Advancing mRNA Therapeutics: The Role and Future of Nanoparticle Delivery Systems

Transition Temperature-Guided Design of Lipid Nanoparticles for Effective mRNA Delivery

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are promising mRNA delivery vehicles due to their biocompatibility and tunable characteristics. While current rational design approaches focus on ionizable lipids' pKa and zeta potential to optimize mRNA encapsulation and endosomal escape, the selection of helper lipids remains largely empirical. We propose that the lipid transition temperature (Tm), marking the shift from the gel to the liquid crystalline phase, can guide rational helper lipid selection. Through screening 54 ionizable lipids, we identified H7T4, which displayed favorable physicochemical properties when combined with its tail variants but exhibited poor transfection efficiency. Using nano differential scanning calorimetry (nDSC) and biological small-angle X-ray scattering (BioSAXS), we found that lowering the system's Tm by combining H7T4 (high transition temperature) with a low-transition-temperature helper lipid such as 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) significantly enhanced mRNA cellular uptake both in vitro and in vivo. These findings establish Tm as a crucial parameter for a rational LNP design.

State of the art in CAR-based therapy: In vivo CAR production as a revolution in cell-based cancer treatment

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy has successfully treated relapsed/refractory hematological cancers. This strategy can effectively target tumor cells. However, despite positive outcomes in clinical applications, challenges remain to overcome. These hurdles pertain to the production of the drugs, solid tumor resistance, and side effects related to the treatment. Some cases have been missed during the drug preparation due to manufacturing issues, prolonged production times, and high costs. These challenges mainly arise from the in vitro manufacturing process, so reevaluating this process could minimize the number of missed patients. The immune cells are traditionally collected and sent to the laboratory; after several steps, the cells are modified to express the CAR gene before being injected back into the patient's body. During the in vivo method, the CAR gene is introduced to the immune cells inside the body. This allows for treatment to begin sooner, avoiding potential failures in drug preparation and the associated high costs. In this review, we will elaborate on the production and treatment process using in vivo CAR, examine the benefits and challenges of this approach, and ultimately present the available solutions for incorporating this treatment into clinical practice.

Revolutionizing mRNA Vaccines Through Innovative Formulation and Delivery Strategies

Modernization of existing methods for the delivery of mRNA is vital in advanced therapeutics. Traditionally, mRNA has faced obstacles of poor stability due to enzymatic degradation. This work examines cutting-edge formulation and emerging techniques for safer delivery of mRNA vaccines. Inspired by the success of lipid nanoparticles (LNP) in delivering mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, a variety of other formulations have been developed to deliver mRNA vaccines for diverse infections. The meritorious features of nanoparticle-based mRNA delivery strategies, including LNP, polymeric, dendrimers, polysaccharide-based, peptide-derived, carbon and metal-based, DNA nanostructures, hybrid, and extracellular vesicles, have been examined. The impact of these delivery platforms on mRNA vaccine delivery efficacy, protection from enzymatic degradation, cellular uptake, controlled release, and immunogenicity has been discussed in detail. Even with significant developments, there are certain limitations to overcome, including toxicity concerns, limited information about immune pathways, the need to maintain a cold chain, and the necessity of optimizing administration methods. Continuous innovation is essential for improving delivery systems for mRNA vaccines. Future research directions have been proposed to address the existing challenges in mRNA delivery and to expand their potential prophylactic and therapeutic application.

Improving the use of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing machinery as a cancer therapeutic tool with the help of nanomedicine

CRISPR-Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9) has revolutionized gene editing tools and paved the way for innovations in medical research for disease diagnosis and treatment. However, better specificity and efficient delivery of this gene machinery make it challenging to successfully edit genes for treating various diseases. This is mainly due to cellular barriers, instability in biological environments, and various off-target effects that prohibit safe and efficient delivery under in vivo conditions. This review examines several delivery modes [plasmid, mRNA, RNP (ribonucleoprotein)] and methods for the CRISPR-Cas9 system delivery, focusing on its potential applications in cancer therapy. Biocompatibility and cytotoxicity are crucial factors determining their safe and effective use. Various nanomaterials have been reviewed for their biocompatibility, limitations, and challenges in treating cancer. Among the reviewed nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) stand out for their biocompatibility due to their biomimetic lipid bilayer that effectively delivers CRISPR/Cas9 cargoes while reducing toxicity. We discuss challenges in in vivo delivery and associated findings such as encapsulation, target delivery, controlled release, and endosomal escape. Future directions involve addressing limitations and adapting CRISPR-Cas9 for clinical trials, ensuring its safe and effective use.

mRNA-based cancer vaccines: A novel approach to melanoma treatment

Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer and a leading cause of death from skin tumors. With the rising incidence of melanoma diagnoses, there is an urgent need to develop effective treatments. Among the most modern approaches are cancer vaccines, which aim to enhance cell-mediated immunity. Recently, mRNA-based cancer vaccines have gained significant attention due to their rapid production, low manufacturing costs, and ability to induce both humoral and cellular immune responses. These vaccines hold great potential in melanoma treatment, yet their application faces several challenges, including mRNA stabilization, delivery methods, and tumor heterogeneity. The recent success of mRNA vaccines in combating COVID-19 has renewed interest in their potential for cancer immunotherapy. In particular, mRNA cancer vaccines offer high specificity and better efficacy compared to traditional treatments. They can target tumor-specific neoantigens, prompting a robust immune response. This chapter reviews the mechanism of action of mRNA vaccines, advancements in adjuvant identification, and innovations in delivery systems such as lipid nanoparticles. It also discusses ongoing clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of mRNA-based vaccines in melanoma, highlighting promising early-phase results. Despite their potential, the development of mRNA cancer vaccines faces significant obstacles. Tumor heterogeneity, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments, and practical issues like vaccine administration and clinical evaluation methods are major barriers to success. By addressing these challenges and advancing innovations, mRNA cancer vaccines hold promise for transforming melanoma treatment. A careful balance between the opportunities and challenges will be key to unlocking the full potential of mRNA vaccines in cancer immunotherapy.

Enhancing Vaccine Efficacy and Stability: A Review of the Utilization of Nanoparticles in mRNA Vaccines

The development of vaccines has entered a new era with the advent of nanotechnology, particularly through the utilization of nanoparticles. This review focuses on the role of nanoparticles in enhancing the efficacy and stability of mRNA vaccines. Nanoparticles, owing to their unique properties such as high surface area, tunable size, and their ability to be functionalized, have emerged as powerful tools in vaccine development. Specifically, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have revolutionized the delivery of mRNA vaccines by protecting the fragile mRNA molecules and facilitating their efficient uptake by cells. This review discusses the various types of nanoparticles employed in mRNA vaccine formulations, including lipid-based, polymer-based, and inorganic nanoparticles, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Moreover, it explores the mechanisms by which nanoparticles improve immune responses, such as enhanced antigen presentation and the prolonged release of mRNA. This review also addresses the challenges and future directions in nanoparticle-based vaccine development, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize formulations for broader applications. By providing an in-depth analysis of the current advancements in and potential of nanoparticles in mRNA vaccines, this review aims to shed light on their critical role in combating infectious diseases and improving public health outcomes.

Advances in COVID-19 and Cancer Research

The global health crisis caused by COVID-19 has radically changed the management of several diseases [...].