Graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) have been the subject of research focus in the scientific community because of their excellent physical, chemical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and optical properties. Several studies have been conducted on GBNs, and they have provided a detailed review and summary of various applications. However, comprehensive comments on biomedical applications and potential risks and strategies to reduce toxicity are limited. In this review, we systematically summarized the following aspects of GBNs in order to fill the gaps: (1) the history, synthesis methods, structural characteristics, and surface modification; (2) the latest advances in biomedical applications (including drug/gene delivery, biosensors, bioimaging, tissue engineering, phototherapy, and antibacterial activity); and (3) biocompatibility, potential risks (toxicity in vivo/vitro and effects on human health and the environment), and strategies to reduce toxicity. Moreover, we have analyzed the challenges to be overcome in order to enhance application of GBNs in the biomedical field.

Background Effective treatment of glioma requires a nanocarrier that can cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) to target the tumor lesion. In the current study, elemene (ELE) and cabazitaxel (CTX) liposomes were prepared by conjugating liposomes with transferrin (Tf) and embedding the cell membrane proteins of RG2 glioma cells into liposomes (active-targeting biomimetic liposomes, Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP), which exhibited effective BBB infiltration to target glioma. Results The findings showed that Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP was highly stable. The liposomes exhibited highly significant homologous targeting and immune evasion in vitro and a 5.83-fold intake rate compared with classical liposome (ELE/CTX@LIP). Bioluminescence imaging showed increased drug accumulation in the brain and increased tumor penetration of Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP in orthotopic glioma model nude mice. Findings from in vivo studies indicated that the antitumor effect of the Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP led to increased survival time and decreased tumor volume in mice. The average tumor fluorescence intensity after intravenous administration of Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP was 65.2, 12.5, 22.1, 6.6, 2.6, 1.5 times less compared with that of the control, CTX solution, ELE solution, ELE/CTX@LIP, ELE/CTX@BLIP, Tf-ELE/CTX@LIP groups, respectively. Histopathological analysis showed that Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP were less toxic compared with administration of the CTX solution. Conclusion These findings indicate that the active-targeting biomimetic liposome, Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP, is a promising nanoplatform for delivery of drugs to gliomas. Graphic Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the prognostic value of pretreatment prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Materials & methods: We conducted a retrospective study on prognostic value of PNI in NPC patients. A new prognostic marker was explored based on risk stratification with PNI and age. Results: PNI and age were two independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression free survival besides node stage and clinical stage. Low prognostic nutritional index and high age (LPNI–HAge) was identified as an independent prognostic factor for both OS (p < 0.001) and progression free survival (p = 0.008), which has a better predict value than sole PNI or age. Conclusion: The novel prognosis index LPNI-HAge provides prognostication of OS and progression free survival for NPC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

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Efficient chemotherapy for glioma demands a nanocarrier that can overcome the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and then target the tumor location. Elemene (ELE) and cabazitaxel (CTX) liposomes are prepared by conjugating liposomes with transferrin (Tf) and embedding the cell membrane proteins of RG2 glioma into liposomes (active-targeting biomimetic liposomes, Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP), which are demonstrated resultful in infiltrating the BBB and targeting glioma, respectively. Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP is highly stable, displaying a prominent peculiarity of homologous targeting and of immune evasion in vitro, and a 5.83-fold intake rate when versus classical liposome (ELE/CTX@LIP). The result of bioluminescence imaging revealed enhanced drugs accumulation in the brain and increased tumor penetration of Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP in orthotopic glioma model nude mice. In vivo studies demonstrated that the anti-tumor effect of the Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP include increased survival time and decreased tumor volume. Following intravenous administration of Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP, the tumor averaged fluorescence intensity was 65.2, 12.5, 22.1, 6.6, 2.6, 1.5 times weaker than that of the control, CTX solution, ELE solution, ELE/CTX@LIP, ELE/CTX@BLIP, Tf-ELE/CTX@LIP groups, respectively. Moreover, histopathological analyses demonstrated that Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP were less toxic than the CTX solution. These results suggest that the active-targeting biomimetic liposomes, Tf-ELE/CTX@BLIP, is a promising nanoplatform for glioma chemotherapy.