Multifunctional Nanosnowflakes for T1-T2 Double-Contrast Enhanced MRI and PAI Guided Oxygen Self-Supplementing Effective Anti-Tumor Therapy

A Nanorobotics-Based Approach of Breast Cancer in the Nanotechnology Era

We are living in an era of advanced nanoscience and nanotechnology. Numerous nanomaterials, culminating in nanorobots, have demonstrated ingenious applications in biomedicine, including breast cancer (BC) nano-theranostics. To solve the complicated problem of BC heterogeneity, non-targeted drug distribution, invasive diagnostics or surgery, resistance to classic onco-therapies and real-time monitoring of tumors, nanorobots are designed to perform multiple tasks at a small scale, even at the organelles or molecular level. Over the last few years, most nanorobots have been bioengineered as biomimetic and biocompatible nano(bio)structures, resembling different organisms and cells, such as urchin, spider, octopus, fish, spermatozoon, flagellar bacterium or helicoidal cyanobacterium. In this review, readers will be able to deepen their knowledge of the structure, behavior and role of several types of nanorobots, among other nanomaterials, in BC theranostics. We summarized here the characteristics of many functionalized nanodevices designed to counteract the main neoplastic hallmark features of BC, from sustaining proliferation and evading anti-growth signaling and resisting programmed cell death to inducing angiogenesis, activating invasion and metastasis, preventing genomic instability, avoiding immune destruction and deregulating autophagy. Most of these nanorobots function as targeted and self-propelled smart nano-carriers or nano-drug delivery systems (nano-DDSs), enhancing the efficiency and safety of chemo-, radio- or photodynamic therapy, or the current imagistic techniques used in BC diagnosis. Most of these nanorobots have been tested in vitro, using various BC cell lines, as well as in vivo, mainly based on mice models. We are still waiting for nanorobots that are low-cost, as well as for a wider transition of these favorable effects from laboratory to clinical practice.

Fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging of ONL-93 cells in a rat model of ischemic

OBJECTIVES

The current methods for detecting myelin changes in ischemic stroke are indirect and cannot accurately reflect their status. This study aimed to develop a novel fluorescent-magnetic resonance dual-modal molecular imaging probe for direct imaging of myelin.

METHODS

Compounds 7a and 7b were synthesized by linking the MeDAS group and Gadolinium (III) 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate. Compound 7a was selected for characterization and further study. Cell uptake, cytotoxicity, and magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed on cells. In vitro experiments on frozen brain sections from 7-day-old, 8-week-old, and ischemic stroke rats were compared with commercially available Luxol Fast Blue staining. After HPLC and MR scanning, brain tissue was soaked in 7a and scanned using T1WI and T1maps sequences.

RESULTS

Spectrophotometer results showed that compounds 7a and 7b had fluorescent properties. MR scans indicated that the compounds had contrast agent properties. Cells could uptake 7a and exhibited high signals in imaging scans. Compound 7a brain tissue staining showed more fluorescence in myelin-rich regions and identified injury sites in ischemic stroke rats. MR scanning of brain sections provided clear myelin contrast.

CONCLUSION

A novel fluorescent-magnetic resonance dual-modal molecular imaging probe for direct imaging of myelin was successfully developed and tested in rats with ischemic stroke. These findings provide new insights for the clinical diagnosis of demyelinating diseases.

Cancer diagnosis and treatment platform based on manganese-based nanomaterials

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods is crucial. Manganese-based nanomaterials (MnNMs) have emerged as a focal point in the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment due to their multifunctional properties. These nanomaterials have been extensively explored as contrast agents for various imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), photoacoustic imaging (PAI), and near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIR-FL). The use of these nanomaterials has significantly enhanced the contrast for precise tumor detection and localization. Moreover, MnNMs have shown responsiveness to the tumor microenvironment (TME), enabling innovative approaches to cancer treatment. This review provides an overview of the latest developments of MnNMs and their potential applications in tumor diagnosis and therapy. Finally, potential challenges and prospects of MnNMs in clinical applications are discussed. We believe that this review would serve as a valuable resource for guiding further research on the application of manganese nanomaterials in cancer diagnosis and treatment, addressing the current limitations, and proposing future research directions.

Nanomedicine Strategies in Conquering and Utilizing the Cancer Hypoxia Environment

Cancer with a complex pathological process is a major disease to human welfare. Due to the imbalance between oxygen (O2) supply and consumption, hypoxia is a natural characteristic of most solid tumors and an important obstacle for cancer therapy, which is closely related to tumor proliferation, metastasis, and invasion. Various strategies to exploit the feature of tumor hypoxia have been developed in the past decade, which can be used to alleviate tumor hypoxia, or utilize the hypoxia for targeted delivery and diagnostic imaging. The strategies to alleviate tumor hypoxia include delivering O2, in situ O2 generation, reprogramming the tumor vascular system, decreasing O2 consumption, and inhibiting HIF-1 related pathways. On the other side, hypoxia can also be utilized for hypoxia-responsive chemical construction and hypoxia-active prodrug-based strategies. Taking advantage of hypoxia in the tumor region, a number of methods have been applied to identify and keep track of changes in tumor hypoxia. Herein, we thoroughly review the recent progress of nanomedicine strategies in both conquering and utilizing hypoxia to combat cancer and put forward the prospect of emerging nanomaterials for future clinical transformation, which hopes to provide perspectives in nanomaterials design.

Nanomaterials: a promising multimodal theranostics platform for thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is the most prevalent malignant neoplasm of the cervical region and endocrine system, characterized by a discernible upward trend in incidence over recent years. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration is the current standard for preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancer, albeit with limitations and a certain degree of false-negative outcomes. Although differentiated thyroid carcinoma generally exhibits a favorable prognosis, dedifferentiation is associated with an unfavorable clinical course. Anaplastic thyroid cancer, characterized by high malignancy and aggressiveness, remains an unmet clinical need with no effective treatments available. The emergence of nanomedicine has opened new avenues for cancer theranostics. The unique features of nanomaterials, including multifunctionality, modifiability, and various detection modes, enable non-invasive and convenient thyroid cancer diagnosis through multimodal imaging. For thyroid cancer treatment, nanomaterial-based photothermal therapy or photodynamic therapy, combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or gene therapy, holds promise in reducing invasiveness and prolonging patient survival or alleviating pain in individuals with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Furthermore, nanomaterials enable simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer. This review aims to provide a comprehensive survey of the latest developments in nanomaterials for thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment and encourage further research in developing innovative and effective theranostic approaches for thyroid cancer.