[Progresses on active targeting liposome drug delivery systems for tumor therapy]

Advances in microsphere-based therapies for peritoneal carcinomatosis: challenges, innovations, and future prospects

INTRODUCTION

Clinical outcomes for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) have remained suboptimal. Microsphere-based intraperitoneal chemotherapy has shown considerable potential in preclinical studies. However, due to the complications associated with peritoneal adhesions, there has been a lack of comprehensive reviews focusing on the progress of microsphere applications in the treatment of PC.

AREAS COVERED

We provide an overview of the current clinical treatment strategies for PC and analyze the potential advantages of microspheres in this context. Regarding the issue of peritoneal adhesions induced by microspheres, we investigate the underlying mechanisms and propose possible solutions. Furthermore, we outline the future directions for the development of microsphere-based therapies in the treatment of PC.

EXPERT OPINION

Microspheres formulated with highly biocompatible materials to the peritoneum, such as sodium alginate, gelatin, or genipin, or with an optimal particle size (4 ~ 30 μm) and lower molecular weights (10 ~ 57 kDa), can prevent peritoneal adhesions and improve drug distribution. To further enhance the antitumor efficacy, enhancing the tumor penetration capability and specificity of microspheres, optimizing intraperitoneal distribution, and addressing tumor resistance have demonstrated significant potential in preclinical studies, offering new therapeutic prospects for the treatment of PC.

Bio-Inspired Nanodelivery Platform: Platelet Membrane-Cloaked Genistein Nanosystem for Targeted Lung Cancer Therapy

Background

Genistein (Gen), a natural polyphenolic compound, has emerged as a promising candidate for lung cancer treatment. However, the potential clinical application of Gen is limited due to its poor solubility, low bioavailability, and toxic side effects. To address these challenges, a biomimetic delivery platform with cell membranes derived from natural cells as carrier material was constructed. This innovative approach aims to facilitate targeted drug delivery and solve the problem of biocompatibility of synthetic materials.

Methods

First, the liposomes (LPs) loaded with Gen (LPs@Gen) was prepared using the ethanol injection method. Subsequently, PLTM-LPs@Gen was obtained through co-extrusion after mixing platelet membrane (PLTM) and LPs@Gen. Additionally, the biological and physicochemical properties of PLTM-LPs@Gen were investigated. Finally, the targeting ability, therapeutic efficacy, and safety of PLTM-LPs@Gen for lung cancer were evaluated using both a cell model and a tumor-bearing nude mouse model.

Results

The optimal preparation ratio for LPs@Gen was Gen: soybean lecithin: cholesterol: DSPE-PEG2000 (3:30:5:10, mass ratio), while the ideal fusion ratio of LPs@Gen and PLTM was 1:1. The particle size of PLTM-LPs@Gen was 108.33 ± 1.06 nm, and the encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were 94.29% and 3.09% respectively. Gen was released continuously and slowly from PLTM-LPs@Gen. Moreover, PLTM-LPs@Gen exhibited good stability within one week. The results of in vitro cellular uptake and in vivo distribution experiments indicated that the carrier material, PLTM-LPs, has the immune escape ability and tumor targeting ability. Consequently, it showed better therapeutic effects than free drugs and traditional LPs in vitro and in vivo tumor models. In addition, safety experiments demonstrated that PLTM-LPs@Gen possesses good biocompatibility.

Conclusion

Biomimetic nanomedicine provides a new strategy for the precision treatment of lung cancer in clinical practice.

A dual-vector phospholipid nanosystem of doxorubicin: accumulation and cytotoxic effect in breast cancer cells in vitro

Various chemotherapeutic agents are used to treat breast cancer (BC); one of them is the anthracycline antibiotic doxorubicin (Dox), which, in addition to its cytostatic effect, has serious side effects. In order to reduce its negative impact on healthy organs and tissues and to increase its accumulation in tumors, Dox was incorporated into phospholipid nanoparticles. The additional use of vector molecules for targeted delivery to specific targets can increase the effectiveness of Dox due to higher accumulation of the active substance in the tumor tissue. The integrin αvβ3, which plays an important role in cancer angiogenesis, and the folic acid receptor, which is responsible for cell differentiation and proliferation, have been considered in this study as targets for such vector molecules. Thus, a phospholipid composition of Dox containing two vector ligands, cRGD peptide and folic acid (NPh-Dox-cRGD-Fol(3,4)), was prepared. Study of the physical properties of the developed composition NPh-Dox-cRGD-Fol(3,4) showed that the average particle size was 39.62±4.61 nm, the ζ-potential value was 4.17±0.83 mV. Almost all Dox molecules were incorporated into phospholipid nanoparticles (99.85±0.21%). The simultaneous use of two vectors in the composition led to an increase in the Dox accumulation in MDA-MB-231 BC cells by almost 20% as compared to compositions containing each vector separately (folic acid or the cRGD peptide). Moreover, the degree of Dox internalization was 22% and 24% higher than in the case of separate use of folic acid and cRGD peptide, respectively. The cytotoxic effect on MDA-MB-231 cells was higher during incubations with the compositions containing folic acid as a single vector (NPh-Dox-Fol(3,4)) and together with the RGD peptide (NPh-Dox-cRGD-Fol(3,4)). Experiments on the Wi-38 diploid fibroblast cell line have shown a significantly lower degree of cytotoxic effect of the phospholipid composition, regardless of the presence of the vector molecules in it, as compared to free Dox. The results obtained indicate the potential of using two vectors in one phospholipid composition for targeted delivery of Dox.

[Research progress of natural collagen peptides and its skincare efficacy]

Natural collagen peptides are collagen hydrolysates. Because of their unique physicochemical properties and excellent biological activities, collagen peptides have been a research hotspot of cosmetic raw materials development and skincare efficacy improvement. Combined with the needs of the skincare efficacy and the development trends of cosmetics, the extraction methods and their structural characteristics of natural collagen peptides were summarized in detail. The applications and its research progress in skincare efficacy of collagen peptides, such as moisturizing and anti-wrinkle, trophism and anti-aging, filling and skin regeneration were expressed with emphasis. Finally, the development and practical applications in cosmetics of natural collagen peptides were adequately prospected.