Hyaluronated nanoparticles deliver raloxifene to CD44-expressed colon cancer cells and regulate lncRNAs/miRNAs epigenetic cascade

The clinicopathologic and prognostic value of CD44 expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

CD44 is a promising target in the prognosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study deals with systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the association between CD44 overexpression and survival and clinicopathological characteristics in NSCLC patients.

METHODS

We used the databases Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochrane to conduct a systematic search of English-language literature published up to September 2023. The eligible studies were retrieved on CD44 expression, clinicopathological characteristics in NSCLC patients, and reported survival rates. The Cochran's and Higgins I2 tests were used to measure heterogeneity across the included studies. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant in all cases. The sources of heterogeneity across the included studies were identified using subgroup analysis on histology (SCC, ADC, and LCC), tumor differentiation (well, moderate, and poor), TMN stage (I/II/III/IV), OS, and lymph node metastasis (negative and positive). All statistical analyses were carried out using meta-analysis (CMA) software.

RESULTS

The final analysis for prognostic significance and clinicopathological features on 3681 participants from 25 eligible studies. The pooled event rate of overexpression CD44 for overall survival in NSCLC was 38 % and was related to SCC with 76.6 %. Furthermore, subgroup analysis revealed a link between CD44 overexpression and moderate tumor differentiation (41.8 %). There was a substantial difference in CD44 overexpression in males, with 69.3 % (95 % CI: 64.3-73.9 %, I2 = 88.25 %) versus 31.5 % (95 % CI: 26.7-36.8 %, I2 = 92.15 %) in females. However, no significant relationship was observed between CD44 overexpression and TMN stages/lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis demonstrated that CD44 is an effective prognostic factor for NSCLC. Overexpression of CD44 has been linked to moderate tumor differentiation, SCC tumor histology, and a worse survival rate. However, no substantial relationship was found between CD44 and metastasis or TMN stages. Large-scale prospective research is required to validate CD44's clinical value as an unbiased prognostic indicator.

Gold nanocomposites in colorectal cancer therapy: characterization, selective cytotoxicity, and migration inhibition

The third most prevalent type of cancer in the world, colorectal cancer, poses a significant treatment challenge due to the nonspecific distribution, low efficacy, and high systemic toxicity associated with chemotherapy. To overcome these limitations, a targeted drug delivery system with a high cytotoxicity against cancer cells while maintaining a minimal systemic side effects represents a promising therapeutic approach. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop an efficient gold nanocarrier for the targeted delivery of the anticancer agent everolimus to Caco-2 cells. A novel gold nanocomposite (EV-β-CD-HA-Chi-AuNCs) functionalized with a targeting ligand (hyaluronic acid), a permeation enhancement excipient (chitosan), and an anticancer inclusive compound consisting of beta-cyclodextrin and everolimus was proposed and prepared via Turkevich method. Characterization was performed with a UV spectrometer, FTIR, Zetasizer, and HRTEM. Its drug release profile was also evaluated in media with three different pH values. Cytotoxicity and biocompatibility studies were performed on a colorectal cancer cell line (Caco-2) and a normal fibroblast line (MRC-5), respectively, via xCELLigence real-time cellular analysis (RTCA) technology. The inhibitory effect on migration was also further tested via the xCELLigence RTCA technique and a scratch assay. Characterization studies revealed the successful formation of EV-β-CD-HA-Chi-AuNCs with a size and charge which are suitable for the use as targeted drug delivery carrier. In the cytotoxic study, the EV-β-CD-HA-Chi-AuNCs showed a lower IC50 (16 ± 1 µg/ml) than the pure drug (25 ± 3 µg/ml) toward a colorectal cell line (Caco-2). In the biocompatibility study, the EV-β-CD-HA-Chi-AuNCs have minimal toxicity, while the pure drug has severe toxicity toward healthy fibroblasts (MRC-5) despite its low concentration. In the cell migration study, the EV-β-CD-HA-Chi-AuNCs also showed a greater inhibitory effect than the pure drug. Compared with the pure drug, the EV-β-CD-HA-Chi-AuNCs exhibit an excellent selective cytotoxicity between cancerous colorectal Caco-2 cells and healthy MRC-5 cells, making it a potential carrier to carry the drug to the cancerous site while maintaining its low toxicity to the surrounding environment. In addition, an increase in the cytotoxic activity of the EV-β-CD-HA-Chi-AuNCs toward cancerous colorectal Caco-2 cells was also observed, which can potentially improve the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Ameliorative effect of zinc oxide-chitosan conjugates on the anticancer activity of cisplatin: Approach for breast cancer treatment

Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer affecting both males and females, comprising nearly 30 % of all cancer cases. While chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin (Cis), have proven successful in cancer treatment, concerns persist regarding their efficacy and the potentially dangerous side effects. Consequently, there is a crucial and ongoing need to develop approaches that minimize side effects associated with chemotherapy. In the present work, various types of nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and loaded with Cis. Cis was conjugated with nanocarriers such as zinc oxide (ZnO), ZnO modified with mandelic acid and graphene oxide (GO), chitosan (CS), and CS modified with ZnO and GO to enhance the selectivity of Cis towards cancer cells. Zeta potentials and particles size were assessed using electrophoretic light scattering and dynamic light scattering. NPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The impact of standalone Cis as well as its nanoconjugated form on the behavior of MCF-7 cell line was investigated using WST-1 cell proliferation and apoptosis/necrosis assays. Experimental findings revealed that among the various NPs tested, ZnO, and CS NPs exhibited the highest loading percentage of Cis, surpassing the loading percentages achieved with other NPs. Cytotoxicity assay showed the enhanced effect of Cis when conjugated with ZnO and CS NPs. Flow cytometry-based assays and confocal microscopy confirmed that ZnO/Cis and CS/Cis induced apoptosis. The cisplatin-nanocomplex exhibited a descending order of early apoptosis and late apoptosis in the following order: ZnO, Cis, CS, ZnO-M, CS-GO, ZnO-GO, CS-ZnO, and CS-ZnO, Cis, CS, CS-GO, ZnO-M, ZnO, ZnO-GO, respectively. None of the nanoparticle complexes displayed a significant percentage of necrotic cells, with the highest percentage reaching 4.65 % in the case of CS-GO/Cis.

Recent progress of targeted nanocarriers in diagnostic, therapeutic, and theranostic applications in colorectal cancer

Cancer at the lower end of the digestive tract, colorectal cancer (CRC), starts with asymptomatic polyps, which can be diagnosed as cancer at a later stage. It is the fourth leading cause of malignancy-associated mortality worldwide. Despite progress in conventional treatment strategies, the possibility to overcome the mortality and morbidity issues with the enhancement of the lifespan of CRC patients is limited. With the advent of nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems, a promising revolution has been made in diagnosis, treatment, and theranostic purposes for cancer management. Herein, we reviewed the progress of miniaturized nanocarriers, such as liposomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, micelles, and polymeric nanoparticles, employed in passive and active targeting and their role in theranostic applications in CRC. With this novel scope, the diagnosis and treatment of CRC have proceeded to the forefront of innovation, where specific characteristics of the nanocarriers, such as processability, flexibility in developing precise architecture, improved circulation, site-specific delivery, and rapid response, facilitate the management of cancer patients. Furthermore, surface-engineered technologies for the nanocarriers could involve receptor-mediated deliveries towards the overexpressed receptors on the CRC microenvironment. Moreover, the potential of clinical translation of these targeted miniaturized formulations as well as the possible limitations and barriers that could impact this translation into clinical practice were highlighted. The advancement of these newest developments in clinical research and progress into the commercialization stage gives hope for a better tomorrow.