A Supramolecular Nitric Oxide Nanodelivery System for Prevention of Tumor Metastasis by Inhibiting Platelet Activation and Aggregation

An artificial-enzyme-equipped immunoregulator blocks platelet-mediated breast cancer hematogenous metastasis

Platelet activation and adhesion on the surface of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) assist them in surviving within the vasculature and acquiring enhanced migratory potential. Simultaneously, protected by surrounding/covering "micro-thrombi," CTCs evade immune surveillance in circulation, thereby promoting hematogenous tumor metastasis. Based on this, we designed a self-assembling nanoenzyme drug GSNO@B (NO donor-modified GOx self-assembled with the hydrophobic drug BMS-202) against platelet-mediated tumor metastasis. This strategy involves the depletion of glucose by GOx, which inhibits platelets activity and reduces forming the micro-aggregation. Concurrently, the nanoenzyme in situ releases NO further diminishes the protective adhesion and micro-aggregation of platelet on the tumor cells surface, thereby exposing them in shear forces and immune recognition in the circulatory system. Concurrently, the disintegration of the nanoenzyme GSNO@B releases the immune checkpoint inhibitor BMS-202, further facilitating the immune clearance of CTCs. Therefore, through a three-step strategy, GSNO@B effectively suppresses primary tumors growth and metastatic tumors formation by blocking the platelet-mediated hematogenous tumor metastasis pathway.

A precision intelligent nanomissile for inhibiting tumor metastasis, boosting energy deprivation and immunotherapy

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumor stroma and local metabolic alterations cooperate to establish a unique tumor microenvironment (TME) that fosters tumor progression and metastasis. To tackle this challenge, a precision intelligent nanomissile named HA@AT-Pd has been designed for dual-pronged cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) transformation and tumor cell elimination. It is observed that HA@AT-Pd inhibits the production of cancer stem cells (CSCs) by blocking the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-mediated EMT and reversing activated CAFs to quiescence. Notably, HA@AT-Pd induces energy depletion in breast cancer cells through simultaneously suppressing cellular oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis. The inhibition of glycolysis results in reduced lactic acid production, thereby converting an immunosuppressive TME into an immune-activating environment. Furthermore, the photothermal effect generated by HA@AT-Pd evokes immunogenic cell death, which can further enhance the anti-tumor immune response. Overall, this multifunctional combination strategy unveils potential therapeutic avenues to inhibit tumor progression and metastasis.

Hirudin-Like Noninvasive Polyurethane Solid Anticoagulant Fabricated by One-Pot In Situ Solution Polymerization and Phase Conversion Methods

In the process of blood purification, the use of anticoagulants is necessary to prevent treatment interruptions due to blood clotting. Currently, traditional liquid anticoagulant medications, which enter the bloodstream, may lead to safety concerns, such as internal bleeding and thrombocytopenia. To address these issues, we prepared solid anticoagulant microspheres based on polyurethane (PU) through one-pot in situ solution polymerization and phase conversion methods. The microspheres prolong the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time (TT) by 30-40 s and demonstrate good blood compatibility. Interestingly, we find that polyurethane in the microspheres has the ability to selectively bind thrombin, like the anticoagulant mechanism of hirudin. The strong binding between PU and thrombin is confirmed through microscale thermography (MST) (the dissociation constant Kd is about 71 μM). Furthermore, the anticoagulant microspheres, in combination with other studies of anticoagulation mechanisms, are found to inhibit multiple steps in the coagulation cascade. More importantly, the noninvasive microspheres do not release PU into the bloodstream, ensuring the safety of anticoagulation therapy and suggesting significant potential for application in the field of blood purification.

An overview of phenylsulfonylfuroxan-based nitric oxide donors for cancer treatment

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous molecule integral to numerous physiological processes, including tumor modulation, cardiovascular regulation, and systemic physiological functions. Its dual role in promoting and inhibiting tumor growth makes it a focal point of contemporary oncological research. Phenylsulfonylfuroxan, a classical NO donor, has been shown to significantly elevate NO levels, thereby inducing apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation and metastasis in tumor cells. It enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, reverses multidrug resistance (MDR), and impedes tumor progression. Notably, phenylsulfonylfuroxan have the ability to trigger ferroptosis in cancer cells by binding covalently to inhibit glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Recent developments in phenylsulfonylfuroxan-based therapies have positioned them as crucial in the advancement of cancer treatment modalities. This review elucidates the mechanism by which phenylsulfonylfuroxan releases NO and summarizes the significant advancements over the past 16 years in the research and development of phenylsulfonylfuroxan conjugates with various anticancer agents for targeted cancer therapy.

Tumor microenvironment-modulated nanoparticles with cascade energy transfer as internal light sources for photodynamic therapy of deep-seated tumors

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an appealing modality for cancer treatments. However, the limited tissue penetration depth of external-excitation light makes PDT impossible in treating deep-seated tumors. Meanwhile, tumor hypoxia and intracellular reductive microenvironment restrain the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To overcome these limitations, a tumor-targeted self-illuminating supramolecular nanoparticle T-NPCe6-L-N is proposed by integrating photosensitizer Ce6 with luminol and nitric oxide (NO) for chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (CRET)-activated PDT. The high H2O2 level in tumor can trigger chemiluminescence of luminol to realize CRET-activated PDT without exposure of external light. Meanwhile, the released NO significantly relieves tumor hypoxia via vascular normalization and reduces intracellular reductive GSH level, further enhancing ROS abundance. Importantly, due to the different ROS levels between cancer cells and normal cells, T-NPCe6-L-N can selectively trigger PDT in cancer cells while sparing normal cells, which ensured low side effect. The combination of CRET-based photosensitizer-activation and tumor microenvironment modulation overcomes the innate challenges of conventional PDT, demonstrating efficient inhibition of orthotopic and metastatic tumors on mice. It also provoked potent immunogenic cell death to ensure long-term suppression effects. The proof-of-concept research proved as a new strategy to solve the dilemma of PDT in treatment of deep-seated tumors.

The potential clinical value of platelet aggregation in colorectal tumor progression

OBJECTIVE

The present study is to examine whether platelet aggregation function, platelet count and mean platelet volume are indicators that related to clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal cancer.

METHODS

A total of 546 patients with colorectal tumors and 118 healthy controls were enrolled, and patients with colorectal tumors were grouped according to malignancy, prognosis, recurrence and metastasis. The parameters of platelet aggregation function included max aggregation ratio, average aggregation ratio and max aggregation time were detected. 546 patients were induced by arachidonic acid, meanwhile, 415 of which were additionally induced by adenosine diphosphate. Of 118 healthy controls, 60 cases were induced by arachidonic acid and 58 cases were induced by adenosine diphosphate. We evaluated the intergroup significance of these indexes by receiver operating characteristic analysis.

RESULTS

The levels of max aggregation ratio, average aggregation ratio and platelet count were related to progression including cancerization, radical operation and recurrence and metastasis (P < 0.05). Notably, max aggregation ratio-arachidonic acid is the best indicator for predicting these three progressions with the areas under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.685, 0.652, and 0.649, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Correlations between max aggregation ratio, average aggregation ratio and colorectal tumor progression were observed with a certain clinical value.

Nitric oxide-based multi-synergistic nanomedicine: an emerging therapeutic for anticancer

Gas therapy has emerged as a promising approach for treating cancer, with gases like NO, H2S, and CO showing positive effects. Among these, NO is considered a key gas molecule with significant potential in stopping cancer progression. However, due to its high reactivity and short half-life, delivering NO directly to tumors is crucial for enhancing cancer treatment. NO-driven nanomedicines (NONs) have been developed to effectively deliver NO donors to tumors, showing great progress in recent years. This review provides an overview of the latest advancements in NO-based cancer nanotherapeutics. It discusses the types of NO donors used in current research, the mechanisms of action behind NO therapy for cancer, and the different delivery systems for NO donors in nanotherapeutics. It also explores the potential of combining NO donors with other treatments for enhanced cancer therapy. Finally, it examines the future prospects and challenges of using NONs in clinical settings for cancer treatment.

Revolutionizing Neurocare: Biomimetic Nanodelivery Via Cell Membranes

Brain disorders represent a significant challenge in medical science due to the formidable blood-brain barrier (BBB), which severely limits the penetration of conventional therapeutics, hindering effective treatment strategies. This review delves into the innovative realm of biomimetic nanodelivery systems, including stem cell-derived nanoghosts, tumor cell membrane-coated nanoparticles, and erythrocyte membrane-based carriers, highlighting their potential to circumvent the BBB's restrictions. By mimicking native cell properties, these nanocarriers emerge as a promising solution for enhancing drug delivery to the brain, offering a strategic advantage in overcoming the barrier's selective permeability. The unique benefits of leveraging cell membranes from various sources is evaluated and advanced technologies for fabricating cell membrane-encapsulated nanoparticles capable of masquerading as endogenous cells are examined. This enables the targeted delivery of a broad spectrum of therapeutic agents, ranging from small molecule drugs to proteins, thereby providing an innovative approach to neurocare. Further, the review contrasts the capabilities and limitations of these biomimetic nanocarriers with traditional delivery methods, underlining their potential to enable targeted, sustained, and minimally invasive treatment modalities. This review is concluded with a perspective on the clinical translation of these biomimetic systems, underscoring their transformative impact on the therapeutic landscape for intractable brain diseases.

Durable Attenuation of Tumor pH-Platelet Linkage Reinstates Bioorthogonal Targeting of Residual Tumors Post-Debulking

There are circumstances where tumors can only be partially resected. Therefore, multimodality therapy targeting post-operative residuals is important. Here, we show that bioorthogonal click chemistry enables targeted delivery to heterogeneous tumors, but its utility against tumor post-debulking is ineffective due to platelet cloaks that shield tumor cells from bioorthogonal pairing. We further discover tumor-infiltrating platelet levels respond to local pH changes. Elucidating this pH-platelet linkage, we design an injectable hydrogel for resection cavity implantation that simultaneously azido-tags tumor cells and inhibit their catalysis to acidify surrounding milieu. Unlike transient buffering, tumor acidification blockade sustains pH normalization, leading to durable platelet reduction. This reinstates bioorthogonal targeting of dibenzyl cyclooctyne-modified nanoparticles, thereby enhancing photodynamic ablation of residuals while amplifying systemic antitumor immunity. Concurrently, platelet/pH normalization interrupts metastasis cascade from invasion to circulation to colonization. Overall, attenuating tumor pH-platelet linkage unlocks bioorthogonal chemistry as a potential option for adjuvant therapy after tumor debulking.

Smart Magnetic Nanocarriers for Codelivery of Nitric Oxide and Doxorubicin for Enhanced Apoptosis in Cancer Cells

Extremely short half-life therapeutic molecule nitric oxide (NO) plays significant roles in the functioning of various physiological and pathological processes in the human body, whereas doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) is a clinically important anticancer drug widely used in cancer chemotherapy. Thus, the intracellular delivery of these therapeutic molecules is tremendously important to achieve their full potential. Herein, we report a novel approach for the development of highly water-dispersible magnetic nanocarriers for codelivery of NO and DOX. Primarily, bifunctional magnetic nanoparticles enriched with carboxyl and thiol groups were prepared by introducing cysteine onto the surface of citrate-functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles. DOX was electrostatically conjugated onto the surface of bifunctional nanoparticles via carboxyl moieties, whereas the thiol group was further nitrosated to provide NO-releasing molecules. The developed magnetic nanocarrier exhibited good aqueous colloidal stability, protein resistance behavior, and high encapsulation efficacy for NO (65.5%) and DOX (85%), as well as sustained release characteristics. Moreover, they showed superior cytotoxicity toward cancer (A549 and MCF-7) cells via apoptosis induction over normal (WI26VA4) cells. Specifically, we have developed magnetic nanocarriers having the capability of dual delivery of NO and DOX, which holds great potential for combinatorial cancer treatment.

Insights on the functional dualism of nitric oxide in the hallmarks of cancer

Nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous radical, governs a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including cancer, pro-inflammatory signalling, and vasodilation. The family of nitric oxide synthases (NOS), which comprises the constitutive forms, nNOS and eNOS, and the inducible form, iNOS, produces NO enzymatically. Additionally, NO can be generated non-enzymatically from the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway. The anti- and pro-oxidant properties of NO and its functional dualism in cancer is due to its highly reactive nature. Numerous malignancies have NOS expression, which interferes with the tumour microenvironment to modulate the tumour's growth in both favourable and unfavourable ways. NO regulates a number of mechanisms in the tumour microenvironment, including metabolism, cell cycle, DNA repair, angiogenesis, and apoptosis/necrosis, depending on its concentration and spatiotemporal profile. This review focuses on the bi-modal impact of nitric oxide on the alteration of a few cancer hallmarks.