Hyaluronic acid-modified hydrothermally synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles for targeted tumor MR imaging

CD44-targeted virus-mimicking nanomedicine eliminates cancer stem cells and mitigates chemoresistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play critical roles in tumor growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Although several small-molecule inhibitors designed to inhibit CSCs have been investigated in clinical trials, their inadequate tumor targeting and potential off-target side effects have led to poor outcomes. A CD44-targeted virus-mimicking nanomedicine encapsulating the BMI1 inhibitor PTC209 (PTC209@VNP-HA) was designed to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We used a dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) as the core for virus-mimicking nanoparticle (VNP) formation after adding shell particles to the MSN surface. The VNP surface was then modified with hyaluronic acid (HA), and PTC209 was adsorbed by mesopores to form PTC209@VNP-HA. In this system, HA is used to target CD44+ CSCs. The rough surface of VNP-HA provided better drug delivery efficiency than smooth nanoparticles modified with HA. VNP-HA enhanced the cancer inhibitory effect of PTC209 12-fold compared to the administration of free PTC209, leading to significantly higher bioavailability of PTC209. Both in vitro and in vivo assays showed that PTC209@VNP-HA inhibited cancer stemness, proliferation, and metastasis in HNSCC. Mechanistically, this inhibitory effect is closely associated with DNA damage/apoptosis signaling. Using a series of preclinical models in murine systems, we confirmed that PTC209@VNP-HA eliminated BMI1+ CSCs, and greatly inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of HNSCC when combined with cisplatin. This study investigated PTC209@VNP-HA as a novel and potentially transformative HNSCC treatment option that eliminates CSCs, prevents metastasis, and overcomes cisplatin resistance.

Advances and principles of hyaluronic acid production, extraction, purification, and its applications: A review

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a linear, unbranched polysaccharide composed of repeating disaccharide units of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and D-glucuronic acid. It plays a crucial role in promoting soft tissue growth, elasticity, and scar reduction. The growing demand for HA in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications has provoked extensive research into diverse production strategies. Current efforts focus on bacterial and yeast fermentation. However, the extraction process presents a significant challenge due to the complex nature of source materials like fermentation broth, which contains numerous components and solutes. Achieving high extraction yields and purity requires careful consideration of extraction techniques. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the primary methodologies employed for HA production, elaborating on the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Additionally, it highlights recent advancements in HA extraction and purification, with a particular emphasis on bacterial sources and the applications of HA. This review critically evaluates current HA production strategies, identifies key challenges hindering scalability and efficiency, and discusses innovative solutions under development to overcome these limitations.

Carbohydrate polymer-functionalized metal nanoparticles in cancer therapy: A review

Metal nanoparticles have been emerged as promising candidates in cancer therapy because of their large surface area, optical properties and ROS generation. Therefore, these nanoparticles are able to mediate cell death through hyperthermia, photothermal therapy and ROS-triggered apoptosis. The various metal nanoparticles including gold, silver and iron oxide nanostructures have been exploited for the theranostic application. Moreover, precision oncology and off-targeting features can be improved by metal nanoparticles. The modification of metal nanoparticles with carbohydrate polymers including chitosan, hyaluronic acid, cellulose, agarose, starch and pectin, among others can significantly improve their anti-cancer activities. Carbohydrate polymers have been idea for the purpose of drug delivery due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and increasing nanoparticle stability. In addition, carbohydrate polymers are able to improve drug delivery, cellular uptake and sustained release of cargo. Such nanoparticles are capable of responding to the specific stimuli in the tumor microenvironment including pH and light. Furthermore, the carbohydrate polymer-modified metal nanoparticles can be utilized for the combination of chemotherapy, phototherapy and immunotherapy. Since the biocompatibility and long-term safety are critical factors for the clinical translation of nanoparticles, the modification of metal nanoparticles with carbohydrate polymers can improve this way to the application in clinic.

Hyaluronic Acid-Coated SPIONs with Attached Folic Acid as Potential T2 MRI Contrasts for Anticancer Therapies

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are known to be good MRI contrasts, but they have a high tendency to aggregate and their biocompatibility is limited. Hyaluronic acid is highly biocompatible, can provide SPION with colloidal stability, and interacts specifically with tumor cells through the CD44 receptor; therefore, it was used as a stabilizing layer. We successfully obtained SPION coated with hyaluronic acid and further functionalized it with folic acid to construct a dual-targeted system. The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles were investigated using DLS/ELS, AFM, XRD, and ATR-FTIR. Their magnetic characterization was performed by magnetometry, Mössbauer spectroscopy, 1H NMR T1 and T2 measurements, and MRI. The nanoparticles' biocompatibility was verified on blood and hepatocytes, and their cytotoxicity was tested on glioma and adenocarcinoma cells using the MTT assay. The nanoparticles were spherical, colloidally stable, and had low dispersity. Their cores were formed by 7 nm crystallites of magnetite in its oxidized form, maghemite. Our SPIONs were superparamagnetic and could potentially serve as effective T2 contrasts for MRI. The performance of SPIONs modified with folic acid was superior to that observed for commercial contrasts. Our nanoparticles were also hemocompatible and were efficiently taken up by glioblastoma cancer cells. Folic acid-modified SPIONs could also reduce viability of tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, the proposed system has potential application as both a diagnostic tool and a therapeutic agent for targeted anticancer therapies.

Detection of Cancer Stem Cells from Patient Samples

The existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in various tumors has become increasingly clear in addition to their prominent role in therapy resistance, metastasis, and recurrence. For early diagnosis, disease progression monitoring, and targeting, there is a high demand for clinical-grade methods for quantitative measurement of CSCs from patient samples. Despite years of active research, standard measurement of CSCs has not yet reached clinical settings, especially in the case of solid tumors. This is because detecting this plastic heterogeneous population of cells is not straightforward. This review summarizes various techniques, highlighting their benefits and limitations in detecting CSCs from patient samples. In addition, methods designed to detect CSCs based on secreted and niche-associated signaling factors are reviewed. Spatial and single-cell methods for analyzing patient tumor tissues and noninvasive techniques such as liquid biopsy and in vivo imaging are discussed. Additionally, methods recently established in laboratories, preclinical studies, and clinical assays are covered. Finally, we discuss the characteristics of an ideal method as we look toward the future.

Complexed hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles in cancer therapy and diagnosis: Research trends by natural language processing

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a popular surface modifier in targeted cancer delivery due to its receptor-binding abilities. However, HA alone faces limitations in lipid solubility, biocompatibility, and cell internalization, making it less effective as a standalone delivery system. This comprehensive study aimed to explore a dynamic landscape of complexation in HA-based nanoparticles in cancer therapy, examining diverse aspects from influential modifiers to emerging trends in cancer diagnostics. We discovered that certain active substances, such as 5-aminolevulinic acid, adamantane, and protamine, have been on trend in terms of their usage over the past decade. Dextran, streptavidin, and catechol emerge as intriguing conjugates for HA, coupled with nanostar, quantum dots, and nanoprobe structures for optimal drug delivery and diagnostics. Strategies like hypoxic conditioning, dual responsiveness, and pulse laser activation enhance controlled release, targeted delivery, and real-time diagnostic techniques like ultrasound imaging and X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT). Based on our findings, conventional bibliometric tools fail to highlight relevant topics in this area, instead producing merely abstract and broad-meaning keywords. Extraction using Named Entity Recognition and topic search with Latent Dirichlet Allocation successfully revealed five representative topics with the ability to exclude irrelevant keywords. A shift in research focuses from optimizing chemical toxicity to particular targeting tactics and precise release mechanisms is evident. These findings reflect the dynamic landscape of HA-based nanoparticle research in cancer therapy, emphasizing advancements in targeted drug delivery, therapeutic efficacy, and multimodal diagnostic approaches to improve overall patient outcomes.

Banana fruit (Musa sp.) DNA-magnetite nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, and biocompatibility assays on normal and cancerous cells

Magnet-mediated gene therapy has gained considerable interest from researchers as a novel alternative for treating genetic disorders, particularly through the use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs)-such as magnetite NPs (Fe3O4NPs)-as non-viral genetic vectors. Despite their commercial availability for specific genetic transfection, such as in microglia cell lines, many potential uses remain unexplored. Still, ethical concerns surrounding the use of human DNA often impede genetic research. Hence, this study examined DNA-coated Fe3O4NPs (DNA-Fe₃O₄NPs) as potential transfection vectors for human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) and A549 (lung cancer) cell lines, using banana (Musa sp.) as a low-cost, and bioethically unproblematic DNA source. Following coprecipitation synthesis, DNA-Fe₃O₄NP characterization revealed a ζ-potential of 40.65 ± 4.10 mV, indicating good colloidal stability in aqueous media, as well as a superparamagnetic regime, evidenced by the absence of hysteresis in their magnetization curves. Successful DNA coating on the NPs was confirmed through infrared spectra and surface analysis results, while magnetite content was verified via characteristic X-ray diffraction peaks. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) determined the average size of the DNA-Fe3O4NPs to be 14.69 ± 5.22 nm. TEM micrographs also showed no morphological changes in the DNA-Fe3O4NPs over a 30-day period. Confocal microscopy of HFF and A549 lung cancer cell lines incubated with fluoresceinamine-labeled DNA-Fe3O4NPs demonstrated their internalization into both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Neither uncoated Fe3O4NPs nor DNA-Fe3O4NPs showed cytotoxicity to A549 lung cancer cells at 1-50 μg/mL and 25-100 μg/mL, respectively, after 24 h. HFFs also maintained viability at 1-10 μg/mL for both NP types. In conclusion, DNA-Fe3O4NPs were successfully internalized into cells and exhibited no cytotoxicity in both healthy and cancerous cells across a range of concentrations. These NPs, capable of binding to various types of DNA and RNA, hold promise for applications in gene therapy.

Nanoplatform Based Intranasal Vaccines: Current Progress and Clinical Challenges

Multiple vaccine platforms have been employed to develop the nasal SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in preclinical studies, and the dominating pipelines are viral vectored as protein-based vaccines. Among them, several viral vectored-based vaccines have entered clinical development. Nevertheless, some unsatisfactory results were reported in these clinical studies. In the face of such urgent situations, it is imperative to rapidly develop the next-generation intranasal COVID-19 vaccine utilizing other technologies. Nanobased intranasal vaccines have emerged as an approach against respiratory infectious diseases. Harnessing the power of nanotechnology, these vaccines offer a noninvasive yet potent defense against pathogens, including the threat of COVID-19. The improvements made in vaccine mucosal delivery technologies based on nanoparticles, such as lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles etc., not only provide stability and controlled release but also enhance mucosal adhesion, effectively overcoming the limitations of conventional vaccines. Hence, in this review, we overview the evaluation of intranasal vaccine and highlight the current barriers. Next, the modern delivery systems based on nanoplatforms are summarized. The challenges in clinical application of nanoplatform based intranasal vaccine are finally discussed.

Reactive oxygen species-responsive hydrophobic crosslinked chitosan films based on triple-function crosslinkers

Chitosan is widely used in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive films but remains great challenges owing to its weak mechanical strength and strong hydrophilicity. Herein, we synthesized novel hydrophobic crosslinked CS films with ROS-responsive properties and excellent physicochemical properties. A novel crosslinker, 2-((10-carboxydecyl)thio)succinic acid, with long-chain alkanes, three carboxyl groups, and sulfhydryl groups was synthesized and then used to produce thioether-containing crosslinked CS membranes. The results suggested that crosslinking could significantly increase the tensile strength of the film from 15.67 MPa to 24.32 MPa. The compact structure of crosslinked chitosan film improved the hydrophobicity and degradability, reduced the thermal stability and swelling rates, exhibited excellent non- cytotoxicity. The in vitro release studies revealed that crosslinked chitosan films could displayed the highest flux about 1.40 mg/ (cm2 h) and significant NR fluorescence change over 80 %. Collectively, our results demonstrate the applicability of these films as ROS-responsive drug delivery systems.

Advances in superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles modified with branched polyethyleneimine for multimodal imaging

Multimodal imaging are approaches which combines multiple imaging techniques to obtain multi-aspect information of a target through different imaging modalities, thereby greatly improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of imaging. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) modified with branched polyethyleneimine have revealed good biocompatibility and stability, high drug loading capacity and nucleic acid transfection efficiency. SPIONs have been developed as functionalized platforms which can be further modified to enhance their functionalities. Those further modifications facilitate the application of SPIONs in multimodal imaging. In this review, we discuss the methods, advantages, applications, and prospects of BPEI-modified SPIONs in multimodal imaging.

Progressing nanotechnology to improve targeted cancer treatment: overcoming hurdles in its clinical implementation

The use of nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize the detection and treatment of cancer. Developments in protein engineering and materials science have led to the emergence of new nanoscale targeting techniques, which offer renewed hope for cancer patients. While several nanocarriers for medicinal purposes have been approved for human trials, only a few have been authorized for clinical use in targeting cancer cells. In this review, we analyze some of the authorized formulations and discuss the challenges of translating findings from the lab to the clinic. This study highlights the various nanocarriers and compounds that can be used for selective tumor targeting and the inherent difficulties in cancer therapy. Nanotechnology provides a promising platform for improving cancer detection and treatment in the future, but further research is needed to overcome the current limitations in clinical translation.

Nanoparticle-Mediated RNA Therapy Attenuates Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Related Fibrosis by Targeting Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells

Chronic liver injury and inflammation triggered by metabolic abnormalities initiate the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), driving fibrosis and parenchymal dysfunction, culminating in disorders such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Unfortunately, there are currently no approved drugs capable of effectively treating NASH due to the challenges in addressing fibrosis and restoring extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis. We discovered a significant up-regulation of interleukin-11 (IL-11) in fibrotic livers using two well-established murine models of NASH. To leverage this signaling pathway, we developed a nanoparticle (NP)-assisted RNA interfering approach that specifically targets activated HSCs (aHSCs), blocking IL-11/ERK signaling to regulate HSC transdifferentiation along with fibrotic remodeling. The most potent NP, designated NP-AEAA, showed enhanced accumulation in fibrotic livers with NASH and was primarily enriched in aHSCs. We further investigated the therapeutic efficacy of aHSC-targeting NP-AEAA encapsulating small interfering RNA (siRNA) against IL11 or its cognate receptor IL11ra1 (termed siIL11@NP-AEAA or siIL11ra1@NP-AEAA, respectively) for resolving fibrosis and NASH. Our results demonstrate that both siIL11@NP-AEAA and siIL11ra1@NP-AEAA effectively inhibit HSC activation and resolve fibrosis and inflammation in two well-established murine models of NASH. Notably, siIL11ra1@NP-AEAA exhibits a superior therapeutic effect over siIL11@NP-AEAA, in terms of reducing liver steatosis and fibrosis as well as recovering liver function. These results constitute a targeted nanoparticulate siRNA therapeutic approach against the IL-11 signaling pathway of aHSCs in the fibrotic liver, offering a promising therapeutic intervention for NASH and other diseases.

pH/Hyal-Responsive Surface-Charge Switchable Electrostatic Complexation for Efficient Elimination of MRSA Infection

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a great threat to human health worldwide, making new effective antibacterial strategies urgently desired. In this study, a cationic pH-responsive delivery system (pHSM) was developed based on poly(β-amino esters)-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol), by which linezolid (LZD) could be encapsulated to form pHSM/LZD. The biocompatibility and stability of pHSM/LZD were further enhanced by adding low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (LWT HA) on the surface through electrostatic interaction to form pHSM/LZD@HA, of which the positive surface charges were neutralized by LWT HA under physiological conditions. LWT HA can be degraded by hyaluronidase (Hyal) after arriving at the infection site. In vitro, pHSM/LZD@HA could rapidly change to being positively charged on the surface within 0.5 h under acidic conditions, especially when Hyal was present, thus promoting bacterial binding and biofilm penetration of pHSM/LZD@HA. In addition, the pH/Hyal-dependent accelerated drug release behavior was also observed and it is beneficial for the comprehensive treatment of MRSA infection in vitro and in vivo. Our study provides a novel strategy to develop a pH/Hyal-responsive drug delivery system for the treatment of MRSA infection.

Hyaluronic Acid-Based Nanocarriers for Anticancer Drug Delivery

Hyaluronic acid (HA), a main component of the extracellular matrix, is widely utilized to deliver anticancer drugs due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, non-immunogenicity and numerous modification sites, such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. Moreover, HA serves as a natural ligand for tumor-targeted drug delivery systems, as it contains the endocytic HA receptor, CD44, which is overexpressed in many cancer cells. Therefore, HA-based nanocarriers have been developed to improve drug delivery efficiency and distinguish between healthy and cancerous tissues, resulting in reduced residual toxicity and off-target accumulation. This article comprehensively reviews the fabrication of anticancer drug nanocarriers based on HA in the context of prodrugs, organic carrier materials (micelles, liposomes, nanoparticles, microbubbles and hydrogels) and inorganic composite nanocarriers (gold nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes and silicon dioxide). Additionally, the progress achieved in the design and optimization of these nanocarriers and their effects on cancer therapy are discussed. Finally, the review provides a summary of the perspectives, the lessons learned so far and the outlook towards further developments in this field.

Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Brain Imaging and Drug Delivery

Central nervous system (CNS) disorders affect as many as 1.5 billion people globally. The limited delivery of most imaging and therapeutic agents into the brain is a major challenge for treatment of CNS disorders. With the advent of nanotechnologies, controlled delivery of drugs with nanoparticles holds great promise in CNS disorders for overcoming the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and improving delivery efficacy. In recent years, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs) have stood out as a promising theranostic nanoplatform for brain imaging and drug delivery as they possess unique physical properties and biodegradable characteristics. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in MIONP-based platforms as imaging and drug delivery agents for brain diseases. We firstly introduce the methods of synthesis and surface functionalization of MIONPs with emphasis on the inclusion of biocompatible polymers that allow for the addition of tailored physicochemical properties. We then discuss the recent advances in in vivo imaging and drug delivery applications using MIONPs. Finally, we present a perspective on the remaining challenges and possible future directions for MIONP-based brain delivery systems.

Active targeting schemes for nano-drug delivery systems in osteosarcoma therapeutics

Osteosarcoma, the most common malignant tumor of the bone, seriously influences people's lives and increases their economic burden. Conventional chemotherapy drugs achieve limited therapeutic effects owing to poor targeting and severe systemic toxicity. Nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems can significantly enhance the utilization efficiency of chemotherapeutic drugs through targeting ligand modifications and reduce the occurrence of systemic adverse effects. A variety of ligand-modified nano-drug delivery systems have been developed for different targeting schemes. Here we review the biological characteristics and the main challenges of current drug therapy of OS, and further elaborate on different targeting schemes and ligand selection for nano-drug delivery systems of osteosarcoma, which may provide new horizons for the development of advanced targeted drug delivery systems in the future.

Polyethyleneimine-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Theranostics

With the development of nanotechnology, various types of polymer-based drug delivery systems have been designed for biomedical applications. Polymer-based drug delivery systems with desirable biocompatibility can be efficiently delivered to tumor sites with passive or targeted effects and combined with other therapeutic and imaging agents for cancer theranostics. As an effective vehicle for drug and gene delivery, polyethyleneimine (PEI) has been extensively studied due to its rich surface amines and excellent water solubility. In this work, we summarize the surface modifications of PEI to enhance biocompatibility and functionalization. Additionally, the synthesis of PEI-based nanoparticles is discussed. We further review the applications of PEI-based drug delivery systems in cancer treatment, cancer imaging, and cancer theranostics. Finally, we thoroughly consider the outlook and challenges relating to PEI-based drug delivery systems.

The state of CD44 activation in cancer progression and therapeutic targeting

CD44, a non-kinase transmembrane glycoprotein, is ubiquitously expressed on various types of cells, especially cancer stem cells (CSCs), and has been implicated in cancer onset and aggressiveness. The major ligand for the CD44, hyaluronan (HA), binds to and interacts with CD44, which in turn triggers downstream signaling cascades, thereby promoting cellular behaviors such as proliferation, motility, invasiveness and chemoresistance. The CD44-HA interaction is cell-specific and strongly affected by the state of CD44 activation. Therefore, the binding of HA to CD44 is essential for the activation of CD44 during which the detailed regulatory mechanism needs to be clarified. Different CD44 activation states distribute in human carcinoma and normal tissue; however, whether CD44 activation is a critical requirement for tumor initiation, progression and notorious CSC properties remains to be clarified. A deeper understanding of the regulation of CD44 activation may facilitate the development of novel targeted drugs in the future. Here, we review the current findings concerning the states of CD44 activation on the cell surface, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of CD44 activation, the known role for CD44 activation in tumor progression and CSC hallmarks, as well as the potential of HA-coated nanoparticle for targeting activated CD44 for cancer therapy.

Interfacial engineered iron oxide nanoring for T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging-guided magnetothermal-chemotherapy

Due to no penetration depth limitation, low cost, and easy control, magnetic nanoparticles mediated magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT) has shown great potential in experimental and clinal treatments of various diseases. However, the low heating conversion efficiencies and short circulation times are major drawback for most existing magnetic-thermal materials. Additionally, single MHT treatment always leads to resistance and recurrence. Herein, a highly efficient magnetic-thermal conversion, ferrimagnetic vortex nanoring Fe₃O₄ coated with hyaluronic acid (HA) nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@HA, FVNH NPs) was firstly constructed. Additionally, the doxorubicin (DOX) was successfully enclosed inside the FVNH and released remotely for synergetic magnetic–thermal/chemo cancer therapy. Due to the ferrimagnetic vortex-domain state, the ring shape Fe₃O₄ displays a high specific absorption rate (SAR) under an external alternating magnetic field (AMF). Additionally, antitumor drug (DOX) can be encapsulated inside the single large hole of FVNH by the hyaluronic acid (HA) shell and quickly released in response the tumor acidic microenvironments and AMF. What’s more, the non-loaded FVNH NPs show good biocompatibility but high cytotoxicity after loading DOX under AMF. Furthermore, the synthesized FVNH can efficiently reduce the transverse relaxation time and enhance negative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The impressive in vivo systemic therapeutic efficacy of FVNH was also proved in this work. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that the synthesized FVNH NPs offer the promise of serving as multifunctional theranostic nanoplatforms for medical imaging-guided tumor therapies.

Engineering nanosystems to overcome barriers to cancer diagnosis and treatment

Over the past two decades, multidisciplinary investigations into the development of nanoparticles for medical applications have continually increased. However, nanoparticles are still subject to biological barriers and biodistribution challenges, which limit their overall clinical potential. This has motivated the implementation of innovational modifications to a range of nanoparticle formulations designed for cancer imaging and/or cancer treatment to overcome specific barriers and shift the accumulation of payloads toward the diseased tissues. In recent years, novel technological and chemical approaches have been employed to modify or functionalize the surface of nanoparticles or manipulate the characteristics of nanoparticles. Combining these approaches with the identification of critical biomarkers provides new strategies for enhancing nanoparticle specificity for both cancer diagnostic and therapeutic applications. This review discusses the most recent advances in the design and engineering of nanoparticles as well as future directions for developing the next generation of nanomedicines.

"Willow Branch" DNA Self-Assembly for Cancer Dual-Target and Proliferation Inhibition

DNA nanotechnology is beginning to yield unique advantages in the area of drug delivery. For the dual-targeting and proliferation suppression of cancer cells, a "willow branch" DNA assembly based on rolling circle amplification (RCA) was built. Three single-stranded DNAs, including antibody modified cDNAs, aptamer cDNAs, and simple cDNAs, were employed in the DNA self-assembly, along with the RCA scaffolds (every 63 bases is a repeat unit). "Willow branch" DNA (WB DNA) assembly successfully linked multiple antibodies and aptamers together to achieve dual targeting of cancer cells. Binding of CD44 antibodies and S2.2 aptamers to receptors on the cell membrane inhibits both pathways, β-catenin signaling and nuclear factor-kappa B-specific transcription activity, through feedback regulation. Results demonstrated that WB DNA assembly could effectively exert multivalency clustering cell-surface receptors, modulating signal pathways and inhibiting proliferation. This study proposes a new approach for cancer dual-target and proliferation inhibition by clustering multivalent receptors.

Efficient Capture and Separation of Cancer Cells Using Hyaluronic Acid-Modified Magnetic Beads in a Microfluidic Chip

The efficient isolation and specific discrimination of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is expected to provide valuable information for understanding tumor metastasis and play an important role in the treatment of cancer patients. In this study, we developed a novel and rapid method for efficient capture and specific identification of cancer cells using hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified SiO₂-coated magnetic beads in a microfluidic chip. First, polyacrylamide-surfaced SiO₂-coated magnetic beads (SiO₂@MBs) were covalently conjugated with HA, and the created HA-modified SiO₂@MBs (HA-SiO₂@MBs) display binding specificity to HeLa cells (a human cervical carcinoma cell line) overexpressing CD44 receptors. After incubating the HA-SiO₂@MBs with cancer cells for 1 h, the mixture of MBs and cells was drawn into a designed microfluidic channel with two inlets and outlets. Through the formation of lamellar flow, cells specifically bound with the HA-SiO₂@MBs can be separated under an external magnetic field with a capture efficiency of up to 92.0%. The developed method is simple, fast, and promising for CTC separation and cancer diagnostics applications.

Hyaluronic Acid within Self-Assembling Nanoparticles: Endless Possibilities for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Self-assembling nanoparticles (SANPs) based on hyaluronic acid (HA) represent unique tools in cancer therapy because they combine the HA targeting activity towards cancer cells with the advantageous features of the self-assembling nanosystems, i.e., chemical versatility and ease of preparation and scalability. This review describes the key outcomes arising from the combination of HA and SANPs, focusing on nanomaterials where HA and/or HA-derivatives are inserted within the self-assembling nanostructure. We elucidate the different HA derivatization strategies proposed for this scope, as well as the preparation methods used for the fabrication of the delivery device. After showing the biological results in the employed in vivo and in vitro models, we discussed the pros and cons of each nanosystem, opening a discussion on which approach represents the most promising strategy for further investigation and effective therapeutic protocol development.

Hyaluronic Acid–Stabilized Fe3O4 Nanoparticles for Promoting In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Tumors

The use of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles as novel contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has attracted great interest due to their high r2 relaxivity. However, both poor colloidal stability and lack of effective targeting ability have impeded their further expansion in the clinics. Here, we reported the creation of hyaluronic acid (HA)-stabilized Fe3O4 nanoparticles prepared by a hydrothermal co-precipitation method and followed by electrostatic adsorption of HA onto the nanoparticle surface. The water-soluble HA functions not only as a stabilizer but also as a targeting ligand with high affinity for the CD44 receptor overexpressed in many tumors. The resulting HA-stabilized Fe3O4 nanoparticles have an estimated size of sub-20 nm as observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging and exhibited long-term colloidal stability in aqueous solution. We found that the nanoparticles are hemocompatible and cytocompatible under certain concentrations. As verified by quantifying the cellular uptake, the Fe3O4@HA nanoparticles were able to target a model cell line (HeLa cells) overexpressing the CD44 receptor through an active pathway. In addition, we showed that the nanoparticles can be used as effective contrast agents for MRI both in vitro in HeLa cells and in vivo in a xenografted HeLa tumor model in rodents. We believe that our findings shed important light on the use of active targeting ligands to improve the contrast of lesion for tumor-specific MRI in the nano-based diagnosis systems.

Shape-Recoverable Hyaluronic Acid-Waterborne Polyurethane Hybrid Cryogel Accelerates Hemostasis and Wound Healing

Wound dressings that promote quick hemostasis and are highly efficient in healing wounds are urgently needed to meet the increase in clinical demands worldwide. Herein, a dihydrazide-modified waterborne biodegradable polyurethane emulsion (PU-ADH) and oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA) were autonomously cross-linked to form a hybrid hyaluronic acid-polyurethane (HA-PU) cryogel by hydrazone bonding at -20 °C. Through its specific macroporous structure (which is approximately 220 μm) constructed by aggregated PU-ADH particles and long-chain OHA, a dried cryogel can have a dramatically compressed volume (1/7 of its original volume) with stable fixation, and it can swell rapidly by absorbing water or blood to approximately 22 and 16 times its dried weight, respectively, in a few minutes. This instantaneous shape-recovering ability favors fast hemostasis in minimally invasive surgery. Moreover, this cryogel is superior to gauze, has excellent biocompatibility, and quickly coagulates blood (in approximately 2 min) by activating the endogenous coagulation system. Comparably, an injectable HA-PU hydrogel with the same components as the HA-PU cryogel was prepared at room temperature, and it exhibited good self-healing properties. An in vivo evaluation of a rat liver hemostasis model and rat skin defect model revealed that the cryogel in fast hemostasis has great potential and superior wound-healing abilities, decreases immune inflammation, and promotes the regeneration of angiogenesis and hair follicles. Consequently, this work proposes a versatile method for constructing biodegradable hybrid cryogels via autonomous cross-linking between synthesized polymer emulsions and natural polymers. The hybrid cryogels demonstrated great potential for applications as high-performance wound dressings.

CD44-Targeted Nanocarrier for Cancer Therapy

Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) is a cell surface glycoprotein overexpressed in varieties of solid tumors including pancreatic, breast, ovary, brain, and lung cancers. It is a multi-structural glycoprotein of the cell surface which is majorly involved in cell proliferation, cell-to-cell interaction, cellular migration, inflammation, and generation of immune responses. Numerous studies focus on the development of nanocarriers for active targeting of the CD44 receptor to improve efficacy of targeting chemotherapy and achieve precise chemotherapy by defining the release, uptake, and accumulation of therapeutic agents. The CD44 receptor has a selective binding affinity towards hyaluronic and chondroitin sulfate (CS). Taking this into consideration, this review focused on the role of CD44 in cancer and its therapy using several nanocarriers such as polymeric/non-polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimer, micelles, carbon nanotubes, nanogels, nanoemulsions etc., for targeted delivery of several chemotherapeutic molecules and nucleic acid. This review also illuminates the role of hyaluronic acid (HA) in cancer therapy, interaction of HA with CD44, and various approaches to target CD44-overexpressed neoplastic cells.

Rare-Earth Doped Iron Oxide Nanostructures for Cancer Theranostics: Magnetic Hyperthermia and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been extensively investigated during the last couple of decades because of their potential applications across various disciplines ranging from spintronics to nanotheranostics. However, pure iron oxide nanoparticles cannot meet the requirement for practical applications. Doping is considered as one of the most prominent and simplest techniques to achieve optimized multifunctional properties in nanomaterials. Doped iron oxides, particularly, rare-earth (RE) doped nanostructures have shown much-improved performance for a wide range of biomedical applications, including magnetic hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), compared to pure iron oxide. Extensive investigations have revealed that bigger-sized RE ions possessing high magnetic moment and strong spin-orbit coupling can serve as promising dopants to significantly regulate the properties of iron oxides for advanced biomedical applications. This review provides a detailed investigation on the role of RE ions as primary dopants for engineering the structural and magnetic properties of Fe₃ O₄ nanoparticles to carefully introspect and correlate their impact on cancer theranostics with a special focus on magnetic hyperthermia and MRI. In addition, prospects for achieving high-performance magnetic hyperthermia and MRI are thoroughly discussed. Finally, suggestions on future work in these two areas are also proposed.

Cancer Cytotoxicity of a Hybrid Hyaluronan-Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Material: An In-Vitro Evaluation

While hyaluronic acid encapsulating superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have been reported to exhibit selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells, it is unclear whether low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid-conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles also display such cytotoxicity. In this study, high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid was irradiated with γ-ray, while Fe3O4 nanoparticles were fabricated using chemical co-precipitation. The low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were then combined according to a previous study. Size distribution, zeta potential, and the binding between hyaluronic acid and iron oxide nanoparticles were examined using dynamic light scattering and a nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The ability of the fabricated low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles to target cancer cells was examined using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and T2* weighted magnetic resonance images to compare iron signals in U87MG human glioblastoma and NIH3T3 normal fibroblast cell lines. Comparison showed that the present material could target U87MG cells at a higher rate than NIH3T3 control cells, with a viability inhibition rate of 34% observed at day two and no cytotoxicity observed in NIH3T3 normal fibroblasts during the three-day experimental period. Supported by mass spectrometry images confirming that the nanoparticles accumulated on the surface of cancer cells, the fabricated materials can reasonably be suggested as a candidate for both magnetic resonance imaging applications and as an injectable anticancer agent.

Extracellular matrix-degrading STING nanoagonists for mild NIR-II photothermal-augmented chemodynamic-immunotherapy

Regulation of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway using agonists can boost antitumor immunity for cancer treatment, while the rapid plasma clearance, limited membrane permeability, and inefficient cytosolic transport of STING agonists greatly compromise their therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we describe an extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading nanoagonist (dNAc) with second near-infrared (NIR-II) light controlled activation of intracellular STING pathway for mild photothermal-augmented chemodynamic-immunotherapy of breast cancer. The dNAc consists of a thermal-responsive liposome inside loading with ferrous sulfide (FeS₂) nanoparticles as both NIR-II photothermal converters and Fenton catalysts, 2′3′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) as the STING agonist, and an ECM-degrading enzyme (bromelain) on the liposome surface. Mild heat generated by dNAc upon NIR-II photoirradiation improves Fenton reaction efficacy to kill tumor cells and cause immunogenic cell death (ICD). Meanwhile, the generated heat triggers a controlled release of cGAMP from thermal-responsive liposomes to active STING pathway. The mild photothermal activation of STING pathway combined with ICD promotes anti-tumor immune responses, which leads to improved infiltration of effector T cells into tumor tissues after bromelain-mediated ECM degradation. As a result, after treatment with dNAc upon NIR-II photoactivation, both primary and distant tumors in a murine mouse model are inhibited and the liver and lung metastasis are effectively suppressed. This work presents a photoactivatable system for STING pathway and combinational immunotherapy with improved therapeutic outcome.

Tumor-targeting biomimetic sonosensitizer-conjugated iron oxide nanocatalysts for combinational chemodynamic-sonodynamic therapy of colorectal cancer

Nanoparticle-based tumor therapy strategies have been widely developed, while the therapeutic efficacy is often limited due to poor accumulation of nanoparticles in tumor tissues and low antitumor effect of sole...

Recent advances of magnetite nanomaterials to remove arsenic from water

Pure water is one of the major requirements for living beings but water bodies are contaminated with toxic pollutants and heavy metals. Around 225–500 million people on the earth depend on groundwater, which is highly contaminated by arsenic. Arsenic impurities are present in water as arsenite As(iii) and arsenate As(v). Arsenic is a highly toxic metalloid ranking one in toxicity. Researchers have been exploring new techniques and methods to purify water. Magnetic nanoparticles have high absorption and reaction capabilities due to their high surface-to-volume ratio and quantum size effects. Due to their high magnetization, adsorption behaviour, and biodegradability, magnetite nanomaterials are considered excellent materials to purify water. These nanomaterials and their composites are cost-effective as well as they can be easily separated, regenerated, and reused. This review gives a recent overview of the potential of magnetite nanoparticles and their composites to treat contaminated water and remove unwanted arsenic impurities.

Pure water is one of the major requirements for living beings but water bodies are contaminated with toxic pollutants and heavy metals.

Two-step fabricating micelle-like nanoparticles of cisplatin with the 'real' long circulation and high bioavailability for cancer therapy

Cisplatin is a widely used anticancer drug for various solid tumors. However, the serious adverse effects caused by systemic distribution limit its wide use. In this study, we intend to use biocompatible materials polyethyleneimine (PEI) and poly(L-glutamic acid)-g-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (PLG-g-PEG) to construct nanoparticles to enhance the efficacy of cisplatin and reduce its side effects. The micelle-like nanoparticles were fabricated by a simple two-step method, with a core consisting of PEI and cisplatin and a PLG-g-mPEG coating layer. The obtained nanoparticles have a small particle size (41.79 nm) and high drug loading (16.43%). The coated nanoparticles (NP-II) strengthened the structure of PEI and cisplatin complex (NP-I) and slowed the drug release for less than 20% at pH 7.4 PBS in 24 h. Therefore, it could effectively inhibit the binding of free drug and plasma proteins to achieve the long circulation, and the bioavailability could be increased to about 600% and 285% of cisplatin solution and NP-I respectively. Besides, the cellular uptake of NP-II was enhanced in the acidic tumor microenvironment due to the detachment of coating layer and the increase of positive zeta potential of nanoparticles, which was benefit to reduce the side effect of cisplatin to normal cells. In vivo pharmacodynamic experiments also showed that NP-II improved the efficacy and reduced side effects compared to the cisplatin solution. In conclusion, the two-step fabricating micelle-like nanoparticles with the improved therapeutic efficiency and reduced side effects show great potential for cancer chemotherapy.

Anisotropic Truncated Octahedral Au with Pt Deposition on Arris for Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance-Enhanced Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapy of Osteosarcoma

The multifunctional combined nanoplatform has a wide application prospect in the synergistic treatment of cancer. Nevertheless, the traditional treatment of phototherapy is limited by the catalytic nanomaterial itself, so the effect is not satisfactory. Here, the arris of the anisotropic truncated octahedral Au (TOh Au) was coated with noble metal Pt to form a spatial separation structure, which enhanced the local surface plasmonic resonance and thus boosted the photocatalytic effect. In this system, the highly efficient photocatalysis provides a strong guarantee for oncotherapy. On the one hand, the structure of arris deposition adequately improves the efficiency of photothermal conversion, which substantially improves the effectiveness of photothermal therapy. On the other hand, in situ oxygen production of Pt ameliorates tumor hypoxia, and through the O2 self-production and sales mode, the growth and development of tumor were inhibited. Meanwhile, under the enhanced photocatalysis, more O2 were produced, which greatly evolved the treatment effect of photodynamic therapy. In the end, the addition of hyaluronic acid can specifically target osteosarcoma cells while improving the retention time and biocompatibility of the material in the body. Thus, the nanocomposite shows superexcellent synergistic enhancement of photothermal conversion efficiency and photodynamic capability in vitro and in vivo, which provides a potential possibility for osteosarcoma cure.

Enhancement of T2* Weighted MRI Imaging Sensitivity of U87MG Glioblastoma Cells Using γ-Ray Irradiated Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid-Conjugated Iron Nanoparticles

INTRODUCTION

It has been reported that low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA) exhibits a potentially beneficial effect on cancer therapy through targeting of CD44 receptors on tumor cell surfaces. However, its applicability towards tumor detection is still unclear. In this regard, LMWHA-conjugated iron (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (LMWHA-IONPs) were prepared in order to evaluate its application for enhancing the T2* weighted MRI imaging sensitivity for tumor detection.

METHODS

LMWHA and Fe3O4 NPs were produced using γ-ray irradiation and chemical co-precipitation methods, respectively. First, LMWHA-conjugated FITC was prepared to confirm the ability of LMWHA to target U87MG cells using fluorescence microscopy. The hydrodynamic size distribution and dispersion of the IONPs and prepared LMWHA-IONPs were analyzed using dynamic light scattering (DLS). In addition, cell viability assays were performed to examine the biocompatibility of LMWHA and LMWHA-IONPs toward U87MG human glioblastoma and NIH3T3 fibroblast cell lines. The ability of LMWHA-IONPs to target tumor cells was confirmed by detecting iron (Fe) ion content using the thiocyanate method. Finally, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) imaging and in vitro magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to confirm the contrast enhancement effect of LMWHA-IONPs.

RESULTS

Florescence analysis results showed that LMWHA-FITC successfully targeted the surfaces of both tested cell types. The ability of LMWHA to target U87MG cells was higher than for NIH3T3 cells. Cell viability experiments showed that the fabricated LMWHA-IONPs possessed good biocompatibility for both cell lines. After co-culturing test cells with the LMWHA-IONPs, detected Fe ion content in the U87MG cells was much higher than that of the NIH3T3 cells in both thiocyanate assays and TOF-SIMs images. Finally, the addition of LMWHA-IONPs to the U87MG cells resulted in an obvious improvement in T2* weighted MR image contrast compared to control NIH3T3 cells.

DISCUSSION

Overall, the present results suggest that LMWHA-IONPs fabricated in this study provide an effective MRI contrast agent for improving the diagnosis of early stage glioblastoma in MRI examinations.

Hyaluronic acid-graphene quantum dot nanocomposite: Potential target drug delivery and cancer cell imaging

Nowadays, the use of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems has received much more attention. In this regard, here, graphene quantum dots (GQD) were used as drug carriers as well as imaging agents for cancer cells. In order to optimize the dose of the drug and reduce its side effects for healthy cells, hyaluronic acid was decorated on the surface of GQD to target cancer cells. The morphology and size of the synthesized nanoparticles alone and conjugated with hyaluronic acid were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM); TEM images revealed a particles size of ∼5.67 and ∼8.69 nm, respectively. In the presence of 1-ethyl-3-[3(dimethylamino)propyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS), hyaluronic acid was bounded to dopamine hydrochloride and was prepared to react with GQD. After synthesis of graphene quantum dot-hyaluronic acid nanocomposite, curcumin (CUR) as a drug model was loaded on the synthesized nanocarriers, and its loading percentage was measured. The results showed that 98.02% of the drug was loaded on the nanocarriers. Also, the conjugation of each agent on the nanocarrier was approved by photoluminescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-visible absorption techniques, and the results showed that the reactions were performed correctly. The effect of GQD, graphene quantum dot-hyaluronic acid, CUR, graphene quantum dot-hyaluronic acid-CUR on the viability of HeLa and L929 cells was evaluated by the MTT test. The results showed that the synthesized nanocarrier is completely biocompatible, and the drug nanocarriers reduce HeLa cell viability significantly due to the mediation of hyaluronic acid-CD44 for drug cell uptake. Simultaneously with drug delivery, the other goal of these nanocarriers is to image cancer cells by emitting fluorescent light. Fluorescent microscopy showed that these nanocarriers were adsorbed on HeLa cells, unlike L929 cells.

Sialic acid-engineered mesoporous polydopamine dual loaded with ferritin gene and SPIO for achieving endogenous and exogenous synergistic T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of HCC

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with poor prognosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most effective imaging methods for the early diagnosis of HCC. However, the current MR contrast agents are still facing challenges in the early diagnosis of HCC due to their relatively low sensitivity and biosafety. Thus, the development of effective MR agents is highly needed for the early diagnosis of HCC.

Results

Herein, we fabricated an HCC-targeted nanocomplexes containing SPIO-loaded mesoporous polydopamine (MPDA@SPIO), sialic acid (SA)-modified polyethyleneimine (SA-PEI), and alpha-fetoprotein regulated ferritin gene (AFP-Fth) which was developed for the early diagnosis of HCC. It was found that the prepared nanocomplexes (MPDA@SPIO/SA-PEI/AFP-Fth) has an excellent biocompatibility towards the liver cells. In vivo and in vivo studies revealed that the transfection of AFP-Fth gene in hepatic cells significantly upregulated the expression level of ferritin, thereby resulting in an enhanced contrast on T2-weighted images via the formed endogenous MR contrast.

Conclusions

The results suggested that MPDA@SPIO/SA-PEI/AFP-Fth had a superior ability to enhance the MR contrast of T2-weighted images of tumor region than the other preparations, which was due to its HCC-targeted ability and the combined T2 contrast effect of endogenous ferritin and exogenous SPIO. Our study proved that MPDA@SPIO/SA-PEI/AFP-Fth nanocomplexes could be used as an effective MR contrast agent to detect HCC in the early stage.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-021-00821-8.

Blockade of HIF-1α and STAT3 by hyaluronate-conjugated TAT-chitosan-SPION nanoparticles loaded with siRNA molecules prevents tumor growth

HIF-1α and STAT3 are two of the critical factors in the growth, proliferation, and metastasis of cancer cells and play a crucial role in inhibiting anti-cancer immune responses. Therefore, we used superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPION) nanoparticles (NPs) coated with thiolated chitosan (ChT) and trimethyl chitosan (TMC) and functionalized with hyaluronate (H) and TAT peptide for delivery of siRNA molecules against STAT3 and HIF-1α to cancer cells both in vivo and in vitro. The results indicated that tumor cell transfection with siRNA-encapsulated NPs robustly inhibited proliferation and migration and induced apoptosis in tumor cells. Furthermore, simultaneous silencing of HIF-1α and STAT3 significantly repressed cancer development in two different tumor types (4T1 breast cancer and CT26 colon cancer) which were associated with upregulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and IFN-γ secretion. The findings suggest inhibiting the HIF-1α/STAT3 axis by SPION-TMC-ChT-TAT-H NPs as an effective way to treat cancer.

Nanomedicines for Endometriosis: Lessons Learned from Cancer Research

Endometriosis is an incurable gynecological disease characterized by the abnormal growth of endometrium-like tissue, characteristic of the uterine lining, outside of the uterine cavity. Millions of people with endometriosis suffer from pelvic pain and infertility. This review aims to discuss whether nanomedicines that are promising therapeutic approaches for various diseases have the potential to create a paradigm shift in endometriosis management. For the first time, the available reports and achievements in the field of endometriosis nanomedicine are critically evaluated, and a summary of how nanoparticle-based systems can improve endometriosis treatment and diagnosis is provided. Parallels between cancer and endometriosis are also drawn to understand whether some fundamental principles of the well-established cancer nanomedicine field can be adopted for the development of novel nanoparticle-based strategies for endometriosis. This review provides the state of the art of endometriosis nanomedicine and perspective for researchers aiming to realize and exploit the full potential of nanoparticles for treatment and imaging of the disorder.

Promising tamoxifen-loaded biocompatible hybrid magnetic nanoplatforms against breast cancer cells: synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation

Improved efficacy and safety of tamoxifen-loaded hybrid nanocarriers based on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, l-cysteine and hyaluronic acid for breast cancer therapy.

Preparation of FA-targeted magnetic nanocomposites co-loading TFPI-2 plasmid and cis-platinum and its targeted therapy effects on nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The majority of patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) present with advanced-stage disease. The main treatment for these patients is concurrent chemoradiotherapy, which has various side effects. To improve the therapeutic effects and reduce the side effects of NPC chemoradiotherapy, we constructed a multifunctional folic acid (FA)-targeted magnetic nanocomposite codelivering tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) and cisplatin (CDDP). This novel nanocomposite (FA-MNP/CDDP/TFPI-2) was obtained by amidation and electrostatic adsorption between FA-methoxypolyethylene glycol-polyethyleneimine (FA-MPEG-PEI) containing the TFPI-2 plasmid and magnetic nanoparticles modified by aldehyde sodium alginate loaded with CDDP. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the size of the individual magnetite particle core was approximately 11.5 nm. The structure and composition of the nanocomposites were identified and examined by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry. The fluorescence analysis, Prussian blue iron staining, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and whole-body fluorescence imaging results demonstrated that FA-MNP/CDDP/TFPI-2 showed high gene transfection efficiency and could target tumor cells via folate receptor (FR)-mediated delivery. The codelivery analysis showed that the obtained FA-MNP/CDDP/TFPI-2 composite could cause significantly more apoptosis than treatment with CDDP or TFPI-2 alone. The results showed that the FA-MNP/CDDP/TFPI-2 composites were successfully synthesized and indicated to be a specific molecular target for the FR with significant inhibitory effects on the growth of HNE-1 cells.

Progress of Cancer Nanotechnology as Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Theranostics Nanomedicine: Preclinical Promise and Translational Challenges

Early detection, right therapeutic intervention, and simultaneous effectiveness mapping are considered the critical factors in successful cancer therapy. Nevertheless, these factors experience the limitations of conventional cancer diagnostics and therapeutics delivery approaches. Along with providing the targeted therapeutics delivery, advances in nanomedicines have allowed the combination of therapy and diagnostics in a single system (called cancer theranostics). This paper discusses the progress in the pre-clinical and clinical development of therapeutics, diagnostics, and theranostics cancer nanomedicines. It has been well evident that compared to the overabundance of works that claimed success in pre-clinical studies, merely 15 and around 75 cancer nanomedicines are approved, and currently under clinical trials, respectively. Thus, we also brief the critical bottlenecks in the successful clinical translation of cancer nanomedicines.

6-Bromoindirubin-3'-oxime Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells and Facilitates Bone Regeneration in a Mouse Periodontitis Model

Effective bone tissue engineering is important to overcome the unmet clinical challenges of periodontal tissue regeneration. Successful bone tissue engineering comprises three key factors: stem cells, growth factors, and scaffolds. 6-Bromoindirubin-3'-oxime (BIO) is an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) that can activate the Wnt signaling pathway by enhancing β-catenin activity. In this study, the effects of BIO on the proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) were investigated. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) emerged as promising biomaterials; thus, we developed a novel HA hydrogel embedded with BIO-encapsulated PLGA microspheres and injected the formulation into the gingival sulcus of mice with experimental periodontitis. The release speed of this system was fast in the first week and followed a sustained release phase until week 4. In vivo experiments showed that this PLGA-BIO-HA hydrogel system can inhibit periodontal inflammation, promote bone regeneration, and induce the expression of bone-forming markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and osteocalcin (OCN) in a mouse periodontitis model. Therefore, this PLGA-BIO-HA hydrogel system provides a promising therapeutic strategy for periodontal bone regeneration.

Effects of the Molecular Weight of Hyaluronic Acid in a Carbon Nanotube Drug Delivery Conjugate

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a ubiquitous biopolymer involved in many pathophysiological roles. One HA receptor, the cluster of differentiation CD44 protein, is often overexpressed in tumor cells. As such, HA has attracted considerable interest in the development of drug delivery formulations, given its intrinsic targetability toward CD44 overexpressing cells. The present study is focused on examining the correlation of HA molecular weight with its targetability properties. A library of conjugates obtained by linking the amino group of the phospholipid 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DMPE) to the carboxylic residues of HA of different molecular weight (6.4, 17, 51, 200, and 1,500 kDa) were synthesized and fully characterized. The HA-DMPE conjugates were then used to non-covalently functionalize the highly hydrophobic single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT), and further encapsulate the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). Our results show that the complexes DOX/CNT/HA-DMPE maintain very good and stable dispersibility. Drug release studies indicated a pH-responsive release of the drug from the nanocarrier. Cell viability tests demonstrated that all HA modified CNTs have good biocompatibility, and specific targeting toward cells overexpressing the CD44 receptor. Among all the molecular weights tested, the 200 kDa HA showed the highest increase in cellular uptake and cytotoxic activity. All these promising attributes make CNT/HA₂₀₀-DMPE a “smart” platform for tumor-targeted delivery of anticancer agents.