Next-Generation 3D Scaffolds for Nano-Based Chemotherapeutics Delivery and Cancer Treatment

Nano-scaffold containing functional motif of stromal cell-derived factor 1 enhances neural stem cell behavior and synaptogenesis in traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, presenting a significant challenge due to the lack of effective therapies. Neural stem cells (NSCs) have shown promising potential in preclinical studies as a therapy for TBI. However, their application is limited by challenges related to poor survival and integration within the injured brain. This study investigated the effect of a novel nano-scaffold containing stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) on NSC behavior and synaptogenesis after TBI. Using an innovative design, we successfully fabricated a nano-scaffold with Young's modulus of approximately 3.21 kPa, which aligns closely with the mechanical properties exhibited by neural tissue. This achievement marks the first time such a scaffold has been created and has promising implications for its potential use in neural tissue engineering applications. Our findings demonstrate that the nano-scaffold enhances NSC proliferation, migration, and differentiation capacity in vitro. Moreover, when transplanted into the injured brain, the nano-scaffold promotes the survival and integration of NSCs, leading to increased synaptogenesis and functional recovery. These findings suggest that using the novel nano-scaffold containing SDF-1 could provide a promising approach to treating TBI by improving NSC behavior and promoting synaptogenesis.

Implantable Polymer Scaffolds Loaded with Paclitaxel-Cyclodextrin Complexes for Post-Breast Cancer Tissue Reconstruction

The side effects associated with the chemotherapy of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family (NLR), pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activity, are responsible for the treatment failure and high mortality rates. Therefore, advanced delivery systems have been developed to improve the transport and targeted administration of anti-tumor agents at the tumor sites using tissue engineering approaches. Implantable delivery systems based on biodegradable polymers are an effective alternative due high biocompatibility, porosity, and mechanical strength. Moreover, the use of paclitaxel (PTX)-cyclodextrin complexes increases the solubility and permeability of PTX, enhancing the bioavailability and efficacy of the drug. All of these properties contribute to the efficient encapsulation and controlled release of drugs, preventing the damage of healthy tissues. In the current study, we detailed the synthesis process and evaluation of 3D scaffolds based on gelatin functionalized with methacryloyl groups (GelMA) and pectin loaded with PTX-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes on TNBC pathogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Bio-physio-chemical analysis of the proposed scaffolds revealed favorable mechanical and biological properties for the cellular component. To improve the drug solubility, a host-guest interaction was performed by the complexation of PTX with a cyclodextrin derivative prior to scaffold synthesis. The presence of PTX suppressed the growth of breast tumor cells and promoted caspase-1 activity, the release of interleukin (IL)-1β, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), conditioning the expression levels of the genes and proteins associated with breast tumorigenesis and NLRP3 inflammasome. The in vivo experiments suggested the activation of pyroptosis tumor cell death, confirming the in vitro experiments. In conclusion, the bio-mechanical properties of the GelMA and pectin-based scaffolds as well as the addition of the PTX-cyclodextrin complexes allow for the targeted and efficient delivery of PTX, suppressing the viability of the breast tumor cells via pyroptosis cell death initiation.

Facilitation of Tumor Stroma-Targeted Therapy: Model Difficulty and Co-Culture Organoid Method

Background: Tumors, as intricate ecosystems, comprise oncocytes and the highly dynamic tumor stroma. Tumor stroma, representing the non-cancerous and non-cellular composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME), plays a crucial role in oncogenesis and progression, through its interactions with biological, chemical, and mechanical signals. This review aims to analyze the challenges of stroma mimicry models, and highlight advanced personalized co-culture approaches for recapitulating tumor stroma using patient-derived tumor organoids (PDTOs). Methods: This review synthesizes findings from recent studies on tumor stroma composition, stromal remodeling, and the spatiotemporal heterogeneities of the TME. It explores popular stroma-related models, co-culture systems integrating PDTOs with stromal elements, and advanced techniques to improve stroma mimicry. Results: Stroma remodeling, driven by stromal cells, highlights the dynamism and heterogeneity of the TME. PDTOs, derived from tumor tissues or cancer-specific stem cells, accurately mimic the tissue-specific and genetic features of primary tumors, making them valuable for drug screening. Co-culture models combining PDTOs with stromal elements effectively recreate the dynamic TME, showing promise in personalized anti-cancer therapy. Advanced co-culture techniques and flexible combinations enhance the precision of tumor-stroma recapitulation. Conclusions: PDTO-based co-culture systems offer a promising platform for stroma mimicry and personalized anti-cancer therapy development. This review underscores the importance of refining these models to advance precision medicine and improve therapeutic outcomes.

Electroporation enhances cell death in 3D scaffold-based MDA-MB-231 cells treated with metformin

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors and hence, is therapeutically challenging. Towards this, we studied an alternate therapy by repurposing metformin (FDA-approved type-2 diabetic drug with anticancer properties) in a 3D-scaffold culture, with electrical pulses. 3D cell culture was used to simulate the tumor microenvironment more closely and MDA-MB-231, human TNBC cells, treated with both 5 mM metformin (Met) and 8 electrical pulses at 2500 V/cm, 10 µs (EP1) and 800 V/cm, 100 µs (EP2) at 1 Hz were studied in 3D and 2D. They were characterized using cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glucose uptake, and lactate production assays at 24 h. Cell viability, as low as 20 % was obtained with EP1 + 5 mM Met. They exhibited 1.65-fold lower cell viability than 2D with EP1 + 5 mM Met. ROS levels indicated a 2-fold increase in oxidative stress for EP1 + 5 mM Met, while the glucose uptake was limited to only 9 %. No significant change in the lactate production indicated glycolytic arrest and a non-conducive environment for MDA-MB-231 growth. Our results indicate that 3D cell culture, with a more realistic tumor environment that enhances cell death using metformin and electrical pulses could be a promising approach for TNBC therapeutic intervention studies.

Biomaterial-Based Sustained-Release Drug Formulations for Localized Cancer Immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized clinical cancer treatments by taking advantage of the immune system to selectively and effectively target and kill cancer cells. However, clinical cancer immunotherapy treatments often have limited efficacy and/or present severe adverse effects associated primarily with their systemic administration. Localized immunotherapy has emerged to overcome these limitations by directly targeting accessible tumors via local administration, reducing potential systemic drug distribution that hampers drug efficacy and safety. Sustained-release formulations can prolong drug activity at target sites, which maximizes the benefits of localized immunotherapy to increase the therapeutic window using smaller dosages than those used for systemic injection, avoiding complications of frequent dosing. The performance of sustained-release formulations for localized cancer immunotherapy has been validated preclinically using various implantable and injectable scaffold platforms. This review introduces the sustained-release formulations developed for localized cancer immunotherapy and highlights their biomaterial-based platforms for representative classes, including inorganic scaffolds, natural hydrogels, synthetic hydrogels, and microneedle patches. The design rationale and other considerations are summarized for further development of biomaterials for the construction of optimal sustained-release formulations.

Application of Scaffold-Based Drug Delivery in Oral Cancer Treatment: A Novel Approach

This comprehensive review consolidates insights from two sources to emphasize the transformative impact of scaffold-based drug delivery systems in revolutionizing oral cancer therapy. By focusing on their core abilities to facilitate targeted and localized drug administration, these systems enhance therapeutic outcomes significantly. Scaffolds, notably those coated with anti-cancer agents such as cisplatin and paclitaxel, have proven effective in inhibiting oral cancer cell proliferation, establishing a promising avenue for site-specific drug delivery. The application of synthetic scaffolds, including Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and natural materials, like collagen or silk, in 3D systems has been pivotal for controlled release of therapeutic agents, executing diverse anti-cancer strategies. A key advancement in this field is the advent of smart scaffolds designed for sequential cancer therapy, which strive to refine drug delivery systems, minimizing surgical interventions, accentuating the significance of 3D scaffolds in oral cancer management. These systems, encompassing local drug-coated scaffolds and other scaffold-based platforms, hold the potential to transform oral cancer treatment through precise interventions, yielding improved patient outcomes. Local drug delivery via scaffolds can mitigate systemic side effects typically associated with chemotherapy, such as nausea, alopecia, infections, and gastrointestinal issues. Post-drug release, scaffolds foster a conducive environment for non-cancerous cell growth, adhering and proliferation, demonstrating restorative potential. Strategies for controlled and targeted drug delivery in oral cancer therapy span injectable self-assembling peptide hydrogels, nanocarriers, and dual drug-loaded nanofibrous scaffolds. These systems ensure prolonged release, synergistic effects, and tunable targeting, enhancing drug delivery efficiency while reducing systemic exposure. Smart scaffolds, capable of sequential drug release, transitioning to cell-friendly surfaces, and enabling combinatorial therapy, hold the promise to revolutionize treatment by delivering precise interventions and optimized outcomes. In essence, scaffold-based drug delivery systems, through their varied forms and functionalities, are reshaping oral cancer therapy. They target drug delivery efficiency, diminish side effects, and present avenues for personalization. Challenges like fabrication intricacy, biocompatibility, and scalability call for additional research. Nonetheless, the perspective on scaffold-based systems in oral cancer treatment is optimistic, as ongoing advancements aim to surmount current limitations and fully leverage their potential in cancer therapy.

Recent advances in chitosan-based materials; The synthesis, modifications and biomedical applications

The attention to polymer-based biomaterials, for instance, chitosan and its derivatives, as well as the techniques for using them in numerous scientific domains, is continuously rising. Chitosan is a decomposable naturally occurring polymeric material that is mostly obtained from seafood waste. Because of its special ecofriendly, biocompatible, non- toxic nature as well as antimicrobial properties, chitosan-based materials have received a lot of interest in the field of biomedical applications. The reactivity of chitosan is mainly because of the amino and hydroxyl groups in its composition, which makes it further fascinating for various uses, including biosensing, textile finishing, antimicrobial wound dressing, tissue engineering, bioimaging, gene, DNA and drug delivery and as a coating material for medical implants. This study is an overview of the different types of chitosan-based materials which now a days have been fabricated by applying different techniques and modifications that include etherification, esterification, crosslinking, graft copolymerization and o-acetylation etc. for hydroxyl groups' processes and acetylation, quaternization, Schiff's base reaction, and grafting for amino groups' reactions. Furthermore, this overview summarizes the literature from recent years related to the important applications of chitosan-based materials (i.e., thin films, nanocomposites or nanoparticles, sponges and hydrogels) in different biomedical applications.