Avengers against cancer: A new era of nano-biomaterial-based therapeutics

DLL4/VEGF bispecific molecularly imprinted nanomissile for robust tumor therapy

Tumor-induced angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in the progression and expansion of solid tumors, making anti-angiogenic therapies a promising strategy in cancer treatment. However, compensatory angiogenesis, which can drive drug resistance and tumor recurrence, poses significant challenges in anti-angiogenic therapy. Therefore, improved anti-tumor angiogenesis therapy has become a critical necessity. Herein, we present a bispecific molecularly imprinted nanomissile (bsMINM) engineered to simultaneously target and inhibit both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Delta-like 4 (DLL4). By blocking these two pivotal signals in tumor angiogenesis, bsMINM offers a potent "one-stone-for-two-birds" strategy that markedly enhances anti-tumor angiogenesis. The bsMINM features tailor-made binding sites for the N-epitopes of both VEGF and DLL4. This design allows bsMINM to persist at tumor sites effectively and diminish the negative feedback loop between VEGF and DLL4. The bsMINM inhibits VEGF-VEGFR signaling pathway in vascular endothelial cells and DLL4-Notch signaling pathway in both vascular endothelial cells and tumor cells, resulting in significant anti-tumor angiogenesis and growth inhibition. In the MCF-7 xenograft model, bsMINM exhibited a notable efficacy in restraining tumor progression while concurrently diminishing the self-renewal potential of cancer cells. This study pioneers the construction of the first bsMINM with inherent, enhanced anti-angiogenic effects achieved through dual blockades. The platform's bispecific recognition capability opens a new avenue for tumor treatment and shows significant promise in addressing issues caused by signaling pathway compensation.

Tumor microenvironment-activated polypeptide nanoparticles for oncolytic immunotherapy

Cationic oncolytic polypeptides have gained increasing attention owing to their ability to directly lyse cancer cells and activate potent antitumor immunity. However, the low tumor cell selectivity and inherent toxicity induced by positive charges of oncolytic polypeptides hinder their systemic application. Herein, a tumor microenvironment-responsive nanoparticle (DNP) is developed by the self-assembly of a cationic oncolytic polypeptide (PLP) with a pH-sensitive anionic polypeptide via electrostatic interactions. After the formation of DNP, the positive charges of PLP are shielded. DNPs can keep stable in physiological conditions (pH 7.4) but respond to acidic tumor microenvironment (pH 6.8) to release oncolytic PLP. As a result, DNPs evoke potent immunogenic cell death by disrupting cell membranes, damaging mitochondria and increasing intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. In vivo results indicate that DNPs significantly improve the biocompatibility of PLP, and inhibit tumor growth, recurrence and metastasis by direct oncolysis and activation of antitumor immune responses. In summary, these results indicate that pH-sensitive DNPs represent a prospective strategy to improve the tumor selectivity and biosafety of cationic polymers for oncolytic immunotherapy.

Recent advance in preparation of lignin nanoparticles and their medical applications: A review

BACKGROUND

Lignin has attracted a lot of attention because it is non-toxic, renewable and biodegradable. Lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) have high specific surface area and specific surface charges. It provides LNPs with good antibacterial and antioxidant properties. LNPs preparation has become clear, however, the application remains in the early stages.

PURPOSE

A review centric research has been conducted, reviewing existing literature to accomplish a basic understanding of the medical applications of LNPs.

METHODS

Initially, we extensively counseled the heterogeneity of lignin from various sources. The size and morphology of LNPs from different preparation process were then discussed. Subsequently, we focused on the potential medical applications of LNPs, including drug delivery, wound healing, tissue engineering, and antibacterial agents. Lastly, we explained the significance of LNPs in terms of antibacterial, antioxidant and biocompatibility, especially highlighting the need for an integrated framework to understand a diverse range of medical applications of LNPs.

RESULTS

We outlined the chemical structure of different type of lignin, and highlighted the advanced methods for lignin nanoparticles preparation. Moreover, we provided an in-depth review of the potential applications of lignin nanoparticles in various medical fields, especially in drug carriers, wound dressings, tissue engineering components, and antimicrobial agents.

CONCLUSION

This review provides a detailed overview on the current state and progression of lignin nanoparticles for medical applications.

Design of Highly Selective Zn-Coordinated Polyampholyte for Cancer Treatment and Inhibition of Tumor Metastasis

Developing anticancer agents with negligible cytotoxicity against normal cells while mitigating multidrug resistance and metastasis is challenging. Previously reported cationic polymers have effectively eradicated cancers but are clinically unsuitable due to their limited selectivity. Herein, a series of poly(l-lysine)- and nicotinic acid-based polymers were synthesized using varying amounts of dodecylsuccinic anhydride. Zn-coordinating polymers concealed their cationic charge and enhanced selectivity. These Zn-bound polymers were highly effective against liver and colon cancer cells (HepG2 and Colon 26, respectively) and prevented cancer cell migration. They also displayed potent anticancer activity against drug-resistant cell lines (COR-L23/R): their cationic structure facilitated cancer cell membrane disruption. Compared to these polymers, doxorubicin was less selective and less efficacious against drug-resistant cell lines and was unable to prevent cell migration. These polymers are potential cancer treatment agents, offering a promising solution for mitigating drug resistance and tumor metastasis and representing a novel approach to designing cancer therapeutics.

Tumor-isolated Cutibacterium acnes as an effective tumor suppressive living drug

The two major challenges in cancer treatment are reducing the side effects and minimizing the cost of cancer treatment. A better therapy to treat cancer remains to be developed despite the presence of many therapeutic options. Here, we present bacterial therapy for treating cancer using tumor-isolated Cutibacterium acnes, which is safe to use, has minimal side effects compared to chemotherapeutic drugs, and most importantly, targets the tumor microenvironment due to the bacterium's anaerobic nature. It activates the immune system, and the immune cells effectively penetrate through the tumor tissue and form an immunologic hub inside, explicitly targeting the tumor and destroying the cells. This bacterial therapy is a new cost-effective innovative treatment.

Long-acting vaccine delivery systems

Bolus vaccines are often administered multiple times due to rapid clearance and reduced transportation to draining lymph nodes resulting in inadequate activation of T and B lymphocytes. In order to achieve adaptive immunity, prolonged exposure of antigens to these immune cells is crucial. Recent research has been focusing on developing long-acting biomaterial-based vaccine delivery systems, which can modulate the release of encapsulated antigens or epitopes to facilitate enhanced antigen presentation in lymph nodes and subsequently achieve robust T and B cell responses. Over the past few years, various polymers and lipids have been extensively explored to develop effective biomaterial-based vaccine strategies. The article reviews relevant polymer and lipid-based strategies used to prepare long-acting vaccine carriers and discusses their results concerning immune responses.

Co-delivery of doxorubicin/sorafenib by DNA-decorated green ZIF-67-based nanocarriers for chemotherapy and hepatocellular carcinoma treatment

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) has been decorated with natural biomaterials and DNA to develop a promising strategy and suitable and safe co-delivery platform for doxorubicin and sorafenib (DOX-SOR). FT-IR, XRD, FESEM, and TEM were used to characterize the modified MOFs. Combined Ginkgo biloba leaf extract and E. coli DNA were used as green decorations, and as environmentally-friendly methods to be developed, and DOX and SOR were attached to the porosity and on the surface of the MOFs. TEM and FESEM images demonstrated that the green MOFs were successfully synthesized for biomedical applications and showed their cubic structure. As a result of the nanocarrier-drug interactions, 59.7% and 60.2% of the drug payload were achieved with DOX and SOR, respectively. HEK-293, HT-29, and MCF-7 cells displayed excellent viability by decoration with DNA and Ginkgo biloba leaf extract at low and high concentrations (0.1 and 50 μg/mL), suggesting they could be used in biomedical applications. MTT assays demonstrated that the nanocarriers are highly biocompatible with normal cells and possess anticancer properties when applied to HT-29 and MCF-7 cells. As a result of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract and DNA modification, DOX-SOR release was prolonged and pH-sensitive (highest release at pHs 4.5 and 5.5). The internalization and delivery of the drug were also studied using a 2d fluorescence microscope, demonstrating that the drug was effectively internalized. Cell images showed NPs internalizing in MCF-7 cells, proving their efficacy as drug delivery systems.

Potential of green-synthesized ZnO NPs against human ovarian teratocarcinoma: an in vitro study

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer leads to devastating outcomes, and its treatment is highly challenging. At present, there is a lack of clinical symptoms, well-known sensitivity biomarkers, and patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Currently, available therapeutics against ovarian cancer are inefficient, costly, and associated with severe side effects. The present study evaluated the anticancer potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) that were successfully biosynthesized in an ecofriendly mode using pumpkin seed extracts.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The anticancer potential of the biosynthesized ZnO NPs was assessed using an in vitro human ovarian teratocarcinoma cell line (PA-1) by well-known assays such as MTT assay, morphological alterations, induction of apoptosis, measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inhibition of cell adhesion/migration. The biogenic ZnO NPs exerted a high level of cytotoxicity against PA-1 cells. Furthermore, the ZnO NPs inhibited cellular adhesion and migration but induced ROS production and cell death through programmed cell death.

CONCLUSION

The aforementioned anticancer properties highlight the therapeutic utility of ZnO NPs in ovarian cancer treatment. However, further research is recommended to envisage their mechanism of action in different cancer models and validation in a suitable in vivo system.

Enhanced Bacterial-Infected Wound Healing by Nitric Oxide-Releasing Topological Supramolecular Nanocarriers with Self-Optimized Cooperative Multi-Point Anchoring

Polymeric systems that provide cationic charges or biocide-release therapeutics are used to treat the bacteria-infected wound. However, most antibacterial polymers based on topologies with restricted molecular dynamics still do not satisfy the clinical requirements due to their limited antibacterial efficacy at safe concentrations in vivo. Here a NO-releasing topological supramolecular nanocarrier with rotatable and slidable molecular entities is reported to provide conformational freedom to promote the interactions between the carrier and the pathogenic microbes, hence greatly improving the antibacterial performance. With improved contacting-killing and efficient delivery of NO biocide from the molecularly dynamic cationic ligand design, the NO-loaded topological nanocarrier achieves excellent antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects via destroying the bacterial membrane and DNA. MRSA-infected rat model is also brought out to demonstrate its wound-healing effect with neglectable toxicity in vivo. Introducing flexible molecular motions into therapeutic polymeric systems is a general design to enhance the healing of a range of diseases.

Mechanistic insights and importance of hydrophobicity in cationic polymers for cancer therapy

Development of molecules that can be effectively used for killing cancer cells remains a research topic of interest in drug discovery. However, various limitations of small molecules and nanotechnology-based drug-delivery systems hinder the development of chemotherapeutics. To resolve this issue, this study describes the potential application of polymeric molecules as anticancer drug candidates. We describe the design and synthesis of novel anticancer polymers containing hydrophobic groups. We established the fact that the cationic homopolymer (PAMPTMA) does not show any anticancer activity on its own; however, the insertion of hydrophobic moieties in copolymers (PAMPTMA-r-BuMA, PAMPTMA-r-HexMA, and PAMPTMA-r-OctMA) enhances their anticancer activity with a very low IC₅₀ value (60 μg mL^-1 for HepG2 cells). Mechanistic investigations were carried out using LDH leakage assay, cellular uptake, DOSY NMR and molecular dynamics to study the interaction between the polymer and the cell membrane as well as the role of hydrophobicity in enhancing this interaction. The results demonstrated that polymers are attracted by the anionic cancer cell membrane, which then leads to the insertion of hydrophobic groups inside the cell membrane, causing its disruption and ultimate lysis of the cell. This study demonstrates a novel and better approach for the rational design and discovery of new polymeric anticancer agents with improved efficacy.

Hypoxia-responsive Immunostimulatory Nanomedicines Synergize with Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy for Potentiating Cancer Immunotherapy

Inducing cell death while simultaneously enhancing antitumor immune responses is a promising therapeutic approach for multiple cancers. Celastrol (Cel) and 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38) have contrasting physicochemical properties, but strong synergy in immunogenic cell death induction and anticancer activity. Herein, a hypoxia-sensitive nanosystem (CS@TAP) was designed to demonstrate effective immunotherapy for colorectal cancer by systemic delivery of an immunostimulatory chemotherapy combination. Furthermore, the combination of CS@TAP with anti-PD-L1 mAb (αPD-L1) exhibited a significant therapeutic benefit of delaying tumor growth and increased local doses of immunogenic signaling and T-cell infiltration, ultimately extending survival. We conclude that CS@TAP is an effective inducer of immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, this study provides an encouraging strategy to synergistically induce immunogenic cell death to enhance tumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) infiltration for anticancer immunotherapy.

Hypoxia-responsive Immunostimulatory Nanomedicines Synergize with Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy for Potentiating Cancer Immunotherapy

Inducing cell death while simultaneously enhancing antitumor immune responses is a promising therapeutic approach for multiple cancers. Celastrol (Cel) and 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38) have contrasting physicochemical properties, but strong synergy in immunogenic cell death induction and anticancer activity. Herein, a hypoxia-sensitive nanosystem (CS@TAP) was designed to demonstrate effective immunotherapy for colorectal cancer by systemic delivery of an immunostimulatory chemotherapy combination. Furthermore, the combination of CS@TAP with anti-PD-L1 mAb (αPD-L1) exhibited a significant therapeutic benefit of delaying tumor growth and increased local doses of immunogenic signaling and T-cell infiltration, ultimately extending survival. We conclude that CS@TAP is an effective inducer of immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, this study provides an encouraging strategy to synergistically induce immunogenic cell death to enhance tumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) infiltration for anticancer immunotherapy.

Novel Strategies for the Bioavailability Augmentation and Efficacy Improvement of Natural Products in Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is emerging as a major cause of mortality globally. Oral cancer occupies a significant proportion of the head and neck, including the cheeks, tongue, and oral cavity. Conventional methods in the treatment of cancer involve surgery, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, and these have not proven to completely eradicate cancerous cells, may lead to the reoccurrence of oral cancer, and possess numerous adverse side effects. Advancements in novel drug delivery approaches have gained popularity in cancer management with an increase in the number of cases associated with oral cancer. Natural products are potent sources for drug discovery, especially for anticancer drugs. Natural product delivery has major challenges due to its low solubility, poor absorption, inappropriate size, instability, poor permeation, and first-pass metabolism. Therefore, it is of prime importance to investigate novel treatment approaches for the delivery of bioactive natural products. Nanotechnology is an advanced method of delivering cancer therapy with minimal damage to normal cells while targeting cancer cells. Therefore, the present review elaborates on the advancements in novel strategies for natural product delivery that lead to the significant enhancement of bioavailability, in vivo activity, and fewer adverse events for the prevention and treatment of oral cancer. Various approaches to accomplish the desired results involve size reduction, surface property modification, and polymer attachment, which collectively result in the higher stability of the formulation.

Bridging polymer chemistry and cryobiology

Polymers, especially charged polymers, are the key to a sustainable future, as they have the capability to act as alternatives to plastics, reduce the impact of global warming, and offer solutions to global environmental pollution problems. Biomaterial polymers have proven to be incredibly effective in a multitude of applications, including clinical applications. In the fields of cryobiology and cryopreservation, polymers have emerged as credible alternatives to small molecules and other compounds, yielding excellent results. This review outlines the results of research in the areas of polymer chemistry and cryobiology, which have not been discussed together previously. Herein, we explain how recent polymer research has enabled the development of polymeric cryoprotectants with novel mechanisms and the development of novel methods for the intracellular delivery of substances, such as drugs, using a cryobiological technique called the freeze-concentration effect. Our findings indicate that interdisciplinary collaboration between cryobiologists and polymer chemists has led to exciting developments that will further cell biology and medical research.

Biomimetic nanoparticles for tumor immunotherapy

Currently, tumor treatment research still focuses on the cancer cells themselves, but the fact that the immune system plays an important role in inhibiting tumor development cannot be ignored. The activation of the immune system depends on the difference between self and non-self. Unfortunately, cancer is characterized by genetic changes in the host cells that lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and evade immune surveillance. Cancer immunotherapy aims to coordinate a patient's immune system to target, fight, and destroy cancer cells without destroying the normal cells. Nevertheless, antitumor immunity driven by the autoimmune system alone may be inadequate for treatment. The development of drug delivery systems (DDS) based on nanoparticles can not only promote immunotherapy but also improve the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITM), which provides promising strategies for cancer treatment. However, conventional nano drug delivery systems (NDDS) are subject to several limitations in clinical transformation, such as immunogenicity and the potential toxicity risks of the carrier materials, premature drug leakage at off-target sites during circulation and drug load content. In order to address these limitations, this paper reviews the trends and progress of biomimetic NDDS and discusses the applications of each biomimetic system in tumor immunotherapy. Furthermore, we review the various combination immunotherapies based on biomimetic NDDS and key considerations for clinical transformation.

Inorganic nanoparticle-based advanced cancer therapies: promising combination strategies

Inorganic nanoparticles for drug delivery in cancer treatment offer many potential advantages because they can maximize therapeutic effect through targeting ligands while minimizing off-target side-effects through drug adsorption and infiltration. Although inorganic nanoparticles were introduced as drug carriers, they have emerged as having the capacity for combined therapeutic capabilities, including anticancer effects through cytotoxicity, suppression of oncogenes and cancer cell signaling pathway inhibition. The most promising advanced strategies for cancer therapy are as synergistic platforms for RNA interference (siRNA, miRNA, shRNA) and as synergistic drug delivery agents for the inhibition of cancer cell signaling pathways. The present work summarizes relevant current work, the promise of which is suggested by a projected compound annual growth rate of ∼20% for drug delivery alone.

Nanoengineered Bifidobacterium bifidum with Optical Activity for Photothermal Cancer Immunotheranostics

There is substantial interest regarding the understanding and designing of nanoengineered bacteria to combat various fatal diseases. Here, we report the nanoengineering of Bifidobacterium bifidum using Cremophor EL to encapsulate organic dye molecules by simple incubation and washing processes while maintaining the bacterial morphology and viability. The prepared functional bacteria exhibit characteristics such as optical absorbance, unique fluorescence, powerful photothermal conversion, low toxicity, excellent tumor targeting, and anticancer efficacy. They also displayed significant in vivo fluorescent expression in implanted colorectal cancerous tumors. Moreover, the powerful photothermal conversion of the functional bacteria could be spatiotemporally evoked by biologically penetrable near-infrared laser for effective tumor regression in mice, with the help of immunological responses. Our study demonstrates that a nanoengineering approach can provide the strong physicochemical traits and attenuation of living bacterial cells for cancer immunotheranostics.

Progress and Hurdles of Therapeutic Nanosystems against Cancer

Nanomedicine against cancer, including diagnosis, prevention and treatment, has increased expectations for the solution of many biomedical challenges in the fight against this disease. In recent decades, an exhaustive design of nanosystems with high specificity, sensitivity and selectivity has been achieved due to a rigorous control over their physicochemical properties and an understanding of the nano–bio interface. However, despite the considerable progress that has been reached in this field, there are still different hurdles that limit the clinical application of these nanosystems, which, along with their possible solutions, have been reviewed in this work. Specifically, physiological processes as biological barriers and protein corona formation related to the administration routes, designing strategies to overcome these obstacles, promising new multifunctional nanotherapeutics, and recent clinical trials are presented in this review.