<b><i>Background:</i></b> Irinotecan (IRI) is a common chemotherapeutic drug for colorectal cancer; however, the mechanism underlying its immunomodulatory effect remains unclear. Curcumin (CUR), an adjuvant drug with anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects, has been studied extensively, although its synergistic antitumor effect remains unclear. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The effects of CUR and IRI on oxidative stress and their antitumor effects were detected by flow cytometry. Endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins including CHOP and BiP, and immunogenic cell death (ICD) proteins including calreticulin (CALR) and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), were detected by Western blotting. IFN-γ and TNF-α levels in the serum of mice were detected by ELISA. <b><i>Results:</i></b> IRI in combination with CUR had synergistic antitumor effects in CT-26 colon carcinoma cells. Combination treatment with IRI and CUR was more effective than IRI or CUR alone. IRI and CUR combination treatment significantly upregulated ICD-related proteins including CALR and HMGB1 and had a greater antitumor effect than IRI or CUR single treatment in vivo. CUR may synergistically improve the antitumor effect of IRI by promoting the ICD effect. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Combination therapy with IRI and CUR may be an option for first-line chemotherapy in some patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a prominent etiology of cancer-related mortality. The heterogeneous nature of this disease impedes its accurate diagnosis and efficacious treatment. Consequently, constant advancements in research are imperative in order to comprehend its intricate nature. In addition to currently available therapies, the utilization of nanotechnology presents an opportunity to enhance the clinical outcomes of NSCLC patients. Notably, the burgeoning knowledge of the interaction between the immune system and cancer itself paves the way for developing novel, emerging immunotherapies for treating NSCLC in the early stages of the disease. It is believed that with the novel engineering avenues of nanomedicine, there is a possibility to overcome the inherent limitations derived from conventional and emerging treatments, such as off-site drug cytotoxicity, drug resistance, and administration methods. Combining nanotechnology with the convergence points of current therapies could open up new avenues for meeting the unmet needs of NSCLC treatment.