A Critical Review of Biological Properties, Delivery Systems and Analytical/Bioanalytical Methods for Determination of Bevacizumab

Computational analysis of bevacizumab binding with protein receptors for its potential anticancer activity

Breast cancer poses a significant global challenge, prompting researchers to explore novel approaches for potential treatments. In this study, we investigated the binding free energy (ΔG) of bevacizumab, an anti-cancer therapy targeting angiogenesis through the inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), with various proto-oncogenes including CDK4, EGFR, frizzled, IGFR, OmoMYC, and KIT. Our in-silico investigation revealed that hydrogen bonding is pivotal in inducing conformational changes within the DNA structure, impeding its replication and preventing cell death. Molecular docking results revealed the presence of crucial hydrogen bonds and supported the formation of stable bevacizumab complexes. The molecular docking scores for the tested complexes were CDK4 (Score = -7.2 kcal/mol), EGFR (Score = -8.5 kcal/mol), frizzled (Score = -6.9 kcal/mol), IGFR (Score = -7.8 kcal/mol), KIT (Score = -6.5 kcal/mol), and MYC (Score = -8.3 kcal/mol). The binding mode demonstrated vital hydrogen bonds correlated with the observed energy gap. Notably, the calculated binding free energies of the tested compounds are as follows: CDK4 (ΔG = 24275.195 ± 6411.293 kJ/mol), EGFR (ΔG = 363273.625 ± 8731.466 kJ/mol), frizzled (ΔG = 181751.990 ± 28438.515 kJ/mol), IGFR (ΔG = 162414.725 ± 10728.367 kJ/mol), KIT (ΔG = 40162.585 ± 4331.017 kJ/mol), and MYC (ΔG = 434783.463 ± 53989.676 kJ/mol). Furthermore, through extensive 100 ns MD simulations, we observed the formation of a stable bevacizumab complex structure. The simulations confirmed the stability of the bevacizumab complex with the proto-oncogenes. The results of this study highlight the potential of bevacizumab complex as a promising candidate for anticancer treatment. The identification of hydrogen bonding, along with the calculated binding free energies and molecular docking scores, provides valuable insights into the molecular interactions and stability of the bevacizumab complexes. These findings and the extensive MD simulations open new avenues for future research and development of bevacizumab as a targeted therapy for breast cancer and other related malignancies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Application of locally responsive design of biomaterials based on microenvironmental changes in myocardial infarction

Morbidity and mortality caused by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are on the rise, posing a grave threat to the health of the general population. Up to now, interventional, surgical, and pharmaceutical therapies have been the main treatment methods for AMI. Effective and timely reperfusion therapy decreases mortality, but it cannot stimulate myocardial cell regeneration or reverse ventricular remodeling. Cell therapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy, anti-inflammatory therapy, and several other techniques are utilized by researchers to improve patients' prognosis. In recent years, biomaterials for AMI therapy have become a hot spot in medical care. Biomaterials furnish a microenvironment conducive to cell growth and deliver therapeutic factors that stimulate cell regeneration and differentiation. Biomaterials adapt to the complex microenvironment and respond to changes in local physical and biochemical conditions. Therefore, environmental factors and material properties must be taken into account when designing biomaterials for the treatment of AMI. This article will review the factors that need to be fully considered in the design of biological materials.

Comparative stability study and aggregate analysis of Bevacizumab marketed formulations using advanced analytical techniques

Bevacizumab (Bvz) is the most preferred recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody in biosimilar development due to its prominence as a standard treatment in the oncology space. Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are typically more complex and unlikely to produce a replica. As a result, regulatory agencies allow approval of biosimilars that differ structurally and functionally from their reference product, but these differences should not have any clinical significance. To identify these significant discrepancies, it is essential to perform a thorough characterization of critical product attributes both in real-time and after storage until the product's expiration. In the present study, two Bvz biosimilar brands (Bio-1 and Bio-2) marketed in India were evaluated and compared with the reference product Avastin® to assess their degree of similarity. A comprehensive physicochemical characterization of biosimilars and reference product was performed using orthogonal techniques including LC-ESI-QTOF, MALDI-TOF, FTIR-ATR, iCIEF, rCE, nrCE, UV280, and RP-HPLC. Furthermore, Bvz formulations under study were subjected to various stress conditions of thermal (elevated temperature 50 ± 2 °C), chemical (acidic pH 3.0 ± 0.2, neutral pH 7.0 ± 0.2, and basic pH 10.0 ± 0.2), and mechanical (agitation 200 rpm) for comparative stability evaluation. Any alteration in the secondary structure of the native protein was detected and quantified using far-UV circular dichroism (CD), indicating an average of 15% and 11% loss in native antiparallel β-sheet conformation respectively in Bio-1 and Bio-2 upon exposure to elevated temperature and high pH. Additionally, covalent or non-covalent aggregates formed as a function of elevated temperature and agitation were quantified using SEC-MALS.

Organic Nanocarriers for Bevacizumab Delivery: An Overview of Development, Characterization and Applications

Bevacizumab (BCZ) is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody against the vascular endothelial growth factor, which is involved in the angiogenesis process. Pathologic angiogenesis is observed in several diseases including ophthalmic disorders and cancer. The multiple administrations of BCZ can cause adverse effects. In this way, the development of controlled release systems for BCZ delivery can promote the modification of drug pharmacokinetics and, consequently, decrease the dose, toxicity, and cost due to improved efficacy. This review highlights BCZ formulated in organic nanoparticles providing an overview of the physicochemical characterization and in vitro and in vivo biological evaluations. Moreover, the main advantages and limitations of the different approaches are discussed. Despite difficulties in working with antibodies, those nanocarriers provided advantages in BCZ protection against degradation guaranteeing bioactivity maintenance.

A critical review on the use of potentiometric based biosensors for biomarkers detection

Potentiometric-based biosensors have the potential to advance the detection of several biological compounds and help in early diagnosis of various diseases. They belong to the portable analytical class of biosensors for monitoring biomarkers in the human body. They contain ion-sensitive membranes sensors can be used to determine potassium, sodium, and chloride ions activity while being used as a biomarker to gauge human health. The potentiometric based ion-sensitive membrane systems can be coupled with various techniques to create a sensitive tool for the fast and early detection of cancer biomarkers and other critical biological compounds. This paper discusses the application of potentiometric-based biosensors and classifies them into four major categories: photoelectrochemical potentiometric biomarkers, potentiometric biosensors amplified with molecular imprinted polymer systems, wearable potentiometric biomarkers and light-addressable potentiometric biosensors. This review demonstrated the development of several innovative biosensor-based techniques that could potentially provide reliable tools to test biomarkers. Some challenges however remain, but these can be removed by coupling techniques to maximize the testing sensitivity.

Drug Delivery Nanosystems in Glioblastoma Multiforme Treatment: Current State of the Art

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant Central Nervous System cancer, responsible for about 4% of all deaths associated with neoplasia, characterized as one of the fatal human cancers. Tumor resection does not possess curative character, thereby radio and/or chemotherapy are often necessary for the treatment of GBM. However, drugs used in GBM chemotherapy present some limitations, such as side effects associated with non-specific drug biodistribution as well as limited bioavailability, which limits their clinical use. To attenuate the systemic toxicity and overcome the poor bioavailability, a very attractive approach is drug encapsulation in drug delivery nanosystems. The main focus of this review is to explore the actual cancer global problem, enunciate barriers to overcome in the pharmacological treatment of GBM, as well as the most updated drug delivery nanosystems for GBM treatment and how they influence biopharmaceutical properties of anti-GBM drugs. The discussion will approach lipid-based and polymeric nanosystems, as well as inorganic nanoparticles, regarding their technical aspects as well as biological effects in GBM treatment. Furthermore, the current state of the art, challenges to overcome and future perspectives in GBM treatment will be discussed.

The Diagnostic and Prognostic Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C in Sepsis and Septic Shock

Introduction

Variations in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could be used as a biomarker in critically ill patients with sepsis and septic shock. Inflammation potently upregulates VEGF-C expression via macrophages with an unpredictable response. This study aimed to assess one of the newer biomarkers (VEGF-C) in patients with sepsis or septic shock and its clinical value as a diagnostic and prognostic tool.

Material and methods

The study involved 142 persons divided into three groups. Group A consisted of fifty-eight patients with sepsis; Group B consisted of forty-nine patients diagnosed as having septic shock according to the Sepsis -3 criteria. A control group of thirty-five healthy volunteers comprised Group C. Severity scores, prognostic score and organ dysfunction score, were recorded at the time of enrolment in the study. The analysis included specificity and sensitivity of plasma VEGF-C for diagnosis of septic shock. Circulating plasma VEGF-C levels were correlated with the APACHE II, MODS and severity scores and mortality.

Results

The mean (SD) plasma VEGF-C levels in septic shock patients (1374(789) pg./m), on vasopressors at the time of admission to the ICU, were significantly higher 1374(789)pg./mL, compared the mean (SD) plasma VEGF-C levels in sepsis patients (934(468) pg./mL); (p = 0.0005, Student's t-test.) Plasma VEGF-C levels in groups A and B were shown to be significantly correlated with the APACHE II (r = 0.21, p = 0.02; r = 0.45, p = 0.0009) and MODS score (r = 0.29, p = 0.03; r = 0.4, p = 0.003). There was no association between plasma VEGF-C levels and mortality [p = 0.1]. The cut-off value for septic shock was 1010 pg./ml.

Conclusions

VEGF-C may be used as a prognostic marker in sepsis and septic shock due to its correlation with APACHE II values and as an early marker to determine the likelihood of developing MODS. It could be used as an early biomarker for diagnosing patients with septic shock.