Targeting Tumor Cells with Nanoparticles for Enhanced Co-Drug Delivery in Cancer Treatment

Nanoparticles for Augmenting Therapeutic Potential and Alleviating the Effect of Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Gastric Cancer

Changes in diet culture and modern lifestyle contributed to a higher incidence of gastrointestinal-related diseases, including gastritis, implicated in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. This observation raised concerns regarding exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), which is linked to adverse health effects, including reproductive and developmental problems, inflammatory response, and invasive adenocarcinoma. Research on the direct link between DEHP and gastric cancer is ongoing, and further studies are required to establish a conclusive association. In our study, extremely low concentrations of DEHP exerted significant effects on cell migration by promoting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer cells. This effect was mediated by the modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Smad2 signaling pathways. To address the DEHP challenges, our initial design of TPGS-conjugated fucoidan, delivered via pH-responsive nanoparticles, successfully demonstrated binding to the P-selectin protein. This achievement has not only enhanced the antigastric tumor efficacy but has also led to a significant reduction in the expression of malignant proteins associated with the condition. These findings underscore the promising clinical therapeutic potential of our approach.

Hyaluronic Acid-Mediated Phenolic Compound Nanodelivery for Cancer Therapy

Phenolic compounds are bioactive phytochemicals showing a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects. Moreover, they are associated with fewer side effects compared to most currently used antitumor drugs. Combinations of phenolic compounds with commonly used drugs have been largely studied as an approach aimed at enhancing the efficacy of anticancer drugs and reducing their deleterious systemic effects. In addition, some of these compounds are reported to reduce tumor cell drug resistance by modulating different signaling pathways. However, often, their application is limited due to their chemical instability, low water solubility, or scarce bioavailability. Nanoformulations, including polyphenols in combination or not with anticancer drugs, represent a suitable strategy to enhance their stability and bioavailability and, thus, improve their therapeutic activity. In recent years, the development of hyaluronic acid-based systems for specific drug delivery to cancer cells has represented a pursued therapeutic strategy. This is related to the fact that this natural polysaccharide binds to the CD44 receptor that is overexpressed in most solid cancers, thus allowing its efficient internalization in tumor cells. Moreover, it is characterized by high biodegradability, biocompatibility, and low toxicity. Here, we will focus on and critically analyze the results obtained in recent studies regarding the use of hyaluronic acid for the targeted delivery of bioactive phenolic compounds to cancer cells of different origins, alone or in combination with drugs.

EGCG adjuvant chemotherapy: Current status and future perspectives

The resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs greatly reduces the therapeutic effect in cancer patients, and the toxic side effects caused by chemotherapy also seriously affect the quality of life of patients. The combination of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main active ingredient in tea, with cisplatin, 5-FU, doxorubicin and paclitaxel enhances their sensitizing effect on tumors and combats the drug resistance of cancer cells. These effects seem to be mediated by a variety of mechanisms, including combating drug resistance mediated by cancer stem cells, enhancing drug sensitivity, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and blocking angiogenesis. In addition, EGCG can suppress a series of adverse effects caused by chemotherapy, such as gastrointestinal disorders, nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity, through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and improve the quality of life of patients. However, the low bioavailability and off-target effects of EGCG and its reactivity with some chemotherapeutic agents limit its clinical application. The nanomodification of EGCG and chemotherapeutic drugs not only enhances the antitumor activity but also prolongs the survival time of tumor-bearing mice, and has the advantage of low toxicity. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the current status and challenges regarding the use of EGCG in combination with chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of cancer. In general, EGCG is a promising adjuvant for chemotherapy.

Antitumor applications of polyphenol-conjugated turnip mosaic virus-derived nanoparticles

Background: Filamentous plant virus-derived nanoparticles are biodegradable and noninfectious to humans. Their structure is also amenable to chemical modifications. They constitute an appealing material for biomedical applications including imaging and drug delivery. We had previously used turnip mosaic virus-derived nanoparticles (TuMV-NPs) to increase antibody-sensing in vivo, to prevent biofilm formation and to build biological nanoscaffolds. Materials & methods: We analyzed TuMV-NP biodistribution and tumor homing using in vivo imaging. We studied in vitro the interaction with human cancer cell lines and the antiproliferative effect of epigallocatechin gallate-functionalized TuMV-NPs. Results & conclusion: TuMV-NPs are efficiently internalized by human cells and show good tumor homing. The antiproliferative effect of epigallocatechin gallate-TuMV-NPs suggests that they could offer a potential anticancer therapy.

Active Targeting of P-Selectin by Fucoidan Modulates the Molecular Profiling of Metastasis in Docetaxel-Resistant Prostate Cancer

The standard of care for prostate cancer (PCa) is androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Although hormone-sensitive PCa is curable by ADT, most conditions progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPCa) and metastatic CRPCa (mCRPCa). Front-line docetaxel has been administered to patients with CRPCa and mCRPCa. Nevertheless, docetaxel resistance after half a year of therapy has emerged as an urgent clinical concern in patients with CRPCa and mCRPCa. We verified the mechanism by which docetaxel-resistant PCa cells (DU/DX50) exhibited significant cell migration and expression of malignant tumor-related proteins. Our study shows that the biological activity of fucoidan has an important application for docetaxel-resistant PCa cells, inhibiting IL-1R by binding to P-selectin and reducing the expression levels of NF-κB p50 and Cox2 in this metastasis-inhibiting signaling pathway. Furthermore, the combined treatment of fucoidan and docetaxel showed significant anticancer and synergistic effects on the viability of DU/DX50 cells, which is relevant for overcoming the current limitations and improving treatment outcomes. Overall, fucoidan-based combination chemotherapy may exert beneficial effects and facilitate the treatment of docetaxel-resistant PCa.

Redox/pH-Responsive 2-in-1 Chimeric Nanoparticles for the Co-Delivery of Doxorubicin and siRNA

The co-delivery of chemotherapy drugs and gene-suppressing small interfering RNA (siRNA) show promise for cancer therapy. The key to the clinical realization of this treatment model will be the development of a carrier system enabling the simultaneous delivery (“co-delivery” instead of combinatorial delivery) of chemotherapy and siRNA agents to cancer. In this study, a co-delivery system was developed from two individual components to form one integrated nanovehicle through a redox-sensitive thiol–disulfide bond for the synergistic delivery of chemotherapy and RNA silencing: doxorubicin (Dox)-loaded N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan (NOCC) complex with a thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA-SH) nanocarrier and dopamine (Dopa)-conjugated thiolated hyaluronic acid (SH-HA-Dopa)-coated calcium phosphate (CaP)-siRNA nanocarrier. The 2-in-1 chimeric nanoparticles (NPs) were structurally stable together in the storage environment and in the circulation. This smart system selectively releases Dox and siRNA into the cytosol. Furthermore, equipped with the tumor-targeting component HA, the co-delivery system shows specific targeting and high cellular uptake efficiency by receptor-mediated endocytosis. In summary, these dual-responsive (redox and pH), tumor-targeting smart 2-in-1 chimeric NPs show promise to be employed in functional co-delivery and tumor therapy.