A Metabolic Reprogramming Amino Acid Polymer as an Immunosurveillance Activator and Leukemia Targeting Drug Carrier for T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Targeted therapy for leukemia based on nanomaterials

Leukemia is a kind of hematopoietic stem cell malignant clonal disease. Drug therapy is the core treatment strategy for leukemia, but the current therapeutic drugs have defects such as low bioavailability, large adverse reactions and inconvenient intravenous administration. Targeted therapy can combine drugs with specific carcinogenic sites on cells to kill cancer cells and avoid damage to normal cells, which has gradually become the mainstream method of leukemia treatment. In addition, nanomedicine delivery systems can significantly improve drug efficacy through controlled size and targeted optimization of drug delivery by modification strategies. Therefore, the targeted treatment of leukemia based on nanomaterials has great research value and application prospect. This paper gives an overview of the current therapeutic strategies for leukemia, and then reviews the cutting-edge targeted therapeutic nanomaterials for leukemia, including organic nanomaterials (mainly carbon-based nanomaterials, lipid materials, polymers, etc.) and inorganic nanomaterials (mainly noble metal nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, hollow mesoporous materials, etc.). The challenges and prospects for the future development of targeted nanomaterials in the treatment of leukemia are also briefly reviewed.

Effects of chain lengths and backbone chirality on the bone-targeting ability of poly(glutamic acid)s

Anionic synthetic polypeptides are promising candidates as standalone bone-targeting drug carriers. Nevertheless, the structure-property relationship of the bone-targeting ability of polypeptides remains largely unexplored. Herein we report the optimization of the in vitro and in vivo bone-targeting ability of poly(glutamic acid)s (PGAs) by altering their chain lengths and backbone chirality. PGA 100-mers exhibited higher hydroxyapatite affinity in vitro, but their rapid macrophage clearance limited their targeting ability. Shorter PGA was therefore favored in terms of in vivo bone targeting. Meanwhile, the backbone chirality showed less significant impact on the in vitro and in vivo targeting behavior. This study highlights the modulation of structural parameters on the bone-targeting performance of anionic polypeptides, shedding light on the future design of polypeptide-based carriers.

Recent Advances in Material Technology for Leukemia Treatments

Leukemia is a widespread hematological malignancy characterized by an elevated white blood cell count in both the blood and the bone marrow. Despite notable advancements in leukemia intervention in the clinic, a large proportion of patients, especially acute leukemia patients, fail to achieve long-term remission or complete remission following treatment. Therefore, leukemia therapy necessitates optimization to meet the treatment requirements. In recent years, a multitude of materials have undergone rigorous study to serve as delivery vectors or direct intervention agents to bolster the effectiveness of leukemia therapy. These materials include liposomes, protein-based materials, polymeric materials, cell-derived materials, and inorganic materials. They possess unique characteristics and are applied in a broad array of therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and other evolving treatments. Here, an overview of these materials is presented, describing their physicochemical properties, their role in leukemia treatment, and the challenges they face in the context of clinical translation. This review inspires researchers to further develop various materials that can be used to augment the efficacy of multiple therapeutic modalities for novel applications in leukemia treatment.

Immune cell infiltration and prognostic index in cervical cancer: insights from metabolism-related differential genes

Background

Cervical cancer remains a significant gynecologic malignancy in both China and the United States, posing a substantial threat to women's lives and health due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. Altered energy metabolism and dysregulated mitochondrial function play crucial roles in the development, growth, metastasis, and recurrence of malignant tumors. In this study, we aimed to predict prognosis and assess efficacy of anti-tumor therapy in cervical cancer patients based on differential genes associated with mitochondrial metabolism.

Methods

Transcriptomic data and clinical profiles of cervical cancer patients were retrieved from the TCGA and GEO databases. Differential gene-related cellular pathways were identified through GO, KEGG, and GSEA analyses. Prognostic indices were constructed using LASSO regression analysis. Immune cell infiltration was assessed using CIBERSORT and ssGSEA, and the correlation between immune checkpoint inhibitor genes and differential genes was examined. Tumor mutation load (TMB) and its association with prognostic indices were analyzed using nucleotide variant data from the TCGA database. Patient response to immunotherapy and sensitivity to antitumor drugs were determined using the TIDE algorithm and the oncoPredic algorithm, respectively.

Results

A prognostic index based on metabolism-related differential genes was developed to predict the clinical outcome of cervical cancer patients, enabling their classification into two distinct subtypes. The prognostic index emerged as an independent risk factor for unfavorable prognosis. The high-index group exhibited a significantly worse overall prognosis, along with elevated tumor mutation burden (TMB), increased immune cell infiltration, and lower TIDE scores, indicating a potential benefit from immunotherapy. Conversely, the low-index group demonstrated increased sensitivity to metabolism-related antitumor agents, specifically multikinase inhibitors.

Conclusion

The aim of this study was to develop a prognostic index based on differential genes associated with mitochondrial metabolism, which could be used to predict cervical cancer patients' prognoses. When combined with TIDE and TMB analyses, this prognostic index offers insights into the immune cell infiltration landscape, as well as the potential efficacy of immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Our analysis suggests that the Iron-Sulfur Cluster Assembly Enzyme (ISCU) gene holds promise as a biomarker for cervical cancer immunotherapy.

GSH-responsive degradable nanodrug for glucose metabolism intervention and induction of ferroptosis to enhance magnetothermal anti-tumor therapy

The challenges associated with activating ferroptosis for cancer therapy primarily arise from obstacles related to redox and iron homeostasis, which hinder the susceptibility of tumor cells to ferroptosis. However, the specific mechanisms of ferroptosis resistance, especially those intertwined with abnormal metabolic processes within tumor cells, have been consistently underestimated. In response, we present an innovative glutathione-responsive magnetocaloric therapy nanodrug termed LFMP. LFMP consists of lonidamine (LND) loaded into PEG-modified magnetic nanoparticles with a Fe3O4 core and coated with disulfide bonds-bridged mesoporous silica shells. This nanodrug is designed to induce an accelerated ferroptosis-activating state in tumor cells by disrupting homeostasis. Under the dual effects of alternating magnetic fields and high concentrations of glutathione in the tumor microenvironment, LFMP undergoes disintegration, releasing drugs. LND intervenes in cell metabolism by inhibiting glycolysis, ultimately enhancing iron death and leading to synthetic glutathione consumption. The disulfide bonds play a pivotal role in disrupting intracellular redox homeostasis by depleting glutathione and inactivating glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), synergizing with LND to enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to ferroptosis. This process intensifies oxidative stress, further impairing redox homeostasis. Furthermore, LFMP exacerbates mitochondrial dysfunction, triggering ROS formation and lactate buildup in cancer cells, resulting in increased acidity and subsequent tumor cell death. Importantly, LFMP significantly suppresses tumor cell proliferation with minimal side effects both in vitro and in vivo, exhibiting satisfactory T2-weighted MR imaging properties. In conclusion, this magnetic hyperthermia-based nanomedicine strategy presents a promising and innovative approach for antitumor therapy.

Nanomedicine Targeting Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Enhances Anti-Tumor Immunity

Cancer immunotherapy, a field within immunology that aims to enhance the host's anti-cancer immune response, frequently encounters challenges associated with suboptimal response rates. The presence of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), crucial constituents of the tumor microenvironment (TME), exacerbates this issue by fostering immunosuppression and impeding T cell differentiation and maturation. Consequently, targeting MDSCs has emerged as crucial for immunotherapy aimed at enhancing anti-tumor responses. The development of nanomedicines specifically designed to target MDSCs aims to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy by transforming immunosuppressive tumors into ones more responsive to immune intervention. This review provides a detailed overview of MDSCs in the TME and current strategies targeting these cells. Also the benefits of nanoparticle-assisted drug delivery systems, including design flexibility, efficient drug loading, and protection against enzymatic degradation, are highlighted. It summarizes advances in nanomedicine targeting MDSCs, covering enhanced treatment efficacy, safety, and modulation of the TME, laying the groundwork for more potent cancer immunotherapy.

Targeting carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) induces ferroptosis and synergizes with immunotherapy in lung cancer

Despite the successful application of immune checkpoint therapy, no response or recurrence is typical in lung cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified as a crucial player in immunotherapy-related resistance. Ferroptosis, a form of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, is highly regulated by cellular metabolism remolding and has been shown to have synergistic effects when combined with immunotherapy. Metabolic adaption of CSCs drives tumor resistance, yet the mechanisms of their ferroptosis defense in tumor immune evasion remain elusive. Here, through metabolomics, transcriptomics, a lung epithelial-specific Cpt1a-knockout mouse model, and clinical analysis, we demonstrate that CPT1A, a key rate-limiting enzyme of fatty acid oxidation, acts with L-carnitine, derived from tumor-associated macrophages to drive ferroptosis-resistance and CD8+ T cells inactivation in lung cancer. Mechanistically, CPT1A restrains ubiquitination and degradation of c-Myc, while c-Myc transcriptionally activates CPT1A expression. The CPT1A/c-Myc positive feedback loop further enhances the cellular antioxidant capacity by activating the NRF2/GPX4 system and reduces the amount of phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acids through ACSL4 downregulating, thereby suppressing ferroptosis in CSCs. Significantly, targeting CPT1A enhances immune checkpoint blockade-induced anti-tumor immunity and tumoral ferroptosis in tumor-bearing mice. The results illustrate the potential of a mechanism-guided therapeutic strategy by targeting a metabolic vulnerability in the ferroptosis of CSCs to improve the efficacy of lung cancer immunotherapy.

Advantages of nanomedicine over the conventional treatment in Acute myeloid leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of blood cells that mainly affects the white blood cells. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML) sudden growth of cancerous cells occurs in blood and bone marrow, and it disrupts normal blood cell production. Most patients are asymptomatic, but it spreads rapidly and can become fatal if left untreated. AML is the prevalent form of leukemia in children. Risk factors of AML include chemical exposure, radiation, genetics, etc. Conventional diagnostic methods of AML are complete blood count tests and bone marrow aspiration, while conventional treatment methods involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplant. There is a risk of cancer cells spreading progressively to the other organs if left untreated, and hence, early diagnosis is required. The conventional diagnostic methods are time- consuming and have drawbacks like harmful side effects and recurrence of the disease. To overcome these difficulties, nanoparticles are employed in treating and diagnosing AML. These nanoparticles can be surface- modified and can be used against cancer cells. Due to their enhanced permeability effect and high surface-to-volume ratio they will be able to reach the tumour site which cannot be reached by traditional drugs. This review article talks about how nanotechnology is more advantageous over the traditional methods in the treatment and diagnosis of AML.

MDSCs-derived GPR84 induces CD8+ T-cell senescence via p53 activation to suppress the antitumor response

BACKGROUNDS

G-protein-coupled receptor 84 (GPR84) marks a subset of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) with stronger immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. Yet, how GPR84 endowed the stronger inhibition of MDSCs to CD8+ T cells function is not well established. In this study, we aimed to identify the underlying mechanism behind the immunosuppression of CD8+ T cells by GPR84+ MDSCs.

METHODS

The role and underlying mechanism that MDSCs or exosomes (Exo) regulates the function of CD8+ T cells were investigated using immunofluorescence, fluorescence activating cell sorter (FACS), quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, ELISA, Confocal, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), etc. In vivo efficacy and mechanistic studies were conducted with wild type, GPR84 and p53 knockout C57/BL6 mice.

RESULTS

Here, we showed that the transfer of GPR84 from MDSCs to CD8+ T cells via the Exo attenuated the antitumor response. This inhibitory effect was also observed in GPR84-overexpressed CD8+ T cells, whereas depleting GPR84 elevated CD8+ T cells proliferation and function in vitro and in vivo. RNA-seq analysis of CD8+ T cells demonstrated the activation of the p53 signaling pathway in CD8+ T cells treated with GPR84+ MDSCs culture medium. While knockout p53 did not induce senescence in CD8+ T cells treated with GPR84+ MDSCs. The per cent of GPR84+ CD8+ T cells work as a negative indicator for patients' prognosis and response to chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrated that the transfer of GPR84 from MDSCs to CD8+ T cells induces T-cell senescence via the p53 signaling pathway, which could explain the strong immunosuppression of GPR84 endowed to MDSCs.

Glycolysis-cholesterol metabolic axis in immuno-oncology microenvironment: emerging role in immune cells and immunosuppressive signaling

Cell proliferation and function require nutrients, energy, and biosynthesis activity to duplicate repertoires for each daughter. It is therefore not surprising that tumor microenvironment (TME) metabolic reprogramming primarily orchestrates the interaction between tumor and immune cells. Tumor metabolic reprogramming affords bioenergetic, signaling intermediates, and biosynthesis requirements for both malignant and immune cells. Different immune cell subsets are recruited into the TME, and these manifestations have distinct effects on tumor progression and therapeutic outcomes, especially the mutual contribution of glycolysis and cholesterol metabolism. In particularly, glycolysis-cholesterol metabolic axis interconnection plays a critical role in the TME modulation, and their changes in tumor metabolism appear to be a double-edged sword in regulating various immune cell responses and immunotherapy efficacy. Hence, we discussed the signature manifestation of the glycolysis-cholesterol metabolic axis and its pivotal role in tumor immune regulation. We also highlight how hypothetical combinations of immunotherapy and glycolysis/cholesterol-related metabolic interventions unleash the potential of anti-tumor immunotherapies, as well as developing more effective personalized treatment strategies.

Supramolecular Biomaterials for Cancer Immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy has achieved tremendous successful clinical results and obtained historic victories in tumor treatments. However, great limitations associated with feeble immune responses and serious adverse effects still cannot be neglected due to the complicated multifactorial etiology and pathologic microenvironment in tumors. The rapid development of nanomedical science and material science has facilitated the advanced progress of engineering biomaterials to tackle critical issues. The supramolecular biomaterials with flexible and modular structures have exhibited unparalleled advantages of high cargo-loading efficiency, excellent biocompatibility, and diversiform immunomodulatory activity, thereby providing a powerful weapon for cancer immunotherapy. In past decades, supramolecular biomaterials were extensively explored as versatile delivery platforms for immunotherapeutic agents or designed to interact with the key moleculars in immune system in a precise and controllable manner. In this review, we focused on the crucial role of supramolecular biomaterials in the modulation of pivotal steps during tumor immunotherapy, including antigen delivery and presentation, T lymphocyte activation, tumor-associated macrophage elimination and repolarization, and myeloid-derived suppressor cell depletion. Based on extensive research, we explored the current limitations and development prospects of supramolecular biomaterials in cancer immunotherapy.

Oral Delivery of Protein Drugs via Lysine Polymer-Based Nanoparticle Platforms

Oral delivery of proteins has opened a new perspective for the treatment of different diseases. However, advances of oral protein formulation are usually hindered by protein susceptibility and suboptimal absorption in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Polymeric nano drug delivery systems are considered revolutionary candidates to solve these issues, which can be preferably tunable against specific delivery challenges. Herein, a tailored family of lysine-based poly(ester amide)s (Lys-aaPEAs) is designed as a general oral protein delivery platform for efficient protein loading and protection from degradation. Insulin, as a model protein, can achieve effective internalization by epithelial cells and efficient transport across the intestinal epithelium layer into the systemic circulation, followed by controlled release in physiological environments. After the oral administration of insulin carried by Lys-aaPEAs with ornamental hyaluronic acid (HA), mice with type 1 diabetes mellitus showed an acceptable hypoglycemic effect with alleviated complications. A successful oral insulin delivery is associated with patient comfort and convenience and simultaneously avoids the risk of hypoglycemia compared with injections, which is of great feasibility for daily diabetes therapy. More importantly, this versatile Lys-aaPEAs polymeric library can be recognized as a universal vehicle for oral biomacromolecule delivery, providing more possibilities for treating various diseases.

Nanoparticle delivery of TFOs is a novel targeted therapy for HER2 amplified breast cancer

PURPOSE

The human EGFR2 (HER2) signaling pathway is one of the most actively studied targets in cancer transformation research. Ttriplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) activate DNA damage and induce apoptosis. We aim to encapsulate TFO-HER2 with nano-particle ZW-128 to suppress breast cell growth in vitro and in vivo.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We designed a set of TFO fragments targeting HER2 and verified their effectiveness. We encapsulated TFO-HER2 in ZW-128 to form nano-drug TFO@ZW-128. Cell counting kit 8, flow cytometry, and western blotting were used to evaluate the effect of TFO@ZW-128 on cell proliferation and the expressions of related proteins. The ant-itumor effect of TFO@ZW-128 was evaluated in vivo using nude mice breast cancer model.

RESULTS

TFO@ZW-128 had efficient cellular uptake in amplified HER2 breast cancer cells. TFO@ZW-128 showed an 80-fold increase in TFO utilization compared with TFO-HER2 in the nude mouse breast cancer model. Meanwhile, TFO@ZW-128 dramatically inhibited the growth of HER2-overexpressing tumors compared with TFO-HER2 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, TFO@ZW-128-induced cell apoptosis was in a p53-independent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we designed nano-drug TFO@ZW-128, which has proven effective and non-toxic in targeted therapy for ectopic HER2-expressing tumors.

Triple Tumor Microenvironment-Responsive Ferroptosis Pathways Induced by Manganese-Based Imageable Nanoenzymes for Enhanced Breast Cancer Theranostics

Previous studies have found that activated CD8⁺ T cells secrete elevated levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) to trigger ferroptosis in tumor cells. However, IFN-γ-mediated ferroptosis is induced at low levels in tumor cells because of the limited IFN-γ secreted by CD8⁺ T cells in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Recent studies have shown that manganese ion can activate the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (GMP-AMP) synthase/stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway and support adaptive immune responses against tumors, which enhances the level of tumor-infiltrating CD8⁺ T cells. Therefore, tumor microenvironment-responsive Mn-based nanoenzymes (Mn-based NEs) that activated the cGAS-STING pathway are designed to amplify immune-driven ferroptosis. The multifunctional all-in-one nanoplatform is simply and mildly synthesized by the coordination between Mn³⁺ ions and 3,3'-dithiodipropionic acid. After intracellular delivery, each component of Mn-based NEs exerts its function. That is, glutathione is depleted through disulfide-thiol exchange and redox pair of Mn³⁺ /Mn²⁺ , a hydroxyl radical (·OH) is generated via the Fenton-like reaction to cause ferroptosis, and Mn²⁺ augments cGAS-STING activity to boost immune-driven ferroptosis. In addition, ferroptosis amplifies Mn²⁺ -induced immunogenic cell death and initiates the antitumor immune "closed loop" along with immune-driven ferroptosis. Notably, this multifunctional nanoplatform is effective in killing both primary and distant tumors.

Combining in situ vaccination and immunogenic apoptosis to treat cancer

Immunization approaches are designed to stimulate the immune system and eliminate the tumor. Studies indicate that cancer immunization combined with certain chemotherapeutics and immunostimulatory agents can improve outcomes. Chemotherapeutics-based immunogenic cell death makes the tumor more recognizable by the immune system. In situ vaccination (ISV) utilizes established tumors as antigen sources and directly applies an immune adjuvant to the tumor to reverse a cold tumor microenvironment to a hot one. Immunogenic cell death and ISV highlight for the immune system the tumor antigens that are recognizable by immune cells and support a T-cell attack of the tumor cells. This review presents the concept of immunogenic apoptosis and ISV as a powerful platform for cancer immunization.

A Ferroptosis-Inducing and Leukemic Cell-Targeting Drug Nanocarrier Formed by Redox-Responsive Cysteine Polymer for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Therapy

Ferroptosis is an alternative strategy to overcome chemoresistance, but effective therapeutic approaches to induce ferroptosis for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment are limited. Here, we developed glutathione (GSH)-responsive cysteine polymer-based ferroptosis-inducing nanomedicine (GCFN) as an efficient ferroptosis inducer and chemotherapeutic drug nanocarrier for AML treatment. GCFN depleted intracellular GSH and inhibited glutathione peroxidase 4, a GSH-dependent hydroperoxidase, to cause lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in AML cells. Furthermore, GCFN-loaded paclitaxel (PTX@GCFN) targeted AML cells and spared normal hematopoietic cells to limit the myeloablation side effects caused by paclitaxel. PTX@GCFN treatment extended the survival of AML mice by specifically releasing paclitaxel and simultaneously inducing ferroptosis in AML cells with restricted myeloablation and tissue damage side effects. Overall, the dual-functional GCFN acts as an effective ferroptosis inducer and a chemotherapeutic drug carrier for AML treatment.

Nano-formulations for bone-specific delivery of siRNA for CrkII silencing-induced regulation of bone formation and resorption to maximize therapeutic potential for bone-related diseases

CrkII, a member of the adaptor protein family, is known to participate in bone homeostasis via the regulation of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Therefore, silencing CrkII would beneficially impact the bone microenvironment. In this study, CrkII siRNA encapsulated by a bone-targeting peptide (AspSerSer)₆-liposome was evaluated for its therapeutic applications using a receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced bone loss model. (AspSerSer)₆-liposome-siCrkII maintained its gene-silencing ability in both osteoclasts and osteoblasts in vitro and significantly reduced osteoclast formation while increasing osteoblast differentiation in vitro. Fluorescence image analyses showed that the (AspSerSer)₆-liposome-siCrkII was present largely in bone, where it remained present for up to 24 hours and was cleared by 48 hours, even when systemically administrated. Importantly, microcomputed-tomography revealed that bone loss induced by RANKL administration was recovered by systemic administration of (AspSerSer)₆-liposome-siCrkII. Collectively, the findings of this study suggest that (AspSerSer)₆-liposome-siCrkII is a promising therapeutic strategy for the development of treatments for bone diseases, as it overcomes the adverse effects derived from ubiquitous expression via bone-specific delivery of siRNA.

Nanotechnology-based diagnostics and therapeutics in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a systematic review of preclinical studies

Background: Leukemia is a malignant disease that threatens human health and life. Nano-delivery systems improve drug solubility, bioavailability, and blood circulation time, and release drugs selectively at desired sites using targeting or sensing strategies. As drug carriers, they could improve therapeutic outcomes while reducing systemic toxicity. They have also shown promise in improving leukemia detection and diagnosis. The study aimed to assess the potential of nanotechnology-based diagnostics and therapeutics in preclinical human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (h-ALL). Methods: We performed a systematic search through April 2022. Articles written in English reporting the toxicity, efficacy, and safety of nanotechnology-based drugs (in the aspect of treatment) and specificity, limit of detection (LOD), or sensitivity (in the aspect of the detection field) in preclinical h-ALL were included. The study was performed according to PRISMA instructions. The methodological quality was assessed using the QualSyst tool. Results: A total of 63 original articles evaluating nanotechnology-based therapeutics and 35 original studies evaluating nanotechnology-based diagnostics were included in this review. As therapeutics in ALL, nanomaterials offer controlled release, targeting or sensing ligands, targeted gene therapy, photodynamic therapy and photothermic therapy, and reversal of multidrug-resistant ALL. A narrative synthesis of studies revealed that nanoparticles improve the ratio of efficacy to the toxicity of anti-leukemic drugs. They have also been developed as a vehicle for biomolecules (such as antibodies) that can help detect and monitor leukemic biomarkers. Therefore, nanomaterials can help with early diagnostics and personalized treatment of ALL. Conclusion: This review discussed nanotechnology-based preclinical strategies to achieve ALL diagnosis and therapy advancement. This involves modern drug delivery apparatuses and detection devices for prompt and targeted disease diagnostics. Nonetheless, we are yet in the experimental phase and investigational stage in the field of nanomedicine, with many features remained to be discovered as well as numerous problems to be solved.

Metabolic profiling reveals metabolic features of consolidation therapy in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and its treatment continue to pose substantial risks. To understand ALL more deeply, the metabolome in fasting plasma of 27 ALL patients before and after high-dose methotrexate therapies (consolidation therapy) including methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) was investigated. Plasma metabolites were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis and significance analysis of microarrays were used to evaluate the metabolic changes. Pathway enrichment and co-expression network analyses were performed to identify clusters of molecules, and 2826 metabolites were identified. Among them, 38 metabolites were identified by univariate analysis, and 7 metabolites that were altered by conditioning therapy were identified by multivariate analysis. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database was used for pathway enrichment analysis. Among the enriched KEGG pathways, the 3 significantly altered metabolic pathways were pyrimidine metabolism; phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis; and phenylalanine metabolism. In addition, L-phenylalanine was significantly correlated with blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and palmitoylcarnitine was correlated with aspartate aminotransferase (AST). In summary, consolidation therapy significantly affected pyrimidine- and phenylalanine-associated metabolic pathways in pediatric ALL patients. These findings may provide an insight into the role of metabolic profiling in consolidation treatment and as a potential for pediatric ALL patients.

Glutathione-sensitive nanoparticles enhance the combined therapeutic effect of checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitor and cisplatin in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common malignant tumor among males. Traditional treatments for PCa, which include surgery and endocrine therapy, have shown limited success, and more effective therapies are needed. Cisplatin (DDP) is an approved chemotherapeutic drug that causes DNA damage in cancer, whereas AZD7762, an inhibitor of CHK1, can significantly inhibit DNA repair. The effective therapeutic combination of cisplatin and the DNA damage response inhibitor AZD7762 has been considered to be a potential solution to the resistance to cisplatin and the adverse reactions that occur in many cancers. However, the co-transmission of cisplatin and AZD7762 and the unsatisfactory tumor-targeting efficacy of this therapy remain problems to be solved. Here, we confirmed the combined therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin and AZD7762 in PCa. Furthermore, we show that the glutathione-targeted Cys8E nanoparticles we synthesized, which have high drug-loading capacity, remarkable stability, and satisfactory release efficiency, enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of this treatment and reduced the required dosages of these drugs both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, we propose combination therapy of cisplatin and AZD7762 for PCa and facilitate it using Cys8E nanoparticles, which allow for better drug loading release, higher release efficiency, and more accurate tumor-targeting efficacy.

Red blood cell-based vaccines for ameliorating cancer chemoimmunotherapy

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has shown promising antitumor effects, but its immune response rate remains unsatisfactory. In recent years, chemotherapy has been proven to have synergistic effects with ICB therapy because some chemotherapeutic agents can enhance the immunogenicity of tumor cells by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD). However, it cannot be ignored that chemotherapy often shows limited therapeutic efficacy due to high cytotoxicity, drug resistance, and some other side effects. Herein, we report a strategy to improve cancer immunotherapy by utilizing red blood cell-based vaccines (RBC-vaccines) where chemotherapy-induced tumor antigens (cAgs) are anchored onto red blood cells (RBCs) via the EDC/NHS-mediated amine coupling reaction. In this work, RBC-vaccines administered subcutaneously are primarily devoured by dendritic cells (DCs) and significantly improve the efficacy of αPD-1 (anti-programmed cell death 1) treatment by increasing the infiltration of intratumoral CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells and elevating the intratumoral ratio of CD8⁺ T cells to regulatory T cells in the CT-26 colon cancer model. Finally, based on the rejection of tumor rechallenge in cured mice, the combination therapy of RBC-vaccines and αPD-1 can induce the expansion of memory T cells and thereby establish a long-term antitumor immune response. Taken together, the proposed RBC-vaccines have great potential to improve chemoimmunotherapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint blockade therapy, has made great contributions to the treatment of some advanced cancers. Unfortunately, the great majority of patients with cancer do not benefit from immunotherapy. To enhance the response rate of immunotherapy, we developed red blood cell-based vaccines (RBC-vaccines) against cancers where antigens were harvested from chemotherapy-treated cancer cells and then attached to erythrocytes via covalent surface modification. Such RBC-vaccines could provide a wide variety of tumor antigens and damage-associated molecular patterns without the use of any extra ingredients to trigger a stronger antitumor immune response. More importantly, the combination of RBC-vaccines with PD-1 blockade could significantly improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy and induce durable antitumor immunity.

The prognostic value and therapeutic targeting of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in hematological cancers

The success of immunotherapeutic approaches in hematological cancers is partially hampered by the presence of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are key components of this suppressive environment and are frequently associated with tumor cell survival and drug resistance. Based on their morphology and phenotype, MDSC are commonly subdivided into polymorphonuclear MDSC (PMN-MDSC or G-MDSC) and monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC), both characterized by their immunosuppressive function. The phenotype, function and prognostic value of MDSC in hematological cancers has been intensively studied; however, the therapeutic targeting of this cell population remains challenging and needs further investigation. In this review, we will summarize the prognostic value of MDSC and the different attempts to target MDSC (or subtypes of MDSC) in hematological cancers. We will discuss the benefits, challenges and opportunities of using MDSC-targeting approaches, aiming to enhance anti-tumor immune responses of currently used cellular and non-cellular immunotherapies.

Advanced nanoparticles that can target therapy and reverse drug resistance may be the dawn of leukemia treatment: A bibliometrics study

With the development of nanomedicine, more and more nanoparticles are used in the diagnosis and treatment of leukemia. This study aimed to identify author, country, institutional, and journal collaborations and their impacts, assess the knowledge base, identify existing trends, and uncover emerging topics related to leukemia research. 1825 Articles and reviews were obtained from the WoSCC and analyzed by Citespace and Vosviewer. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE is the journal with the highest output. The contribution of FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY is also noteworthy. The three main aspects of research in Nanoparticles-leukemia-related fields included nanoparticles for the diagnosis and treatment of leukemia, related to the type and treatment of leukemia, the specific molecular mechanism, and existing problems of the application of nanoparticles in leukemia. In the future, synthesize nano-drugs that have targeted therapy and chemotherapy resistance according to the mechanism, which may be the dawn of the solution to leukemia. This study offers a comprehensive overview of the Nanoparticles-leukemia-related field using bibliometrics and visual methods for the first time, providing a valuable reference for researchers interested in Nanoparticles-leukemia.

Poly(β-cyclodextrin)/platinum prodrug supramolecular nano system for enhanced cancer therapy: Synthesis and in vivo study

The use of cisplatin is restricted by systemic toxicity and drug resistance. Supramolecular nano-drug delivery systems involving drugs as building blocks circumvent these limitations promisingly. Herein, we describe a novel supramolecular system [Pt(IV)-SSNPs] based on poly(β-cyclodextrin), which was synthesized for efficient loading of adamantly-functionalized platinum(IV) prodrug [Pt(IV)-ADA₂] via the host-guest interaction between β-cyclodextrin and adamantyl. Pt(IV)-ADA₂ can be converted to active cisplatin in reducing environment in cancer cells, which further reduces systemic toxicity. The introduction of the adamantane group-tethered mPEG_2k endowed the Pt(IV)-SSNPs with a longer blood circulation time. In vitro assays exhibited that the Pt(IV)-SSNPs could be uptaken by CT26 cells, resulting in cell cycle arrest in the G2/M and S phases, together with apoptosis. Furthermore, the Pt(IV)-SSNPs showed effective tumor accumulation, better antitumor effect, and negligible cytotoxicity to major organs. These results indicate that supramolecular nanoparticles are a promising platform for efficient cisplatin delivery and cancer treatment.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in hematologic malignancies: two sides of the same coin

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of bone marrow cells originating from immature myeloid cells. They exert potent immunosuppressive activity and are closely associated with the development of various diseases such as malignancies, infections, and inflammation. In malignant tumors, MDSCs, one of the most dominant cellular components comprising the tumor microenvironment, play a crucial role in tumor growth, drug resistance, recurrence, and immune escape. Although the role of MDSCs in solid tumors is currently being extensively studied, little is known about their role in hematologic malignancies. In this review, we comprehensively summarized and reviewed the different roles of MDSCs in hematologic malignancies and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and finally discussed current targeted therapeutic strategies.Affiliation: Kindly check and confirm the processed affiliations are correct. Amend if any.correct

The chiral pyridoxal-catalyzed biomimetic Mannich reaction: the mechanism and origin of stereoselectivity

A biomimetic organocatalyst with a pyridoxal-like structure is one of the most successful examples of catalyzing organic reactions under mild conditions in an asymmetric synthesis field.