Designing and Immunomodulating Multiresponsive Nanomaterial for Cancer Theranostics

Development of injectable upconversion nanoparticle-conjugated doxorubicin theranostics electrospun nanostructure for targeted photochemotherapy in breast cancer

Nanotheranostic-based photochemotherapies with targeted drug delivery have considerably surfaced in cancer therapy. In the presented work, polyethyleneimine-coated upconversion nanoparticles were engineered to conjugate covalently with doxorubicin. Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP)-Doxorubicin (DOX)/synthesized epidermal growth factor receptor-targeting peptide blended with polymer composite was electrospun and formulated as the injectable dosage form. The size of the UCNP and the nanofiber diameter were assessed as 26.75 ± 1.54 and 162 ± 2.82 nm, respectively. The optimized ratio of dopants resulted in UCNP photoluminescence with maximum emission intensity at around 800 nm upon 980 nm excitation wavelength. The paramagnetic nature of UCNPs and amide conjugation with the drug was confirmed analytically. The loading capacity of UCNP for doxorubicin was determined to be 54.56%, while nanofibers exhibited 98.74% capacity to encapsulate UCNP-DOX. The release profile of UCNP-DOX from nanofiber formulation ranged from sustained to controlled, with relative enhancement in acidic conditions. The nanofiber demonstrated good mechanical strength, robust swelling, and degradation rate. Biocompatibility tests showed more than 90% cell viability on L929 and NIH/3T3 cell lines with UCNP-DOX@NF/pep nanoformulation. The IC50 values of 2.15 ± 0.54, 2.87 ± 0.67, and 3.42 ± 0.45 μg/mL on MDA-MB-231, 4T1, and MCF-7 cancer cell line, respectively, with a significant cellular uptake, has been reported. The UCNP protruded a ≈62.7°C temperature rise within 5 min of 980 nm laser irradiation and a power density of 0.5 W cm-2. The nanoformulation induced reactive oxygen species of 65.67% ± 3.21% and apoptosis by arresting the cell cycle sub-G1 phase. The evaluation conveys the effectiveness of the developed injectable theranostic delivery system in cancer therapy.

Nanomaterial-Driven Precision Immunomodulation: A New Paradigm in Therapeutic Interventions

Immunotherapy is a rapidly advancing field of research in the treatment of conditions such as cancer and autoimmunity. Nanomaterials can be designed for immune system manipulation, with precise targeted delivery and improved immunomodulatory efficacy. Here, we elaborate on various strategies using nanomaterials, including liposomes, polymers, and inorganic NPs, and discuss their detailed design intricacies, mechanisms, and applications, including the current regulatory issues. This type of nanomaterial design for targeting specific immune cells or tissues and controlling release kinetics could push current technological frontiers and provide new and innovative solutions for immune-related disorders and diseases without off-target effects. These materials enable targeted interactions with immune cells, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapies. Moreover, they allow for fine-tuning of immune responses while minimizing side effects. At the intersection of nanotechnology and immunology, nanomaterial-based platforms have immense potential to revolutionize patient-centered immunotherapy and reshape disease management. By prioritizing safety, customization, and compliance with regulatory standards, these systems can make significant contributions to precision medicine, thereby significantly impacting the healthcare landscape.

Influence of PEGylation on WS2 Nanosheets and Its Application in Photothermal Therapy

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is an alternative cancer therapy with minimal side effects and higher efficiency and selectivity. In this study, WS2 nanosheets were developed by ultrasonic exfoliation with different ratios of polyethylene glycol (PEG), and their effects on physicochemical properties were studied. The utilization of PEG during sonication significantly influenced the size and thickness of the resulting WS2 nanosheet layers, which was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and dynamic light scattering analyses. PEG functionalization also improved the dispersibility of WS2 in aqueous solution by making its surface hydrophilic, which resulted in better biocompatibility. The intrinsic near-infrared absorbance of the nanosheets positions them as valuable agents for PTT. The study further explores the efficacy of these nanosheets as photothermal agents in the ablation of MDAMB-231 breast cancer cells. Although the use of PEG to demonstrate exfoliation and biocompatibility for WS2 has been reported previously, the effect of PEGylation on various physicochemical properties has not been studied in-depth until now. This study paves the way for the use of highly versatile PEG across a range of 2D material systems.

Current applications of nanomaterials in urinary system tumors

The development of nanotechnology and nanomaterials has provided insights into the treatment of urinary system tumors. Nanoparticles can be used as sensitizers or carriers to transport drugs. Some nanoparticles have intrinsic therapeutic effects on tumor cells. Poor patient prognosis and highly drug-resistant malignant urinary tumors are worrisome to clinicians. The application of nanomaterials and the associated technology against urinary system tumors offers the possibility of improving treatment. At present, many achievements have been made in the application of nanomaterials against urinary system tumors. This review summarizes the latest research on nanomaterials in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary system tumors and provides novel ideas for future research on nanotechnologies in this field.

A Perspective on EGFR and Proteasome-based Targeted Therapy for Cancer

BACKGROUND

Cancer is known to be the most leading cause of death worldwide. It is understood that the sources causing cancer mainly include the activity of endogenous oncogenes, nonviral compounds and the fundamental portion of these oncogenes; the tyrosine kinase activity and proteasome activity are the main biomarkers responsible for cell proliferation. These biomarkers can be used as main targets and are believed to be the 'prime switches' for the signal communication activity to regulate cell death and cell cycle. Thus, signal transduction inhibitors (ligandreceptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors) and proteasome inhibitors can be used as a therapeutic modality to block the action of signaling between the cells as well as protein breakdown in order to induce cell apoptosis.

AIMS

This article highlights the key points and provides an overview of the recent patents on EGFR and proteosome-based inhibitors having therapeutic efficacy. This review focuses on the patents related to therapeutic agents, their preparation process and the final outcome.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this study is to facilitate the advancement and current perspectives in the treatment of cancer.

CONCLUSION

There are numerous strategies discussed in these patents to improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of EGFR and proteasome inhibitors. Further, the resistance to targeted therapy after long-term treatment can be overcome by using various excipients that can be used as a strategy to carry the drug. However, there is a need and scope for improving targeted therapeutics for cancer treatment with better fundamentals and characteristics. The widespread research on cancer therapy can create the path for future advancements in therapy with more prominent outcomes.

Delivery process and effective design of vectors for cancer therapy

In recent years, the efficacy of nano-drugs has not been significantly better than that of the drugs themselves, mainly because nano-drugs enter the tumor vasculature, stay near the blood vessels, and cannot enter the tumor tissues or tumor cells to complete the drug delivery process. Although intratumor injection can significantly decrease this risk, the side effects are strong. The advent of drug delivery carrier materials offers an opportunity to avoid the side effects of systemic drug delivery and the damage caused by tumor resection, holding great promise for the future of cancer therapy. Here, we systematically review recent research advances in the classification of drug delivery carrier materials and the delivery process in drug delivery systems. This review is divided into several main sections, first, we summarize the classification of tumor drug carrier materials, including drug delivery vectors and gene delivery vectors, etc., which are introduced in detail, respectively. Then we describe the carrier materials to deliver the drug cascade and the transition pathways for drug delivery, including stabilization transitions, charge inversions, and size changes. Finally, we discuss the current design strategies and research progress of drug vectors and provide a summary and outlook. This review aims to summarize different drug delivery vehicles and delivery processes to provide ideas for effective cancer therapy.