses with fewer side effects.
To understand how these nanoparticles interact with genetic material, the team studied their binding to DNA and RNA, two key molecules involved in cancer development and viral replication. CDV-CeO2 nanoparticles showed strong binding affinity through two mechanisms: groove binding, which fits into natural curves of the genetic molecule strands, and intercalation, which inserts between base pairs. The nanoparticles formed stable complexes that responded to temperature, indicating reliable interactions in biological systems.
“The novelty of this work lies in the innovative green synthesis method, the dual-functional therapeutic application, and the enhanced biological activity of the CDV-CeO2 NPs, which collectively position these nanoparticles as promising candidates for future cancer and antiviral therapies.”
This research presents a potential new strategy for improving drug targeting and delivery using green nanotechnology. The approach could lead to more effective treatments for diseases such as breast cancer and infections caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and other DNA viruses. However, further research, including animal and clinical studies, is needed to confirm the safety and long-term effectiveness of this treatment.
Overall, this study represents a significant step toward combining natural materials with nanomedicine to create more efficient therapies. If supported by future research, CDV-CeO2 nanoparticles could offer a new generation of dual-action treatments.
DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28774
Correspondence to - Nahid Shahabadi - nahidshahabadi@yahoo.com
Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il9CsfgO2mU
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