Nanoparticles‐Mediated Combination Therapies for Cancer Treatment

Red blood cell membrane-camouflaged gold-core silica shell nanorods for cancer drug delivery and photothermal therapy

Gold core mesoporous silica shell (AuMSS) nanorods are multifunctional nanomedicines that can act simultaneously as photothermal, drug delivery, and bioimaging agents. Nevertheless, it is reported that once administrated, nanoparticles can be coated with blood proteins, forming a protein corona, that directly impacts on nanomedicines' circulation time, biodistribution, and therapeutic performance. Therefore, it become crucial to develop novel alternatives to improve nanoparticles' half-life in the bloodstream. In this work, Polyethylenimine (PEI) and Red blood cells (RBC)-derived membranes were combined for the first time to functionalize AuMSS nanorods and simultaneously load acridine orange (AO). The obtained results revealed that the RBC-derived membranes promoted the neutralization of the AuMSS' surface charge and consequently improved the colloidal stability and biocompatibility of the nanocarriers. Indeed, the in vitro data revealed that PEI/RBC-derived membranes' functionalization also improved the nanoparticles' cellular internalization and was capable of mitigating the hemolytic effects of AuMSS and AuMSS/PEI nanorods. In turn, the combinatorial chemo-photothermal therapy mediated by AuMSS/PEI/RBC_AO nanorods was able to completely eliminate HeLa cells, contrasting with the less efficient standalone therapies. Such data reinforce the potential of AuMSS nanomaterials to act simultaneously as photothermal and chemotherapeutic agents.

Targeted Nanoparticles Based on Alendronate Polyethylene Glycol Conjugated Chitosan for the Delivery of siRNA and Curcumin for Bone Metastasized Breast Cancer Applications

Bone metastasized breast cancer reduces the quality of life and median survival. Targeted delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) and chemotherapeutic drugs using nanoparticles (NPs) is a promising strategy to overcome current limitations in treating these metastatic breast cancers. This research develops alendronate conjugated polyethylene glycol functionalized chitosan (ALD-PEG-CHI) NP for the delivery of cell death siRNA (CD-siRNA) and curcumin (CUR) and explores its targeting ability and in vitro cell cytotoxicity. Polyethylene glycol functionalized CHI (mPEG-CHI) NPs serve as control. The size of CD-siRNA loaded NPs is below 100 nm while CUR loaded NPs is below 200 nm, with near neutral zeta potential for all NPs. The CUR encapsulation efficiency (EE) is 70% and 88% for targeted and control NPs, respectively, while complete encapsulation of CD-siRNA is achieved in both NP systems. The bone targeting ability of CY5-dsDNA loaded ALD-PEG-CHI NPs using hydroxyapatite discs is fivefold compared to control indicating ALD presentation at the targeting NP surface. Delivery of CD-siRNA loaded NPs and CUR loaded NPs show synergistic and additive growth inhibition effects against MCF-7 cells by mPEG-CHI and ALD-PEG-CHI NPs, respectively. Overall, these in vitro results illustrate the potential of the targeted NPs as an effective therapeutic system toward bone metastasized breast cancer.

Targosomes: Anti-HER2 PLGA nanocarriers for bioimaging, chemotherapy and local photothermal treatment of tumors and remote metastases

Developing combined cancer therapy strategies is of utmost importance as it can enhance treatment efficacy, overcome drug resistance, and ultimately improve patient outcomes by targeting multiple pathways and mechanisms involved in cancer growth and progression. Specifically, the potential of developing a combination chemo&photothermal therapy using targeted polymer nanoparticles as nanocarriers offers a promising approach for synergistic cancer treatment by combining the benefits of both therapies, such as targeted drug delivery and localized hyperthermia. Here, we report the first targeted anti-HER2 PLGA nanocarriers, called targosomes, that simultaneously possess photothermal, chemotherapeutic and diagnostic properties using only molecular payloads. Biocompatible poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), PLGA, nanoparticles were loaded with photosensitizer phthalocyanine, diagnostic dye Nile Blue, and chemotherapeutic drug irinotecan, which was chosen as a result of screening a panel of theragnostic nanoparticles. The targeted delivery to cell surface oncomarker HER2 was ensured by nanoparticle modification with the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab, using the one-pot synthesis method without chemical conjugation. The irradiation tests revealed prominent photothermal properties of nanoparticles, namely heating by 35 °C in 10 min. Nanoparticles exhibited a 7-fold increase in binding and nearly an 18-fold increase in cytotoxicity for HER2-overexpressing cells compared to cells lacking HER2 expression. This enhancement of cytotoxicity was further amplified by >20-fold under NIR light irradiation. In vivo studies proved the efficacy of nanoparticles for bioimaging of primary tumor and metastasis sites and demonstrated 93% tumor growth inhibition, making these nanoparticles excellent candidates for translation into theragnostic applications.

Multifunctional nanoparticle-mediated combining therapy for human diseases

Combining existing drug therapy is essential in developing new therapeutic agents in disease prevention and treatment. In preclinical investigations, combined effect of certain known drugs has been well established in treating extensive human diseases. Attributed to synergistic effects by targeting various disease pathways and advantages, such as reduced administration dose, decreased toxicity, and alleviated drug resistance, combinatorial treatment is now being pursued by delivering therapeutic agents to combat major clinical illnesses, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, myocarditis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Combinatorial therapy involves combining or co-delivering two or more drugs for treating a specific disease. Nanoparticle (NP)-mediated drug delivery systems, i.e., liposomal NPs, polymeric NPs and nanocrystals, are of great interest in combinatorial therapy for a wide range of disorders due to targeted drug delivery, extended drug release, and higher drug stability to avoid rapid clearance at infected areas. This review summarizes various targets of diseases, preclinical or clinically approved drug combinations and the development of multifunctional NPs for combining therapy and emphasizes combinatorial therapeutic strategies based on drug delivery for treating severe clinical diseases. Ultimately, we discuss the challenging of developing NP-codelivery and translation and provide potential approaches to address the limitations. This review offers a comprehensive overview for recent cutting-edge and challenging in developing NP-mediated combination therapy for human diseases.

Joining Forces: The Combined Application of Therapeutic Viruses and Nanomaterials in Cancer Therapy

Cancer, on a global scale, presents a monumental challenge to our healthcare systems, posing a significant threat to human health. Despite the considerable progress we have made in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, realizing precision cancer therapy, reducing side effects, and enhancing efficacy remain daunting tasks. Fortunately, the emergence of therapeutic viruses and nanomaterials provides new possibilities for tackling these issues. Therapeutic viruses possess the ability to accurately locate and attack tumor cells, while nanomaterials serve as efficient drug carriers, delivering medication precisely to tumor tissues. The synergy of these two elements has led to a novel approach to cancer treatment-the combination of therapeutic viruses and nanomaterials. This advantageous combination has overcome the limitations associated with the side effects of oncolytic viruses and the insufficient tumoricidal capacity of nanomedicines, enabling the oncolytic viruses to more effectively breach the tumor's immune barrier. It focuses on the lesion site and even allows for real-time monitoring of the distribution of therapeutic viruses and drug release, achieving a synergistic effect. This article comprehensively explores the application of therapeutic viruses and nanomaterials in tumor treatment, dissecting their working mechanisms, and integrating the latest scientific advancements to predict future development trends. This approach, which combines viral therapy with the application of nanomaterials, represents an innovative and more effective treatment strategy, offering new perspectives in the field of tumor therapy.

Drug Delivery of Gelatin Nanoparticles as a Biodegradable Polymer for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases: Perspectives and Challenges

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) for the treatment of infectious diseases. The inherent properties of these nanoparticles make them attractive options for drug delivery. Their biocompatibility ensures that they can interact with biological systems without causing adverse reactions, while their biodegradability ensures that they can break down harmlessly in the body once their function is performed. Furthermore, their capacity for controlled drug release ensures that therapeutic agents can be delivered over a sustained period, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy. This review examines the current landscape of GNP-based drug delivery, with a specific focus on its potential applications and challenges in the context of infectious diseases. Key challenges include controlling drug release rates, ensuring nanoparticle stability under physiological conditions, scaling up production while maintaining quality, mitigating potential immunogenic reactions, optimizing drug loading efficiency, and tracking the biodistribution and clearance of GNPs in the body. Despite these hurdles, GNPs hold promising potential in the realm of infectious disease treatment. Ongoing research and innovation are essential to overcome these obstacles and completely harness the potential of GNPs in clinical applications.

Gold Nanomaterial System That Enables Dual Photothermal and Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

This study involves the fabrication and characterization of a multifunctional therapeutic nanocomposite system, as well as an assessment of its in vitro efficacy for breast cancer treatment. The nanocomposite system combines gold nanorods (GNRs) and gold nanoclusters (GNCs) to enable a combination of photothermal therapy and doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. GNRs of various sizes but exhibiting similar absorbance spectra were synthesized and screened for photothermal efficiency. GNRs exhibiting the highest photothermal efficiency were selected for further experiments. GNCs were synthesized in bovine serum albumin (BSA) and integrated into citrate-capped GNRs using layer-by-layer assembly. Glutaraldehyde crosslinking with the lysine residues in BSA was employed to immobilize the GNCs onto the GNRs, forming a stable "soft gel-like" structure. This structure provided binding sites for doxorubicin through electrostatic interactions and enhanced the overall structural stability of the nanocomposite. Additionally, the presence of GNCs allowed the nanocomposite system to emit robust fluorescence in the range of ~520 nm to 700 nm for self-detection. Hyaluronic acid was functionalized on the exterior surface of the nanocomposite as a targeting moiety for CD44 to improve the cellular internalization and specificity for breast cancer cells. The developed nanocomposite system demonstrated good stability in vitro and exhibited a pH- and near-infrared-responsive drug release behavior. In vitro studies showed the efficient internalization of the nanocomposite system and reduced cellular viability following NIR irradiation in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Together, these results highlight the potential of this nanocomposite system for targeted breast cancer therapy.

A novel thermoresponsive nano carrier matrix of hyaluronic acid, methotrexate and chitosan to target the cluster of differentiation 44 receptors in tumors

Major challenges in current cancer chemotherapy include drug resistance, low efficacy and non-selectivity, resulting in undesirable side effects. In this study, we demonstrate a solution to these challenges that involves a dual targeting approach for tumors that overexpress CD44 receptors. The approach employs a nano-formulation (tHAC-MTX nano assembly), fabricated from hyaluronic acid (HA), the natural ligand for CD44, conjugated with methotrexate (MTX) and complexed with the thermoresponsive polymer 6-O-carboxymethylchitosan (6-OCMC) graft poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) [6-OCMC-g-PNIPAAm]. The thermoresponsive component was designed to have a lower critical solution temperature of 39 °C (the temperature of tumor tissues). In-vitro drug release studies reveal faster release of the drug at the higher temperatures of the tumor tissue likely due to the conformation changes in the thermoresponsive component of the nano assembly. Drug release was also enhanced in the presence of hyaluronidase enzyme. Higher cellular uptake and greater cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles were demonstrated in cancer cells that overexpress CD44 receptors suggesting a receptor binding and cellular uptake mechanism. Such nano-assemblies which incorporate multiple targeting mechanisms have the potential to improve efficacy and decrease side effects of cancer chemotherapy.

Recent Progress in Carrier-Free Nanomedicine for Tumor Phototherapy

Safe and effective strategies are urgently needed to fight against the life-threatening diseases of various cancers. However, traditional therapeutic modalities, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, exhibit suboptimal efficacy for malignant tumors owing to the serious side effects, drug resistance and even relapse. Phototherapies, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), are emerging therapeutic strategies for localized tumor inhibition, which can produce a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or elevate the temperature to initiate cell death by non-invasive irradiation. In consideration of the poor bioavailability of phototherapy agents (PTAs), lots of drug delivery systems have been developed to enhance the tumor targeted delivery. Nevertheless, the carriers of drug delivery systems inevitably bring biosafety concerns on account of their metabolism, degradation, and accumulation. Of note, carrier-free nanomedicine attracts great attention for clinical translation with synergistic antitumor effect, which is characterized by high drug loading, simplified synthetic method and good biocompatibility. In this review, the latest advances of phototherapy with various carrier-free nanomedicines are summarized, which may provide a new paradigm for the future development of nanomedicine and tumor precision therapy.

Self-assembled amphiphilic copolymers-doxorubicin conjugated nanoparticles for gastric cancer therapy with low in vivo toxicity and high efficacy

Amphiphilic copolymers have long been utilized to turn hydrophobic anticancer drugs into nanoparticles administered to patients with cancer. A lack of stability in these monotherapies may be blamed for their poor clinical results in patients with cancer. We propose novel nanotherapies based on polymeric small prodrugs that preserve pharmacologic effectiveness while significantly reducing the toxicity of the fabricated drugs in animals to overcome this problem. Doxorubicin is attached to the end of the PLA fragments through a hydrolyzable ester bond utilizing methoxypolyethylene glycol-block-poly(d, l-lactic acid) (mPEG-PCL(2K)) with conjugates to mimic the self-assembly of colloidal nanotherapies. In a gastric cancer xenograft model, this nanotherapy displays a long-lasting suppression of tumor growth once a reasonable dosage is administered. Our findings imply that a toxic chemical and hydrophobic can be converted into therapeutic effective self-delivery nanotreatment.

Cell-Derived Vesicles for Nanoparticles' Coating: Biomimetic Approaches for Enhanced Blood Circulation and Cancer Therapy

Cancer nanomedicines are designed to encapsulate different therapeutic agents, prevent their premature release, and deliver them specifically to cancer cells, due to their ability to preferentially accumulate in tumor tissue. However, after intravenous administration, nanoparticles immediately interact with biological components that facilitate their recognition by the immune system, being rapidly removed from circulation. Reports show that less than 1% of the administered nanoparticles effectively reach the tumor site. This suboptimal pharmacokinetic profile is pointed out as one of the main factors for the nanoparticles' suboptimal therapeutic effectiveness and poor translation to the clinic. Therefore, an extended blood circulation time may be crucial to increase the nanoparticles' chances of being accumulated in the tumor and promote a site-specific delivery of therapeutic agents. For that purpose, the understanding of the forces that govern the nanoparticles' interaction with biological components and the impact of the physicochemical properties on the in vivo fate will allow the development of novel and more effective nanomedicines. Therefore, in this review, the nano-bio interactions are summarized. Moreover, the application of cell-derived vesicles for extending the blood circulation time and tumor accumulation is reviewed, focusing on the advantages and shortcomings of each cell source.

Microfluidized Dextran Microgels Loaded with Cisplatin/SPION Lipid Nanotherapeutics for Local Colon Cancer Treatment via Oral Administration

Multifunctional sequential targeted delivery system is developed as an efficient therapeutic strategy against malignant tumors with selective accumulation and minimal systemic drug absorption. The therapeutic system is comprised of microfluidized dextran microgels encapsulating cisplatin/superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs)-loaded trilaurin-based lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The microgel system is imparted hierarchically dual targeting via dextran and folic acid (FA) residues, leading to increases both in retention of the microgels in colon and in cellular uptake of the therapeutic LNPs by colon cancer cells while being used for oral therapeutic delivery. Encapsulation of the therapeutic LNPs into dextran microgels attained by microfluidized crosslinking reaction reduces gastrointestinal adhesion and prevents the FA-modified LNPs from cellular transport by proton-coupled FA transporters in small intestine during their oral delivery to colon. Upon enzymatic degradation of the dextran microgels by dextranase present exclusively in colon, LNPs thus released become more recognizable and readily internalized by FA receptor-overexpressing colon cancer cells. The combined chemo/magnetothermal therapeutic effect of dual targeted lipid nanoparticle-loaded microgels from entrapped lipidized cisplatin and alternating magnetic field-treated SPIONs significantly inhibits tumor growth and suppresses metastatic peritoneal carcinomatosis in orthotopic colon cancer-bearing mice.

HPLC method for simultaneous estimation of paclitaxel and baicalein: pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic applications

Aim: A novel HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of paclitaxel (PTX) and baicalein (BAC). Materials & methods: The analytes were resolved in a C18 column using the aqueous solution of formic acid (0.10% v/v) and MeOH (30:70 v/v). Results: The developed method was found to be linear over the concentration ranges 0.039-10 μg/ml and 0.019-10 μg/ml for PTX and BAC, respectively. The lower limits of quantification obtained were 0.042 μg/ml and 0.361 μg/ml for PTX and BAC, respectively. Conclusion: The developed method was found to be precise and accurate as per the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use guidelines, for simultaneous estimation of PTX and BAC, having an application in formulation development and bioanalytical studies.

siRNA-based nanotherapeutics as emerging modalities for immune-mediated diseases: A preliminary review

Immune‐mediated diseases (IMDs) are chronic conditions that have an immune‐mediated etiology. Clinically, these diseases appear to be unrelated, but pathogenic pathways have been shown to connect them. While inflammation is a common occurrence in the body, it may either stimulate a favorable immune response to protect against harmful signals or cause illness by damaging cells and tissues. Nanomedicine has tremendous promise for regulating inflammation and treating IMIDs. Various nanoparticles coated with nanotherapeutics have been recently fabricated for effective targeted delivery to inflammatory tissues. RNA interference (RNAi) offers a tremendous genetic approach, particularly if traditional treatments are ineffective against IMDs. In cells, several signaling pathways can be suppressed by using RNAi, which blocks the expression of particular messenger RNAs. Using this molecular approach, the undesirable effects of anti‐inflammatory medications can be reduced. Still, there are many problems with using short‐interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to treat IMDs, including poor localization of the siRNAs in target tissues, unstable gene expression, and quick removal from the blood. Nanotherapeutics have been widely used in designing siRNA‐based carriers because of the restricted therapy options for IMIDs. In this review, we have discussed recent trends in the fabrication of siRNA nanodelivery systems, including lipid‐based siRNA nanocarriers, liposomes, and cationic lipids, stable nucleic acid‐lipid particles, polymeric‐based siRNA nanocarriers, polyethylenimine (PEI)‐based nanosystems, chitosan‐based nanoformulations, inorganic material‐based siRNA nanocarriers, and hybrid‐based delivery systems. We have also introduced novel siRNA‐based nanocarriers to control IMIDs, such as pulmonary inflammation, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. This study will pave the way for new avenues of research into the diagnosis and treatment of IMDs.

Self-assembling porphyrin conjugate-carboplatin(IV) prodrug nanoparticles for enhancing high efficacy nasopharyngeal cancer and low systemic toxicity

Nanomedicine has developed as a potential technique for successful cancer therapy. A simple supramolecular self-assembly process is a helpful strategy for generating carrier-free nanodrugs. Mixing photodynamic treatment with chemotherapy has been sought to obtain a high therapeutic impact. In this study, we effectively construct a nanocarrier (CD-Por-PEG: Ada-CPT-Pt(IV)) combined with Carboplatin prodrug (Ada-CPT-Pt(IV)) and photosensitizer porphyrin (CD-Por-PEG) by host-guest interactions to accomplish stimuli-response combination treatment. Supported by greater spatial control of the binding ratio among host-guest molecules, Carboplatin and porphyrin were independently altered with β-cyclodextrin and adamantane to produce the amphiphilic host-guest combination for sequential self-assembly into therapeutic nanoparticles. The colloidal stability of the produced CD-Por-PEG: Ada-CPT-Pt(IV)-NPs was excellent, with an average hydrodynamic diameter of ∼170 nm. The microscopy images showed that CD-Por-PEG: Ada-CPT-Pt(IV) could aggregate cells and generate ROS after light irradiation (630 nm). Monotherapy had a cytotoxicity three times greater than the CD-Por-PEG: Ada-CPT-Pt(IV) nanoparticles. Studies in mice carrying SUNE1 nasopharyngeal tumours showed that nanoparticles effectively suppressed tumour development without causing systemic damage in this examination. The current self-assembly nanosystem makes precise control over the photosensitizer and drug loading possible ratio. It reduces the systemic adverse toxicity issues of drugs carrier, making this system ideal for nasopharyngeal cancer treatment.

Albumin-Stabilized Manganese Oxide/Semiconducting Polymer Nanocomposites for Photothermal-Chemodynamic Therapy of Hepatic Carcinoma

Hepatic carcinoma is one of the most common cancers worldwide, while its treatment remains a great challenge. Traditional therapeutic methods often have disadvantages such as limited therapeutic efficacy and potential side effects. In this study, we report the construction of bovine serum albumin (BSA)–stabilized manganese oxide (MnO2)/semiconducting polymer (SP) nanocomposites to combine photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) for treatment of hepatic carcinoma in living mouse models. Such nanocomposites are composed of BSA, SP, and MnO2 as the stabilizer, PTT, and CDT agent, respectively. SP produced local heat under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation for PTT, and MnO2 nanoparticles mediated CDT in the tumor microenvironment, leading to apoptosis of cancer cells. Such nanocomposite-mediated combinational therapy showed a much higher efficacy in inhibiting growth of subcutaneous HepG2 tumors in nude mice than sole treatment. This study thus provides a multifunctional nanoplatform for safe and effective treatment of hepatic carcinoma.

Craft of Co-encapsulation in Nanomedicine: A Struggle To Achieve Synergy through Reciprocity

Achieving synergism, often by combination therapy via codelivery of chemotherapeutic agents, remains the mainstay of treating multidrug-resistance cases in cancer and microbial strains. With a typical core-shell architecture and surface functionalization to ensure facilitated targeting of tissues, nanocarriers are emerging as a promising platform toward gaining such synergism. Co-encapsulation of disparate theranostic agents in nanocarriers-from chemotherapeutic molecules to imaging or photothermal modalities-can not only address the issue of protecting the labile drug payload from a hostile biochemical environment but may also ensure optimized drug release as a mainstay of synergistic effect. However, the fate of co-encapsulated molecules, influenced by temporospatial proximity, remains unpredictable and marred with events with deleterious impact on therapeutic efficacy, including molecular rearrangement, aggregation, and denaturation. Thus, more than just an art of confining multiple therapeutics into a 3D nanoscale space, a co-encapsulated nanocarrier, while aiming for synergism, should strive toward achieving a harmonious cohabitation of the encapsulated molecules that, despite proximity and opportunities for interaction, remain innocuous toward each other and ensure molecular integrity. This account will inspect the current progress in co-encapsulation in nanocarriers and distill out the key points toward accomplishing such synergism through reciprocity.

Facile Synthesis of Multifunctional Magnetoplasmonic Au-MnO Hybrid Nanocomposites for Cancer Theranostics

Significant attention is paid to the design of magnetoplasmonic nanohybrids, which exploit synergistic properties for biomedical applications. Here, a facile method was employed to prepare plasmonic magnetic Au-MnO heterostructured hybrid nanoparticles for imaging-guided photothermal therapy of cancers in vitro, with the view to reducing the serious drawbacks of chemotherapy and gadolinium-based contrast agents. The biocompatibility of the prepared Au-MnO nanocomposites was further enhanced by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved triblock copolymers Pluronic^® F-127 and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS), with complementary support to enhance the absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region. In addition, synthesized COS-PF127@Au-MnO nanocomposites exhibited promising contrast enhancement in T₁ MR imaging with a good r₁ relaxivity value (1.2 mM^-1 s^-1), demonstrating a capable substitute to Gd-based toxic contrast agents. In addition, prepared COS-PF127@Au-MnO hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) produced sufficient heat (62 °C at 200 μg/mL) to ablate cancerous cells upon 808 nm laser irradiation, inducing cell toxicity, and apoptosis. The promising diagnostic and photothermal therapeutic performance demonstrated the appropriateness of the COS-PF127@Au-MnO HNPs as a potential theranostic agent.

Pro-apoptotic and size-reducing effects of protein corona-modulating nano-architectures enclosing platinum prodrug in in vivo oral carcinoma

The selective and localized delivery of active agents to neoplasms is crucial to enhance the chemotherapeutic efficacy while reducing the associated side effects. The encapsulation of chemotherapeutics in nanoparticles decorated...

HA/PEI-coated acridine orange-loaded gold-core silica shell nanorods for cancer-targeted photothermal and chemotherapy

Aims: To develop a tumor-targeted chemo-photothermal nanomedicine through the functionalization of acridine orange (AO)-loaded gold-core mesoporous silica shell (AuMSS) nanorods with polyethylenimine (PEI) and hyaluronic acid (HA). Methods: Functionalization of the AuMSS nanorods was achieved through the chemical linkage of PEI followed by electrostatic adsorption of HA. Results: HA functionalization improved AuMSS' cytocompatibility by decreasing blood hemolysis, and PEI-HA inclusion promoted a controlled and sustained AO release. In vitro assays revealed that HA functionalization increased the internalization of nanoparticles by human negroid cervix epithelioid carcinoma cancer (HeLa) cells, and the combinatorial treatment mediated by AuMSS/PEI/HA_AO nanorods presented an enhanced effect, with >95% of cellular death. Conclusion: AuMSS/PEI/HA_AO formulations can act as tumor-targeted chemo-photothermal nanomedicines for the combinatorial therapy of cervical cancer.

Enhanced anticancer efficacy of docetaxel through galbanic acid encapsulated into PLA-PEG nanoparticles in treatment of colon cancer, in vitro and in vivo study

Cancer is one of the most leading causes of human mortality and despite outstanding breakthrough in introducing new therapeutic approaches, the clinical outcomes are disappointing. Therefore, extensive research in design and preparation of more efficient drug delivery systems can open a window to shine light into the therapeutic modality. In this study, we evaluated the effect of galbanic acid (GBA) encapsulated into PLA-PEG nanoparticles (NPs) to enhanced anticancer efficacy of docetaxel (DOC) for the treatment of colon cancer. Prepared NPs were characterized by different methods in terms of size, zeta potential, and drug loading capacity. MTT assay was used to investigate the anti-proliferation of GBA-loaded PEG-PLA NPs along with DOC. The therapeutic efficacy of PEG-PLA@GBA NPs & DOC was further investigated in C26 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice model. The resulting NPs were narrowly distributed (PDI = 0.06) with the mean diameter of 148 ± 9 nm with somewhat negative charge. GBA were efficiently loaded into mPEG-PLA NPs with encapsulation efficiency of about 40% ± 3. Cytotoxicity studies showed that NPs loaded with GBA and fixed concentration of docetaxel (20 nM) have higher toxicity (IC50 = 6 ± 1.8 µM) than either PEG-PLA@GBA (IC50 = 8 ± 1.2 µM) or free GBA (IC50 = 15 ± 3.5 µM) in C26 cells. In vivo studies revealed a synergistic effect of PEG-PLA@GBA NPs and DOC on tumor growth inhibition and survival rate in comparison with monotherapy approach.

Nanomaterials for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Head and Neck Cancers: A Review

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a category of cancers that typically arise from the nose-, mouth-, and throat-lining squamous cells. The later stage of HNC diagnosis significantly affects the patient's survival rate. This makes it mandatory to diagnose this cancer with a suitable biomarker and imaging techniques at the earlier stages of growth. There are limitations to traditional technologies for early detection of HNC. Furthermore, the use of nanocarriers for delivering chemo-, radio-, and phototherapeutic drugs represents a promising approach for improving the outcome of HNC treatments. Several studies with nanostructures focus on the development of a targeted and sustained release of anticancer molecules with reduced side effects. Besides, nanovehicles could allow co-delivering of anticancer drugs for synergistic activity to counteract chemo- or radioresistance. Additionally, a new generation of smart nanomaterials with stimuli-responsive properties have been developed to distinguish between unique tumor conditions and healthy tissue. In this light, the present article reviews the mechanisms used by different nanostructures (metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, quantum dots, liposomes, nanomicelles, etc.) to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, provides an up-to-date picture of the state of the art in this field, and highlights the major challenges for future improvements.

Smart Nanoparticles for Chemo-Based Combinational Therapy

Cancer is a heterogeneous and complex disease. Traditional cancer therapy is associated with low therapeutic index, acquired resistance, and various adverse effects. With the increasing understanding of cancer biology and technology advancements, more strategies have been exploited to optimize the therapeutic outcomes. The rapid development and application of nanomedicine have motivated this progress. Combinational regimen, for instance, has become an indispensable approach for effective cancer treatment, including the combination of chemotherapeutic agents, chemo-energy, chemo-gene, chemo-small molecules, and chemo-immunology. Additionally, smart nanoplatforms that respond to external stimuli (such as light, temperature, ultrasound, and magnetic field), and/or to internal stimuli (such as changes in pH, enzymes, hypoxia, and redox) have been extensively investigated to improve precision therapy. Smart nanoplatforms for combinational therapy have demonstrated the potential to be the next generation cancer treatment regimen. This review aims to highlight the recent advances in smart combinational therapy.

IR780-based nanomaterials for cancer imaging and therapy

IR780, a small molecule with a strong optical property and excellent photoconversion efficiency following near infrared (NIR) irradiation, has attracted increasing attention in the field of cancer treatment and imaging. This review is focused on different IR780-based nanoplatforms and the application of IR780-based nanomaterials for cancer bioimaging and therapy. Thus, this review summarizes the overall aspects of IR780-based nanomaterials that positively impact cancer biomedical applications.

Persistent luminescence nanoparticles for cancer theranostics application

Persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) are unique optical materials that emit afterglow luminescence after ceasing excitation. They exhibit unexpected advantages for in vivo optical imaging of tumors, such as autofluorescence-free, high sensitivity, high penetration depth, and multiple excitation sources (UV light, LED, NIR laser, X-ray, and radiopharmaceuticals). Besides, by incorporating other functional molecules, such as photosensitizers, photothermal agents, or therapeutic drugs, PLNPs are also widely used in persistent luminescence (PersL) imaging-guided tumor therapy. In this review, we first summarize the recent developments in the synthesis and surface functionalization of PLNPs, as well as their toxicity studies. We then discuss the in vivo PersL imaging and multimodal imaging from different excitation sources. Furthermore, we highlight PLNPs-based cancer theranostics applications, such as fluorescence-guided surgery, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, drug/gene delivery and combined therapy. Finally, future prospects and challenges of PLNPs in the research of translational medicine are also discussed.

Self-assembled Camptothecin derivatives - Curcuminoids conjugate for combinatorial chemo-photodynamic therapy to enhance anti-tumor efficacy

Camptothecin (CPT), an alkaloid, was first discovered from plants and has potent anti-tumor activity. Since then, CPT analogs (namely Irinotecan and Topotecan) have been approved by the FDA for cancer treatments. Curcumin, on the other hand, is a widely used photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment. In our previous work, we have reported a straightforward strategy to construct a drug self-delivery system in which two-molecular species Irinotecan and Curcumin can self-assembly into a complex of ion pairs, namely ICN, through intermolecular non-covalent interactions. We found that ICN has slightly better chemotherapy efficacy than its individual components with much fewer side effects. In this paper, we aim to combine the chemotherapy and the PDT of ICN to further improve its anti-tumor performance. The efficient cellular uptake of ICNs was observed by confocal microscopy. Dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay was used to detect the generation of singlet oxygen species. We found that the cell viability was 9% with both chemotherapy and PDT, and 31% with chemotherapy alone for the case with an ICN concentration of 10 μM, which demonstrated that the anti-tumor efficacy against the HT-29 cancer cell line was enhanced substantially with the combination therapy strategy. The study with an in vivo mouse model has further verified that the chemo-PDT dual therapy can inhibit tumor growth by 84% and 18.8% comparing with the control group and the chemotherapy group, respectively. Our results demonstrated that the new strategy using self-assembly and carrier-free nanoparticles with their chemo-PDT dual therapy may provide new opportunities to develop future combinatorial therapy methods in treating cancer.

A Review of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle Delivery Systems in Chemo-Based Combination Cancer Therapies

Chemotherapy is an important anti-tumor treatment in clinic to date, however, the effectiveness of traditional chemotherapy is limited by its poor selectivity, high systemic toxicity, and multidrug resistance. In recent years, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have become exciting drug delivery systems (DDS) due to their unique advantages, such as easy large-scale production, adjustable uniform pore size, large surface area and pore volumes. While mesoporous silica-based DDS can improve chemotherapy to a certain extent, when used in combination with other cancer therapies MSN based chemotherapy exhibits a synergistic effect, greatly improving therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we discuss the applications of MSN DDS for a diverse range of chemotherapeutic combination anti-tumor therapies, including phototherapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy and other less common modalities. Furthermore, we focus on the characteristics of each nanomaterial and the synergistic advantages of the combination therapies. Lastly, we examine the challenges and future prospects of MSN based chemotherapeutic combination therapies.

Gold nanorods enable noninvasive longitudinal monitoring of hydrogels in vivo with photoacoustic tomography

Longitudinal in vivo monitoring is essential for the design and evaluation of biomaterials. An ideal method would provide three-dimensional quantitative information, high spatial resolution, deep tissue penetration, and contrast between tissue and material structures. Photoacoustic (PA) or optoacoustic imaging is a hybrid technique that allows three-dimensional imaging with high spatial resolution. In addition, photoacoustic imaging allows for imaging of vascularization based on the intrinsic contrast of hemoglobin. In this study, we investigated photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) as a tool for longitudinal monitoring of an implanted hydrogel in a small animal model. Hydrogels were loaded with gold nanorods to enhance contrast and imaged weekly for 8 weeks. PACT allowed non-invasive three-dimensional, quantitative imaging of the hydrogels over the entire 8 weeks. Quantitative volume analysis was used to evaluate the in vivo degradation kinetics of the implants which deviated slightly from in vitro predictions. Multispectral imaging allowed for the simultaneous analysis of hydrogel degradation and local vascularization. These results provide support for the substantial potential of PACT as a tool for insight into biomaterial performance in vivo.

Gold Nanoparticles Mediated Drug-Gene Combinational Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a complex heterogeneous disease to which singular modes of treatment mostly fail to produce a desired therapeutic efficacy. Targeting different cellular pathways using combinational therapies has been gaining popularity in cancer treatment, with the added benefit of reducing dosage and side effects.

METHODS

A gold nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery nanoplatform was developed for co-delivery of doxorubicin and polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) siRNA. Gold nanoparticles were coated with polyethyleneimine to facilitate assembly of PLK1 on the surface. Doxorubicin was loaded on nanoparticles through a pH-sensitive linker with a thiol group at one terminal end for controlled release.

RESULTS

The therapeutic efficiency of this co-delivery system was evaluated in 2D and 3D cultured systems. The reduced IC50 value clearly demonstrated the synergistic effect of combined drug and gene delivery over their individual delivery in a cancer treatment model.

CONCLUSION

This study may provide an adaptable, facile platform to investigate drug-siRNA combinations for cancer inhibition.

Functional gadolinium-based nanoscale systems for cancer theranostics

Cancer theranostics is a new strategy for combating cancer that integrates cancer imaging and treatment through theranostic agents to provide an efficient and safe way to improve cancer prognosis. Design and synthesis of these cancer theranostic agents are crucial since these agents are required to be biocompatible, tumor-specific, imaging distinguishable and therapeutically efficacious. In this regard, several types of gadolinium (Gd)-based nanomaterials have been introduced to combine different therapeutic agents with Gd to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic agents. At the same time, the entire treatment procedure could be monitored via imaging tools due to incorporation of Gd ions, Gd chelates and Gd/other imaging probes in the theranostic agents. This review aims to overview recent advances in the Gd-based nanomaterials for cancer theranostics and perspectives for Gd nanomaterial-based cancer theranostics are provided.

Photoacoustic Imaging in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Several imaging modalities are available for investigation of the morphological, functional, and molecular features of engineered tissues in small animal models. While research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) would benefit from a comprehensive longitudinal analysis of new strategies, researchers have not always applied the most advanced methods. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a rapidly emerging modality that has received significant attention due to its ability to exploit the strong endogenous contrast of optical methods with the high spatial resolution of ultrasound methods. Exogenous contrast agents can also be used in PAI for targeted imaging. Applications of PAI relevant to TERM include stem cell tracking, longitudinal monitoring of scaffolds in vivo, and evaluation of vascularization. In addition, the emerging capabilities of PAI applied to the detection and monitoring of cancer and other inflammatory diseases could be exploited by tissue engineers. This article provides an overview of the operating principles of PAI and its broad potential for application in TERM. Impact statement Photoacoustic imaging, a new hybrid imaging technique, has demonstrated high potential in the clinical diagnostic applications. The optical and acoustic aspect of the photoacoustic imaging system works in harmony to provide better resolution at greater tissue depth. Label-free imaging of vasculature with this imaging can be used to track and monitor disease, as well as the therapeutic progression of treatment. Photoacoustic imaging has been utilized in tissue engineering to some extent; however, the full benefit of this technique is yet to be explored. The increasing availability of commercial photoacoustic systems will make application as an imaging tool for tissue engineering application more feasible. This review first provides a brief description of photoacoustic imaging and summarizes its current and potential application in tissue engineering.