Bifunctional drug delivery system with carbonic anhydrase IX targeting and glutathione-responsivity driven by host-guest amphiphiles for effective tumor therapy

It remains a critical issue to deliver anticancer drugs to tumor tissues and reducing the toxic effects on normal tissues. The drug delivery system (DDS) based on self-assembly provides a multi-functional way for drug delivery. In this work, a supramolecular host (L-CD) with targeting function based on a β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) backbone was synthesized with carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) overexpressed on tumor cells as a target, and the methotrexate prodrug (MTX-SS-Ad) modified by adamantane and disulfide bond was prepared to be used as the guest. The amphiphilic complex was prepared between L-CD and MTX-SS-Ad through host-guest interactions and could further self-assemble into supramolecular nanoparticles (SNPs) with active targeting and stimulus release functions. The interaction between host and guest was investigated by UV, NMR, IR, XRD and TGA. The characteristic of SNPs was observed by DLS and TEM. Throng the study of molecular docking, in vitro inhibition, cell uptake experiments, and western blotting, SNPs have showed CAIX inhibitory effects both inside and outside the cells. The in vitro release experiments indicated that SNPs can undergo disintegration and release drugs under acidic and GSH conditions. Moreover, SNP can effectively inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells without generating additional toxic side effects on normal cells. So, we provide a strategy of bifunctional drug delivery system with targeting and glutathione-responsivity for effective tumor therapy.

Recent Development of Supramolecular Cancer Theranostics Based on Cyclodextrins: A Review

With the development of personalized medical demands for precise diagnosis, rational management and effective cancer treatment, supramolecular theranostic systems have received widespread attention due to their reversibly switchable structures, sensitive response to biological stimuli and integration ability for multiple capabilities in a single platform with a programmable fashion. Cyclodextrins (CDs), benefiting from their excellent characteristics, such as non-toxicity, easy modification, unique host-guest properties, good biocompatibility, etc., as building blocks, serve as an all-purpose strategy for the fabrication of a supramolecular cancer theranostics nanodevice that is capable of biosafety, controllability, functionality and programmability. This review focuses on the supramolecular systems of CD-bioimaging probes, CD-drugs, CD-genes, CD-proteins, CD-photosensitizers and CD-photothermal agents as well as multicomponent cooperation systems with regards to building a nanodevice with functions of diagnosis and (or) therapeutics of cancer treatment. By introducing several state-of-the-art examples, emphasis will be placed on the design of various functional modules, the supramolecular interaction strategies under the fantastic topological structures and the hidden "bridge" between their structures and therapeutic efficacy, aiming for further comprehension of the important role of a cyclodextrin-based nanoplatform in advancing supramolecular cancer theranostics.

Histidine-Tagged Folate-Targeted Gold Nanoparticles for Enhanced Transgene Expression in Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro

Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising treatment strategy in gene therapy, especially against diseases such as cancer. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are regarded as favorable gene delivery vehicles due to their low toxicity, ease of synthesis and ability to be functionalized. This study aimed to prepare functionalized AuNPs (FAuNPs) and evaluate their folate-targeted and nontargeted pCMV-Luc-DNA delivery in breast cancer cells in vitro. CS was added to induce stability and positive charges to the AuNPs (Au-CS), histidine (Au-CS-His) to enhance endosomal escape and folic acid for folate-receptor targeting (Au-CS-FA-His). The FAuNP:pDNA nanocomplexes possessed favorable sizes (<135 nm) and zeta potentials (<-20 mV), strong compaction efficiency and were capable of pDNA protection against nuclease degradation. These nanocomplexes showed minimal cytotoxicity (>73% cell viability) and enhanced transgene activity. The influence of His was notable in the HER2 overexpressing SKBR3 cells, which produced higher gene expression. Furthermore, the FA-targeted nanocomplexes enhanced receptor-mediated endocytosis, especially in MCF-7 cells, as confirmed by the receptor competition assay. While the role of His may need further optimization, the results achieved suggest that these FAuNPs may be suitable gene delivery vehicles for breast cancer therapeutics.

Folic acid modified TPGS as a novel nano-micelle for delivery of nitidine chloride to improve apoptosis induction in Huh7 human hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

The development of novel and effective drugs for targeted human hepatocellular carcinoma still remains a great challenge. The alkaloid nitidine chloride (NC), a component of a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to have anticancer properties, but doses at therapeutic levels have unacceptable side effects. Here we investigate folic acid modified D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS-FA) as a potential carrier for controlled delivery of the drug.

Methods

Synthesized TPGS-FA was characterized by FTIR, UV-visible and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and TPGS loaded with NC was evaluated for its ability to induce apoptosis in Huh7 cells by Annexin V/PI and MTT assays, and observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy and inverted phase contrast microscopy.

Results

TPGS-FA/NC complexes were prepared successfully, and were homogenious with a uniform size of ~ 14 nm diameter. NC was released from the TPGS-FA/NC complexes in a controlled and sustained manner under physiological conditions (pH 7.4). Furthermore, its cytotoxicity to hepatocarcinoma cells was greater than that of free NC.

Conclusions

TPGS-FA is shown to be useful carrier for drugs such as NC, and TPGS-FA/NC could potentially be a potent and safe drug for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40360-020-00461-y.

Biocompatible Polymers Combined with Cyclodextrins: Fascinating Materials for Drug Delivery Applications

Cyclodextrins (CD) are a group of cyclic oligosaccharides with a cavity/specific structure that enables to form inclusion complexes (IC) with a variety of molecules through non-covalent host-guest interactions. By an elegant combination of CD with biocompatible, synthetic and natural polymers, different types of universal drug delivery systems with dynamic/reversible properties have been generated. This review presents the design of nano- and micro-carriers, hydrogels, and fibres based on the polymer/CD supramolecular systems highlighting their possible biomedical applications. Application of the most prominent hydrophobic aliphatic polyesters that exhibit biodegradability, represented by polylactide and polycaprolactone, is described first. Subsequently, particular attention is focused on materials obtained from hydrophilic polyethylene oxide. Moreover, examples are also presented for grafting of CD on polysaccharides. In summary, we show the application of host-guest interactions in multi-component functional biomaterials for controlled drug delivery.

Cyclodextrin-based delivery systems for cancer treatment

Cyclodextrins, one of safe excipients, are able to form host-guest complexes with fitted molecules given the unique nature imparted by their structure in result of a number of pharmaceutical applications. On the other hand, targeted or responsive materials are appealing therapeutic platforms for the development of next-generation precision medications. Meanwhile, cyclodextrin-based polymers or assemblies can condense DNA and RNA in result to be used as genetic therapeutic agents. Armed with a better understanding of various pharmaceutical mechanisms, especially for cancer treatment, researchers have made lots of works about cyclodextrin-based drug delivery systems in materials chemistry and pharmaceutical science. This Review highlights recent advances in cyclodextrin-based delivery systems for cancer treatment capable of targeting or responding to the physiological environment. Key design principles, challenges and future directions, including clinical translation, of cyclodextrin-based delivery systems are also discussed.

Cyclodextrin-based biological stimuli-responsive carriers for smart and precision medicine

Spurred on by recent progress in nanotechnology and precision medicine, smart drug carriers are entering an entirely new era. Smart drug carriers have been widely studied in recent years as a result of their ability to control drug release under different microenvironments (such as pH, redox, and enzyme) in vivo. Host-guest interactions based on cyclodextrins have proven to be an efficient tool for fabricating smart drug carriers. Because of the application of host-guest interactions, many kinds of biological molecules or supramolecular building blocks can combine into an organic whole at the molecular level. In this review, the features, mechanisms of action, and potent applications of biological stimuli-responsive drug carriers based on cyclodextrins are discussed. In addition, some personal perspectives on this field are presented.

Host-guest inclusion system of rhein with polyamine-modified β-cyclodextrins: characterization and cytotoxicity

We report the preparation of inclusion complexes between rhein and four polyamine-modified β-cyclodextrins, namely amino-β-cyclodextrins (NH₂-βCD), ethylenediamine-β-cyclodextrins (EN-βCD), diethylenetriamine-β-cyclodextrins (DETA-βCD) and triethylenetetramine-β-cyclodextrins (TETA-βCD) using suspension method. The solution and solid state forms of the inclusion complexes of rhein with polyamine-β-cyclodextrins were characterized by multiple techniques. Additionally, saturated solution and MTT methods were implemented to assess the water solubilization and in vitro cytotoxicity of the inclusion complexes, respectively. The results suggested that rhein was encapsulated within the CD cavity to form a 1:1 host-guest inclusion complex. Notably, a significant enhancement of the water solubility and in vitro cytotoxicity of rhein was found in the form of inclusion complex with polyamine-β-cyclodextrin.

Folate receptor-targeted aminoglycoside-derived polymers for transgene expression in cancer cells

Targeted delivery of anticancer therapeutics can potentially overcome the limitations associated with current chemotherapeutic regimens. Folate receptors are overexpressed in several cancers, including ovarian, triple-negative breast and bladder cancers, making them attractive for targeted delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics to these tumors. This work describes the synthesis, characterization and evaluation of folic acid-conjugated, aminoglycoside-derived polymers for targeted delivery of transgenes to breast and bladder cancer cell lines. Transgene expression was significantly higher with FA-conjugated aminoglycoside-derived polymers than with Lipofectamine, and these polymers demonstrated minimal cytotoxicty. Competitive inhibition using free folic acid significantly reduced transgene expression efficacy of folate-targeted polymers, suggesting a role for folate receptor-mediated uptake. High efficacy FA-targeted polymers were employed to deliver a plasmid expressing the TRAIL protein, which induced death in cancer cells. These results indicate that FA-conjugated aminoglycoside-derived polymers are promising for targeted delivery of nucleic acids to cancer cells that overexpress folate receptors.

Solid inclusion complexes of oleanolic acid with amino-appended β-cyclodextrins (ACDs): Preparation, characterization, water solubility and anticancer activity

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid acid of natural abundance in plants which possesses important biological activities. However, its medicinal applications were severely impeded by the poor water solubility and resultant low bioavailability and potency. In this work, studies on solid inclusion complexes of OA with a series of amino-appended β-cyclodextrins (ACDs) were conducted in order to address this issue. These complexes were prepared by suspension method and were well characterized by NMR, SEM, XRD, TG, DSC and Zeta potential measurement. The 2:1 inclusion mode of ACDs/OA complexes was elucidated by elaborate 2D NMR (ROESY). Besides, water solubility of OA was dramatically promoted by inclusion complexation with ACDs. Moreover, in vitro anticancer activities of OA against human cancer cell lines HepG2, HT29 and HCT116 were significantly enhanced after formation of inclusion complexes, while the apoptotic response results indicated their induction of apoptosis of cancer cells. This could provide a novel approach to development of novel pharmaceutical formulations of OA.