Synergistic antitumor effects of doxorubicin-loaded carboxymethyl cellulose nanoparticle in combination with endostar for effective treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer

Construction and validation of a RARRES3-based prognostic signature related to the specific immune microenvironment of pancreatic cancer

Background

Tumor immune microenvironment (TiME) is prognostically instructive in Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). However, the potential value of TiME-related genes in the individualized immunotherapy of PAAD has not been clarified.

Methods

Correlation between Immune-Related Genes (IRGs) and immune-related transcription factors (TFs) was performed to prove the immune correlation of selected genes. Immune-related molecular subtypes were identified by consensus clustering. The TiME-score, an immune microenvironment-related prognostic signature for PAAD, was constructed using minimum absolute contraction and selection operator regression (Lasso-Cox). The International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) dataset validated the reliability of TiME-score as external validation. Single-cell samples from GSE197177 confirmed microenvironment differences of TiME-score hub genes between tumor and its paracancer tissues. Then, RARRES3, a hub gene in TiME-score, was further analyzed about its upstream TP53 mutation and the specific immune landscape of itself in transcriptome and Single-cell level. Eventually, TiME-score were validated in different therapeutic cohorts of PAAD mice models.

Results

A 14-genes PAAD immune-related risk signature, TiME-score, was constructed based on IRGs. The differences of TiME-score hub genes in single-cell samples of PAAD cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were consistent with the transcriptome. Single-cell samples of cancer tissues showed more pronounced immune cell infiltration. The upstream mutation factor TP53 of RARRES3 was significantly enriched in immune-related biological processes. High RARRES3 expression was correlated with a worse prognosis and high macrophages M1 infiltration. Additionally, the immunohistochemistry of hub genes AGT, DEFB1, GH1, IL20RB, and TRAF3 in different treatment cohorts of mice PAAD models were consistent with the predicted results. The combination of immunotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy has shown significantly better therapeutic effects than single drug therapy in PAAD.

Conclusion

TiME-score, as a prognostic signature related to PAAD-specific immune microenvironment constructed based on RARRES3, has predictive value for prognosis and the potential to guide individualized immunotherapy for PAAD patients.

Environmentally Friendly Strategies for Formulating Vegetable Oil-Based Nanoparticles for Anticancer Medicine

The development of green synthesized polymeric nanoparticles with anticancer studies has been an emerging field in academia and the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Vegetable oils are potential substitutes for petroleum derivatives, as they present a clean and environmentally friendly alternative and are available in abundance at relatively low prices. Biomass-derived chemicals can be converted into monomers with a unique structure, generating materials with new properties for the synthesis of sustainable monomers and polymers. The production of bio-based polymeric nanoparticles is a promising application of green chemistry for biomedical uses. There is an increasing demand for biocompatible and biodegradable materials for specific applications in the biomedical area, such as cancer therapy. This is encouraging scientists to work on research toward designing polymers with enhanced properties and clean processes, containing oncology active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The nanoencapsulation of these APIs in bio-based polymeric nanoparticles can control the release of the substances, increase bioavailability, reduce problems of volatility and degradation, reduce side effects, and increase treatment efficiency. This review discusses the use of green chemistry for bio-based nanoparticle production and its application in anticancer medicine. The use of castor oil for the production of renewable monomers and polymers is proposed as an ideal candidate for such applications, as well as more suitable methods for the production of bio-based nanoparticles and some oncology APIs available for anticancer application.

Selective Formation of Osteogenic and Vasculogenic Tissues for Cartilage Regeneration

Tissue-engineered periosteum substitutes (TEPSs) incorporating hierarchical architecture with osteoprogenitor and vascular niches are drawing much attention as a promising tool to support functional cells in defined zones and nourish the cortical bone. Current TEPSs usually lack technologies to closely observe cell performance, especially at the cell contact interface between distinct compartments containing defined biological configurations and functions. Here, an electrodeposition strategy is reported, which enables the selective formation of TEPSs with osteoprogenitor and vascular niches in a multiphasic scaffold in combination with different human cell types for cartilage regeneration in an in vivo osteochondral defect model. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are used to mirror both the vascular and osteogenic niches, respectively. It is observed that the intrinsic viscoelastic nature of the porous solid matrix is essential to successfully induce angiogenesis. Coculture of hMSCs with functional cells (HUVECs/HDFs) in TEPSs also effectively promoted periosteal regeneration, including osteogenic and angiogenic processes. The osteoarthritis cartilage histopathology assessment and histologic/histochemical grading system data indicate that the TEPSs containing hMSCs/HUVECs/HDFs exhibit superior potential for cartilage regeneration.

Promising Therapeutic Strategies for Colorectal Cancer Treatment Based on Nanomaterials

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global health problem responsible for 10% of all cancer incidences and 9.4% of all cancer deaths worldwide. The number of new cases increases per annum, whereas the lack of effective therapies highlights the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Conventional treatment methods, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are widely applied in oncology practice. Their therapeutic success is little, and therefore, the search for novel technologies is ongoing. Many efforts have focused recently on the development of safe and efficient cancer nanomedicines. Nanoparticles are among them. They are uniquewith their properties on a nanoscale and hold the potential to exploit intrinsic metabolic differences between cancer and healthy cells. This feature allows them to induce high levels of toxicity in cancer cells with little damage to the surrounding healthy tissues. Graphene oxide is a promising 2D material found to play an important role in cancer treatments through several strategies: direct killing and chemosensitization, drug and gene delivery, and phototherapy. Several new treatment approaches based on nanoparticles, particularly graphene oxide, are currently under research in clinical trials, and some have already been approved. Here, we provide an update on the recent advances in nanomaterials-based CRC-targeted therapy, with special attention to graphene oxide nanomaterials. We summarise the epidemiology, carcinogenesis, stages of the CRCs, and current nanomaterials-based therapeutic approaches for its treatment.

Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Zn-Organic Framework Down-Regulates Proliferation and Up-Regulates Apoptosis and DNA Damage in Colon and Lung Cancer Cell Lines

A solvothermal technique was used to prepare a Zn-benzenetricarboxylic acid (Zn@BTC) organic framework covered with a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC/Zn@BTC). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) surface area were applied to characterize CMC/Zn@BTC. Moreover, the anticancer, anti-migrative, anti-invasive, and anti-proliferative action of CMC/Zn@BTC nanoparticles were assessed on cancer cell lines. Apoptotic markers and DNA damage were assessed to explore the cellular and biological changes induced by CMC/Zn@BTC nanoparticles. The microscopic observation revealed that CMC controls the surface morphology and surface characteristics of the Zn@BTC. The obtained BET data revealed that the Zn@BTC nanocomposite surface area lowers from 1061 m2/g to 740 m2/g, and the pore volume decreases from 0.50 cm3/g to 0.37 cm3/g when CMC is applied to Zn@BTC nanocomposites. The cellular growth of DLD1 and A549 was suppressed by CMC/Zn@BTC, with IC50 values of 19.1 and 23.1 μg/mL, respectively. P53 expression was upregulated, and Bcl-2 expression was downregulated by CMC/Zn@BTC, which promoted the apoptotic process. Furthermore, CMC/Zn@BTC caused DNA damage in both cancer cell lines with diverse impact, 66 percent (A549) and 20 percent (DLD1) compared to cisplatin's 52 percent reduction. CMC/Zn@BTC has anti-invasive properties and significantly reduced cellular migration. Moreover, CMC/Zn@BTC aims key proteins associated with metastasis, proliferation and programmed cellular death.

Biopolymer Hydrogel Scaffolds Containing Doxorubicin as A Localized Drug Delivery System for Inhibiting Lung Cancer Cell Proliferation

A hydrogel scaffold is a localized drug delivery system that can maintain the therapeutic level of drug concentration at the tumor site. In this study, the biopolymer hydrogel scaffold encapsulating doxorubicin was fabricated from gelatin, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and gelatin/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose mixture using a lyophilization technique. The effects of a crosslinker on scaffold morphology and pore size were determined using scanning electron microscopy. The encapsulation efficiency and the release profile of doxorubicin from the hydrogel scaffolds were determined using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The anti-proliferative effect of the scaffolds against the lung cancer cell line was investigated using an MTT assay. The results showed that scaffolds made from different types of natural polymer had different pore configurations and pore sizes. All scaffolds had high encapsulation efficiency and drug-controlled release profiles. The viability and proliferation of A549 cells, treated with gelatin, gelatin/SCMC, and SCMC scaffolds containing doxorubicin significantly decreased compared with control. These hydrogel scaffolds might provide a promising approach for developing a superior localized drug delivery system to kill lung cancer cells.

Bioinspired particle engineering for non-invasive inhaled drug delivery to the lungs

Pulmonary drug delivery is governed by several biophysical parameters of delivery carriers, such as particle size, shape, density, charge, and surface modifications. Although much attention has been given to other parameters, particle shape effects have rarely been explored. In this work, we assess the influence of particle shape of inhaled delivery carriers on their aerodynamic properties and macrophage uptake by using polymeric microparticles of different geometries ranging in various sizes. Doxorubicin was conjugated to the polymer particles and the bioconjugates were characterized. Interestingly, the results of in-vitro lung deposition, performed using a next generation impactor, demonstrated a significant improvement in the aerodynamic properties of the rod-shaped particles with a high aspect ratio as compared to spherical particles with the same equivalent volume. The results of a macrophage uptake experiment demonstrate that the high aspect ratio particles were phagocytosed less than spherical particles. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of these doxorubicin-conjugated particles was determined against murine macrophages, resulting in reduced toxicity when treated with high aspect ratio particles as compared to spherical particles. This project provides valuable insights into the influence of particle shape on aerodynamic properties and primary defense mechanisms in the peripheral lungs, while using polymeric microparticles of various sizes and geometries. Further systematic development can help translate these findings to preclinical and clinical studies for designing efficient inhalable delivery carriers.

Chemo-immune synergetic therapy of esophageal carcinoma: trastuzumab modified, cisplatin and fluorouracil co-delivered lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles

Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Peptide modified nanoparticles have been engineered as novel strategies to improve esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) therapy. This study aimed to develop a trastuzumab (TAB) modified system for the delivery of cisplatin (CIS) and fluoropyrimidine (5-FU). In the present study, CIS and 5-FU co-encapsulated lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (CIS/5-FU LPHNs) were prepared. TAB was conjugated to the surface of CIS/5-FU LPHNs to achieve TAB decorated CIS/5-FU LPHNs (TAB-CIS/5-FU LPHNs). After the in vitro assessment, a subcutaneous model was used for the in vivo study. The mean diameter of LPNHs was around 100 nm, with higher encapsulation efficacy (EE) of about 90%. The LPNHs was stable and able to release drugs in sustained manners. 63.9% of cell uptake was achieved by TAB-CIS/5-FU LPHNs, with the best in vivo antitumor ability. The best synergistic effect with the lowest CI value (0.68) was achieved at the ratio of 1/1, which was determined for the dosage of drugs in the LPHNs preparation. TAB-CIS/5-FU LPHNs provide a new strategy for synergistic treating of EAC with higher efficacy and reduced side effects, introducing this system as a candidate for EAC therapy.

Dextran-Curcumin Nanoparticles as a Methotrexate Delivery Vehicle: A Step Forward in Breast Cancer Combination Therapy

With the aim to effectively deliver methotrexate (MTX) to breast cancer cells, we designed a nanocarrier system (DC) derived from the self-assembly of a dextran-curcumin conjugate prepared via enzyme chemistry with immobilized laccase acting as a solid biocatalyst. Nanoparticles consisted of homogeneously dispersed nanospheres with a mean diameter of 290 nm, as characterized by combined transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering investigations. DC was able to control the MTX release overtime (t_1/2 value of 310 min), with cell internalization studies proving its presence inside MCF-7 cytoplasm. Finally, improved MTX efficacy was obtained in viability assays, and attributed to the synergy of curcumin moieties and loaded MTX as underlined by a combination index (CI) < 1.

Recent Advances on Cellulose-Based Nano-Drug Delivery Systems: Design of Prodrugs and Nanoparticles

BACKGROUND

Cellulose being the first abundant biopolymers in nature has many fascinating properties, including low-cost, good biodegradability, and excellent biocompatibility, which made cellulose a real potential material to create nano-drug delivery systems (nano-DDS). This review aims to present and discuss some remarkable recent advances on the drug delivery applications of cellulosebased prodrugs and nanoparticles.

METHODS

By searching the research literatures over last decade, a variety featured studies on cellulosebased nano-DDS were summarized and divided into prodrugs, prodrug nanoparticles, solid or derivative nanopartilces, amphiphilic copolymer nanoparticles, and polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles. Various methods employed for the functionalization, pharmacodynamic actions and applications were described and discussed.

RESULTS

Many types of cellulose-based nano-DDS can ensure efficient encapsulation of various drugs and then overcome the free drug molecule shortcomings. Among all the method described, cellulosebased amphiphilic nanoparticles are most frequently used. These formulations have the higher drug loading capability, a simple and flexible way to achieve multi-functional. Apart from hydrophilic or hydrophobic modification, cellulose or its derivatives can form nanoparticles with different small molecules and macromolecules, leading to a large spectrum of cellulose-based nano-DDS and providing some unexpected advantages.

CONCLUSION

Thorough physicochemical characterization and profound understanding of interactions of the cellulose-based nano-DDS with cells and tissues is indispensable. Moreover, studies toward technics parameter optimization and scale up from the laboratory to production level should be undertaken. The development of intravenous and orally applicable cellulose-based nano-DDS will be an important research area, and these systems will have more commercial status in the market.

In vitro and in vivo effect of hyaluronic acid modified, doxorubicin and gallic acid co-delivered lipid-polymeric hybrid nano-system for leukemia therapy

Objective: To investigate the hyaluronic acid (HA) modified, doxorubicin (DOX) and gallic acid (GA) co-delivered lipid-polymeric hybrid nano-system for leukemia therapy.

Methods: We produced a kind of lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticle (LPHN) with a core-shell structure in which DOX and GA were co-loaded. In vitro and in vivo leukemia therapeutic effects of the HA modified, DOX and GA co-delivered LPHNs (HA-DOX/GA-LPHNs) were evaluated in DOX resistant human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60/ADR cells), DOX resistant human K562 chronic myeloid leukemia cells (K562/ADR cells), and HL-60/ADR cells bearing mouse model.

Results: The sizes and zeta potentials of HA modified LPHNs were about 160 nm and −40 mV. HA-DOX/GA-LPHNs showed the most prominent cytotoxicity and the best synergistic effect was obtained when DOX/GA ratio was 2/1. In vivo studies revealed that HA-DOX/GA-LPHNs inhibited tumor growth from 956 mm³ to 213 mm³, with an inhibition rate of 77.7%.

Conclusion: In summary, the study showed that HA-DOX/GA-LPHNs can be applied as a promising leukemia therapy system.

Lung cancer therapy using doxorubicin and curcumin combination: Targeted prodrug based, pH sensitive nanomedicine

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. To overcome the toxic side effects and multidrug resistance (MDR) during doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy, a urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) targeting U11 peptide decorated, pH-sensitive, dual drugs co-encapsulated nanoparticles (NPs) system is employed in this study. A U11 peptide conjugated, pH-sensitive DOX prodrug (U11-DOX) was synthesized and used as materials to produce NPs. A curcumin (CUR) and U11-DOX co-encapsulated NPs system (U11-DOX/CUR NPs) was constructed to treat lung cancer. After the characterization of biophysical properties of this NPs system, synergistic chemotherapeutic efficacy was evaluated in both cultured cancer cells and tumor-bearing animal model. U11-DOX/CUR NPs had a uniformly spherical shape with a core-shell structure. The mean particle size and zeta potential of the U11-DOX/CUR NPs was 121.3 nm and -33.5 mV, with a DOX and CUR EE of 81.7 and 90.5%, respectively. The DOX release from U11-DOX/CUR NPs was 83.5, 55.2, and 32.8% correspondence to the pH of 5.0, 6.0 and 7.4. Cellular uptake efficiency of U11-DOX/CUR NPs was significantly higher than non U11 peptide decorated DOX/CUR NPs. U11-DOX/CUR NPs displayed a pronounced synergy effects in vitro and an obvious tumor tissue accumulation efficiency in vivo. In vivo antitumor experiment showed that U11-DOX/CUR NPs could inhibit the tumor growth to a level of 85%.In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that U11-DOX/CUR NPs is a sustained released, pH responsive, synergistic antitumor system. This study suggests that the U11-DOX/CUR NPs have promising potential for combination treatment of lung cancer.

Ovarian carcinoma biological nanotherapy: Comparison of the advantages and drawbacks of lipid, polymeric, and hybrid nanoparticles for cisplatin delivery

Ovarian carcinoma is one of the most common cancers among women. The most common type of ovarian cancer is epithelial ovarian cancer and cisplatin (DDP) is one of the most interesting chemotherapeutic drugs in clinical regimens for ovarian cancer. Nanoparticles (NPs) including lipid NPs, polymeric NPs, liposomes, dendrimers, oligomers, and nanotubes were usually used for anti-cancer drug delivery. In this study, DDP loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (DDP-NLC), polymeric NPs (DDP-PNP), and lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (DDP-LPN) were prepared for the evaluation in vitro and in vivo. The efficiency of these three kinds of the NPs was compared in terms of in vitro drug release, cellular uptake, in vitro cell growth inhibition, in vivo pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and in vivo antitumor in mice. The size of DDP-PNP (119.8 nm) was smaller than DDP-NLC (132.4 nm) and DDP-LPN (141.2 nm). The release of DDP from DDP-NLC was faster than DDP-PNP. Cellular uptake efficiency of DDP-NLC and DDP-LPN was significantly higher than DDP-PNP. In vivo pharmacokinetics evaluation showed that plasma concentration - time curves (AUCs) of DDP-NLC, DDP-PNP, DDP-LPN and free DDP are 128, 210, 247, and 16 mg/L h, with T_1/2 of 4.4, 5.1, 5.5, and 1.7 mg/L h. DDP-LPN exhibits the highest AUC and the longest T_1/2. In vivo antitumor efficacy results investigated on ovarian cancer bearing BALB/c mice model demonstrated that DDP-LPN showed the strongest antitumor effect. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that DDP-NLC, DDP-PNP and DDP-LPN have different advantages due to the various evaluations. The in vivo anti-tumor results indicate that DDP-LPN may have the best tumor inhibition ability. DDP-NLC, DDP-PNP, and DDP-LPN developed in this study could be used as promising strategies for the treatment of ovarian cancer according to different demands.

Self-Stabilized Hyaluronate Nanogel for Intracellular Codelivery of Doxorubicin and Cisplatin to Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is one of the most serious bone malignancies with rapid speed of deterioration and low survival rate in children and teenagers. Chemotherapy is an important treatment for osteosarcoma, while the conventional small-molecule therapeutics exhibit low efficacies and severe side effects in the clinic. Drug-delivery platforms based on nanotechnology, particularly for self-stabilized delivery platforms with prolonged blood circulation, enhanced intratumoral accumulation, improved antitumor efficacy, and diminished side effects, may break the deadlock on osteosarcoma chemotherapy. Here, a cisplatin (CDDP)-crosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA) nanogel (CDDPHANG) is prepared for effective delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) to treat osteosarcoma. Importantly, both DOX and CDDP have led clinically used antitumor drugs, and CDDP acts as a crosslinker and ancillary anticarcinogen to prevent the premature release of DOX and to achieve synergistic therapeutic performance. Because of the enhanced stability of the nanogel, this CDDP-crosslinked DOX-loaded nanomedicine (CDDPHANG/DOX) exhibits an obviously prolonged circulation time compared to free drugs. Moreover, after valid tumor accumulation, DOX and CDDP are synergistically delivered into the tumor cells and synchronously released into the intracellular acidic environment. Based on the synergistic apoptosis-inducing effects of DOX and CDDP, CDDPHANG/DOX reveals an evidently enhanced antitumor efficacy compared to free drugs and their combination, indicating its great prospects for the chemotherapy of osteosarcoma.

Bridging the Knowledge of Different Worlds to Understand the Big Picture of Cancer Nanomedicines

Explosive growth of nanomedicines continues to significantly impact the therapeutic strategies for effective cancer treatment. Despite the significant progress in the development of advanced nanomedicines, successful clinical translation remains challenging. As cancer nanomedicine is a multidisciplinary field, the fundamental problem is that the knowledge gaps stem from different vantage points in the understanding of cancer nanomedicines. The complexities and heterogenecity of both nanomedicines and cancer are further demanding the integration of highly diverse expertise to develop clinically translatable cancer nanomedicines. This progress report aims to discuss the current understanding of cancer nanomedicines between different research areas in terms of nanoparticle engineering, formulation, tumor patho-physiology and clinical medicine, as well as to identify the knowledge gaps lying at the interface between the different fields of research in nanomedicine. Here we also highlight for the necessity to harmonize the multidisciplinary effort in the research of nanomedicines in order to bridge the knowledge and to advance the full understanding in cancer nanomedicines. A paradigm shift is needed in the strategic development of disease specific nanomedicines in order to foster the successful translation into clinic of future cancer nanomedicines.

Carbohydrate-based amphiphilic nano delivery systems for cancer therapy

Nanoparticles (NPs) are novel drug delivery systems that have been attracting more and more attention in recent years, and have been used for the treatment of cancer, infection, inflammation and other diseases. Among the numerous classes of materials employed for constructing NPs, organic polymers are outstanding due to the flexibility of design and synthesis and the ease of modification and functionalization. In particular, NP based amphiphilic polymers make a great contribution to the delivery of poorly-water soluble drugs. For example, natural, biocompatible and biodegradable products like polysaccharides are widely used as building blocks for the preparation of such drug delivery vehicles. This review will detail carbohydrate based amphiphilic polymeric systems for cancer therapy. Specifically, it focuses on the nature of the polymer employed for the preparation of targeted nanocarriers, the synthetic methods, as well as strategies for the application and evaluation of biological activity. Applications of the amphiphilic polymer systems include drug delivery, gene delivery, photosensitizer delivery, diagnostic imaging and specific ligand-assisted cellular uptake. As a result, a thorough understanding of the relationship between chemical structure and biological properties facilitate the optimal design and rational clinical application of the resulting carbohydrate based nano delivery systems for cancer therapy.

Targeted nanoparticles for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly prevalent worldwide, and despite notable progress in treatment still leads to significant morbidity and mortality. The use of nanoparticles as a drug delivery system has become one of the most promising strategies for cancer therapy. Targeted nanoparticles could take advantage of differentially expressed molecules on the surface of tumor cells, providing effective release of cytotoxic drugs. Several efforts have recently reported the use of diverse molecules as ligands on the surface of nanoparticles to interact with the tumor cells, enabling the effective delivery of antitumor agents. Here, we present recent advances in targeted nanoparticles against CRC and discuss the promising use of ligands and cellular targets in potential strategies for the treatment of CRCs.

l-Cystine-Crosslinked Polypeptide Nanogel as a Reduction-Responsive Excipient for Prostate Cancer Chemotherapy

Smart polymer nanogel-assisted drug delivery systems have attracted more and more attention in cancer chemotherapy because of their well-defined morphologies and pleiotropic functions in recent years. In this work, an l-cystine-crosslinked reduction-responsive polypeptide nanogel of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(l-phenylalanine-co-l-cystine) (mPEG-P(LP-co-LC)) was employed as a smart excipient for RM-1 prostate cancer (PCa) chemotherapy. Doxorubicin (DOX), as a regular chemotherapy drug, was embedded in the nanogel. The loading nanogel marked as NG/DOX was shown to exhibit glutathione (GSH)-induced swelling and GSH-accelerated DOX release. Subsequently, NG/DOX showed efficient cellular uptake and proliferation inhibition. Furthermore, NG/DOX presented enhanced antitumor efficacy and security in an RM-1 PCa-grafted mouse model in vivo, indicating its great potential for clinical treatment.

Targeted delivery of cisplatin by LHRH-peptide conjugated dextran nanoparticles suppresses breast cancer growth and metastasis

The metastasis of breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women. In this work, an attempt to simultaneously inhibit the primary tumor growth and organ-specific metastasis by the cisplatin-loaded LHRH-modified dextran nanoparticles (Dex-SA-CDDP-LHRH) was performed in the 4T1 orthotopic mammary tumor metastasis model. With the rationally designed conjugation site of the LHRH ligand, the Dex-SA-CDDP-LHRH nanoparticles maintained the targeting function of LHRH and specifically bound to the LHRH-receptors overexpressed on the surface of 4T1 breast cancer cells. Therefore, the Dex-SA-CDDP-LHRH nanoparticles exhibited improved cellular uptake and promoted cytotoxicity, when compared with the non-targeted Dex-SA-CDDP nanoparticles. Moreover, both the non-targeted and targeted nanoparticles significantly decreased the systemic toxicity of CDDP and increased the maximum tolerated dose of CDDP from 4 to 30mgkg(-1). Importantly, Dex-SA-CDDP-LHRH markedly enhanced the accumulation of CDDP in the injected primary tumor and metastasis-containing organs, and meanwhile significantly reduced the nephrotoxicity of CDDP. Dose-dependent therapeutic effects further demonstrated that the CDDP-loaded LHRH-decorated polysaccharide nanoparticles significantly enhanced the antitumor and antimetastasis efficacy, as compared to the non-targeted nanoparticles. These results suggest that Dex-SA-CDDP-LHRH nanoparticles show great potential for targeted chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer.