Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment strategies, and prognosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) complicating childhood rheumatic diseases.Methods:A retrospective case series study was performed on the demographic data, laboratory indicators, imaging features, treatment regimens, and follow-up data of 8 children with rheumatic diseases complicated by PE who were admitted to the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Capital Center for Children′s Health, Capital Medical University from January 2014 to October 2023.Results:Among the 8 children, there were 4 boys and 4 girls, with an age of 12.0 (7.5, 13.0) years. Among the primary diseases, there were 3 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, 2 cases of Beh?et′s disease, 2 cases of Takayasu arteritis, and 1 case of antiphospholipid syndrome. All children developed PE during the active phase of the primary disease. PE was detected at the onset of the primary disease in 3 cases, and the median time from the diagnosis of the primary disease to the development of PE was 10.0 (6.0, 25.0) months in the remaining 5 cases. Fever was present in all 8 children, 4 cases were accompanied by chest tightness, dyspnea, etc., and 2 cases only presented with fever. Laboratory examinations revealed the following results: erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 42.0 (17.0, 78.0) mm/1 h, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was 12.7 (2.6, 78.7) mg/L, white blood cell count was 9.6 (7.2, 18.7)×10 9/L; D-dimer was 2.3 (0.9, 6.2) mg/L; and hemoglobin was (109±16) g/L.Imaging examinations revealed that 5 cases had involvement of the bilateral lower pulmonary arteries, 5 cases had peripheral embolism, and 3 cases had central PE. Complications included 3 cases of deep vein thrombosis, 2 cases of intracranial venous sinus thrombosis, and 1 case of mild pulmonary hypertension.In terms of treatment, 7 cases received anticoagulation with heparin followed by warfarin. Immunomodulation was mainly based on glucocorticoids combined with immunosuppressants, and 4 cases were combined with biological agents. The follow-up time of 4.17 (1.75, 7.17) years, the time for complete absorption of PE was 10.5 (6.0, 18.0) months; all 8 children had no target events, with no recurrence or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and the pulmonary artery remodeling was good. Conclusions:PE complicating childhood rheumatic diseases is closely related to the activity of the primary disease. The clinical manifestations are insidious, with fever as the main symptom. Imaging examination is the key to diagnosis.Early adoption of heparin followed by warfarin anticoagulation and glucocorticoids combined with immunosuppressants and (or) biological agents to control the primary disease can achieve a favorable prognosis.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the protective effect of Huamoyan granules on knee osteoarthritis （KOA） and explore whether its protective effect is oriented toward an anti-inflammatory direction by regulation of macrophage polarization， which can effectively inhibit the progression of pathological inflammatory response， reduce the release of inflammatory pain mediators， and downregulate the protein expression level of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 （TRPV1）， so as to provide experimental evidence for its clinical application and investigate its action mechanism. MethodsAfter adaptive feeding， Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into six groups： sham group， model group， celecoxib group， and high， medium， and low-dose synovitis granule groups （9.6， 4.8， 2.4 g·kg^-1）. The administration dose of celecoxib capsules was 20 mg·kg^-1. There were 10 rats in the sham group and 12 rats in the model group and each administration group. A KOA animal model was established by means of intra-articular injection of sodium iodoacetate into the knee joint. From the 10^th day of the experiment， each administration group was given intragastric administration at a dose of 10 mL·kg^-1 for 4 weeks. General conditions of rats in each group were assessed daily. The pressure pain threshold （PPT） to mechanical stimulation and joint diameter were recorded. X-ray examination was performed on the right knee joints of rats for imaging analysis. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to detect the tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， serum interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and other pro-inflammatory cytokines in rat serum samples， as well as the expression levels of neurogenic inflammatory mediators such as nerve growth factor （NGF） and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP）. Histopathological changes in the knee joint synovial tissues were examined by hematoxylineosin （HE） staining. Safranin O-fast green staining was performed to observe and evaluate the degree of knee cartilage lesions. Western blot was employed to quantitatively analyze TRPV1， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）， and phosphorylated （p）-p38 MAPK in rat knee synovial tissues. Immunofluorescence （IF） was used to measure and assess M1/M2 macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with those in the sham group， the circumference and joint diameter of the right knee were markedly enlarged in the model group （P<0.01）， while PPTs of rats showed a significant reduction （P<0.01）. The contents of IL-1β， TNF-α， CGRP， and NGF in rats' serum were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， and the synovial Krenn score was increased （P<0.01）. The Mankin score of cartilage tissue was increased （P<0.01）， and the protein expressions of TRPV1 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK were significantly upregulated （P<0.01）. The experimental intervention significantly reduced the proportion of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages in the total macrophage population （P<0.01）， and the percentage of M2 macrophages was decreased （P<0.01）. The M1/M2 macrophage ratio was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Knee joint diameters of all dose groups of Huamoyan granules and the celecoxib group were reduced （P<0.01） compared with those of the model group， and the PPT recovery speeds in the high and medium-dose groups of Huamoyan granules were more obvious （P<0.05）. The contents of IL-1β， CGRP， and NGF in the rats' serum in all administration groups were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the content of TNF-α in rats' serum was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. All dose groups of Huamoyan granules demonstrated significant reductions in both synovial Krenn score （P<0.05， P<0.01） and protein expression of TRPV1 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK in rats' synovial tissues （P<0.01）. The percentage of M1 macrophages in the synovial tissues of the celecoxib group and all dose groups of Huamoyan granules was decreased （P<0.01）. The percentage of M2 macrophages was increased （P<0.05）， and the M1/M2 ratio was decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuamoyan granules can alleviate the inflammatory response of KOA， reduce the release of inflammatory pain mediators， and downregulate TRPV1 protein expression by regulating macrophage polarization. Its mechanism may be related to the TRPV1/p38 MAPK signaling pathway， thereby achieving the effect of improving peripheral pain hypersensitivity in KOA.

The prescription of Qidong Yixin oral liquid is derived from the experience of national medical master Ren Jixue in treating viral myocarditis （VMC）. It has the functions of tonifying Qi， nourishing the heart，calming the mind， and relieving palpitations. It is used to treat VMC and angina pectoris of coronary heart disease caused by deficiency of both Qi and Yin. However，the understanding of its efficacy evidence， advantageous aspects， dosage and administration， and medication safety remains insufficient in clinical practice. Therefore，the development of the Expert Consensus on the Clinical Application of Qidong Yixin Oral Liquid （hereinafter referred to as consensus） was initiated. Consensus strictly followed the process and methods of the expert consensus on the clinical application of Chinese patent medicines of the China Association of Chinese Medicine，successively completing multiple tasks such as the consensus project initiation，determination of clinical problems，evidence search and evaluation，formation of recommendation opinions and consensus suggestions，solicitation of opinions，peer review， submission for review and release， and so on. Consensus formed a total of 10 recommendation opinions and 12 consensus suggestions，clarifying the clinical positioning，efficacy advantages，syndrome differentiation，dosage and administration，combination therapy，timing of medication，adverse reactions，contraindications， and precautions of Qidong Yixin oral liquid，indicating that it has good clinical advantages and safety in the treatment of VMC and angina pectoris of coronary heart disease，providing norms and references for physicians to safely and rationally apply Qidong Yixin oral liquid. Consensus was reviewed and approved for release by the Standardization Office of the China Association of Chinese Medicine on December 23， 2024. Standard number：GSCACM-376-2024.

OBJECTIVE To comprehensively evaluate the 16 commonly used kinds of enteral nutrition preparations in Hebei province， aiming to provide a reference for the selection of drugs in medical institutions and clinical drug decision-making. METHODS Based on the Quick Guide for Drug Evaluation and Selection in Chinese Medical Institutions （the Second Edition）， evaluation evidence was collected， and the included drugs were scored and evaluated from four dimensions of pharmaceutical characteristics， clinical characteristics， economy and other attributes. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The scores for Enteral nutritional emulsion （TPF-T）， Enteral nutritional emulsion （TPF-D）， Enteral nutritional emulsion （TPF）， Enteral nutritional emulsion （TPF-HE）， Enteral nutritional emulsion （TP）， Enteral nutritional emulsion （SP）， Enteral nutritional suspension （TPF） （1.5 kcal/mL， 1 kcal＝4.184 kJ）， Enteral nutritional suspension （TPF） （1.0 kcal/mL）， Intact protein enteral nutrition （powder）， Enteral nutritional suspension （TPF-DM）， Enteral nutritional suspension （TPF-MCT）， Enteral nutritional suspension （SP）， Short- peptide enteral nutrition， Enteral nutritional powder （TP）， Enteral nutritional suspension （TPF-D） and Enteral nutritional suspension （TPF-FOS） were 82.9， 84.1， 84.1， 86.1， 78.4， 79.1， 82.6， 82.3， 82.4， 80.2， 83.0， 82.4， 82.1， 85.7， 76.0， 82.4 points， respectively. All medications scored above 70 points. In practice， appropriate drugs can be selected according to clinical requirements and patient needs.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Research into its mechanisms and the development of therapeutic strategies heavily rely on animal models that accurately replicate the pathological features of human disease. An ideal animal model for stroke should not only reproduce the neurological deficits and pathological changes observed in clinical patients but also demonstrate good reproducibility and translational value. This review focuses on the preparation and evaluation methods of ischemic stroke animal models. Firstly, it elaborates on the selection criteria, advantages, and disadvantages of experimental animals, including rodents (rats, mice) and non-rodents (non-human primates, miniature pigs, rabbits, zebrafish). Secondly, it provides a detailed overview of the modeling principles, key procedures, and application scopes for ischemic stroke models and hemorrhagic stroke models. Furthermore, the review summarizes advances in the applications of emerging technologies—including gene editing [e.g., clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) gene editing], multimodal imaging (e.g., two-photon microscopy, photoacoustic imaging), artificial intelligence, optogenetics, 3D bioprinting, organoid models, and multi-omics–in model optimization, precise assessment, and mechanistic investigation. Finally, based on a systematic analysis of relevant domestic and international literature from 2019 to 2024, this review discusses model selection strategies based on research objectives, a multidimensional evaluation system encompassing behavioral, imaging, and molecular pathological assessments, and envisions future directions involving technological integration to achieve model precision and individualization. This article aims to provide a comprehensive methodological reference to help researchers select appropriate animal models of stroke according to specific scientific questions.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which adrenoceptor alpha 2A (Adra2a) regulates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in primary hepatocytes from lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) knockout mice (Lbp^-/-). MethodsPrimary hepatocytes from C57BL/6J and Lbp^-/- mice were isolated using a two-step perfusion method. An in vitro inflammatory model was established by LPS stimulation, and an in vivo inflammatory mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The in vitro experiments were grouped as follows: Control group, LPS group, BRL+LPS group, OE-NC+LPS group, and OE-Adra2a+LPS group. The Control group served as the blank control. The LPS group involved stimulating primary hepatocytes with LPS. The BRL+LPS group involved pretreating primary hepatocytes with BRL-44408 maleate followed by LPS stimulation. The OE-NC+LPS group involved transfecting primary hepatocytes with an empty vector followed by LPS stimulation. The OE-Adra2a+LPS group involved transfecting primary hepatocytes with a lentivirus overexpressing Adra2a, followed by LPS stimulation. The in vivo experimental groups were divided into Control', LPS', BRL+LPS', OE-NC+LPS', and OE-Adra2a+LPS' groups. The Control' group served as the blank control. The LPS' group received intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The BRL+LPS' group received intraperitoneal injection of BRL-44408 maleate for pretreatment, followed by LPS injection. The OE-NC+LPS' group received intraperitoneal injection of empty vector for pretreatment, followed by LPS injection. The OE-Adra2a+LPS' group received intraperitoneal injection of a lentivirus overexpressing Adra2a for pretreatment, followed by LPS injection. Cell viability after Adra2a inhibition and overexpression was assessed via the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. RT-qPCR measured changes in gene expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) after Adra2a inhibition and overexpression. Western blotting was performed to detect Adra2a protein expression and phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) following LPS stimulation. ResultsIn vitro experiments revealed that LPS stimulation significantly decreased Adra2a protein expression in primary hepatocytes from C57BL/6J mice compared to the Control group (P<0.05), whereas it increased in primary hepatocytes from Lbp^-/- mice (P<0.001). Compared to the LPS group, the BRL+LPS group exhibited significantly increased cell viability (P<0.01), reduced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β gene transcription levels (P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.001), and decreased phosphorylation levels of MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins ERK1/2, p38, and JNK (P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.001). Compared with the OE-NC+LPS group, the OE-Adra2a+LPS group showed significantly decreased cell viability (P<0.001), increased gene transcription levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β genes (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.001), and elevated phosphorylation levels of MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins ERK1/2, p38, and JNK (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.001). In vivo experiments showed that, compared with the LPS' group, the BRL+LPS' group exhibited significantly reduced phosphorylation levels of MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins ERK1/2, p38, and JNK (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.01). In the OE-Adra2a+LPS' group, the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK were significantly elevated compared to the OE-NC+LPS' group (P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.01). ConclusionLPS stimulation can cause a significant increase in Adra2a protein expression in primary hepatocytes of Lbp^-/- mice. Adra2a protein can regulate the level of LPS-induced inflammation in primary hepatocytes of Lbp^-/- mice through the MAPK signaling pathway.

A quantitative method for the analysis of the multi-component contents in Marsdenia tenacissimae was established, and the quality differences were evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), factor analysis (FA) and weighted technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method. The contents of chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, sinapic acid, tenacigenoside A, tenacissoside G, tenacissoside I, tenacissoside H, drevogenin A, betulinic acid and lupeol were determined by HPLC wavelength switching method. At the same time, the contents of alcohol-soluble extract and total ash were detected. PCA, OPLS-DA and FA methods were used to identify the origin of M. tenacissimae from different producing areas. According to the OPLS-DA model, the index weight was determined to construct the weighted TOPSIS evaluation model. The qualities of M. tenacissimae from different producing areas were analyzed by model scoring results. The contents of 12 indexes in 18 batches of M. tenacissimae varied to different degrees, and the repeatability and accuracy of the test method were satisfactory. PCA analysis divided 18 batches of M. tenacissimae into three categories. OPLS-DA identified five main potential quality markers, including tenacissoside A, tenacissoside I, lupeol, tenacissoside H and chlorogenic acid. The evaluation results of FA and weighted TOPSIS method were consistent, which showed that the quality of M. tenacissimae from Yunnan and Guizhou was better. The established multi-component quantitative analysis method is accurate and reliable, the chemometrics model has strong predictive ability, and the evaluation results of FA and weighted TOPSIS method are scientific and objective. The combination of the four methods can clearly determine the qualities of M. tenacissimae from different producing areas.

Background Co-exposure to noise and microwave radiation occurs frequently. The central nervous system has been identified as a sensitive target organ for both noise and microwave exposure individually, and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The specific biological effects resulting from co-exposure to these two factors have yet to be fully elucidated. Objective To clarify the effects of co-exposure to noise and microwave on neurobehavior and hippocampal tissue structure, and to explore the underlying mechanism through the assessment of serum cytokines. Methods C57BL/6N mice were selected and randomly assigned to a blank control group, a noise group, a microwave group, and a combined noise & microwave exposure group. To establish the exposure models, the noise group was subjected to broadband noise at 100 dB for 2 h, while the microwave group received radiation at a central frequency of 9.375 GHz with an average power density of 12 mW·cm⁻² and a specific absorption rate of 2.58 W·kg⁻¹ for 15 min. Open field and tail suspension tests assessed anxiety-like emotional behaviour; novel object recognition and Y-maze tests evaluated cognitive function. Histological changes in hippocampal tissue were examined using haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and Nissl staining under light microscopy. Serum cytokine levels were measured using radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results After 3 d of exposure, the noise, microwave, and combined exposure groups showed significant reductions in exploration frequency, duration, and distance within the central zone of the open field test compared to the control group (P < 0.01); the combined exposure group exhibited increased ratios of peripheral-to-central exploration time and distance (P < 0.05). After 7 d of exposure, compared with the control group, the noise group maintained a decrease in central zone exploration time (P < 0.01), while the combined exposure group showed persistent decline across all central zone metrics (P < 0.05) and elevated peripheral-to-central ratios (P < 0.05); compared to the microwave group, the combined exposure group showed significant less time in the central zone (P < 0.05) and higher peripheral-to-central ratios (P < 0.05). Regarding behaviour and cognition, compared with the control group, the combined exposure group showed increased immobility time in the tail suspension test after 3 d of exposure (P < 0.01). At this interval, all exposure groups demonstrated reduced frequency and duration of novel object recognition (P < 0.05), with the combined exposure group showing a marked decrease in novel arm exploration time (P < 0.01). After 7 d of exposure, compared with the control group, the noise group showed reduced novel object recognition frequency (P < 0.05), and both the noise and microwave groups exhibited decreased novel arm exploration time (P < 0.05). Pathological alterations including an increased number of hyperchromatic nuclei and depleted Nissl bodies were observed in the CA3 and DG regions across all exposure groups with the most severe lesions observed in the combined exposure group. Serum levels of central nervous system-specific protein β (S-100β), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and corticosterone (CORT) were significantly elevated in all exposure groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) levels increased in the combined exposure group (P < 0.05), while CXC chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) levels rose in both the noise and combined groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Specifically, S-100β and CXCL10 levels in the combined exposure group were higher than those in the microwave group (P < 0.05); moreover, levels of S-100β, GFAP, CORT, AQP4, and CXCL10 in the combined exposure group were significantly higher than those in the noise group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Combined exposure to noise and microwave radiation induces pathological changes in the hippocampus of mice, increases levels of serum stress hormones and neuro-specific biomarkers. These impairments are more severe than those observed following single-factor exposure. The underlaying mechanism may be related to systemic stress response, neuronal damage, astrocyte activation, and changes in blood-brain barrier permeability, leading to emotional behavioral abnormalities and cognitive decline.

Background Sunshine duration is closely associated with population mental health and emotional states, although its relationship with mental and behavioral disorders (MBD) remains insufficiently studied. Objective To analyze the effect of sunshine duration on hospital admissions for MBD in Zigong City, Sichuan Province. Methods Hospital admission records for MBD from 10 medical institutions, meteorological data, and ambient air pollutant concentrations were collected in Zigong City from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2024. A distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was employed to calculate single-day and cumulative lag effects of different sunshine duration exposures—0 h (P₀, P₅, P₂₅), 6 h (P₇₅), and 10.4 h (P₉₅)—on hospitalization risks for MBD, stratified by diagnostic category, sex, and age groups. Results This study analyzed 36597 hospital admissions for MBD in Zigong City. The exposure-response curve for sunshine duration at lag 0 d exhibited an inverted N-shaped pattern, with minimum relative risk (RR) of hospitalizations observed at 14 h sunshine duration. The immediate effects of different levels of sunshine duration on the hospitalization risk for MBD, schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders (SSDD), and neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (NSSD) were significant, with the cumulative effect peaking at lags 12–13 days. For extremely short sunshine duration 0 h, the maximum relative risk (RR) values (with 95% confidence intervals, 95%CI) of hospitalization risk were 1.209 (1.001, 1.459) at lag 1 d for SSDD patients and 1.398 (1.133, 1.724) at lag 0 d for NSSD patients, respectively. The cumulative effect on hospitalization risk induced by short sunshine duration 6 h was higher than that induced by extremely short sunshine duration 0 h and long sunshine duration 10.4 h. Among populations stratified by gender and age, male patients and those aged over 70 years had higher hospitalization risks. For short sunshine duration 6 h, the cumulative RR (CRR) value (95%CI) of hospitalization risk for male MBD patients was 3.373 (1.362, 8.358) at cumulative lag 0–12 d, which was higher than that for female patients [2.943 (1.471, 5.889) at cumulative lag 0–13 d]. The population aged over 70 years was more sensitive to single-day and cumulative lag effects on hospitalization risk than other age groups. For short sunshine duration 6 h, the RR and CRR values (95%CI) of single-day and cumulative lag effects on hospitalization risk were 1.336 (1.002, 1.783) at lag 0 day and 5.085 (1.680, 15.392) at cumulative lag 0–12 d, respectively. At lag 13 d, long sunshine duration 10.4 h exposure was associated with depression hospitalizations in patients <20 years with RR=1.127 (95%CI: 1.002, 1.270). Conclusion When the daily sunshine duration is less than 14 h, it will increase the hospitalization risk of MBD in the population to varying degrees, with both single-day and cumulative lag effects. It is recommended that the public, especially vulnerable groups such as people with MBD aged 70 years and above and those with depression under 20 years, strengthen health protection to reduce the health risks caused by changes in sunshine.

Cancer remains a leading cause of global mortality, necessitating the development of advanced therapeutic strategies with enhanced efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity. Among promising bioactive agents, lactoferrin (LF)—a multifunctional iron-binding glycoprotein abundantly found in mammalian milk and exocrine secretions—has garnered significant interest for its potent and multifaceted anti-cancer properties. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current understanding of LF’s role in oncology, encompassing its structural biology, diverse mechanisms of action, and groundbreaking advancements in its application through nano-engineering. LF exerts anti-tumor effects through multiple pathways, including extracellular action, intracellular action, and immune regulation. It demonstrates a remarkable affinity for cancer cell membranes, binding to overexpressed anionic components such as glycosaminoglycans and sialic acids, as well as to specific receptors including the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP-1). This selective binding facilitates targeted uptake. Upon internalization, LF orchestrates a direct assault by inducing cell-cycle arrest in phases such as G0/G1 or S phase through the modulation of key regulators including cyclins, CDKs, and p53. Furthermore, it promotes programmed cell death via apoptotic pathways, involving caspase activation and downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins such as survivin. A more recently elucidated mechanism is the induction of ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death characterized by overwhelming lipid peroxidation. Beyond direct cytotoxicity, LF acts as a potent immunomodulator. It enhances natural killer (NK) cell activity, modulates T-lymphocyte populations, and crucially reprograms tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) from a pro-tumor M2 state to an anti-tumor M1 state, thereby reversing the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The translation of LF’s potential has been significantly accelerated by nanotechnology. The inherent biocompatibility and natural tumor-targeting capabilities of LF make it an ideal platform for sophisticated drug-delivery systems. This review details various fabrication strategies for LF-based nanoparticles (NPs), including self-assembly, sol-in-oil emulsion, and electrostatic nanocomplexes, among others. Research demonstrates that nano-formulations not only protect LF from degradation but also enhance its bioactivity and anti-cancer potency. More importantly, LF NPs serve as versatile carriers for a wide array of therapeutic agents, including conventional chemotherapeutics, natural compounds, and imaging agents. These engineered systems enable synergistic therapy and facilitate site-specific delivery. Notably, the ability of LF to bind to receptors on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been leveraged to develop nano-systems for glioblastoma treatment. Other innovative designs utilize LF to modulate the TME—for instance, by alleviating tumor hypoxia to sensitize cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite compelling pre-clinical evidence, the clinical translation of LF and its nano-formulations remains nascent. While early-phase trials have established a favorable safety profile for recombinant human LF, larger Phase III studies have yielded mixed results, underscoring the complexity of its action in humans. Key challenges include enhancing drug targeting, optimizing loading efficiency, ensuring batch-to-batch reproducibility, and achieving deep tumor penetration. Future research must focus on the rational design of next-generation LF-NPs. This entails developing standardized manufacturing protocols, engineering “smart” stimuli-responsive systems for targeted drug release in the TME, and constructing multi-targeting platforms. A concerted interdisciplinary effort is paramount to bridge the gap between bench and bedside. In conclusion, LF, particularly in its nano-engineered forms, represents a highly promising and versatile agent in the oncological arsenal, holding immense potential for precise and effective cancer therapy.