Hypoxic microenvironments in the solid tumor play a negative role in radiotherapy. Holo‐lactoferrin (holo‐Lf) is a natural protein, which acts as a potential ligand of transferrin receptor (TfR). In this work, an anticancer drug, doxorubicin (Dox)‐loaded liposome‐holo‐Lf nanocomposites, is developed for tumor targeting and imaging guided combined radiochemotherapy. Dox‐loaded liposome‐holo‐Lf (Lf‐Liposome‐Dox) nanocomposites exhibit significant cellular uptake likely owing to the TfR receptor‐mediated targeting accumulation of Lf‐Liposome‐Dox nanocomposites. Additionally, the nanocomposites exhibit high accumulation in the tumor site after intravenous injection as evidenced from in vivo fluorescence imaging. More importantly, it is found that the holo‐Lf has the ability to catalyze the conversion of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to oxygen for relieving the tumor hypoxic microenvironment. Photoacoustic imaging further confirms the abundant generation of oxygen in the presence of Lf‐Liposome‐Dox nanocomposites. Based on these findings, in vivo combined radiochemotherapy is performed using Lf‐Liposome‐Dox as therapeutic agent, achieving excellent cancer treatment effect. The study further promotes the potential biomedical application of holo‐Lf in cancer treatment.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that can regulate lipid metabolism, lower cholesterol, reduce body weight, and prevent atherosclerosis.

Purpose Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most diagnosed lung cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. This study aimed to analyze whether fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels could provide prognostic information in Chinese patients with NSCLC, using the Suzhou Lung Cancer Survival study. Patients and methods A prospective cohort study of adult patients with primary NSCLC was performed. The patients who were hospitalized between January 2016 and April 2018 in two hospitals affiliated with Soochow University were recruited. Patient information, including lifestyle habits and clinical and laboratory data, were collected through face-to-face interviews and evaluation of medical records. Follow-up was initiated from the date of patient enrollment until May 8, 2018 or until patient death. The long-term survival of patients was assessed every 6 months. Patient vital status was confirmed by using hospital records, telephone interview, or local death registration system. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) for death, with adjustment for cancer stage, medical treatments, smoking, and other potential confounders. Results A total of 387 patients were included in the analysis, and the numbers (percentages) of patients with stages I, II, III, and IV NSCLC were 53 (13.7%), 41 (10.6%), 64 (16.5%), and 215 (55.6%), respectively. The median duration of follow-up was 19.1 months. Compared with patients in the second tertile of FBG, the HRs for mortality were 2.16 (95% CI: 1.26–3.73) and 1.87 (95% CI: 1.03–3.42) for those in the lowest one and diabetic group, respectively. Subgroup analysis according to various patient characteristics confirmed these associations. Conclusion Diabetes and low FBG could be important predictors of death in patients with NSCLC. Maintaining appropriate blood glucose levels may improve prognosis in patients with NSCLC.

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An energy-restricted weight-loss approach has limitations when it used in the elderly, especially because of muscle loss. We aimed to assess the effects of whey protein (WP) or WP hydrolysate (WPH) combined with an energy-restricted diet (ERD) on weight reduction and muscle preservation in older women with overweight and obesity. A total of 60 women were randomized to the control (ERD), WP (ERD + 20 g/d WP) or WPH (ERD + 20 g/d WPH) group, using a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. After an 8-week intervention, body composition, gut microbiota, and serum metabolomics changes were compared among the three groups. The reductions in body weight (−1.11 ± 1.11 vs. −2.34 ± 1.35, p < 0.05), BMI (−0.46 ± 0.45 vs. −0.97 ± 0.54, p < 0.05), and body fat (−0.70 ± 0.92 vs. −2.45 ± 1.65, p < 0.01) were higher in the WPH group than in the control group. Body fat (%) was significantly decreased in the two protein groups. Fat-free mass did not significantly change among the three groups. Serum metabolomics showed that the tricarboxylic acid cycle pathway was upregulated in the WPH group. No significant changes in microbiota were observed among the groups. In conclusion, WP or WPH supplementation combined with an energy-restricted diet benefits older women during weight loss. WPH was more effective, possibly due to increased energy metabolism.

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Purpose: Malnutrition is detrimental to the treatment and prognosis of patients with acute leukemia (AL). Body composition analysis is a reliable method to monitor and assess the nutritional status of patients. However, there are few studies focusing on body composition changes of patients with AL undergoing chemotherapy.Methods: Patients who were newly-diagnosed with AL were enrolled in this study. The body composition was measured before and after induction and consolidation chemotherapies. Paired-samples T test and multiple linear regression analysis were used to compare body composition changes and explore the influencing factors.Results: After induction chemotherapy, weight, body mass index (BMI), total body water, fat free mass (FFM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and basal metabolic rate were significantly decreased, but fat mass (FM), percentage of body fat (PBF) and visceral fat area (VFA) were significantly increased. There were no significant changes in body composition during consolidation chemotherapy. Multivariate analysis showed that age was negatively related to declines in weight, BMI, FFM and SMM during induction chemotherapy and acute myelocytic leukemia patients dropped less in FFM and SMM and increased less in PBF and VFA, compared with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).Conclusion: Decreased FFM and increased FM were seen in AL patients after induction chemotherapy. Conventional nutritional monitoring and timely support are very important for patients with AL during chemotherapy, especially for ALL patients.