Nanoparticles in melanoma

Nanodelivery systems for cutaneous melanoma treatment

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a multifactorial disease whose treatment still presents challenges: the rapid progression to advanced CM, which leads to frequent recurrences even after surgical excision and, notably, the low response rates and resistance to the available therapies, particularly in the case of unresectable metastatic CM. Thereby, alternative innovative therapeutic approaches for CM continue to be searched. In this review we discuss relevant preclinical research studies, and provide a broad-brush analysis of patents and clinical trials which involve the application of nanotechnology-based delivery systems in CM therapy. Nanodelivery systems have been developed for the delivery of anticancer biomolecules to CM, which can be administered by different routes. Overall, nanosystems could promote technological advances in several therapeutic modalities and can be used in combinatorial therapies. Nevertheless, the results of these preclinical studies have not been translated to clinical applications. Thus, concerted and collaborative research studies involving basic, applied, translational, and clinical scientists need to be performed to allow the development of effective and safe nanomedicines to treat CM.

Combination therapy with TiO2 nanoparticles and cisplatin enhances chemotherapy response in murine melanoma models

BACKGROUND

Despite recent progressions in the treatment of melanoma, the response to conventional therapies and the long-term survival in melanoma patients still remain poor. Recently, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) has been highlighted for promoting the chemotherapeutic effects of cytotoxic drugs in melanoma. The aim of this study is to mechanistically evaluate the potential of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) for enhancing chemotherapy effects in in vitro and in vivo models of murine melanoma.

METHODS

The F10 melanoma cells were exposed to different concentrations of TiO₂ NPs and/or cisplatin, then cell growth, cell viability, and cell death were evaluated. In parallel, C57BL/6 syngeneic melanoma mice were treated by TiO₂ NPs and/or cisplatin, and then drug responses, tumor size and mice's organs were studied pathologically. Autophagy was examined by evaluating the formation of autophagosomes and gene expression levels of autophagy markers (ATG5 and ATG6) by fluorescent microscopy and qPCR, respectively.

RESULTS

Nontoxic concentrations of TiO₂ NPs (50 µg/ml) promote anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects of cisplatin in F10 melanoma cells, which is mediated through the induction of autophagy and necrotic cell death. Whereas TiO₂ NPs have no cytotoxic or metastatic effects in melanoma mice, its combination with cisplatin enhances drug responses (up to 50%), leading to higher inhibition of tumor growth compared with each monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The combination of TiO₂ NP with cisplatin enhances chemotherapy response in both in vitro and in vivo melanoma models. In addition, autophagy plays an essential role during sensitizing melanoma cells to chemotherapy.

Development of Topical Nanocarriers for Skin Cancer Treatment Using Quality by Design Approach

BACKGROUND

One of the most compelling medical challenges of this century is the treatment of cancer and among them, skin cancer is the most common type. Thus, current treatments need to be renewed continuously to handle this challenge.

OBJECTIVE

This review presents considerations which can be employed during the development of nanosized formulations dedicated to the topical treatment of skin cancer. We aimed to collect and organize literature data on the treatment options for skin cancer in order to determine the required quality attributes of an effective dermal anticancer formulation.

METHOD

With the consideration of the Quality by Design (QbD) approach related to the development of new pharmaceutical formulations, a cost-saving process ensuring a high-quality product taking into account patient expectations, industrial and regulatory aspects can be achieved. Furthermore, this concept is highly recommended by regulatory agencies.

RESULTS

Our work discusses the current therapies, active agents, drug carrier systems, and evaluation methods in connection with the treatment of skin cancer and outlines Critical Quality Attributes which need to be considered during the development of a nanosized dermal anticancer formulation.

CONCLUSION

The first part of this review summarizes the most important topical treatment therapies for skin cancer and highlights the future therapeutic perspectives, focusing on the benefits of nanotechnology and dermal administration. The second part outlines the critical points of nanosized dermal anticancer formulation development in the view of QbD approach. Our research emphasizes the application of QbD method for a rationalized and more effective anticancer formulation development process.

Melanocortin 1 Receptor Targeted Imaging of Melanoma With Gold Nanocages and Positron Emission Tomography

Purpose:

Melanoma is a lethal skin cancer with unmet clinical needs for targeted imaging and therapy. Nanoscale materials conjugated with targeting components have shown great potential to improve tumor delivery efficiency while minimizing undesirable side effects in vivo. Herein, we proposed to develop targeted nanoparticles for melanoma theranostics.

Method:

In this work, gold nanocages (AuNCs) were conjugated with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) peptide and radiolabeled with ⁶⁴Cu for melanocortin 1 receptor-(MC1R) targeted positron emission tomography (PET) in a mouse B16/F10 melanoma model.

Results:

Their controlled synthesis and surface chemistry enabled well-defined structure and radiolabeling efficiency. In vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation demonstrated comparable organ distribution between the targeted and nontargeted AuNCs. However, micro-PET/computed tomography (CT) imaging demonstrated specific and improved tumor accumulation via MC1R-mediated delivery. By increasing the coverage density of α-MSH peptide on AuNCs, the tumor delivery efficiency was improved.

Conclusion:

The controlled synthesis, sensitive PET imaging, and optimal tumor targeting suggested the potential of targeted AuNCs for melanoma theranostics.

Nanoparticles and nanofibers for topical drug delivery

This review provides the first comprehensive overview of the use of both nanoparticles and nanofibers for topical drug delivery. Researchers have explored the use of nanotechnology, specifically nanoparticles and nanofibers, as drug delivery systems for topical and transdermal applications. This approach employs increased drug concentration in the carrier, in order to increase drug flux into and through the skin. Both nanoparticles and nanofibers can be used to deliver hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs and are capable of controlled release for a prolonged period of time. The examples presented provide significant evidence that this area of research has - and will continue to have - a profound impact on both clinical outcomes and the development of new products.