City of Hope^® Research Spotlight offers a glimpse into groundbreaking scientific and clinical discoveries advancing lifesaving cures for patients with cancer, diabetes and other chronic, life-threatening diseases. Each spotlight features research-related news, such as recognitions, collaborations and the latest research defining the future of medical treatment.

Scientists have discovered that licorice extract, a common traditional herb, offers powerful protection against Paraclostridium bifermentans spores—a heat-resistant microbe that threatens the safety and shelf life of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken breast. In laboratory tests, licorice extract concentrations above 12.5 mg/mL significantly suppressed spore growth, while a 50 mg/mL dose nearly doubled product shelf life at 15 and 20 °C. Predictive modeling confirmed the extract’s impact on microbial growth rates and lag phases. Moreover, treated chicken samples showed slower spoilage, with lower acidity and chemical breakdown. The findings open up new possibilities for natural, plant-based preservation strategies in the meat industry.

Targeted drug delivery to tumors is crucial for effective and safe treatment of cancer. In a recent breakthrough, researchers from Okayama University have developed a pH-responsive nanomaterial using graphene oxide and polyglycerol for cancer drug delivery. The surface of the developed nanomaterial changes its charge in an acidic tumor environment and enables uptake of drugs by cancer cells while avoiding immune clearance. This innovative approach opens doors to precision-driven and more efficient cancer therapies.

Autophagy is a process in which worn out, toxic or degraded cellular components are swept up and recycled to maintain a healthy living cell. When this process is disrupted or disfunctions, it can lead to diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and heart disease.

All our cells have a self-cleaning system known as autophagy, which degrade unwanted materials. And now researchers from Aarhus University have found an important “switch” regulating this key process. A find that could lead to ways to prevent and eventually treat illnesses such as dementia, ALS and cancer.