Urchin-like magnetic microspheres for cancer therapy through synergistic effect of mechanical force, photothermal and photodynamic effects

Urchin-like magnetic nanoparticles loaded with type X collagen siRNA and Stattic to treat triple negative breast cancer under rotating magnetic field like an "enchanted micro-scalpel"

Magnetic nanoparticles effectively target drug delivery, contrast agents, biosensors, and more. Urchin-like magnetic nanoparticles (UMN) with abundant spike-like structures exhibit superior magneto-mechanical force to destroy tumor cells compared with other shapes of magnetic nanoparticles. However, when cell contents are released from tumor cells induced by magneto-mechanical force, they can act on surrounding tumor cells to facilitate tumor development. Therefore, multifunctional UMN is necessary. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important inflammatory factor which is released after cell rupture, it can activate the STAT3 signaling pathway to promote tumor progression. Type X collagen (COL10A1) is a significant component of the extracellular matrix, ranking second among all aberrant genes in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and its knockdown can suppress tumorigenesis and metastasis. Here, we built a rotating magnetic field (RMF) platform, and a novel UMN using a straightforward solvothermal method was synthesized, which was much simpler than existing method. Stattic (STAT3 inhibitor) and COL10A1 siRNA were loaded onto the UMN@PEI to form UMNP/St/si. The RMF drove UMNP/St/si disrupted the cell membrane, promoted cell death. The inhibitory effects of UMNP/St/si under RMF on TNBC were verified both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, despite the increase in IL-6 due to cell rupture, IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway was inhibited by Stattic, compensating for the deficiency of magneto-mechanical force. Moreover, the underlying mechanical mechanism of UMNP/St/si after exposure to RMF was also analyzed. It suggests that UMNP/St/si is a promising and effective strategy for TNBC treatment and provides valuable insights for treating other diseases as well.

Revolutionizing healthcare: inorganic medicinal nanoarchitectonics for advanced theranostics

Over the last two decades, advancements in nanomaterials and nanoscience have paved the path for the emergence of nano-medical convergence science, significantly impacting healthcare. In our review, we highlight how these advancements are applied in various biomedical technologies such as drug delivery systems, bio-imaging for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Recently, novel inorganic nanohybrid drugs have been developed, combining multifunctional inorganic nanomaterials with therapeutic agents (known as inorganic medicinal nanoarchitectonics). These innovative drugs are actively utilized in cutting-edge medical treatments, including targeted anti-cancer therapy, photo and radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. This review provides a detailed overview of the current development status of inorganic medicinal nanoarchitectonics and explores potential future directions in their advancements.

Smart nanozymes coupled with dynamic magnet field and laser exposures for cancer therapy

Developing nanozymes for cancer therapy has attracted great attention from researchers. However, enzymes-loaded magnetic particles triggered by both a low-frequency vibrating magnetic field (VMF) and laser for inhibiting tumor growth have never been reported. Herein, we developed a magnetic nanozyme with 3D flower-like nanostructures for cancer therapy. Specifically, the flower-like nanozymes exposed to a VMF could efficiently damage the mitochondrial membrane and cell structure, and inhibit tumor growth through magneto-mechanical force. In parallel, magnetic nanozymes in a weak acid environment containing glucose could generate abundant hydrogen peroxide through glucose oxidase-catalyzed oxidation of glucose, and further significantly promote the Fenton reaction. Interestingly, both glucose oxidase- and Fenton-based catalytic reactions were significantly promoted by the VMF exposure. Flower-like magnetic nanospheres upon a near-infrared laser irradiation could also damage cancer cells and tumor tissues through photothermal effect. The cell-killing efficiency of magnetic nanozymes triggered by the VMF or laser significantly increased in comparison with that of nanozymes without exposures. Mouse tumors grown after injection with magnetic nanozymes was inhibited in a significant way or the tumors disappeared after exposure to a VMF and laser due to the synergistic effect of four major stimuli, viz., magneto-mechanical force, photothermal conversion, improved Fenton reaction, and intratumoral glucose consumption-based starvation effect. This is a great platform that may be suitable for treating many solid tumors.

Combination Using Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Magnetic Field for Cancer Therapy

Iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) demonstrate notable benefits in magnetic induction, attributed to their distinctive physical and chemical attributes. Emerging cancer treatment utilizing magnetic fields have also gathered increasing attention in the biomedical field. However, the defects of difficult dispersion and poor biocompatibility of MNPs seriously hinder their application. In order to overcome its inherent defects and maximize the therapeutic potential of MNPs, various functionalized MNPs have been developed, and numerous combined treatment methods based on MNPs have been widely studied. In this review, we compare and analyze the common nanoparticles based on MNPs with different sizes, shapes, and functional modifications. Additionally, we introduced the therapeutic mechanisms of the strategies, such as magnetically controlled targeting, magnetic hyperthermia, and magneto-mechanical effect, which based on the unique magnetic induction capabilities of MNPs. Finally, main challenges of MNPs as smart nanomaterials were also discussed. This review seeks to offer a thorough overview of MNPs in biomedicine and a new sight for their application in tumor treatment.

Emerging nitric oxide gas-assisted cancer photothermal treatment

Photothermal therapy (PTT) has garnered significant attention in recent years, but the standalone application of PTT still faces limitations that hinder its ability to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. Nitric oxide (NO), being one of the most extensively studied gaseous molecules, presents itself as a promising complementary candidate for PTT. In response, various nanosystems have been developed to enable the simultaneous utilization of PTT and NO-mediated gas therapy (GT), with the integration of photothermal agents (PTAs) and thermally-sensitive NO donors being the prevailing approach. This combination seeks to leverage the synergistic effects of PTT and GT while mitigating the potential risks associated with gas toxicity through the use of a single laser irradiation. Furthermore, additional internal or external stimuli have been employed to trigger NO release when combined with different types of PTAs, thereby further enhancing therapeutic efficacy. This comprehensive review aims to summarize recent advancements in NO gas-assisted cancer photothermal treatment. It commences by providing an overview of various types of NO donors and precursors, including those sensitive to photothermal, light, ultrasound, reactive oxygen species, and glutathione. These NO donors and precursors are discussed in the context of dual-modal PTT/GT. Subsequently, the incorporation of other treatment modalities such as chemotherapy (CHT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), alkyl radical therapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy (IT) in the creation of triple-modal therapeutic nanoplatforms is presented. The review further explores tetra-modal therapies, such as PTT/GT/CHT/PDT, PTT/GT/CHT/chemodynamic therapy (CDT), PTT/GT/PDT/IT, PTT/GT/starvation therapy (ST)/IT, PTT/GT/Ca2+ overload/IT, PTT/GT/ferroptosis (FT)/IT, and PTT/GT/CDT/IT. Finally, potential challenges and future perspectives concerning these novel paradigms are discussed. This comprehensive review is anticipated to serve as a valuable resource for future studies focused on the development of innovative photothermal/NO-based cancer nanotheranostics.

Magnetic stirring with iron oxide nanospinners accretes neurotoxic Aβ42 oligomers into phagocytic clearable plaques for Alzheimer's disease treatment

An increasing number of medications have been explored to treat the progressive and irreversible Alzheimer's disease (AD) that stands as the predominant form of dementia among neurodegenerative ailments. However, assertions about toxic side effects of these drugs are a significant hurdle to overcome, calling for drug-free nanotherapeutics. Herein, a new therapeutic strategy devoid of conventional drugs or other cytotoxic species was developed. The constructed superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) nanospinners can accrete neurotoxic β-amyloid 42 oligomers (oAβ42) into aggregated magnetic plaques (mpAβ) by mechanical rotating force via remote interaction between nanoparticles and the applied magnetic field. While the cellular uptake of mpAβ attained from the magnetic stirring treatment by neuronal cells is severely limited, the facile phagocytic uptake of mpAβ by microglial cells leads to the polarization of the brain macrophages to M2 phenotype and thus the increased anti-inflammatory responses to the treatment. The SPION stirring treatment protects the AD mice from memory deterioration and maintain cognitive ability as evidenced from both nesting and Barnes maze tests. The examination of the oAβ42 injected brain tissues with the stirring treatment showed significant amelioration of functional impairment of neurons, microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes alongside no obvious tissue damage caused by stirring meanwhile complete degradation of SPION was observed at day 7 after the treatment. The in vitro and animal data of this work strongly corroborate that this new modality of undruggable stirring treatment with SPIONs provides a new feasible strategy for developing novel AD treatments.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Parameters for Optimized Photoconversion Efficiency in Synergistic Cancer Treatment

Photothermal therapy (PTT) can overcome cancer treatment resistance by enhancing the cell membrane permeability, facilitating drug accumulation, and promoting drug release within the tumor tissue. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have emerged as effective agents for PTT due to their unique properties and biocompatibility. Approved for the treatment of anemia, as MRI contrast agents, and as magnetic hyperthermia mediators, IONPs also offer excellent light-to-heat conversion and can be manipulated using external magnetic fields for targeted accumulation in specific tissue. Optimizing parameters such as the laser wavelength, power density, shape, size, iron oxidation state, functionalization, and concentration is crucial for IONPs' effectiveness. In addition to PTT, IONPs enhance other cancer treatment modalities. They improve tumor oxygenation, enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy. IONPs can also trigger ferroptosis, a programmed cell death pathway mediated by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Their magneto-mechanical effect allows them to exert a mechanical force on cancer cells to destroy tumors, minimizing the damage to healthy tissue. This review outlines strategies for the management of the photothermal performance and PTT efficiency with iron oxide nanoparticles, as well as synergies with other cancer therapies.

Cobalt ferrite nanoparticle for the elimination of CD133+CD44+ and CD44+CD24-, in breast and skin cancer stem cells, using non-ionizing treatments

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the most challenging issue in cancer treatment, because of their high resistance mechanisms, that can cause tumor recurrence after common cancer treatments such as drug and radiation based therapies, and the insufficient efficiency of common treatments in CSCs removal and the recurrence of tumors after these treatments, it is essential to consider other methods, including non-ionizing treatments likes light-based treatments and magnetic hyperthermia (MHT).

Method and material

After synthesis, characterization and investigation, the toxicity of novel on A375 and MAD-MB-231 cell lines, magnetic hyperthermia and light-based treatments were applied. MTT assay and flow cytometry was employed to determine cell survival. the influence of combination therapy on CD44 + CD24-and CD133 + CD44+ cell population, Comparison and evaluation of combination treatments was done respectively using Combination Indices (CIs).

Result

The final nanoparticle has a high efficiency in producing hydroxyl radicals and generating heat in MHT. According to CIs, we can conclude that combined using of light-based treatment and MHT in the presence of final synthesized nanoparticle have synergistic effect and a high ability to reduce the population of stem cells in both cell lines compared to single treatments.

Conclusion

In this study a novel multi-functional nanoplatform acted well in dual and triple combined treatments, and showed a good performance in the eradication of CSCs, in A375 and MAD-MB-231 cell lines.

Processing and Physicochemical Properties of Magnetite Nanoparticles Coated with Curcuma longa L. Extract

In this work, Curcuma longa L. extract has been used in the synthesis and direct coating of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles ~12 nm, providing a surface layer of polyphenol groups (-OH and -COOH). This contributes to the development of nanocarriers and triggers different bio-applications. Curcuma longa L. is part of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae); the extracts of this plant contain a polyphenol structure compound, and it has an affinity to be linked to Fe ions. The nanoparticles' magnetization obtained corresponded to close hysteresis loop M_s = 8.81 emu/g, coercive field H_c = 26.67 Oe, and low remanence energy as iron oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs). Furthermore, the synthesized nanoparticles (G-M@T) showed tunable single magnetic domain interactions with uniaxial anisotropy as addressable cores at 90-180°. Surface analysis revealed characteristic peaks of Fe 2p, O 1s, and C 1s. From the last one, it was possible to obtain the C-O, C=O, -OH bonds, achieving an acceptable connection with the HepG2 cell line. The G-M@T nanoparticles do not induce cell toxicity in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or HepG2 cells in vitro, but they can increase the mitochondrial and lysosomal activity in HepG2 cells, probably related to an apoptotic cell death induction or to a stress response due to the high concentration of iron within the cell.

Recent advances in magnetic nanocarriers for tumor treatment

Magnetic nanocarriers are nano-platforms that integrate multiple moieties based on magnetic nanoparticles for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In recent years, they have become an advanced platform for tumor treatment due to their wide application in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), biocatalysis, magneto-thermal therapy (MHT), and photoresponsive therapy. Drugs loaded into magnetic nanocarriers can efficiently be directed to targeted areas by precisely reshaping their structural properties. Magnetic nanocarriers allow us to track the location of the therapeutic agent, continuously control the therapeutic process and eventually assess the efficacy of the treatment. They are typically used in synergistic therapeutic applications to achieve precise and effective tumor treatment. Here we review their latest applications in tumor treatment, including stimuli-responsive drug delivery, MHT, photoresponsive therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, and synergistic therapy. We consider reducing toxicity, improving antitumor efficacy, and the targeting accuracy of magnetic nanocarriers. The challenges of their clinical translation and prospects in cancer therapy are also discussed.

Magneto-mechanical therapeutic effects and associated cell death pathways of magnetic nanocomposites with distinct geometries

Recent years have witnessed important developments in the emerging field of magneto-mechanical therapies. While such approaches have been demonstrated as a highly efficient route to augment, complement, or entirely replace other therapeutic strategies, important aspects are still poorly understood. Among these, the dependence between the cell death pathway and the geometry of magnetic nanocomposites enabling magneto-mechanical therapies under a low-frequency rotating magnetic field (RMF) is yet to be deciphered. To provide insights into this important problem, we evaluate the cell death pathway for two magnetic nanocomposites with highly distinct geometries: Zn_0.2Fe_2.8O₄-PLGA magnetic nanospheres (MNSs) and Zn_0.2Fe_2.8O₄-PLGA magnetic nanochains (MNCs). We show that under exposure to an RMF, the MNSs and the MNCs exhibit a corkscrewed circular propulsion mode and a steering propulsion mode, respectively. This distinct behavior, with important implications for the associated magneto-mechanical forces exerted by these nanomaterials on surrounding structures (e.g., the cellular membrane), depends on their specific geometries. Next, using numerical simulations and cell viability experiments, we demonstrate that the field strength of the RMF and the rotating speed of the MNSs or MNCs have strong implications for their magneto-mechanical therapeutic performance. Last, we reveal that the magneto-mechanical effects of MNSs are more prone to induce cell apoptosis, whereas those of the MNCs favor instead cell necrosis. Overall, this work enhances the current understanding of the dependences existing between the magneto-mechanical therapeutic effects of magnetic nanocomposites with different geometries and associated cell death pathways, paving the way for novel functionalization routes which could enable significantly enhanced cures and biomedical tools. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE.