The role of cell membrane-coated nanoparticles as a novel treatment approach in glioblastoma

Immune response recalibration using immune therapy and biomimetic nano-therapy against high-grade gliomas and brain metastases

Although with aggressive standards of care like surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation, high-grade gliomas (HGGs) and brain metastases (BM) treatment has remained challenging for more than two decades. However, technological advances in this field and immunotherapeutic strategies have revolutionized the treatment of HGGs and BM. Immunotherapies like immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T targeting, oncolytic virus-based therapy, bispecific antibody treatment, and vaccination approaches, etc., are emerging as promising avenues offering new hope in refining patient's survival benefits. However, selective trafficking across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), metabolic alteration, and tumor heterogeneity limit the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy for HGGs and BM. Furthermore, to address this concern, the NanoBioTechnology-based bioinspired delivery system has been gaining tremendous attention in recent years. With technological advances such as Trojan horse targeting and infusing/camouflaging nanoparticles surface with biological molecules/cells like immunocytes, erythrocytes, platelets, glioma cell lysate and/or integrating these strategies to get hybrid membrane for homotypic recognition. These biomimetic nanotherapy offers advantages over conventional nanoparticles, focusing on greater target specificity, increased circulation stability, higher active loading capacity, BBB permeability (inherent inflammatory chemotaxis of neutrophils), decreased immunogenicity, efficient metabolism-based combinatorial effects, and prevention of tumor recurrence by induction of immunological memory, etc. provide new age of improved immunotherapies outcomes against HGGs and BM. In this review, we emphasize on neuro-immunotherapy and the versatility of these biomimetic nano-delivery strategies for precise targeting of hard-to-treat and most lethal HGGs and BM. Moreover, the challenges impeding the clinical translatability of these approaches were addressed to unmet medical needs of brain cancers.

Cardiac Cell Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles as a Potential Targeted Delivery System for Cardiac Therapy

Cardiomyopathies, a cause of heart failure, are a predominant cause of death globally and may lead to discernible myocardial abnormalities. Several therapeutic agents were discovered, developed, investigated, and evaluated to save patients' lives and improve their quality of life. The effective administration of drugs improves therapeutic outcomes while reducing side effects. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been utilised for the delivery of therapeutic agents and demonstrate promise in reducing myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury. However, significant limitations of NPs include non-specific targeting and immunogenicity. To improve cardiac targeting and biocompatibility, surface modifications using a cardiac cell membrane (cCM) coating on the surface of NPs have been hypothesised. Here, cCMs were isolated from the human ventricular cell line (AC16), and mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesised and then coated with cCMs. The cardiac cell membrane-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (cCMCMSNs) did not significantly alter the encapsulation efficiency or the release profile of the loaded drug (Rhodamine B) in comparison to MSN. Moreover, cCMCMSNs demonstrated a significantly enhanced distribution of RhB specifically to cardiac cells, compared to other cell types, without causing cytotoxicity. To evaluate immune escape, cCMCMSNs were exposed to activated macrophages, demonstrating that cCMCMSNs were phagocytosed to a lesser extent than MSN. This study demonstrated the synthesis of cardiac cell membranes coated on the surface of nanoparticles as nanomedicine technologies that enhance selective drug delivery to cardiac cells, potentially offering an alternate method for drug administration in cardiovascular diseases.

Biomimetic Nanoparticle Based Targeted mRNA Vaccine Delivery as a Novel Therapy for Glioblastoma Multiforme

The prognosis for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an aggressive and deadly brain tumor, is poor due to the limited therapeutic options available. Biomimetic nanoparticles have emerged as a promising vehicle for targeted mRNA vaccine delivery, thanks to recent advances in nanotechnology. This presents a novel treatment method for GBM. This review explores the potential of using biomimetic nanoparticles to improve the specificity and effectiveness of mRNA vaccine against GBM. These nanoparticles can evade immune detection, cross the blood-brain barrier, & deliver mRNA directly to glioma cells by mimicking natural biological structures. This allows glioma cells to produce tumor-specific antigens that trigger strong immune responses against the tumor. This review discusses biomimetic nanoparticle design strategies, which are critical for optimizing transport and ensuring targeted action. These tactics include surface functionalization and encapsulation techniques. It also highlights the ongoing preclinical research and clinical trials that demonstrate the therapeutic advantages and challenges of this strategy. Biomimetic nanoparticles for mRNA vaccine delivery represent a new frontier in GBM treatment, which could impact the management of this deadly disease and improve patient outcomes by integrating cutting-edge nanotechnology with immunotherapy.

Macrophage membrane-camouflaged pure-drug nanomedicine for synergistic chemo- and interstitial photodynamic therapy against glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) persists as a highly fatal malignancy, with current clinical treatments showing minimal progress over years. Interstitial photodynamic therapy (iPDT) holds promise due to its minimally invasive nature and low toxicity but is impeded by poor photosensitizer penetration and inadequate GBM targeting. Here, we developed a biomimetic pure-drug nanomedicine (MM@CT), which co-assembles the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) and the first-line chemotherapeutic drug (temozolomide, TMZ) for GBM, then camouflaged with macrophage membranes. This design eliminates the need for traditional excipients, ensuring formulation safety and achieving exceptionally high drug loading with 73.2 %. By leveraging the biomimetic properties of macrophage membranes, MM@CT evades clearance by the mononuclear phagocyte system and can overcome blood circulatory barriers to target intracranial GBM tumors due to its inherent tumor-homing ability. Consequently, this targeted strategy enables precise delivery of TMZ to the tumor site while significantly enhancing Ce6 accumulation within the tumor tissue. Upon intra-tumoral irradiation using an optical fiber, activated Ce6 synergizes with TMZ to exert both cytotoxic effects from chemotherapy and unique advantages from iPDT simultaneously attacking GBM tumors in a dual manner. In subcutaneous and intracranial GBM mouse models, MM@CT exhibits remarkable anti-tumor efficacy with minimal systemic toxicity, emerging as a promising GBM treatment strategy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Glioblastoma (GBM) remains a formidable brain cancer, posing significant therapeutic challenges due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and tumor heterogeneity. To overcome these obstacles, we have developed MM@CT, a biomimetic nanomedicine with exceptional drug loading efficiency of 73.2 %. MM@CT incorporates the photosensitizer Ce6 and chemotherapy agent TMZ, encapsulated within nanoparticles and camouflaged with macrophage membranes. This innovative design enables efficient BBB penetration, precise tumor targeting, and synergistic application of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy. Encouragingly, preclinical evaluations have demonstrated substantial antitumor activity with minimal systemic toxicity, positioning MM@CT as a promising therapeutic strategy for GBM.

Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Modelling by Developing a Refined Biomimetic Brain Microenvironment for Facilitating High-Throughput Screening of Pharmacological Treatment Strategies

Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant worldwide health challenge, requiring novel approaches for improved models and treatment development. This comprehensive review emphasises the systematic development and improvement of a biomimetic brain environment to address the shortcomings of existing AD models and enhance the efficiency of screening potential drug treatments. We identify drawbacks in traditional models and emphasise the necessity for more physiologically accurate systems through an in-depth analysis of current literature. This review aims to study the development of an advanced AD model that accurately replicates key AD pathophysiological aspects using cutting-edge biomaterials and microenvironment design. Incorporating biomolecular elements like Tau proteins and beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaques improve the accuracy of illustrating disease mechanisms. The expected results involve creating a solid foundation for high-throughput screening with enhanced scalability, translational significance, and the possibility of speeding up drug discovery. Thus, this review fills the gaps in AD modelling and shows potential for creating precise and efficient drug treatments for AD.

Nanomaterials: leading immunogenic cell death-based cancer therapies

The field of oncology has transformed in recent years, with treatments shifting from traditional surgical resection and radiation therapy to more diverse and customized approaches, one of which is immunotherapy. ICD (immunogenic cell death) belongs to a class of regulatory cell death modalities that reactivate the immune response by facilitating the interaction between apoptotic cells and immune cells and releasing specific signaling molecules, and DAMPs (damage-associated molecular patterns). The inducers of ICD can elevate the expression of specific proteins to optimize the TME (tumor microenvironment). The use of nanotechnology has shown its unique potential. Nanomaterials, due to their tunability, targeting, and biocompatibility, have become powerful tools for drug delivery, immunomodulators, etc., and have shown significant efficacy in clinical trials. In particular, these nanomaterials can effectively activate the ICD, trigger a potent anti-tumor immune response, and maintain long-term tumor suppression. Different types of nanomaterials, such as biological cell membrane-modified nanoparticles, self-assembled nanostructures, metallic nanoparticles, mesoporous materials, and hydrogels, play their respective roles in ICD induction due to their unique structures and mechanisms of action. Therefore, this review will explore the latest advances in the application of these common nanomaterials in tumor ICD induction and discuss how they can provide new strategies and tools for cancer therapy. By gaining a deeper understanding of the mechanism of action of these nanomaterials, researchers can develop more precise and effective therapeutic approaches to improve the prognosis and quality of life of cancer patients. Moreover, these strategies hold the promise to overcome resistance to conventional therapies, minimize side effects, and lead to more personalized treatment regimens, ultimately benefiting cancer treatment.

Nanoparticle-Based Combinational Strategies for Overcoming the Blood-Brain Barrier and Blood-Tumor Barrier

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-tumor barrier (BTB) pose substantial challenges to efficacious drug delivery for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a primary brain tumor with poor prognosis. Nanoparticle-based combinational strategies have emerged as promising modalities to overcome these barriers and enhance drug penetration into the brain parenchyma. This review discusses various nanoparticle-based combinatorial approaches that combine nanoparticles with cell-based drug delivery, viral drug delivery, focused ultrasound, magnetic field, and intranasal drug delivery to enhance drug permeability across the BBB and BTB. Cell-based drug delivery involves using engineered cells as carriers for nanoparticles, taking advantage of their intrinsic migratory and homing capabilities to facilitate the transport of therapeutic payloads across BBB and BTB. Viral drug delivery uses engineered viral vectors to deliver therapeutic genes or payloads to specific cells within the GBM microenvironment. Focused ultrasound, coupled with microbubbles or nanoparticles, can temporarily disrupt the BBB to increase drug permeability. Magnetic field-guided drug delivery exploits magnetic nanoparticles to facilitate targeted drug delivery under an external magnetic field. Intranasal drug delivery offers a minimally invasive avenue to bypass the BBB and deliver therapeutic agents directly to the brain via olfactory and trigeminal pathways. By combining these strategies, synergistic effects can enhance drug delivery efficiency, improve therapeutic efficacy, and reduce off-target effects. Future research should focus on optimizing nanoparticle design, exploring new combination strategies, and advancing preclinical and clinical investigations to promote the translation of nanoparticle-based combination therapies for GBM.

Nanopharmacology as a new approach to treat neuroinflammatory disorders

Neuroinflammation, a complex process involving the activation of microglia, astrocytes, and other immune cells in the brain, plays a role in neurodegeneration and psychiatric disorders. Current therapeutic strategies for neuroinflammation are limited, necessitating the development of improved approaches. Nanopharmacology offers unprecedented opportunities to access and treat neuroinflammatory disorders at the brain level. Nanoscaffolds can target specific cells or tissues and protect drugs from degradation or elimination, making them ideal candidates for treating neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. Recent advancements in nanoparticle development have enabled the targeting of microglia, astrocytes, and other immune cells in the brain, reducing neuroinflammation and protecting neurons from injury. Nanoparticles targeting specific neurons have also been developed. Clinical trials are in progress to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nano drugs for treating neuroinflammatory, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric diseases. The successful development of these nanodrugs holds immense promise for treating these devastating and increasingly prevalent conditions. On the other hand, several limitations and unanswered questions remain. First, the long-term effects of nanoparticles on the brain need to be thoroughly investigated to ensure their safety. Second, optimizing the targeting and delivery of nanoparticles to specific brain regions remains a challenge. Understanding the complex interplay between nanoparticles and the brain's immune system is crucial for developing effective nanotherapies. Despite these limitations, nanopharmacology presents a transformative approach to treating neuroinflammatory disorders. Future research should address the aforementioned limitations and further elucidate the mechanisms of nanoparticle-mediated therapy. The successful development of safe and effective nanodrugs can revolutionize the treatment of neuroinflammatory disorders, alleviating the suffering of millions.