Mitochondria-Targeted Delivery of Camptothecin Based on HPMA Copolymer for Metastasis Suppression

Chondroitin sulfate nanoparticles based on co-delivery dual drug induced ferroptosis in lung cancer cells by disrupting mitochondrial oxidative homeostasis

Mitochondrial REDOX homeostasis is unbalanced by large amounts of reactive oxygen species production and reduced glutathione, leading to lipid oxidation-induced ferroptosis, which enhanced cancer immunotherapy. Thus, disrupting mitochondrial redox homeostasis represents a promising strategy for the treatment of lung cancer. In this study, a co-delivery system of based on chondroitin sulfate (CS) (CS-CA-CUR-TPP, CCCT) for natural medicines (Curcumin, CUR; and Cinnamaldehyde CA) was successfully constructed, which resulted in elevated ROS levels in cancer cells. Under the action of CS specifically targeting tumor cells, CCCT NPs is enriched and taken up by lung cancer cells. Acid responsiveness causes the CCCT NPs to break and escape from the lysosome, and CUR targets and destroys mitochondria under the action of mitochondrial target head triphenylphosphine (TPP). CA collaborates with CUR to produce large amounts of ROS and reduce GSH in a time-dependent manner in mitochondria for disruption of REDOX homeostasis, and triggers ferroptosis by reducing the expression of GXP4 and xCT proteins. The immunogenic cell death (ICD) after ferroptosis promotes interferon γ (IFN-γ), TNF-a, and IL-6 secretion. Our results desmontrat CCCT can promote inhibition of tumor growth by enhancing tumor immunogenicity. This study may provide a potential avenue for the advancement of self-delivery nanoparticles to overcome resistance to apoptosis in tumor therapy.

Subcellular Organelle Targeting as a Novel Approach to Combat Tumor Metastasis

Tumor metastasis, the spread of cancer cells from the primary site to distant organs, remains a formidable challenge in oncology. Central to this process is the involvement of subcellular organelles, which undergo significant functional and structural changes during metastasis. Targeting these specific organelles offers a promising avenue for enhanced drug delivery and metastasis therapeutic efficacy. This precision increases the potency and reduces potential off-target effects. Moreover, by understanding the role of each organelle in metastasis, treatments can be designed to disrupt the metastatic process at multiple stages, from cell migration to the establishment of secondary tumors. This review delves deeply into tumor metastasis processes and their connection with subcellular organelles. In order to target these organelles, biomembranes, cell-penetrating peptides, localization signal peptides, aptamers, specific small molecules, and various other strategies have been developed. In this review, we will elucidate targeting delivery strategies for each subcellular organelle and look forward to prospects in this domain.

Combination of Chlorambucil and Mercaptopurine Show Effective Anti-Cancer Effects in Mice Model

Background

Combination therapy employing multiple drugs has been shown to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatment. Chlorambucil (Chl) and 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) are the first-line medicines for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and ovarian cancer. However, both were limited by their short half-life of disintegration, unsatisfactory water solubility, and adverse reactions.

Methods

In this work, the drug Chl and 6MP were introduced into the polymerized N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (polyHPMA) by pH and glutathione responsive linker to construct the polymer nanodrug delivery system for effective co-delivery.

Results

The drug load capacities, release, morphology, and cytotoxicity of the pro-drug were systematic. The two drugs showed satisfactory synergism with a combination index of 0.81, and a better ability to induce apoptosis. In and ex vivo fluorescence imaging showed a rapid systemic distribution of the conjugate within mice, majorly metabolized by liver and kidneys and eliminated after 24 hr. No significant pathological damage was observed in the major organs. This polymeric prodrug system holds promise for improved therapeutic efficiency and reduced side effects through the synergistic delivery of various chemotherapeutics.

Conclusion

The introduction of HPMA as a carrier not only enhanced the solubility and biocompatibilities of Chl and 6 MP but also improved their drug effect. This strategy might be a promising alternative for constructing multi-drug-release system.

Strategies to Enhance Drug Permeability across Biological Barriers-A Summary of This Important Special Issue

This Special Issue, "Strategies to Enhance Drug Permeability across Biological Barriers", is hosted by Pharmaceutics and highlights the recent technological advancements for overcoming biological barriers and improving drug permeability and absorption [...].

Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer/Camptothecin Complex: From Synthesis to In Vitro Cancer Cell Line Studies

Camptothecin (CPT), an alkaloid with potent anticancer activity, is still not used in clinical practice due to its high hydrophobicity, toxicity, and poor active-form stability. To address these shortcomings, our research focuses on the encapsulation of this drug in the poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer macromolecule. The PAMAM dendrimer/CPT complex was synthesized and thoroughly characterized. The in vitro drug release study revealed that the drug was released in a slow and controlled manner in acidic and physiological conditions and that more than 80% of the drug was released after 168 h of incubation. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that CPT was released with first-order kinetics and non-Fickian transport. The studies on the hemolytic activity of the synthesized complex indicated that it is hemocompatible for potential intravenous administration at a concentration ≤ 5 µg/mL. Additionally, the developed product was shown to reduce the viability of non-small-cell lung cancer cells (A549) in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and cancer cells were more susceptible to the complex than normal fibroblasts. Lastly, molecular modeling studies revealed that the lactone or carboxylic forms of CPT had a significant impact on the shape and stability of the complex and that its formation with the lactone form of CPT was more energetically favorable for each subsequent molecule than the carboxylic form. The report represents a systematic and structured approach to develop a PAMAM dendrimer/CPT complex that can be used as an effective drug delivery system (DDS) for the potential treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.