Cisplatin-loaded hollow gold nanoparticles for laser-triggered release

Bioanalytical strategies to evaluate cisplatin nanodelivery systems: From synthesis to incorporation in individual cells and biological response

Cisplatin metallodrugs have been widely used in the treatment of multiple cancers over the last years. Nevertheless, its limited effectiveness, development of acquired drug resistances, and toxic effects decrease nowadays their application in clinical settings. Aiming at improving their features, investigations have been oriented towards the coupling of cisplatin to nanocarriers, like liposomes or inorganic nanoparticles. Moreover, these systems can be further developed to allow targeted co-delivery of drugs. In this review, we describe the major nanosystems and the optimal analytical strategies for their assessment. Finally, we describe the main biological effects of these metallodrug conjugates and the available approaches for their study.

Stimuli-responsive nanocarrier delivery systems for Pt-based antitumor complexes: a review

Platinum-based anticancer drugs play a crucial role in the clinical treatment of various cancers. However, the application of platinum-based drugs is heavily restricted by their severe toxicity and drug resistance/cross resistance. Various drug delivery systems have been developed to overcome these limitations of platinum-based chemotherapy. Stimuli-responsive nanocarrier drug delivery systems as one of the most promising strategies attract more attention. And huge progress in stimuli-responsive nanocarrier delivery systems of platinum-based drugs has been made. In these systems, a variety of triggers including endogenous and extracorporeal stimuli have been employed. Endogenous stimuli mainly include pH-, thermo-, enzyme- and redox-responsive nanocarriers. Extracorporeal stimuli include light-, magnetic field- and ultrasound responsive nanocarriers. In this review, we present the recent advances in stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems with different nanocarriers for improving the efficacy and reducing the side effects of platinum-based anticancer drugs.

Surface engineering of hollow gold nanoparticle with mesenchymal stem cell membrane and MUC-1 aptamer for targeted theranostic application against metastatic breast cancer

Mesenchymal stem cell membrane (MSCM)-coated biomimetic doxorubicin-loaded hollow gold nanoparticles were fabricated and decorated with MUC1 aptamer in order to provide smart theranostic platform. The prepared targeted nanoscale biomimetic platform was extensively characterized and evaluated in terms of selective delivery of DOX and CT-scan imaging. The fabricated system illustrated spherical morphology with 118 nm in diameter. Doxorubicin was loaded into the hollow gold nanoparticles through physical absorption technique with encapsulation efficiency and loading content of 77%±10 and 31%±4, respectively. The in vitro release profile demonstrated that the designed platform could respond to acidic environment, pH 5.5 and release 50% of the encapsulated doxorubicin during 48 h, while 14% of the encapsulated doxorubicin was released in physiological condition, pH 7.4 up to 48 h. The in vitro cytotoxicity experiments on 4T1 as MUC1 positive cell line illustrated that the targeted formulation could significantly increase mortality at 0.468 and 0.23 µg/ml of equivalent DOX concentration compared to non-targeted formulation while this cytotoxicity was not observed in CHO as MUC1 negative cell line. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed high tumor accumulation of the targeted formulation even 24 h after intravenous injection which induced effective tumor growth suppression against 4T1 tumor bearing mice. On the other hand, existence of hollow gold in this platform provided CT scan imaging capability of the tumor tissue in 4T1 tumor bearing mice up to 24 h post-administration. The obtained results indicated that the designed paradigm are promising and safe theranostic system for fighting against metastatic breast cancer.

Gold-Nanoparticle Hybrid Nanostructures for Multimodal Cancer Therapy

With the urgent need for bio-nanomaterials to improve the currently available cancer treatments, gold nanoparticle (GNP) hybrid nanostructures are rapidly rising as promising multimodal candidates for cancer therapy. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been hybridized with several nanocarriers, including liposomes and polymers, to achieve chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, radiotherapy, and imaging using a single composite. The GNP nanohybrids used for targeted chemotherapy can be designed to respond to external stimuli such as heat or internal stimuli such as intratumoral pH. Despite their promise for multimodal cancer therapy, there are currently no reviews summarizing the current status of GNP nanohybrid use for cancer theragnostics. Therefore, this review fulfills this gap in the literature by providing a critical analysis of the data available on the use of GNP nanohybrids for cancer treatment with a specific focus on synergistic approaches (i.e., triggered drug release, photothermal therapy, and radiotherapy). It also highlights some of the challenges that hinder the clinical translation of GNP hybrid nanostructures from bench to bedside. Future studies that could expedite the clinical progress of GNPs, as well as the future possibility of improving GNP nanohybrids for cancer theragnostics, are also summarized.

Nanogold-based materials in medicine: from their origins to their future

The properties of gold-based materials have been explored for centuries in several research fields, including medicine. Multiple published production methods for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have shown that the physicochemical and optical properties of AuNPs depend on the production method used. These different AuNP properties have allowed exploration of their usefulness in countless distinct biomedical applications over the last few years. Here we present an extensive overview of the most commonly used AuNP production methods, the resulting distinct properties of the AuNPs and the potential application of these AuNPs in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in biomedicine.

Novel nanostructure-coupled biosensor platform for one-step high-throughput quantification of serum neutralizing antibody after COVID-19 vaccination

COVID-19 vaccination efficacy depends on serum levels of the neutralizing antibodies (NAs) specific to the receptor-binding domain of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein. Therefore, a high-throughput rapid assay capable of measuring the total SARS-CoV-2 NA level is urgently needed for COVID-19 serodiagnosis, convalescent plasma therapy, vaccine development, and assessment. Here, we developed a novel nanoplasmonic immunosorbent assay (NanoPISA) platform for one-step rapid quantification of SARS-CoV-2 NAs in clinical serum samples for high-throughput evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. The NanoPISA platform enhanced by the use of nanoporous hollow gold nanoparticle coupling was able to detect SARS-CoV-2 NAs with a limit of detection of 0.2 pM within 15 min without washing steps. The one-step NanoPISA for SARS-CoV-2 NA detection in clinical specimens yielded good results, comparable with those obtained in the gold-standard seroneutralization test and the surrogate virus-neutralizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Collectively, the one-step NanoPISA might be a rapid and high-throughput NA-quantification platform for evaluating the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

Thermal Sensitivity on Eccentric Gold Hollow Nanoparticles: A Perspective from Atomistic Simulations

Eccentricity is a common feature consequence of several synthesis protocols of hollow nanoshells. Despite the crescent interest in these nanoparticles, it is still unclear how an irregular layer on the nanoparticle impacts the macroscopic properties. Here, we study the thermal stability of eccentric hollow nanoparticles (hNPs) for different sizes and eccentricity values by means of classical molecular dynamics simulations. Our results reveal that eccentricity displays a significant role in the thermal stability of hNPs. We attribute this behavior to the irregular shell contour, which collapses due to the thermal-activated diffusive process from the nanoparticle shell's most thin region. The mechanism is driven at low temperature by the nucleation of stacking faults until the amorphization for larger temperature values. Besides, for some particular eccentric hNPs, the shell suffers a surface reconstruction process, transforming the eccentric hNP into a concentric hNP. We believe that our study on thermal effects in eccentric hNPs has relevance because of their outstanding applications for plasmonic and sensing.

Recent advances in cancer photo-theranostics: the synergistic combination of transition metal complexes and gold nanostructures

In this mini review, we highlight advances in the last five years in light-activated cancer theranostics by using hybrid systems consisting of transition metal complexes (TMCs) and plasmonic gold nanostructures (AuNPs). TMCs are molecules with attractive properties and high potential in biomedical application. Due to their antiproliferative abilities, platinum-based compounds are currently first-choice drugs for the treatment of several solid tumors. Moreover, ruthenium, iridium and platinum complexes are well-known for their ability to photogenerate singlet oxygen, a highly cytotoxic reactive species with a key role in photodynamic therapy. Their potential is further extended by the unique photophysical properties, which make TMCs particularly suitable for bioimaging. Recently, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely investigated as one of the leading nanomaterials in cancer theranostics. AuNPs—being an inert and highly biocompatible material—represent excellent drug delivery systems, overcoming most of the side effects associated with the systemic administration of anticancer drugs. Furthermore, due to the thermoplasmonic properties, AuNPs proved to be efficient nano-sources of heat for photothermal therapy application. Therefore, the hybrid combination TMC/AuNPs could represent a synergistic merger of multiple functionalities for combinatorial cancer therapy strategies. Herein, we report the most recent examples of TMC/AuNPs systems in in-vitro in-vivo cancer tharanostics application whose effects are triggered by light-exposure in the Vis–NIR region, leading to a spatial and temporal control of the TMC/AuNPs activation for light-mediated precision therapeutics.

Laser Responsive Cisplatin-Gold Nano-Assembly Synergizes the Effect of Cisplatin With Compliance

Cisplatin therapy faces low bioavailability and clastogenic potential limitations. Early payload leakage of nanocarriers may impair adequate therapeutic efficacy. We propose encapsulation of cisplatin in such nanocarrier that can be externally stimulated for high payload release and enhanced toxicity at site of action. Cisplatin conjugated gold nanorods (Pt-AuNRs) have been synthesized and characterized through UV visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Physico-chemical characterization through X-ray photon spectrometry confirms the covalent linkage between linker and aquated cisplatin with AuNRs. Laser exposure (850 nm, CW) enabled ~15-fold payload release from Pt-AuNRs nano-assembly, which is quite high (P < 0.0001) compared to non-stimulated conditions. The median growth inhibitory concentration (GI₅₀) after laser exposure of Pt-AuNRs was ~11- and 13-fold low compared to corresponding Pt-AuNRs without laser exposure and cisplatin respectively, in sarcoma cells. Synergistic therapeutic difference is more significant (P < 0.01), at lower concentrations of Pt-AuNRs (0.5-10 μg/mL). Pt-AuNRs photothermal therapy indicates a convincible association of over-production of reactive oxygen species (P < 0.0001) and synergistic therapeutic efficacy. Clastogenic potential is found non-significant for Pt-AuNRs (10 μg/mL). Cisplatin nanoconjugate shows biocompatibility against blood cells. In conclusion, laser-stimulated Pt-AuNRs appear a promising drug delivery with synergistic toxic potential against cancer while attenuating cisplatin toxicity.

Function of gold nanoparticles in oral cancer beyond drug delivery: Implications in cell apoptosis

OBJECTIVES

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used to deliver drugs and therapeutic small molecule inhibitors to cancer cells. Evidence shows that AuNPs coated with nuclear localization sequence can cross the nuclear membrane and induce cellular apoptosis. To determine the therapeutic role of AuNPs, we compared two nanoconstructs conjugated to doxorubicin (DOX) through pH-sensitive and pH-resistant linkers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We tested DOX nanoconjugates' cytotoxicity, cellular and nuclear uptake in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line. Furthermore, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of pH-sensitive and pH-resistant DOX bioconjugates in hamster buccal pouch carcinoma model.

RESULTS

Our data indicate that pH-resistant and pH-sensitive DOX-nanoconjugates were equally localized in cancer cells, but the pH-resistant DOX nanoparticles were more localized in the nuclei inducing a 2-fold increase in the apoptotic effect compared with the pH-sensitive DOX nanoparticles. Our in vivo results show significantly higher tumor shrinkage and survival rates in animals treated with DOX pH-resistant AuNPs compared with pH-sensitive ones.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that AuNPs enhance the cytotoxic effect against cancer cells in addition to acting as drug carriers. DOX pH-resistant AuNPs enhanced accumulation of AuNPs in cancer cells' nuclei inducing a significant cellular apoptosis which was confirmed using in vitro and in vivo experiments without deleterious effects on blood cell count.

NIR light-triggered nanomaterials-based prodrug activation towards cancer therapy

Nanomaterials-based prodrug activation systems have been widely explored in cancer therapy, aiming at overcoming limited dosage formulation, systemic toxicity, and insufficient pharmacokinetic performance of parent drugs. For better delivery control, various stimuli systems, especially nanomaterials-based ones, have come to the forefront. Among them, near-infrared (NIR) light takes advantage of on-demand/site-specific regulation and non-invasiveness. In this review, we will address the developments of nanomaterials-based prodrug over the last decade, the activation mechanisms, and bioapplications under NIR light triggering. The advantages and limitations of NIR-triggered prodrug activation strategies and the perspectives of the next-generation prodrug nanomedicine will also be summarized. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

Recent developments in the use of organic-inorganic nanohybrids for drug delivery

Organic-inorganic nanohybrid (OINH) structures providing a versatile platform for drug delivery with improved characteristics are an area which has gained recent attention. Much effort has been taken to develop these structures to provide a viable treatment options for much alarming diseases such as cancer, bone destruction, neurological disorders, and so on. This review focuses on current work carried out in producing different types of hybrid drug carriers identifying their properties, fabrication techniques, and areas where they have been applied. A brief introduction on understating the requirement for blending organic-inorganic components into a nanohybrid drug carrier is followed with an elaboration given about the different types of OINHs developed currently highlighting their properties and applications. Then, different fabrication techniques are discussed given attention to surface functionalization, one-pot synthesis, wrapping, and electrospinning methods. Finally, it is concluded by briefing the challenges that are remaining to be addressed to obtain multipurpose nanohybrid drug carriers with wider applicability. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

Recent progress in nanotechnology-based novel drug delivery systems in designing of cisplatin for cancer therapy: an overview

Cisplatin cis-(diammine)dichloridoplatinum(II) (CDDP) is the first platinum-based complex approved by the food and drug administration (FDA) of the United States (US). Cisplatin is the first line chemotherapeutic agent used alone or combined with radiations or other anti-cancer agents for a broad range of cancers such as lung, head and neck. Aroplatin™, Lipoplatin™ and SPI-077 are PEGylated liposome-based nano-formulations that are still under clinical trials. They have many limitations, for example, poor aqueous solubility, drug resistance and toxicities, which can be overcome by encapsulating the cisplatin in Nemours nanocarriers. The extensive literature from different electronic databases covers the different nano-delivery systems that are developed for cisplatin. This review critically emphasizes on the recent advancement, development, innovations and updated literature reported for different carrier systems for CDDP.

Nano-Based Systems and Biomacromolecules as Carriers for Metallodrugs in Anticancer Therapy

Since the discovery of cisplatin and its potency in anticancer therapy, the development of metallodrugs has been an active area of research. The large choice of transition metals, oxidation states, coordinating ligands, and different geometries, allows for the design of metal-based agents with unique mechanisms of action. Many metallodrugs, such as titanium, ruthenium, gallium, tin, gold, and copper-based complexes have been found to have anticancer activities. However, biological application of these agents necessitates aqueous solubility and low systemic toxicity. This minireview highlights the emerging strategies to facilitate the in vivo application of metallodrugs, aimed at enhancing their solubility and bioavailability, as well as improving their delivery to tumor tissues. The focus is on encapsulating the metal-based complexes into nanocarriers or coupling to biomacromolecules, generating efficacious anticancer therapies. The delivery systems for complexes of platinum, ruthenium, copper, and iron are discussed with most recent examples.