RNA Interference Nanotherapeutics for Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme

Roles of selenium-containing glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductases in the regulation of processes associated with glioblastoma progression

Glioblastoma remains the most common and aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system in adults. Current treatment options include standard surgical resection combined with radiation/chemotherapy, but such protocol most likely only delays the inevitable. Therefore, the problem of finding therapeutic targets to prevent the occurrence and development of this severe oncological disease is currently acute. It is known that the functions of selenoproteins in the regulation of carcinogenesis processes are not unambiguous. Either they exhibit cytotoxic activity on cancer cells, or cytoprotective. A special place in the progression of oncological diseases of various etiologies is occupied by proteins of the thioredoxin and glutathione systems. These are two cellular antioxidant systems that regulate redox homeostasis, counteracting the increased production of reactive oxygen species in cells. The review reflects the latest data on the role of key enzymes of these redox systems in the regulation of processes associated with the progression of glioblastoma. A thorough consideration of these issues will expand fundamental knowledge about the functions of selenium-containing thioredoxin reductases and glutathione peroxidases in the therapy of glioblastomas and provide an understanding of the prospects for the treatment of this aggressive oncological disease.

Antibody-Free Immunopeptide Nano-Conjugates for Brain-Targeted Drug Delivery in Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) represents a significant clinical challenge amongst central nervous system (CNS) tumors, with a dismal mean survival rate of less than 8 months, a statistic that has remained largely unchanged for decades (National Brain Society, 2022). The specialized intricate anatomical features of the brain, notably the blood-brain barrier (BBB), pose significant challenges to effective therapeutic interventions, limiting the potential reach of modern advancements in immunotherapy to impact these types of tumors. This study introduces an innovative, actively targeted immunotherapeutic nanoconjugate (P12/AP-2/NCs) designed to serve as an immunotherapeutic agent capable of traversing the BBB via LRP-1 receptor-mediated transcytosis. P12/AP-2/NCs exert its immune-modulating effects by inhibiting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis through a small-size PD-L1/PD-L2 antagonist peptide Aurigene NP-12 (P12). P12/AP-2/NCs are synthesized from completely biodegradable, functionalized high molecular weight β-poly(L-malic acid) (PMLA) polymer, conjugated with P12 and Angiopep-2 (AP2) to yield P12/AP-2/NCs. Evaluating nanoconjugates for BBB permeability and 3-D tumor model efficacy using an in vitro BBB-Transwell spheroid based model demonstrating successful crossing of the BBB and internalization in brain 3D tumor environments. In addition, the nanoconjugate mediated T cell's cytotoxicity on 3D tumor region death in a U87 GBM 3-D spheroid model. AP2/P12/NCs is selectively inhibited in PD1/PDL1 interaction on T cells and tumor site, increasing inflammatory cytokine secretion and T cell proliferation. In an in-vivo murine brain environment, rhodamine fluorophore-labeled AP2/P12/NCs displayed significantly increased accumulation in the brain during 2-6 h time intervals post-injection with a prolonged bioavailability over unconjugated peptides. AP2/P12/NCs demonstrated a safety profile at both low and high doses based on major organ histopathology evaluations. Our findings introduce a novel, programmable nanoconjugate platform capable of penetrating the BBB for directed delivery of small peptides and significant immune environment modulation without utilizing antibodies, offering promise for treating challenging brain diseases like glioblastoma multiforme and beyond.

Emerging Roles of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Over the past decade, studies have demonstrated that circulating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)-recognised for their stability and ease of detection-serve as crucial regulators and potential biomarkers in multiple diseases. LncRNAs regulate key processes, including endothelial function, vascular remodelling, and myocardial hypertrophy, all of which influence CVD progression. Additionally, lncRNAs display cell-, tissue-, and disease-specific expression patterns, making them ideal therapeutic targets or tools. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of lncRNAs in CVDs, examining their mechanisms of action and recent research advances. It also addresses the use of lncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic markers, as well as potential applications of RNA therapeutics in novel treatment strategies.

Long Non-Coding RNAs in Malignant Human Brain Tumors: Driving Forces Behind Progression and Therapy

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a pivotal role in regulating gene expression and are critically involved in the progression of malignant brain tumors, including glioblastoma, medulloblastoma, and meningioma. These lncRNAs interact with microRNAs (miRNAs), proteins, and DNA, influencing key processes such as cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. This review highlights the multifaceted impact of lncRNA dysregulation on tumor progression and underscores their potential as therapeutic targets to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. The insights provided offer new directions for advancing basic research and clinical applications in malignant brain tumors.

Glioblastoma therapy: State of the field and future prospects

Glioblastoma (GB) is a cancerous brain tumor that originates from glial cells and leads to thousands of deaths each year and a five-year survival of only 6.8 %. Treatments for GB include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. GB is an incurable fatal disease, necessitating the development of innovative strategies to find a developing effective therapy. Genetic therapies may be crucial in treating GB by identifying the mutations and amplifications of multiple genes, which drive its proliferation and spread. Use of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) provides a novel technology used to suppress the genes associated with disease, which forms a basis for targeted therapy in GB and its stem cell population, which are recognized for their ability to develop resistance to chemotherapy and tumorigenic capabilities. This review examines the use of siRNAs in GB, emphasizing their effectiveness in suppressing key oncogenes and signaling pathways associated with tumor development, invasion, stemness, and resistance to standard treatments. siRNA-based gene silencing is a promising approach for developing targeted therapeutics against GB and associated stem cell populations, potentially enhancing patient outcomes and survival rates in this devastating disease.

DNA/RNA-based electrochemical nanobiosensors for early detection of cancers

Nucleic acids, like DNA and RNA, serve as versatile recognition elements in electrochemical biosensors, demonstrating notable efficacy in detecting various cancer biomarkers with high sensitivity and selectivity. These biosensors offer advantages such as cost-effectiveness, rapid response, ease of operation, and minimal sample preparation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in nucleic acid-based electrochemical biosensors for cancer diagnosis, comparing them with antibody-based counterparts. Specific examples targeting key cancer biomarkers, including prostate-specific antigen, microRNA-21, and carcinoembryonic antigen, are highlighted. The discussion delves into challenges and limitations, encompassing stability, reproducibility, interference, and standardization issues. The review suggests future research directions, exploring new nucleic acid recognition elements, innovative transducer materials and designs, novel signal amplification strategies, and integration with microfluidic devices or portable instruments. Evaluating these biosensors in clinical settings using actual samples from cancer patients or healthy donors is emphasized. These sensors are sensitive and specific at detecting non-communicable and communicable disease biomarkers. DNA and RNA's self-assembly, programmability, catalytic activity, and dynamic behavior enable adaptable sensing platforms. They can increase biosensor biocompatibility, stability, signal transduction, and amplification with nanomaterials. In conclusion, nucleic acids-based electrochemical biosensors hold significant potential to enhance cancer detection and treatment through early and accurate diagnosis.

Nanomaterials-Based Targeting of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer: A Cutting-Edge Review of Current Trends

This review article spotlights the burgeoning potential of using nanotherapeutic strategies to target long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer cells. This updated discourse underlines the prominent role of lncRNAs in instigating cancer, facilitating its progression, and metastasis, validating lncRNAs' potential for being effective diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The manuscript offers an in-depth examination of different strategies presently employed to modulate lncRNA expression and function for therapeutic purposes. Among these strategies, Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs), RNA interference (RNAi) technologies, and the innovative clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based gene editing tools garner noteworthy mention. A significant section of the review is dedicated to nanocarriers and their crucial role in drug delivery. These nanocarriers' efficiency in targeting lncRNAs in varied types of cancers is elaborated upon, validating the importance of targeted therapy. The manuscript culminates by reaffirming the promising prospects of targeting lncRNAs to enhance the accuracy of cancer diagnosis and improve treatment efficacy. Consequently, new paths are opened to more research and innovation in employing nanotherapeutic approaches against lncRNAs in cancer cells. Thus, this comprehensive manuscript serves as a valuable resource that underscores the vital role of lncRNAs and the various nano-strategies for targeting them in cancer treatment. Future research should also focus on unraveling the complex regulatory networks involving lncRNAs and identifying fundamental functional interactions to refine therapeutic strategies targeting lncRNAs in cancer.

Glioblastoma Therapy: Past, Present and Future

Glioblastoma (GB) stands out as the most prevalent and lethal form of brain cancer. Although great efforts have been made by clinicians and researchers, no significant improvement in survival has been achieved since the Stupp protocol became the standard of care (SOC) in 2005. Despite multimodality treatments, recurrence is almost universal with survival rates under 2 years after diagnosis. Here, we discuss the recent progress in our understanding of GB pathophysiology, in particular, the importance of glioma stem cells (GSCs), the tumor microenvironment conditions, and epigenetic mechanisms involved in GB growth, aggressiveness and recurrence. The discussion on therapeutic strategies first covers the SOC treatment and targeted therapies that have been shown to interfere with different signaling pathways (pRB/CDK4/RB1/P16ink4, TP53/MDM2/P14arf, PI3k/Akt-PTEN, RAS/RAF/MEK, PARP) involved in GB tumorigenesis, pathophysiology, and treatment resistance acquisition. Below, we analyze several immunotherapeutic approaches (i.e., checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, CAR-modified NK or T cells, oncolytic virotherapy) that have been used in an attempt to enhance the immune response against GB, and thereby avoid recidivism or increase survival of GB patients. Finally, we present treatment attempts made using nanotherapies (nanometric structures having active anti-GB agents such as antibodies, chemotherapeutic/anti-angiogenic drugs or sensitizers, radionuclides, and molecules that target GB cellular receptors or open the blood-brain barrier) and non-ionizing energies (laser interstitial thermal therapy, high/low intensity focused ultrasounds, photodynamic/sonodynamic therapies and electroporation). The aim of this review is to discuss the advances and limitations of the current therapies and to present novel approaches that are under development or following clinical trials.

Multiple therapeutic approaches of glioblastoma multiforme: From terminal to therapy

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer showing poor prognosis. Currently, treatment methods of GBM are limited with adverse outcomes and low survival rate. Thus, advancements in the treatment of GBM are of utmost importance, which can be achieved in recent decades. However, despite aggressive initial treatment, most patients develop recurrent diseases, and the overall survival rate of patients is impossible to achieve. Currently, researchers across the globe target signaling events along with tumor microenvironment (TME) through different drug molecules to inhibit the progression of GBM, but clinically they failed to demonstrate much success. Herein, we discuss the therapeutic targets and signaling cascades along with the role of the organoids model in GBM research. Moreover, we systematically review the traditional and emerging therapeutic strategies in GBM. In addition, we discuss the implications of nanotechnologies, AI, and combinatorial approach to enhance GBM therapeutics.

Targeted gene inactivation in Salmonella Typhi by CRISPR/Cas9-assisted homologous recombination

BACKGROUND

Targeted gene inactivation (TGI) is a widely used technique for the study of genes' functions. There are many different methods for TGI, however, most of them are so complicated and time-consuming. New promising genetic engineering tools are developing for this purpose. In the present study, for the first time we disrupted a virulence gene from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), located in the bacterial chromosome using CRISPR/Cas9 system and homology directed repair (HDR).

METHODS

For this aim, pCas9 plasmid containing Cas9 enzyme and required proteins for homology directed recombination was transferred to S. Typhi by electroporation. On the other hand, a specific guide RNA (gRNA) was designed using CRISPOR online tool. Synthetic gRNA was cloned into pTargetF plasmid. Also, a DNA fragment (HDR fragment) was designed to incorporate into the bacterial chromosome following the cleavage of the bacterial genome by Cas9 enzyme. pTargetF containing gRNA and HDR fragment were co-transferred to S. Typhi containing pcas9 plasmid. The transformed bacteria were screened for recombination using PCR, restriction digestion and sequencing.

RESULTS

The results of PCR, restriction digestion and sequencing showed the successful recombination of S. Typhi, in which the gidA gene is disrupted.

CONCLUSION

In the present study we aimed to develop a rapid and robust method for targeted gene inactivation in a bacterial species, S. Typhi. This procedure can be exploited for disruption of other Salmonella as well as other bacteria's genes.

Multifunctional nanocarriers for delivering siRNA and miRNA in glioblastoma therapy: advances in nanobiotechnology-based cancer therapy

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most lethal cancer due to poor diagnosis and rapid resistance developed towards the drug. Genes associated to cancer-related overexpression of proteins, enzymes, and receptors can be suppressed using an RNA silencing technique. This assists in obtaining tumour targetability, resulting in less harm caused to the surrounding healthy cells. RNA interference (RNAi) has scientific basis for providing potential therapeutic applications in improving GBM treatment. However, the therapeutic application of RNAi is challenging due to its poor permeability across blood-brain barrier (BBB). Nanobiotechnology has evolved the use of nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, dendrimers, quantum dots and other nanostructures in encasing the RNAi entities like siRNA and miRNA. The review highlights the role of these carriers in encasing siRNA and miRNA and promising therapy in delivering them to the glioma cells.

Multifunctional magnetic nanocarriers for delivery of siRNA and shRNA plasmid to mammalian cells: Characterization, adsorption and release behaviors

Nucleic acids are promising candidates for treating various diseases. Nucleic acid is negatively charged and hydrophilic; therefore, it is not efficiently taken up by cells. Successful gene therapy requires the development of carriers for efficient delivery of gene-expressing DNA plasmid and small interfering RNA (siRNA) duplex. In this study, we developed MNP-CA-PEI, a citric acid (CA)-modified magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) cross-linked with polyethyleneimine (PEI), using carbonyldiimidazole as the crosslinker. The physical properties of MNP-CA-PEI (particle size, morphologies, surface coating, surface potentials, magnetic hystereses, superparamagnetic behaviors, and infrared spectra) were systematically characterized by transmission electron microscopy imaging, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetric analysis, superconducting quantum interference device, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics were determined by the Langmuir model, the Freundlich model, a pseudo-first-order equation, and a pseudo-second-order equation. MNP-CA-PEI could form polyelectrolyte complexes with negatively charged nucleic acids, enabling the efficient delivery of nucleic acids into cells. Using MNP-CA-PEI nanoparticles, we magnetically triggered the intracellular delivery of green fluorescence protein (GFP)-expressing DNA plasmid, plasmid-expressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against GFP, or siRNA targeting GFP into different cell lines. Nucleic acid/MNP-CA-PEI displayed the enhanced cellular uptake of GFP-expressing DNA plasmid, and it improved the silencing efficiency of shRNA and siRNA, determined by fluorescence imaging. Gene knockdowns mediated by shRNA and siRNA were also confirmed by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. MNP-CA-PEI delivered nucleic acids into cytosol through caveolae-mediated endocytosis. This study introduces a new MNP functionalization that can be used for the magnetically driven intracellular delivery of nucleic acids.

Broadening the Horizons of RNA Delivery Strategies in Cancer Therapy

RNA-based therapy is a promising and innovative strategy for cancer treatment. However, poor stability, immunogenicity, low cellular uptake rate, and difficulty in endosomal escape are considered the major obstacles in the cancer therapy process, severely limiting the development of clinical translation and application. For efficient and safe transport of RNA into cancer cells, it usually needs to be packaged in appropriate carriers so that it can be taken up by the target cells and then be released to the specific location to perform its function. In this review, we will focus on up-to-date insights of the RNA-based delivery carrier and comprehensively describe its application in cancer therapy. We briefly discuss delivery obstacles in RNA-mediated cancer therapy and summarize the advantages and disadvantages of different carriers (cationic polymers, inorganic nanoparticles, lipids, etc.). In addition, we further summarize and discuss the current RNA therapeutic strategies approved for clinical use. A comprehensive overview of various carriers and emerging delivery strategies for RNA delivery, as well as the current status of clinical applications and practice of RNA medicines are classified and integrated to inspire fresh ideas and breakthroughs.

Dendrimer-based delivery of macromolecules for the treatment of brain tumor

Brain tumor represents the most lethal form of cancer with the highest mortality and morbidity rates irrespective of age and sex. Advancements in macromolecule-based therapy (such as nucleic acids and peptides) have shown promising roles in the treatment of brain tumor where the phenomenon of severe toxicities due to the conventional chemotherapeutic agents can be circumvented. Despite its preclinical progress, successful targeting of these macromolecules across the blood-brain barrier without altering their physical and chemical characteristics is of great challenge. With the advent of nanotechnology, nowadays targeted delivery of therapeutics is being explored extensively and these macromolecules, including peptides and nucleic acids, have shown initial success in the treatment, where dendrimer has shown its potential for optimal delivery. Dendrimers are being favored as a mode of drug delivery due to their nano-spherical size and structure, high solubilization potential, multivalent surface, and high loading capacity, where biomolecule resembling characteristics of dendritic 3D structures has shown effective delivery of various therapeutic agents to the brain. Armed with targeting ligands to these dendrimers further expedite the transportation of these multifunctional shuttles specifically to the glioblastoma cells. Thus, a focus has been made in this review on therapeutic applications of dendrimer platforms in brain tumor treatment. The future development of dendrimers as a potential platform for nucleic acid and peptide delivery and its promising clinical application could provide effective and target-specific treatment against brain tumors.

The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Glioma

For decades, research in cancer biology has been focused on the protein-coding fraction of the human genome. However, with the discovery of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), it has become known that these entities not only function in numerous fundamental life processes such as growth, differentiation, and development, but also play critical roles in a wide spectrum of human diseases, including cancer. Dysregulated ncRNA expression is found to affect cancer initiation, progression, and therapy resistance, through transcriptional, post-transcriptional, or epigenetic processes in the cell. In this review, we focus on the recent development and advances in ncRNA biology that are pertinent to their role in glioma tumorigenesis and therapy response. Gliomas are common, and are the most aggressive type of primary tumors, which account for ~30% of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Of these, glioblastoma (GBM), which are grade IV tumors, are the most lethal brain tumors. Only 5% of GBM patients survive beyond five years upon diagnosis. Hence, a deeper understanding of the cellular non-coding transcriptome might help identify biomarkers and therapeutic agents for a better treatment of glioma. Here, we delve into the functional roles of microRNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), and circular RNA (circRNA) in glioma tumorigenesis, discuss the function of their extracellular counterparts, and highlight their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic agents in glioma.

Nano-Codelivery of Temozolomide and siPD-L1 to Reprogram the Drug-Resistant and Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in Orthotopic Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an invasive cancer with high mortality in central nervous system. Resistance to temozolomide (TMZ) and immunosuppressive microenvironment lead to low outcome of the standardized treatment for GBM. In this study, a 2-deoxy-d-glucose modified lipid polymer nanoparticle loaded with TMZ and siPD-L1 (TMZ/siPD-L1@GLPN/dsb) was prepared to reprogram the TMZ-resistant and immunosuppressive microenvironment in orthotopic GBM. TMZ/siPD-L1@GLPN/dsb simultaneously delivered a large amount of TMZ and siPD-L1 to the deep area of the orthotopic TMZ-resistant GBM tissue. By inhibiting PD-L1 protein expression, TMZ/siPD-L1@GLPN/dsb markedly augmented the percentage of CD3⁺CD8⁺IFN-γ⁺ cells (T_eff cells) and reduced the percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺ cells (T_reg cells) in orthotopic TMZ-resistant GBM tissue, which enhanced T-cell mediated cytotoxicity on orthotopic TMZ-resistant GBM. Moreover, TMZ/siPD-L1@GLPN/dsb obviously augmented the sensitivity of orthotopic TMZ-resistant GBM to TMZ through decreasing the protein expression of O⁶-methyl-guanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in TMZ-resistant GBM cells. Thus, TMZ/siPD-L1@GLPN/dsb markedly restrained the growth of orthotopic TMZ-resistant GBM and extended the survival time of orthotopic GBM rats through reversing a TMZ-resistant and immunosuppressive microenvironment. TMZ/siPD-L1@GLPN/dsb shows potential application to treat orthotopic TMZ-resistant GBM.

Strategies for improving the safety and RNAi efficacy of noncovalent peptide/siRNA nanocomplexes

In the past decades, the striking development of cationic polypeptides and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) tailored for small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery has been fuelled by the conception of nuclear acid therapy and precision medicine. Owing to their amino acid compositions, inherent secondary structures as well as diverse geometrical shapes, peptides or peptide-containing polymers exhibit good biodegradability, high flexibility, and bio-functional diversity as nonviral siRNA vectors. Also, a variety of noncovalent nanocomplexes could be built via self-assembling and electrostatic interactions between cationic peptides and siRNAs. Although the peptide/siRNA nanocomplex-based RNAi therapies, STP705 and MIR-19, are under clinical trials, a guideline addressing the current bottlenecks of peptide/siRNA nanocomplex delivery is in high demand for future research and development. In this review, we present strategies for improving the safety and RNAi efficacy of noncovalent peptide/siRNA nanocomplexes in the treatment of genetic disorders. Through thorough analysis of those RNAi formulations using different delivery strategies, we seek to shed light on the rationale of peptide design and modification in constructing robust siRNA delivery systems, including targeted and co-delivery systems. Based on this, we provide a timely and comprehensive understanding of how to engineer biocompatible and efficient peptide-based siRNA vectors.

RNA Drug Delivery Using Biogenic Nanovehicles for Cancer Therapy

RNA-based therapies have been promising method for treating all kinds of diseases, and four siRNA-based drugs and two mRNA-based drugs have been approved and are on the market now. However, none of them is applied for cancer treatment. This is not only because of the complexity of the tumor microenvironment, but also due to the intrinsic obstacles of RNAs. Until now, all kinds of strategies have been developed to improve the performance of RNAs for cancer therapy, especially the nanoparticle-based ones using biogenic materials. They are much more compatible with less toxicity compared to the ones using synthetic polymers, and the most widely studied biogenic materials are oligonucleotides, exosomes, and cell membranes. Particular characteristics make them show different capacities in internalization and endosomal escape as well as specific targeting. In this paper, we systematically summarize the RNA-based nano-delivery systems using biogenic materials for cancer therapy, and we believe this review will provide a valuable reference for researchers involved in the field of biogenic delivery and RNA-based therapies for cancer treatment.

Nanoparticle designs for delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics as brain cancer therapies

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive central nervous system cancer with a dismal prognosis. The standard of care involves surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but five-year survival is only 5.6% despite these measures. Novel therapeutic approaches, such as immunotherapies, targeted therapies, and gene therapies, have been explored to attempt to extend survival for patients. Nanoparticles have been receiving increasing attention as promising vehicles for non-viral nucleic acid delivery in the context of GBM, though delivery is often limited by low blood-brain barrier permeability, particle instability, and low trafficking to target brain structures and cells. In this review, nanoparticle design considerations and new advances to overcome nucleic acid delivery challenges to treat brain cancer are summarized and discussed.

Folate targeted hybrid lipo-polymeric nanoplexes containing docetaxel and miRNA-34a for breast cancer treatment

In spite of established evidence of the synergistic combination of hydrophobic anticancer molecule and microRNA for breast cancer treatment, their in vivo delivery has not been realized owing to their instability in the biological milieu and varied physicochemical properties. The present work reports folate targeted hybrid lipo-polymeric nanoplexes for co-delivering DTX and miR-34a. These nanoplexes exhibited a mean size of 129.3 nm with complexation efficiency at an 8:1 N/P ratio. The obtained nanoplexes demonstrated higher entrapment efficiency of DTX (94.8%) with a sustained release profile up to 85% till 48 h. Further, an improved transfection efficiency in MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 breast cancer cells was observed with uptake primarily through lipid-raft and clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Further, nanoplexes showed improved cytotoxicity (~3.5-5 folds), apoptosis (~1.6-2.0 folds), and change in expression of apoptotic genes (~4-7 folds) compared to the free treatment group in breast cancer cells. In vivo systemic administration of FA-functionalized DTX and FAM-siRNA-loaded nanoplexes showed an improved area under the curve (AUC) as well as circulation half-life compared to free DTX and naked FAM-labelled siRNA. Acute toxicity studies of the cationic polymer showed no toxicity at a dose equivalent to 10 mg/kg based on the hematological, biochemical, and histopathological examination.

Long, Noncoding RNA Dysregulation in Glioblastoma

Simple Summary

Developing effective therapies for glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary brain cancer, remains challenging due to the heterogeneity within tumors and therapeutic resistance that drives recurrence. Noncoding RNAs are transcribed from a large proportion of the genome and remain largely unexplored in their contribution to the evolution of GBM tumors. Here, we will review the general mechanisms of long, noncoding RNAs and the current knowledge of how these impact heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance in GBM. A better understanding of the molecular drivers required for these aggressive tumors is necessary to improve the management and outcomes of this challenging disease.

Abstract

Transcription occurs across more than 70% of the human genome and more than half of currently annotated genes produce functional noncoding RNAs. Of these transcripts, the majority—long, noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)—are greater than 200 nucleotides in length and are necessary for various roles in the cell. It is increasingly appreciated that these lncRNAs are relevant in both health and disease states, with the brain expressing the largest number of lncRNAs compared to other organs. Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive, fatal brain tumor that demonstrates remarkable intratumoral heterogeneity, which has made the development of effective therapies challenging. The cooperation between genetic and epigenetic alterations drives rapid adaptation that allows therapeutic evasion and recurrence. Given the large repertoire of lncRNAs in normal brain tissue and the well-described roles of lncRNAs in molecular and cellular processes, these transcripts are important to consider in the context of GBM heterogeneity and treatment resistance. Herein, we review the general mechanisms and biological roles of lncRNAs, with a focus on GBM, as well as RNA-based therapeutics currently in development.

Construction of Surface-Modified Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Sequential Drug Release and Combined Chemo-Photothermal Cancer Therapy

Single chemotherapy often causes severe adverse effects and drug resistance to limit therapeutic efficacy. As a noninvasive approach, photothermal therapy (PTT) represents an attractive option for cancer therapy due to the benefits of remote control and precise treatment methods. Nanomedicines constructed with combined chemo-photothermal properties may exert synergistic effects and improved antitumor efficacy. In this study, we developed polydopamine (PDA)-coated nanoparticles grafted with folic acid (FA) and polyethylene glycol to transport doxorubicin (DOX) for targeted cancer therapy. The results showed that this delivery vehicle has a nanoscale particle size and narrow size distribution. No particle aggregation or significant drug leakage was observed during the stability test. This system presented excellent photothermal conversion capability under near-infrared light (NIR) laser irradiation due to the PDA layer covering. In vitro dissolution profiles demonstrated that sequential and triggered DOX release from nanoparticles was pH-, NIR irradiation-, and redox level-dependent and could be best fitted with the Ritger-Peppas equation. FA modification effectively promoted the intracellular uptake of nanoparticles by HepG2 cells and therefore significantly inhibited cell recovery and induced tumor cell apoptosis. Compared to the free DOX group, nanoparticles reduced the DOX concentration in the heart to avoid drug-related cardiotoxicity. More importantly, the in vivo antitumor efficacy results showed that compared with the single chemotherapy strategy, the nanoparticle group exerted combined and satisfactory tumor growth inhibition effects with good biocompatibility. In summary, this nanocarrier delivery system can organically combine chemotherapy and PTT to achieve effective and precise cancer treatment.