Liposomal Drug Delivery And Its Potential Impact On Cancer Research

Lipid-Based Nanoformulations of [6]-Gingerol for the Chemoprevention of Benzo[a] Pyrene-Induced Lung Carcinogenesis: Preclinical Evidence

Background/Objectives: [6]-Gingerol ([6]-G), a bioactive compound derived from Zingiber officinale (ginger), exhibits strong anticancer potential but is hindered by poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. This study aimed to develop and evaluate PEGylated liposomal [6]-G (6-G-Lip) to enhance its stability, bioavailability, and chemopreventive efficacy in benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced lung carcinogenesis. Methods: 6-G-Lip was synthesized using a modified thin-film hydration technique and characterized for size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE%), and release kinetics. The chemopreventive effects were assessed in BaP-induced lung cancer in Swiss albino mice, with prophylactic 6-G-Lip administration from two weeks before BaP exposure through 21 weeks. Cancer biomarkers, antioxidant enzyme activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, induction of apoptosis, and histopathological alterations were analyzed. Results: 6-G-Lip exhibited a particle size of 129.7 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.16, a zeta potential of -18.2 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of 91%, ensuring stability and effective drug loading. The formulation exhibited a controlled release profile, with 26.5% and 47.5% of [6]-G released in PBS and serum, respectively, at 72 h. 6-G-Lip significantly lowered cancer biomarkers, restored antioxidant defenses (SOD: 5.60 U/min/mg protein; CAT: 166.66 μm H2O2/min/mg protein), reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA: 3.3 nm/min/mg protein), and induced apoptosis (42.2%), highlighting its chemopreventive efficacy. Conclusions: This study is the first to prepare, characterize, and evaluate PEGylated [6]-G-Lip for the chemoprevention of lung cancer. It modulates oxidative stress, restores biochemical homeostasis, and selectively induces apoptosis. These findings support 6-G-Lip as a promising nanotherapeutic strategy for cancer prevention.

5-Fluorouracil Loaded Prebiotic-Probiotic Liposomes Modulating Gut Microbiota for Improving Colorectal Cancer Chemotherapy

The gut microbiota exerts inhibitory effects on the occurrence and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) through various mechanisms. Compared to traditional microbiota regulation methods, prebiotics and probiotics demonstrate significant advantages in terms of safety and patient adaptability. Their synergy not only improves the intestinal environment but also enhances the host's anti-tumor immune response. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a first-line chemotherapy drug that has a short half-life and low bioavailability. However, if administered in an untargeted manner, 5-FU also causes adverse reactions. Liposomes can improve the pharmacokinetic profile of drugs and provide targeted delivery to the tumor site, thereby reducing side effects. In this work, a 5-FU-loaded liposome is modified with the prebiotic xylan derivative Sxy and the probiotic Akkermansia muciniphila active phospholipid homolog 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidy-lethanolamine (DPPE) to construct FLSK. The latter effectively prolongs the intestinal transport and release of 5-FU, maintaining high drug concentrations at the tumor site. FLSK is found to inhibit tumor growth and significantly extends the survival period of mice. In addition, FLSK promotes anti-tumor immunity and regulation of the gut microbiota. Combining the merits of prebiotics and probiotics, FLSK provides a potential strategy for integrating chemotherapy with gut microbiota regulation therapy for the treatment of CRC.

Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Carrier-synthesis, Functionalization and Application

In recent years, advancements in chemistry have allowed the tailoring of materials at the nanoscopic level as needed. There are mainly four main types of nanomaterials used as drug carriers:metal-based nanomaterials, organic nanomaterials, inorganic nanomaterials, and polymer nanomaterials. The nanomaterials as a drug carrier showed advantages for decreased side effects with a higher therapeutic index. The stability of the drug compounds are increased by encapsulation of the drug within the nano-drug carriers, leading to decreased systemic toxicity. Nano-drug carriers are also used for controlled drug release by tailoring system-made solubility characteristics of nanoparticles by surface coating with surfactants. The review focuses on the different types of nanoparticles used as drug carriers, the nanoparticle synthesis process, techniques of nanoparticle surface coating for drug carrier purposes, applications of nano-drug carriers, and prospects of nanomaterials as drug carriers for biomedical applications.

Liposomal Formulations: A Recent Update

Liposome-based drug delivery technologies have showed potential in enhancing medication safety and efficacy. Innovative drug loading and release mechanisms highlighted in this review of next-generation liposomal formulations. Due to poor drug release kinetics and loading capacity, conventional liposomes have limited clinical use. Scientists have developed new liposomal carrier medication release control and encapsulation methods to address these limits. Drug encapsulation can be optimized by creating lipid compositions that match a drug's charge and hydrophobicity. By selecting lipids and adding co-solvents or surfactants, scientists have increased drug loading in liposomal formulations while maintaining stability. Nanotechnology has also created multifunctional liposomes with triggered release and personalized drug delivery. Surface modification methods like PEGylation and ligand conjugation can direct liposomes to disease regions, improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing off-target effects. In addition to drug loading, researchers have focused on spatiotemporal modulation of liposomal carrier medication release. Stimuli-responsive liposomes release drugs in response to bodily signals. Liposomes can be pH- or temperature-sensitive. To improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity, researchers added stimuli-responsive components to liposomal membranes to precisely control drug release kinetics. Advanced drug delivery technologies like magnetic targeting and ultrasound. Pro Drug, RNA Liposomes approach may improve liposomal medication administration. Magnetic targeting helps liposomes aggregate at illness sites and improves drug delivery, whereas ultrasound-mediated drug release facilitates on-demand release of encapsulated medicines. This review also covers recent preclinical and clinical research showing the therapeutic promise of next-generation liposomal formulations for cancer, infectious diseases, neurological disorders and inflammatory disorders. The transfer of these innovative liposomal formulations from lab to clinical practice involves key difficulties such scalability, manufacturing difficulty, and regulatory limits.

Pea protein-coated nanoliposomal encapsulation of jujube phenolic extract with different stabilizers; characterization and in vitro release

Jujube, a fruit rich in phenolic compounds, is renowned for its potential health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, and exhibiting anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects, attributed to its potent antioxidant properties. However, the application of these phenolics in food products is limited by their instability and low concentration in plant tissues. This study investigates the nanoencapsulation of jujube extract (JE) using nanoliposomes (NLs) coated with pea protein isolate (PPI) to enhance stability and bioavailability. NLs were prepared via the ethanol injection method and optimized through comprehensive characterization, including dynamic light scattering, polydispersity index, and zeta potential. The encapsulated JE showed improved antioxidant activity and controlled release profiles in simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid. This research highlights the potential of PPI-coated NLs in stabilizing and enhancing the bioactivity of jujube phenolics, providing a promising approach for their integration into functional foods.

Self-assembled lipid-based nanoparticles for chemotherapy against breast cancer

Self-assembled lipid-based nanoparticles have been shown to have improved therapeutic efficacy and lower toxic side effects. Breast cancer is a common type of malignant tumor in women. Conventional drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX) have shown low therapeutic efficacy and high drug toxicity in antitumor therapy. This paper surveys research on self-assembled lipid-based nanoparticles by categorizing them under three groups: self-assembled liposomal nanostructures, self-assembled niosomes, and self-assembled lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles. Subsequently, the structural features and operating mechanisms of each group are summarized individually along with examples of representative drugs from each group.

Intraperitoneal drug delivery systems for peritoneal carcinomatosis: Bridging the gap between research and clinical implementation

Several abdominal-located cancers develop metastasis within the peritoneum, what is called peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), constituting a clinical challenge in their therapeutical management, often leading to poor prognoses. Current multidisciplinary strategies, including cytoreductive surgery (CRS), hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), and pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC), demonstrate efficacy but have limitations. In response, alternative strategies are explored in the drug delivery field for intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Controlled drug delivery offers a promising avenue, maintaining localized drug concentrations for optimal PC management. Drug delivery systems (DDS), including hydrogels, implants, nanoparticles, and hybrid systems, show potential for sustained and region-specific drug release. The present review aims to offer an overview of the advances and current designs of DDS for PC chemotherapy administration, focusing on their composition, main characteristics, and principal experimental outcomes, highlighting the importance of biomaterial rationale design and in vitro/vivo models for their testing. Moreover, since clinical data for human subjects are scarce, we offer a critical discussion of the gap between bench and bedside in DDS translation, emphasizing the need for further research.

Nanoliposomes Encapsulated Rapamycin/Resveratrol to Induce Apoptosis and Ferroptosis for Enhanced Colorectal Cancer Therapy

OBJECTIVES

Monotherapy is often ineffective for treating colorectal cancer. In this study, we developed PEG-modified liposomes loaded with rapamycin (Rapa) and resveratrol (Res) (Rapa/Res liposomes, or RRL) to investigate their therapeutic potential in colorectal cancer.

METHODS

RRL were constructed using the reversed-phase evaporation method. We assessed the cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and ferroptotic effects of RRL on colorectal cancer HCT116 cells. The anti-tumor efficacy of RRL was evaluated in HCT116 xenograft mice.

RESULTS

RRL had a particle size of 86.67 ± 1.10 nm and a zeta potential of -33.13 ± 0.49 mV. The coloaded formulation demonstrated satisfactory performance both in vitro and in vivo, resulting in increased cytotoxicity to HCT116 cells and significant suppression of HCT116 xenografts tumor growth. Mechanically, RRL significantly increased the apoptosis rate of HCT116 cells, induced ROS accumulation in tumor cells, and effectively downregulated the expression of the ferroptosis-associated proteins GPX4 and SLC7A11, demonstrating its superior efficacy compared to that of Rapa liposomes (Rapa/Lps) or Res liposomes (Res/Lps) alone.

CONCLUSION

Coloading Rapa and Res into liposomes to promote apoptosis and ferroptosis in tumor cells represents a promising strategy for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

LGR5 as a Therapeutic Target of Antibody-Functionalized Biomimetic Magnetoliposomes for Colon Cancer Therapy

Purpose

The lack of specificity of conventional chemotherapy is one of the main difficulties to be solved in cancer therapy. Biomimetic magnetoliposomes are successful chemotherapy controlled-release systems, hyperthermia, and active targeting agents by functionalization of their surface with monoclonal antibodies. The membrane receptor Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) stands out as colorectal cancer (CRC) biomarker and appears to be related to treatment resistance and the development of metastasis. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of LGR5-targeted biomimetic magnetoliposomes loaded with oxaliplatin (OXA) or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the selective treatment of CRC and their possible application in hyperthermia.

Methods

Synthesis, characterization and determination of heating capacity of magnetoliposomes transporting OXA or 5-FU (with and without LGR5 functionalization) were conducted. In vitro antitumoral activity was assayed in multiple colorectal cell lines at different times of exposition. In addition to this, cell internalization was studied by Prussian Blue staining, flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. In vivo acute toxicity of magnetoliposomes was performed to evaluate iron-related toxicity.

Results

OXA and 5-FU loaded magnetoliposomes functionalized with LGR5 antibody showed higher cellular uptake than non-targeted nanoformulation with a reduction of the percentage of proliferation in colon cancer cell lines up to 3.2-fold of the IC50 value compared to that of free drug. The differences between non-targeted and targeted nanoformulations were more evident after short exposure times (4 and 8 hours). Interestingly, assays in the MC38 transduced cells with reduced LGR5 expression (MC38-L(-)), showed lower cell internalization of LGR5-targeted magnetoliposomes compared to non-transduced MC38 cell line. In addition, magnetoliposomes showed an in vitro favorable heating response under magnetic excitation and great iron-related biocompatibility data in vivo.

Conclusion

Drug-loaded magnetoliposomes functionalized with anti-LGR5 antibodies could be a promising CRC treatment strategy for LGR5+ targeted chemotherapy, magnetic hyperthermia, and both in combination.

In Silico Investigation on the Molecular Behavior and Structural Stability of the Rosette Nanotubes as the Drug Vehicles for Paclitaxel, an Anti-Cancer Drug

Most anticancer drugs affect healthy cells in addition to cancer cells, causing severe side effects. Targeted delivery by nano-based drug delivery systems (NDDS) can reduce these severe side effects while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. This work introduced rosette nanotube (RNT) as a potential drug vehicle for paclitaxel (PTX) due to its self-assembling property, biocompatibility, amphiphilicity, and low toxicity. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations aided with molecular mechanics Poisson Boltzmann surface area (MMPBSA) analysis are used here to investigate the molecular behavior and the loading energetics of each type of RNT (K1, xK1, and iEt-xK1) with PTX. Analysis showed that the most probable configuration of PTX is on either end of each RNT. The binding free energies (-117.74 to -69.29 kJ/mol) when PTX is closer to one end were stronger than when it is in the inner channel (-53.51 to -40.88 kJ/mol). The latter alludes to the encapsulation of the PTX by each RNT. Thus, loading is possible by encapsulation during the self-assembly process given the favorable estimated binding free energies. Based on the results, RNT has potential as a drug vehicle for PTX, which warrants further investigation.

Progressing nanotechnology to improve targeted cancer treatment: overcoming hurdles in its clinical implementation

The use of nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize the detection and treatment of cancer. Developments in protein engineering and materials science have led to the emergence of new nanoscale targeting techniques, which offer renewed hope for cancer patients. While several nanocarriers for medicinal purposes have been approved for human trials, only a few have been authorized for clinical use in targeting cancer cells. In this review, we analyze some of the authorized formulations and discuss the challenges of translating findings from the lab to the clinic. This study highlights the various nanocarriers and compounds that can be used for selective tumor targeting and the inherent difficulties in cancer therapy. Nanotechnology provides a promising platform for improving cancer detection and treatment in the future, but further research is needed to overcome the current limitations in clinical translation.

Multi-targeting liposomal codelivery of cisplatin and rapamycin inhibits pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis through stromal modulation

Pancreatic cancer treatment faces challenges due to drug resistance as well as liver metastasis. As a new strategy for treating pancreatic cancer, combination therapy is now available, but the dense mesenchymal barrier in the tumor tissue blocks drug delivery and impairs its therapeutic efficacy. To address this issue, we prepared an ATF peptide-decorated liposomal co-loaded with cisplatin and rapamycin (ATF@Pt/Rapa Lps), which targets both tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts that express uPAR receptors. In tumor sphere penetration experiments, ATF peptide modified liposomes significantly enhanced deep penetration. More importantly, the ATF@Pt/Rapa Lps disrupted the stroma, as demonstrated by the downregulation of ɑ-SMA, I collagen, and fibronectin protein in vivo and in vitro. In this way, highly effective drug delivery to tumor cells can be achieved. As expected, there was a stronger inhibition of cell proliferation and migration by ATF@Pt/Rapa Lps in vitro compared to free Pt/Rapa and Pt/Rapa Lps. Furthermore, ATF@Pt/Rapa Lps showed greater therapeutic effects in PANC02 transplanted tumor mice and liver metastasis mice models. Ultimately, multi-targeting nanomedicines co-loaded with Rapa and cisplatin may provide a new approach to treating metastatic pancreatic cancer.

In Vitro and In Vivo Synergistic Antitumor Activity of Albumin-Coated Oleic Acid-Loaded Liposomes toward Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal and prevalent cancers, closely associated with cirrhosis and fibrosis. This study aimed to assess the antitumor activity of oleic acid-liposomes (uncoated liposomes) upon coating with albumin against HCC. The in vitro studies revealed the high safety of the prepared uncoated and albumin-coated liposomes to normal HFB-4 cells (EC100 of 35.57 ± 0.17 and 79.133 ± 2.92 µM, respectively) with significant anticancer activity against HepG-2 cells with IC50 of 56.29 ± 0.91 and 26.74 ± 0.64 µM, respectively. The albumin-coated liposomes revealed superior apoptosis induction potential (80.7%) with significant upregulation of p53 gene expression (> 7.0-fold), compared to OA. The in vivo study revealed that the administration of uncoated or albumin-coated liposomes (100 mg/kg) for six weeks markedly retarded the DENA-induced HCC in Wistar albino rates through regulating the liver enzymes, total bilirubin level, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress. Accordingly, the current study supports the in vitro and in vivo chemo-preventive feature of albumin-coated liposomes against HCC through modulation of apoptosis, improvement of the immune response, reduction of inflammation, and restoration of impaired oxidative stress, which is the first reported to the best of our knowledge.

Resveratrol Loaded by Folate-Modified Liposomes Inhibits Osteosarcoma Growth and Lung Metastasis via Regulating JAK2/STAT3 Pathway

Background

Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor with a high rate of lung metastasis and mortality. It has been demonstrated that resveratrol can inhibit tumor proliferation and metastasis, but its application is limited due to poor water solubility and low bioavailability. In this study, we proposed to prepare folate-modified liposomes loaded with resveratrol to investigate its anti-osteosarcoma effect in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

We prepared and characterized resveratrol liposomes modified with folate (denoted as, FA-Res/Lps). The effects of FA-Res/Lps on human osteosarcoma cell 143B proliferation, apoptosis, and migration were investigated by MTT, cell cloning, wound-healing assay, transwell, and flow cytometry. A xenograft tumor and lung metastasis model of osteosarcoma was constructed to study the therapeutic effects of FA-Res/Lps on the growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma in vivo.

Results

The FA-Res/Lps were prepared with a particle size of 118.5 ± 0.71 and a small dispersion coefficient of 0.154 ± 0.005. We found that FA-modified liposomes significantly increased resveratrol uptake by osteosarcoma cells 143B in flow cytometric assay, resulting in FA-Res/Lps, which inhibit tumor proliferation, migration and induce apoptosis more effectively than free Res and Res/Lps. The mechanism of action may be associated with the inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signaling. In vivo imaging demonstrated that FA-modified DiR-modified liposomes significantly increased the distribution of drugs at the tumor site, leading to significant inhibition of osteosarcoma growth and metastasis by FA-Res/Lps. Furthermore, we found that FA-Res/Lps did not cause any adverse effects on mice body weight, liver, or kidney tissues.

Conclusion

Taken together, the anti-osteosarcoma effect of resveratrol is significantly enhanced when it is loaded into FA-modified liposomes. FA-Res/Lps is a promising strategy for the treatment of osteosarcoma.

Nano drug-delivery systems for management of AIDS: liposomes, dendrimers, gold and silver nanoparticles

AIDS causes increasing mortality every year. With advancements in nanomedicine, different nanomaterials (NMs) have been applied to treat AIDS and overcome its limitations. Among different NMs, nanoparticles (NPs) can act as nanocarriers due to their enhanced solubility, sustained release, targeting abilities and facilitation of drug-dose reductions. This review discusses recent advancements in therapeutics for AIDS/HIV using various NMs, mainly focused on three classifications: polymeric, liposomal and inorganic NMs. Polymeric dendrimers, polyethylenimine-NPs, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-NPs, chitosan and the use of liposomal-based delivery systems and inorganic NPs, including gold and silver NPs, are explored. Recent advances, current challenges and future perspectives on the use of these NMs for better management of HIV/AIDS are also discussed.