An injectable hyperthermic nanofiber mesh with switchable drug release to stimulate chemotherapy potency

Immune checkpoint blocking in cancer therapy using thermosensitive hydrogels: a review

Cancer is a challenging issue requiring new strategies for management and control. Immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) increase the body's immune response against cancer by targeting specific receptors on T-lymphocytes. The FDA approved different ICBs for cancer treatment: anti-PD-1, PDL-1, and CTLA-4 inhibitors. Many immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are in clinical trials, highlighting their significance. Challenges like resistance and side effects have led researchers to explore new delivery strategies for ICIs. Thermosensitive hydrogels can change from sol to gel and vice versa due to their structure. They interact with aqueous medium through groups like ethyl, methyl, and propyl, forming hydrogen bonds. These bonds of hydrogen are temperature-sensitive and cause the change of the polymer from sol to gel at a temperature named critical solution temperature (CST). The using temperature-responsive polymers and ICBs showed a promising approach to sustained localized cancer therapy with lowering side effects on normal tissues. In this paper, we first define new investigations on immune therapy in cancer via ICBs. Then, we present recent studies of thermosensitive polymers in cancer therapy and the most used thermosensitive polymers in studies. Eventually, we discuss studies that used thermosensitive polymers in the delivery of ICBs and discuss new investigations in this field.

Development of Layer-by-Layer Magnetic Nanoparticles for Application to Radiotherapy of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest malignancies, with few treatment options for locally advanced, unresectable cases. Conventional therapies, such as chemoradiotherapy and hyperthermia, show promise but face challenges in improving outcomes. This study introduces a novel drug delivery system using gemcitabine (GEM)-loaded layer-by-layer magnetic nanoparticles (LBL MNPs) combined with alternating magnetic field (AMF) application and X-ray irradiation to enhance therapeutic efficacy. LBL MNPs were synthesized using optimized layering techniques to achieve superior drug loading and controlled release. Human pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1) were treated with LBL MNPs alone, with AMF-induced hyperthermia, and in combination with X-rays. The results demonstrate that the 7-layer LBL MNPs exhibited optimal cytotoxicity, significantly reducing cell viability at concentrations of 30 µg/mL and higher. Combining 7-layer LBL MNPs with AMF increased cell death in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, achieving up to 98% inhibition of cell proliferation. The addition of X-rays to the regimen demonstrated a strong synergistic effect, resulting in a 13-fold increase in cell death compared to controls. These findings highlight the potential of this integrated approach to improve outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Advanced applications of smart electrospun nanofibers in cancer therapy: With insight into material capabilities and electrospinning parameters

Cancer remains a major global health challenge, and despite available treatments, its prognosis remains poor. Recently, researchers have turned their attention to intelligent nanofibers for cancer drug delivery. These nanofibers exhibit remarkable capabilities in targeted and controlled drug release. Their inherent characteristics, such as a high surface area-to-volume ratio, make them attractive candidates for drug delivery applications. Smart nanofibers can release drugs in response to specific stimuli, including pH, temperature, magnetic fields, and light. This unique feature not only reduces side effects but also enhances the overall efficiency of drug delivery systems. Electrospinning, a widely used method, allows the precision fabrication of smart nanofibers. Its advantages include high efficiency, user-friendliness, and the ability to control various manufacturing parameters. In this review, we explore the latest developments in producing smart electrospun nanofibers for cancer treatment. Additionally, we discuss the materials used in manufacturing these nanofibers and the critical parameters involved in the electrospinning process.

Design of Remote-Controllable Diels-Alder Platform on Magnetic Nanoparticles via Layer-by-Layer Assembly for AC Magnetic Field-Triggered Drug Release

Diels-Alder chemistry was exploited to develop a remote-controllable drug release platform on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). For this purpose, MNPs were decorated with anionic poly(styrenesulfonic acid-co-furfuryl methacrylate) (poly(SS-co-FMA)) and cationic poly(allylamine hydrochloride) by layer-by-layer assembly. The decorated MNPs successfully underwent DA reaction to produce covalent bonding between FMA (diene) and maleimide (dienophile)-terminated model drug. Thermal treatment above 80 °C caused the retro Diels-Alder reaction (rDA) between FMA and the drug, resulting in drug release. The retro DA could be also achieved by applying an alternating-current (AC) magnetic field to the decorated MNPs. This could spatially limit the heat generation around MNP without heating entire system. Drug release could be also accelerated with the irradiation time when a threshold temperature was met or exceeded the required energy for rDA reaction. Our results highlight the potential of DA chemistry as a new strategy to provide a remote controllable drug release platform for improving the therapeutic efficiency.

Incorporation of doxorubicin and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles into the cellulose acetate phthalate / polyvinyl alcohol (core)/ polyurethane (shell) nanofibers against A549 human lung cancer during chemotherapy/hyperthermia combined method

Cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyurethane (PU) nanofibers were synthesized by simple and coaxial electrospinning (ES) processes. Doxorubicin (DOX) and the CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were loaded into the nanofibers. The performance of the prepared nanofibers was investigated for the sustained release of DOX against A541 lung cancer cells under chemotherapy/external magnetic field (EMF) and alternating magnetic field (AMF, hyperthermia treatment) combined methods in both the in vitro and in vivo conditions. The sustained release of DOX from core-shell nanofibers containing 5 wt% cobalt ferrite was obtained within 300, 600 h, at pH of 5.5 and 7.4 without AMF and 168, 360 h, under an alternating magnetic field (AMF). More than 98.3 ± 0.2 % of A549 cancer cells were killed in the presence of core-shell nanofibers containing 100 μg DOX and 5 % cobalt ferrite nanoparticles in the presence of AMF. The flowcytometric results indicated that only 19.1 and 8.85 % cancer cells remained alive under EMF and AMF, respectively. The in vivo results revealed in stopping the growth of tumor volume and decrease in the relative tumor volume up to 0.5 were obtained using magnetic core-shell nanofibers containing 100 μg DOX and 5 % cobalt ferrite nanoparticles in the presence of EMF and AMF, respectively.

Fast and convenient delivery of fluidextracts liquorice through electrospun core-shell nanohybrids

Introduction: As an interdisciplinary field, drug delivery relies on the developments of modern science and technology. Correspondingly, how to upgrade the traditional dosage forms for a more efficacious, safer, and convenient drug delivery poses a continuous challenge to researchers. Methods, results and discussion: In this study, a proof-of-concept demonstration was conducted to convert a popular traditional liquid dosage form (a commercial oral compound solution prepared from an intermediate licorice fluidextract) into a solid dosage form. The oral commercial solution was successfully encapsulated into the core-shell nanohybrids, and the ethanol in the oral solution was removed. The SEM and TEM evaluations showed that the prepared nanofibers had linear morphologies without any discerned spindles or beads and an obvious core-shell nanostructure. The FTIR and XRD results verified that the active ingredients in the commercial solution were compatible with the polymeric matrices and were presented in the core section in an amorphous state. Three different types of methods were developed, and the fast dissolution of the electrospun core-shell nanofibers was verified. Conclusion: Coaxial electrospinning can act as a nano pharmaceutical technique to upgrade the traditional oral solution into fast-dissolving solid drug delivery films to retain the advantages of the liquid dosage forms and the solid dosage forms.