Gene Therapies for Cancer: Strategies, Challenges and Successes

Innovative lipid nanoparticles: A cutting-edge approach for potential renal cell carcinoma therapeutics

The kidney plays a crucial role in regulating homeostasis within the human body. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common form of kidney cancer, accounting for nearly 90 % of all renal malignancies. Despite the availability of various therapeutic strategies, RCC remains a challenging disease due to its resistance to conventional treatments. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising field, offering new opportunities in cancer therapeutics. It presents several advantages over traditional methods, enabling diverse biomedical applications, including drug delivery, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), approximately 100 nm in size, are derived from a range of lipids and other biochemical compounds. these particulates are designed to overcome biological barriers, allowing them to selectively accumulate at diseased target sites for effective therapeutic action. Many pharmaceutically important compounds face challenges such as poor solubility in aqueous solutions, chemical and physiological instability, or toxicity. LNP technology stands out as a promising drug delivery system for bioactive organic compounds. This article reviews the applications of LNPs in RCC treatment and explores their potential clinical translation, identifying the most viable LNPs for medical use. With ongoing advancement in LNP-based anticancer strategies, there is a growing potential to improve the management and treatment of renal cancer.

Recent Advances and Mechanisms of Phage-Based Therapies in Cancer Treatment

The increasing interest in bacteriophage technology has prompted its novel applications to treat different medical conditions, most interestingly cancer. Due to their high specificity, manipulability, nontoxicity, and nanosize nature, phages are promising carriers in targeted therapy and cancer immunotherapy. This approach is particularly timely, as current challenges in cancer research include damage to healthy cells, inefficiency in targeting, obstruction by biological barriers, and drug resistance. Some cancers are being kept at the forefront of phage research, such as colorectal cancer and HCC, while others like lymphoma, cervical cancer, and myeloma have not been retouched in a decade. Common mechanisms are immunogenic antigen display on phage coats and the use of phage as transporters to carry drugs, genes, and other molecules. To date, popular phage treatments being tested are gene therapy and phage-based vaccines using M13 and λ phage, with some vaccines having advanced to human clinical trials. The results from most of these studies have been promising, but limitations in phage-based therapies such as reticuloendothelial system clearance or diffusion inefficiency must be addressed. Before phage-based therapies for cancer can be successfully used in oncology practice, more in-depth research and support from local governments are required.

Breaking Barriers in Alzheimer's Disease: the Role of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems

Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by cognitive impairment, brain plaques, and tangles, is a global health concern affecting millions. It involves the build-up of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau proteins, the formation of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, cholinergic system dysfunction, genetic variations, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Various signaling pathways and metabolic processes are implicated in AD, along with numerous biomarkers used for diagnosis, risk assessment, and research. Despite these, there is no cure or effective treatment for AD. It is critically important to address this immediately to develop novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) capable of targeting the brain and delivering therapeutic agents to modulate the pathological processes of AD. This review summarizes AD, its pathogenesis, related signaling pathways, biomarkers, conventional treatments, the need for NDDS, and their application in AD treatment. It also covers preclinical, clinical, and ongoing trials, patents, and marketed AD formulations.

Functionalized hydrogels as smart gene delivery systems to treat musculoskeletal disorders

Despite critical advances in regenerative medicine, the generation of definitive, reliable treatments for musculoskeletal diseases remains challenging. Gene therapy based on the delivery of therapeutic genetic sequences has strong value to offer effective, durable options to decisively manage such disorders. Furthermore, scaffold-mediated gene therapy provides powerful alternatives to overcome hurdles associated with classical gene therapy, allowing for the spatiotemporal delivery of candidate genes to sites of injury. Among the many scaffolds for musculoskeletal research, hydrogels raised increasing attention in addition to other potent systems (solid, hybrid scaffolds) due to their versatility and competence as drug and cell carriers in tissue engineering and wound dressing. Attractive functionalities of hydrogels for musculoskeletal therapy include their injectability, stimuli-responsiveness, self-healing, and nanocomposition that may further allow to upgrade of them as "intelligently" efficient and mechanically strong platforms, rather than as just inert vehicles. Such functionalized hydrogels may also be tuned to successfully transfer therapeutic genes in a minimally invasive manner in order to protect their cargos and allow for their long-term effects. In light of such features, this review focuses on functionalized hydrogels and demonstrates their competence for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders using gene therapy procedures, from gene therapy principles to hydrogel functionalization methods and applications of hydrogel-mediated gene therapy for musculoskeletal disorders, while remaining challenges are being discussed in the perspective of translation in patients. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Despite advances in regenerative medicine, the generation of definitive, reliable treatments for musculoskeletal diseases remains challenging. Gene therapy has strong value in offering effective, durable options to decisively manage such disorders. Scaffold-mediated gene therapy provides powerful alternatives to overcome hurdles associated with classical gene therapy. Among many scaffolds for musculoskeletal research, hydrogels raised increasing attention. Functionalities including injectability, stimuli-responsiveness, and self-healing, tune them as "intelligently" efficient and mechanically strong platforms, rather than as just inert vehicles. This review introduces functionalized hydrogels for musculoskeletal disorder treatment using gene therapy procedures, from gene therapy principles to functionalized hydrogels and applications of hydrogel-mediated gene therapy for musculoskeletal disorders, while remaining challenges are discussed from the perspective of translation in patients.

Advances in delivery systems for CRISPR/Cas-mediated cancer treatment: a focus on viral vectors and extracellular vesicles

The delivery of CRISPR/Cas systems holds immense potential for revolutionizing cancer treatment, with recent advancements focusing on extracellular vesicles (EVs) and viral vectors. EVs, particularly exosomes, offer promising opportunities for targeted therapy due to their natural cargo transport capabilities. Engineered EVs have shown efficacy in delivering CRISPR/Cas components to tumor cells, resulting in inhibited cancer cell proliferation and enhanced chemotherapy sensitivity. However, challenges such as off-target effects and immune responses remain significant hurdles. Viral vectors, including adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) and adenoviral vectors (AdVs), represent robust delivery platforms for CRISPR/Cas systems. AAVs, known for their safety profile, have already been employed in clinical trials for gene therapy, demonstrating their potential in cancer treatment. AdVs, capable of infecting both dividing and non-dividing cells, offer versatility in CRISPR/Cas delivery for disease modeling and drug discovery. Despite their efficacy, viral vectors present several challenges, including immune responses and off-target effects. Future directions entail refining delivery systems to enhance specificity and minimize adverse effects, heralding personalized and effective CRISPR/Cas-mediated cancer therapies. This article underscores the importance of optimized delivery mechanisms in realizing the full therapeutic potential of CRISPR/Cas technology in oncology. As the field progresses, addressing these challenges will be pivotal for translating CRISPR/Cas-mediated cancer treatments from bench to bedside.

Nanoparticles targeting immune checkpoint protein VISTA induce potent antitumor immunity

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint protein V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA) controls antitumor immunity and is a valuable target for cancer immunotherapy. Previous mechanistic studies have indicated that VISTA impairs the toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated activation of myeloid antigen-presenting cells, promoting the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and suppressing tumor-reactive cytotoxic T cell function.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to develop a dual-action lipid nanoparticle (dual-LNP) coloaded with VISTA-specific siRNA and TLR9 agonist CpG oligonucleotide. We used three murine preclinical tumor models, melanoma YUMM1.7, melanoma B16F10, and colon carcinoma MC38 to assess the functional synergy of the two cargoes of the dual LNP and therapeutic efficacy.

RESULTS

The dual-LNP synergistically augmented antitumor immune responses and rejected large established tumors whereas LNPs containing VISTA siRNA or CpG alone were ineffective. In comparison with therapies using the soluble CpG and a VISTA-specific monoclonal antibody, the dual-LNP demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy yet with reduced systemic inflammatory cytokine production. In three murine models, the dual-LNP treatment achieved a high cure rate. Tumor rejection was associated with influx of immune cells to tumor tissues, augmented dendritic cell activation, production of proinflammatory cytokines, and improved function of cytotoxic T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our studies show the dual-LNP ensured codelivery of its synergistic cargoes to tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells, leading to simultaneous silencing of VISTA and stimulation of TLR9. As a result, the dual-LNP drove a highly potent antitumor immune response that rejected large aggressive tumors, thus may be a promising therapeutic platform for treating immune-cold tumors.

Arming AAV9 with a Single-Chain Fragment Variable Antibody Against PD-1 for Systemic Glioblastoma Therapy

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain cancer with a low survival rate, prompting the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promise in cancer treatment but are associated with immune-related toxicities and brain penetration. Here, we present a targeted approach using an adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) to systemically deliver a single-chain fragment variable antibody against PD-1 (scFv-PD-1) into the tumor microenvironment (TME). Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed robust PD-1 expression in GBM TME, predominantly on T cells. AAV9-scFv-PD-1 expressed and secreted scFv-PD-1, which effectively binds to PD-1. Systemic administration of AAV9-scFv-PD-1 in an immunocompetent GBM mouse model resulted in a robust cytolytic T-cell activation at the tumor site, marked by accumulation of IFN-γ and Granzyme B, leading to a significant reduction in tumor growth. Importantly, AAV9-scFv-PD-1 treatment conferred a survival benefit, highlighting its therapeutic potential. This study demonstrates the feasibility of systemically delivered AAV9-mediated local expression of scFv-PD-1 for targeted immunotherapy in GBM and warrants further investigation for clinical translation.

Regulatory landscape and challenges in CAR-T cell therapy development in the US, EU, Japan, and India

Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T cell (CAR-T) therapy has evolved as a revolutionary cancer treatment modality, offering remarkable clinical responses by harnessing the power of a patient's immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. However, the development and commercialization of CAR-T cell therapies are accompanied by complex regulatory requirements and challenges. This therapy falls under the regulatory category of advanced therapy medicinal products. The regulatory framework and approval tools of regenerative medicine, especially CAR-T cell therapies, vary globally. The present work comprehensively analyses the regulatory landscape and challenges in CAR-T cell therapy development in four key regions: the United States, the European Union, Japan, and India. This work explores the unique requirements and considerations for preclinical studies, clinical trial design, manufacturing standards, safety evaluation, and post-marketing surveillance in each jurisdiction. Due to their complex nature, developers and manufacturers face several challenges. In India, despite advancements in treatment protocols and government-sponsorships, there are still several difficulties regarding access to treatment for the increasing number of cancer patients. However, India's first indigenously developed CAR-T cell therapy, NexCAR19, for B-cell lymphoma or leukemia, approved and available at a low cost compared to other available CAR-T therapies, raises great hope in the battle against cancer. Several strategies are proposed to address the identified hurdles from global and Indian perspectives. It discusses the benefits of aligning regulatory requirements across regions, eventually facilitating international development and enabling access to this transformative therapy.

Gene therapy in pediatrics - Clinical studies and approved drugs (as of 2023)

Gene therapy in pediatrics represents a cutting-edge therapeutic strategy for treating a range of genetic disorders that manifest in childhood. Gene therapy involves the modification or correction of a mutated gene or the introduction of a functional gene into a patient's cells. In general, it is implemented through two main modalities namely ex vivo gene therapy and in vivo gene therapy. Currently, a noteworthy array of gene therapy products has received valid market authorization, with several others in various stages of the approval process. Additionally, a multitude of clinical trials are actively underway, underscoring the dynamic progress within this field. Pediatric genetic disorders in the fields of hematology, oncology, vision and hearing loss, immunodeficiencies, neurological, and metabolic disorders are areas for gene therapy interventions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution and current progress of gene therapy-based treatments in the clinic for pediatric patients. It navigates the historical milestones of gene therapies, currently approved gene therapy products by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or European Medicines Agency (EMA) for children, and the promising future for genetic disorders. By providing a thorough compilation of approved gene therapy drugs and published results of completed or ongoing clinical trials, this review serves as a guide for pediatric clinicians to get a quick overview of the situation of clinical studies and approved gene therapy products as of 2023.

Immunological nanomaterials to combat cancer metastasis

Metastasis causes greater than 90% of cancer-associated deaths, presenting huge challenges for detection and efficient treatment of cancer due to its high heterogeneity and widespread dissemination to various organs. Therefore, it is imperative to combat cancer metastasis, which is the key to achieving complete cancer eradication. Immunotherapy as a systemic approach has shown promising potential to combat metastasis. However, current clinical immunotherapies are not effective for all patients or all types of cancer metastases owing to insufficient immune responses. In recent years, immunological nanomaterials with intrinsic immunogenicity or immunomodulatory agents with efficient loading have been shown to enhance immune responses to eliminate metastasis. In this review, we would like to summarize various types of immunological nanomaterials against metastasis. Moreover, this review will summarize a series of immunological nanomaterial-mediated immunotherapy strategies to combat metastasis, including immunogenic cell death, regulation of chemokines and cytokines, improving the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, activation of the STING pathway, enhancing cytotoxic natural killer cell activity, enhancing antigen presentation of dendritic cells, and enhancing chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy. Furthermore, the synergistic anti-metastasis strategies based on the combinational use of immunotherapy and other therapeutic modalities will also be introduced. In addition, the nanomaterial-mediated imaging techniques (e.g., optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, photoacoustic imaging, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, radionuclide imaging, etc.) for detecting metastasis and monitoring anti-metastasis efficacy are also summarized. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects of immunological nanomaterial-based anti-metastasis are also elucidated with the intention to accelerate its clinical translation.

SMARCB1 Gene Therapy Using a Novel Tumor-Targeted Nanomedicine Enhances Anti-Cancer Efficacy in a Mouse Model of Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors

Purpose

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a deadly, fast-growing form of pediatric brain cancer with poor prognosis. Most ATRTs are associated with inactivation of SMARCB1, a subunit of the chromatin remodeling complex, which is involved in developmental processes. The recent identification of SMARCB1 as a tumor suppressor gene suggests that restoration of SMARCB1 could be an effective therapeutic approach.

Methods

We tested SMARCB1 gene therapy in SMARCB1-deficient rhabdoid tumor cells using a novel tumor-targeted nanomedicine (termed scL-SMARCB1) to deliver wild-type SMARCB1. Our nanomedicine is a systemically administered immuno-lipid nanoparticle that can actively cross the blood-brain barrier via transferrin receptor-mediated transcytosis and selectively target tumor cells via transferrin receptor-mediated endocytosis. We studied the antitumor activity of the scL-SMARCB1 nanocomplex either as a single agent or in combination with traditional treatment modalities in preclinical models of SMARCB1-deficient ATRT.

Results

Restoration of SMARCB1 expression by the scL-SMARCB1 nanocomplex blocked proliferation, and induced senescence and apoptosis in ATRT cells. Systemic administration of the scL-SMARCB1 nanocomplex demonstrated antitumor efficacy as monotherapy in mice bearing ATRT xenografts, where the expression of exogenous SMARCB1 modulates MYC-target genes. scL-SMARCB1 demonstrated even greater antitumor efficacy when combined with either cisplatin-based chemotherapy or radiation therapy, resulting in significantly improved survival of ATRT-bearing mice.

Conclusion

Collectively, our data suggest that restoring SMARCB1 function via the scL-SMARCB1 nanocomplex may lead to therapeutic benefits in ATRT patients when combined with traditional chemoradiation therapies.

The role of chaperone-mediated autophagy in drug resistance

In the search for alternatives to overcome the challenge imposed by drug resistance development in cancer treatment, the modulation of autophagy has emerged as a promising alternative that has achieved good results in clinical trials. Nevertheless, most of these studies have overlooked a novel and selective type of autophagy: chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). Following its discovery, research into CMA's contribution to tumor progression has accelerated rapidly. Therefore, we now understand that stress conditions are the primary signal responsible for modulating CMA in cancer cells. In turn, the degradation of proteins by CMA can offer important advantages for tumorigenesis, since tumor suppressor proteins are CMA targets. Such mutual interaction between the tumor microenvironment and CMA also plays a crucial part in establishing therapy resistance, making this discussion the focus of the present review. Thus, we highlight how suppression of LAMP2A can enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to several drugs, just as downregulation of CMA activity can lead to resistance in certain cases. Given this panorama, it is important to identify selective modulators of CMA to enhance the therapeutic response.

Designing cytochrome P450 enzymes for use in cancer gene therapy

Cancer is a significant global socioeconomic burden, as millions of new cases and deaths occur annually. In 2020, almost 10 million cancer deaths were recorded worldwide. Advancements in cancer gene therapy have revolutionized the landscape of cancer treatment. An approach with promising potential for cancer gene therapy is introducing genes to cancer cells that encode for chemotherapy prodrug metabolizing enzymes, such as Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, which can contribute to the effective elimination of cancer cells. This can be achieved through gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT). CYP enzymes can be genetically engineered to improve anticancer prodrug conversion to its active metabolites and to minimize chemotherapy side effects by reducing the prodrug dosage. Rational design, directed evolution, and phylogenetic methods are some approaches to developing tailored CYP enzymes for cancer therapy. Here, we provide a compilation of genetic modifications performed on CYP enzymes aiming to build highly efficient therapeutic genes capable of bio-activating different chemotherapeutic prodrugs. Additionally, this review summarizes promising preclinical and clinical trials highlighting engineered CYP enzymes' potential in GDEPT. Finally, the challenges, limitations, and future directions of using CYP enzymes for GDEPT in cancer gene therapy are discussed.

Advances and challenges in gene therapy strategies for pediatric cancer: a comprehensive update

Pediatric cancers represent a tragic but also promising area for gene therapy. Although conventional treatments have improved survival rates, there is still a need for targeted and less toxic interventions. This article critically analyzes recent advances in gene therapy for pediatric malignancies and discusses the challenges that remain. We explore the innovative vectors and delivery systems that have emerged, such as adeno-associated viruses and non-viral platforms, which show promise in addressing the unique pathophysiology of pediatric tumors. Specifically, we examine the field of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and their adaptation for solid tumors, which historically have been more challenging to treat than hematologic malignancies. We also discuss the genetic and epigenetic complexities inherent to pediatric cancers, such as tumor heterogeneity and the dynamic tumor microenvironment, which pose significant hurdles for gene therapy. Ethical considerations specific to pediatric populations, including consent and long-term follow-up, are also analyzed. Additionally, we scrutinize the translation of research from preclinical models that often fail to mimic pediatric cancer biology to the regulatory landscapes that can either support or hinder innovation. In summary, this article provides an up-to-date overview of gene therapy in pediatric oncology, highlighting both the rapid scientific progress and the substantial obstacles that need to be addressed. Through this lens, we propose a roadmap for future research that prioritizes the safety, efficacy, and complex ethical considerations involved in treating pediatric patients. Our ultimate goal is to move from incremental advancements to transformative therapies.

Tumor microenvironment-modulating oncolytic adenovirus combined with GSK-3β inhibitor enhances antitumor immune response against bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer around the world, and the majority of patients are diagnosed with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Although low-risk NMIBC has a good prognosis, the disease recurrence rate and development of treatment-refractory disease remain high in intermediate- to high-risk NMIBC patients. To address these challenges for the treatment of NMIBC, a novel combination therapy composed of an oncolytic adenovirus (oAd) co-expressing interleukin (IL)-12, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and relaxin (RLX; HY-oAd) and a clinical-stage glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β inhibitor (9-ING-41; elraglusib) was investigated in the present report. Our findings demonstrate that HY-oAd and 9-ING-41 combination therapy (HY-oAd+9-ING-41) exerted superior inhibition of tumor growth compared with respective monotherapy in a syngeneic NMIBC tumor model. HY-oAd+9-ING-41 induced high-level tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and a more potent antitumor immune response than the respective monotherapy. In detail, HY-oAd+9-ING-41 induced superior accumulation of intratumoral T cells, prevention of immune cell exhaustion, and induction of tumor-specific adaptive immune response compared to either monotherapy. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the combination of HY-oAd and 9-ING-41 may be a promising approach to elicit a potent antitumor immune response against bladder cancer.

Emerging molecules, tools, technology, and future of surgical knife in gastroenterology

The 21st century has started with several innovations in the medical sciences, with wide applications in health care management. This development has taken in the field of medicines (newer drugs/molecules), various tools and technology which has completely changed the patient management including abdominal surgery. Surgery for abdominal diseases has moved from maximally invasive to minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) surgery. Some of the newer medicines have its impact on need for surgical intervention. This article focuses on the development of these emerging molecules, tools, and technology and their impact on present surgical form and its future effects on the surgical intervention in gastroenterological diseases.

Highly Efficient Photoswitchable Smart Polymeric Nanovehicle for Gene and Anticancer Drug Delivery in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Over the past few decades, there has been significant interest in smart drug delivery systems capable of carrying multiple drugs efficiently, particularly for treating genetic diseases such as cancer. Despite the development of various drug delivery systems, a safe and effective method for delivering both anticancer drugs and therapeutic genes for cancer therapy remains elusive. In this study, we describe the synthesis of a photoswitchable smart polymeric vehicle comprising a photoswitchable spiropyran moiety and an amino-acid-based cationic monomer-based block copolymer using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. This system aims at diagnosing triple-negative breast cancer and subsequently delivering genes and anticancer agents. Triple-negative breast cancer patients have elevated concentrations of Cu2+ ions, making them excellent targets for diagnosis. The polymer can detect Cu2+ ions with a low limit of detection value of 9.06 nM. In vitro studies on doxorubicin drug release demonstrated sustained delivery at acidic pH level similar to the tumor environment. Furthermore, the polymer exhibited excellent blood compatibility even at the concentration as high as 500 μg/mL. Additionally, it displayed a high transfection efficiency of approximately 82 ± 5% in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells at an N/P ratio of 50:1. It is observed that mitochondrial membrane depolarization and intracellular reactive oxygen species generation are responsible for apoptosis and the higher number of apoptotic cells, which occurred through the arrest of the G2/M phase of the cell cycle were observed. Therefore, the synthesized light-responsive cationic polymer may be an effective system for diagnosis, with an efficient anticancer drug and gene carrier for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer in the future.

Explorative Discovery of Gene Signatures and Clinotypes in Glioblastoma Cancer Through GeneTerrain Knowledge Map Representation

This study introduces the GeneTerrain Knowledge Map Representation (GTKM), a novel method for visualizing gene expression data in cancer research. GTKM leverages protein-protein interactions to graphically display differentially expressed genes (DEGs) on a 2-dimensional contour plot, offering a more nuanced understanding of gene interactions and expression patterns compared to traditional heatmap methods. The research demonstrates GTKM's utility through four case studies on glioblastoma (GBM) datasets, focusing on survival analysis, subtype identification, IDH1 mutation analysis, and drug sensitivities of different tumor cell lines. Additionally, a prototype website has been developed to showcase these findings, indicating the method's adaptability for various cancer types. The study reveals that GTKM effectively identifies gene patterns associated with different clinical outcomes in GBM, and its profiles enable the identification of sub-gene signature patterns crucial for predicting survival. The methodology promises significant advancements in precision medicine, providing a powerful tool for understanding complex gene interactions and identifying potential therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.

Optimizing Design of Genomics Studies for Clonal Evolution Analysis

Genomic biotechnologies have seen rapid development over the past two decades, allowing for both the inference and modification of genetic and epigenetic information at the single cell level. While these tools present enormous potential for basic research, diagnostics, and treatment, they also raise difficult issues of how to design research studies to deploy these tools most effectively. In designing a study at the population or individual level, a researcher might combine several different sequencing modalities and sampling protocols, each with different utility, costs, and other tradeoffs. The central problem this paper attempts to address is then how one might create an optimal study design for a genomic analysis, with particular focus on studies involving somatic variation, typically for applications in cancer genomics. We pose the study design problem as a stochastic constrained nonlinear optimization problem and introduce a simulation-centered optimization procedure that iteratively optimizes the objective function using surrogate modeling combined with pattern and gradient search. Finally, we demonstrate the use of our procedure on diverse test cases to derive resource and study design allocations optimized for various objectives for the study of somatic cell populations.

Extracellular Vesicles: A New Star for Gene Drug Delivery

Recently, gene therapy has become a subject of considerable research and has been widely evaluated in various disease models. Though it is considered as a stand-alone agent for COVID-19 vaccination, gene therapy is still suffering from the following drawbacks during its translation from the bench to the bedside: the high sensitivity of exogenous nucleic acids to enzymatic degradation; the severe side effects induced either by exogenous nucleic acids or components in the formulation; and the difficulty to cross the barriers before reaching the therapeutic target. Therefore, for the successful application of gene therapy, a safe and reliable transport vector is urgently needed. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are the ideal candidate for the delivery of gene drugs owing to their low immunogenicity, good biocompatibility and low toxicity. To better understand the properties of EVs and their advantages as gene drug delivery vehicles, this review covers from the origin of EVs to the methods of EVs generation, as well as the common methods of isolation and purification in research, with their pros and cons discussed. Meanwhile, the engineering of EVs for gene drugs is also highlighted. In addition, this paper also presents the progress in the EVs-mediated delivery of microRNAs, small interfering RNAs, messenger RNAs, plasmids, and antisense oligonucleotides. We believe this review will provide a theoretical basis for the development of gene drugs.

Nanotechnology in development of next generation of stent and related medical devices: Current and future aspects

Coronary stents have saved millions of lives in the last three decades by treating atherosclerosis especially, by preventing plaque protrusion and subsequent aneurysms. They attenuate the vascular SMC proliferation and promote reconstruction of the endothelial bed to ensure superior revascularization. With the evolution of modern stent types, nanotechnology has become an integral part of stent technology. Nanocoating and nanosurface fabrication on metallic and polymeric stents have improved their drug loading capacity as well as other mechanical, physico-chemical, and biological properties. Nanofeatures can mimic the natural nanofeatures of vascular tissue and control drug-delivery. This review will highlight the role of nanotechnology in addressing the challenges of coronary stents and the recent advancements in the field of related medical devices. Different generations of stents carrying nanoparticle-based formulations like liposomes, lipid-polymer hybrid NPs, polymeric micelles, and dendrimers are discussed highlighting their roles in local drug delivery and anti-restenotic properties. Drug nanoparticles like Paclitaxel embedded in metal stents are discussed as a feature of first-generation drug-eluting stents. Customized precision stents ensure safe delivery of nanoparticle-mediated genes or concerted transfer of gene, drug, and/or bioactive molecules like antibodies, gene mimics via nanofabricated stents. Nanotechnology can aid such therapies for drug delivery successfully due to its easy scale-up possibilities. However, limitations of this technology such as their potential cytotoxic effects associated with nanoparticle delivery that can trigger hypersensitivity reactions have also been discussed in this review. This article is categorized under: Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Cardiovascular Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

Engineered smart materials for RNA based molecular therapy to treat Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive malignancy of the central nervous system (CNS) that remains incurable despite the multitude of improvements in cancer therapeutics. The conventional chemo and radiotherapy post-surgery have only been able to improve the prognosis slightly; however, the development of resistance and/or tumor recurrence is almost inevitable. There is a pressing need for adjuvant molecular therapies that can successfully and efficiently block tumor progression. During the last few decades, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as key players in regulating various hallmarks of cancer including that of GBM. The levels of many ncRNAs are dysregulated in cancer, and ectopic modulation of their levels by delivering antagonists or overexpression constructs could serve as an attractive option for cancer therapy. The therapeutic potential of several types of ncRNAs, including miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, has been validated in both in vitro and in vivo models of GBM. However, the delivery of these RNA-based therapeutics is highly challenging, especially to the tumors of the brain as the blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses as a major obstacle, among others. Also, since RNA is extremely fragile in nature, careful considerations must be met while designing a delivery agent. In this review we have shed light on how ncRNA therapy can overcome the limitations of its predecessor conventional therapy with an emphasis on smart nanomaterials that can aide in the safe and targeted delivery of nucleic acids to treat GBM. Additionally, critical gaps that currently exist for successful transition from viral to non-viral vector delivery systems have been identified. Finally, we have provided a perspective on the future directions, potential pathways, and target areas for achieving rapid clinical translation of, RNA-based macromolecular therapy to advance the effective treatment of GBM and other related diseases.

Enhanced gene transfection and induction of apoptosis in melanoma cells by branched poly(β-amino ester)s with uniformly distributed branching units

Melanoma, one of the most devastating forms of skin cancer, currently lacks effective clinical treatments. Delivery of functional genes to modulate specific protein expression to induce melanoma cell apoptosis could be a promising therapeutic approach. However, transfecting melanoma cells using non-viral methods, particularly with cationic polymers, presents significant challenges. In this study, we synthesized three branched poly(β-amino ester)s (HPAEs) with evenly distributed branching units but varying space lengths through a two-step "oligomer combination" strategy. The unique topological structure enables HPAEs to condense DNA to form nano-sized polyplexes with favorable physiochemical properties. Notably, HPAEs, especially HPAE-2 with intermediate branching unit space length, demonstrated significantly higher gene transfection efficiency than the leading commercial gene transfection reagent, jetPRIME, in human melanoma cells. Furthermore, HPAE-2 efficiently delivered the Bax-encoding plasmid into melanoma cells, leading to a pronounced pro-apoptotic effect without causing noticeable cytotoxicity. This study establishes a potent non-viral platform for gene transfection of melanoma cells by harnessing the distribution of branching units, paving the way for potential clinical applications of gene therapy in melanoma treatment.

PDGFBB facilitates tumorigenesis and malignancy of lung adenocarcinoma associated with PI3K-AKT/MAPK signaling

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains one of the most aggressive tumors and the efficacy of conventional treatment has been bleak. Nowadays, gene-targeted therapy has become a new favorite in tumor therapy. Herein, we investigated the effect of platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGFBB) on LUAD. Firstly, PDGFBB was upregulated in LUAD patients and closely linked with poor survival. Furthermore, the expression of PDGFBB and PDGFRα/β in LUAD cells was higher than that in normal lung cells. By loss-of-function with herpes simplex virus (HSV)-PDGFi-shRNA, we found that PDGFBB knockdown caused a significant decrease in proliferation and migration, but evoked apoptosis of LUAD cells in vitro. Conversely, exogenous PDGFBB held adverse effect. Additionally, A549 cells with PDGFBB knockdown had a low probability of tumorigenesis in vivo. Moreover, PDGFBB knockdown restrained the growth of xenografts derived from normal A549 cells. Mechanistically, PDGFBB knockdown suppressed PI3K/AKT and Ras/MAPK signaling, while PDGFBB was the opposite. Therefore, we concluded that PDGFBB might facilitate the tumorigenesis and malignancy of LUAD through its functional downstream nodes-PI3K/AKT and Ras/MAPK signaling, which supported that PDGFBB could serve as a rational therapeutic target for LUAD.

Electrospinning technologies for the delivery of Biopharmaceuticals: Current status and future trends

This review provides an in-depth exploration of electrospinning techniques employed to produce micro- or nanofibres of biopharmaceuticals using polymeric solutions or melts with high-voltage electricity. Distinct from prior reviews, the current work narrows its focus on the recent developments and advanced applications in biopharmaceutical formulations. It begins with an overview of electrospinning principles, covering both solution and melt modes. Various methods for incorporating biopharmaceuticals into electrospun fibres, such as surface adsorption, blending, emulsion, co-axial, and high-throughput electrospinning, are elaborated. The review also surveys a wide array of biopharmaceuticals formulated through electrospinning, thereby identifying both opportunities and challenges in this emerging field. Moreover, it outlines the analytical techniques for characterizing electrospun fibres and discusses the legal and regulatory requirements for their production. This work aims to offer valuable insights into the evolving realm of electrospun biopharmaceutical delivery systems.

Unraveling the Genetic Landscape of Neurological Disorders: Insights into Pathogenesis, Techniques for Variant Identification, and Therapeutic Approaches

Genetic abnormalities play a crucial role in the development of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). Genetic exploration has indeed contributed to unraveling the molecular complexities responsible for the etiology and progression of various NDDs. The intricate nature of rare and common variants in NDDs contributes to a limited understanding of the genetic risk factors associated with them. Advancements in next-generation sequencing have made whole-genome sequencing and whole-exome sequencing possible, allowing the identification of rare variants with substantial effects, and improving the understanding of both Mendelian and complex neurological conditions. The resurgence of gene therapy holds the promise of targeting the etiology of diseases and ensuring a sustained correction. This approach is particularly enticing for neurodegenerative diseases, where traditional pharmacological methods have fallen short. In the context of our exploration of the genetic epidemiology of the three most prevalent NDDs-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, our primary goal is to underscore the progress made in the development of next-generation sequencing. This progress aims to enhance our understanding of the disease mechanisms and explore gene-based therapies for NDDs. Throughout this review, we focus on genetic variations, methodologies for their identification, the associated pathophysiology, and the promising potential of gene therapy. Ultimately, our objective is to provide a comprehensive and forward-looking perspective on the emerging research arena of NDDs.

Paradigm Shift: A Comprehensive Review of Ovarian Cancer Management in an Era of Advancements

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the female genital malignancy with the highest lethality. Patients present a poor prognosis mainly due to the late clinical presentation allied with the common acquisition of chemoresistance and a high rate of tumour recurrence. Effective screening, accurate diagnosis, and personalised multidisciplinary treatments are crucial for improving patients' survival and quality of life. This comprehensive narrative review aims to describe the current knowledge on the aetiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of OC, highlighting the latest significant advancements and future directions. Traditionally, OC treatment involves the combination of cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. Although more therapeutical approaches have been developed, the lack of established predictive biomarkers to guide disease management has led to only marginal improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) while patients face an increasing level of toxicity. Fortunately, because of a better overall understanding of ovarian tumourigenesis and advancements in the disease's (epi)genetic and molecular profiling, a paradigm shift has emerged with the identification of new disease biomarkers and the proposal of targeted therapeutic approaches to postpone disease recurrence and decrease side effects, while increasing patients' survival. Despite this progress, several challenges in disease management, including disease heterogeneity and drug resistance, still need to be overcome.

A review on metal complexes and its anti-cancer activities: Recent updates from in vivo studies

Research into cancer therapeutics has uncovered various potential medications based on metal-containing scaffolds after the discovery and clinical applications of cisplatin as an anti-cancer agent. This has resulted in many metallodrugs that can be put into medical applications. These metallodrugs have a wider variety of functions and mechanisms of action than pure organic molecules. Although platinum-based medicines are very efficient anti-cancer agents, they are often accompanied by significant side effects and toxicity and are limited by resistance. Some of the most studied and developed alternatives to platinum-based anti-cancer medications include metallodrugs based on ruthenium, gold, copper, iridium, and osmium, which showed effectiveness against many cancer cell lines. These metal-based medicines represent an exciting new category of potential cancer treatments and sparked a renewed interest in the search for effective anti-cancer therapies. Despite the widespread development of metal complexes touted as powerful and promising in vitro anti-cancer therapeutics, only a small percentage of these compounds have shown their worth in vivo models. Metallodrugs, which are more effective and less toxic than platinum-based drugs and can treat drug-resistant cancer cells, are the focus of this review. Here, we highlighted some of the most recently developed Pt, Ru, Au, Cu, Ir, and Os complexes that have shown significant in vivo antitumor properties between 2017 and 2023.

Gene and Photothermal Combination Therapy: Principle, Materials, and Amplified Anticancer Intervention

Gene therapy (GT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) have emerged as promising alternatives to chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer treatment, offering noninvasiveness and reduced side effects. However, their efficacy as standalone treatments is limited. GT exhibits slow response rates, while PTT is confined to local tumor ablation. The convergence of GT and PTT, known as GT-PTT, facilitated by photothermal gene nanocarriers, has attracted considerable attention across various disciplines. In this integrated approach, GT reciprocates PTT by sensitizing cellular response to heat, while PTT benefits GT by improving gene translocation, unpacking, and expression. Consequently, this integration presents a unique opportunity for cancer therapy with rapid response and improved effectiveness. Extensive efforts over the past few years have been dedicated to the development of GT-PTT, resulting in notable achievements and rapid progress from the laboratory to potential clinical applications. This comprehensive review outlines recent advances in GT-PTT, including synergistic mechanisms, material systems, imaging-guided therapy, and anticancer applications. It also explores the challenges and future prospects in this nascent field. By presenting innovative ideas and insights into the implementation of GT-PTT for enhanced cancer therapy, this review aims to inspire further progress in this promising area of research.

Selection of appropriate non-clinical animal models to ensure translatability of novel AAV-gene therapies to the clinic

Gene Therapy Medicinal Products consist of a recombinant nucleic acid intended for the modulation or manipulation of a genetic sequence. A single administration of a novel gene therapy has the potential to be curative, with a durable long-term benefit to patients. Adeno-associated viral vectors have become the viral vector of choice for in vivo delivery of therapeutic transgenes as they are mildly immunogenic, can effectively transduce a variety of human tissues and cells, and have low levels of genomic integration. Central to the effective translation of data generated in discovery studies to the clinic is the selection of appropriate animal species for pivotal non-clinical studies. This review aims to support the selection of appropriate animal models for non-clinical studies to advance the development of novel adeno-associated virus gene therapies.

Oncological Horizons: The Synergy of Medical and Surgical Innovations in Cancer Treatment

The landscape of cancer treatment has witnessed a remarkable transformation in recent years, marked by the convergence of medical and surgical innovations. Historically, cancer therapy faced challenges, including limited efficacy and severe side effects. This narrative review explores the historical progression of cancer treatments, shedding light on significant breakthroughs in both medical and surgical oncology. It comprehensively addresses the medical domain, covering chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, hormonal treatments, and radiological procedures. Simultaneously, it delves into the surgical realm, discussing the evolution of surgical techniques, minimally invasive procedures, and the role of surgery across various stages of cancer. The article emphasizes the fusion of medical and surgical approaches, highlighting neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies and the significance of multidisciplinary tumor boards. It also addresses innovations, challenges, and the pivotal role of patient-centered care. Furthermore, it offers insights into the future directions and forecasts in the constantly evolving field of integrated oncological care. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic and transformative nature of cancer treatment, reflecting the unwavering commitment of the medical and surgical communities in the ongoing fight against cancer.

Advancement in magnetic hyperthermia-based targeted therapy for cancer treatment

Magnetic hyperthermia utilizing magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and an alternating magnetic field (AMF) represents a promising approach in the field of cancer treatment. Active targeting has emerged as a valuable strategy to enhance the effectiveness and specificity of drug delivery. Active targeting utilizes specific biomarkers that are predominantly found in abundance on cancer cells while being minimally expressed on healthy cells. Current comprehensive review provides an overview of several cancer-specific biomarkers, including human epidermal growth factor, transferrin, folate, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, integrin, cluster of differentiation (CD) receptors such as CD90, CD95, CD133, CD20, and CD44 also CXCR4 and vascular endothelial growth factor, these biomarkers bind to ligands present on the surface of MNPs, enabling precise targeting. Additionally, this review touches various combination therapies employed to combat cancer. Magnetic hyperthermia synergistically enhances the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments such as targeted chemotherapy, radiation therapy, gene therapy, and immunotherapy.

Pathophysiological Aspects and Therapeutic Armamentarium of Alzheimer's Disease: Recent Trends and Future Development

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the primary cause of dementia and is characterized by the death of brain cells due to the accumulation of insoluble amyloid plaques, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles within the cells. AD is also associated with other pathologies such as neuroinflammation, dysfunction of synaptic connections and circuits, disorders in mitochondrial function and energy production, epigenetic changes, and abnormalities in the vascular system. Despite extensive research conducted over the last hundred years, little is established about what causes AD or how to effectively treat it. Given the severity of the disease and the increasing number of affected individuals, there is a critical need to discover effective medications for AD. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several new drug molecules for AD management since 2003, but these drugs only provide temporary relief of symptoms and do not address the underlying causes of the disease. Currently, available medications focus on correcting the neurotransmitter disruption observed in AD, including cholinesterase inhibitors and an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, which temporarily alleviates the signs of dementia but does not prevent or reverse the course of AD. Research towards disease-modifying AD treatments is currently underway, including gene therapy, lipid nanoparticles, and dendrimer-based therapy. These innovative approaches aim to target the underlying pathological processes of AD rather than just managing the symptoms. This review discusses the novel aspects of pathogenesis involved in the causation of AD of AD and in recent developments in the therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of AD such as gene therapy, lipid nanoparticles, and dendrimer-based therapy, and many more.

Expression of GFP and DsRed fluorescent proteins after gene electrotransfer of tumour cells in vitro

Fluorescent reporter genes are widely used to study the transfection of various types of primary cells and cell lines. The aim of our research was to investigate the expression dynamics of GFP and DsRed reporter genes individually and combined after gene electrotransfer of plasmids with two different electroporation protocols in B16F10 and CT26 cells in vitro. The cytotoxicity after gene electrotransfer of both plasmids was first determined. Second, the intensity of fluorescence and the percentage of cells transfected with both plasmids individually and in combination were monitored in real time. The results show that the percentage of viability after gene electrotransfer of plasmids using the EP2 pulses was significantly higher compared to the EP1 pulses. In contrast, the percentage of transfected cells and fluorescence intensity were higher after gene electrotransfer with the EP1 pulse protocol. Moreover, the percentage of transfected cells was higher and started earlier in the B16F10 cell line than in the CT26 cell line. However, fluorescence intensity was higher in CT26 cells. Co-expression of fluorescent proteins was achieved only in a small number of cells. In conclusion, this study elucidated some of the dynamics of reporter gene expression in cancer cell lines after gene electrotransfer.

Advancements in dextran-based nanocarriers for treatment and imaging of breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer worldwide,particularly among women, with substantial side effects after therapy. Despite the availability of numerous therapeutic approaches, particularly chemotherapy, the survival rates for breast cancer have declined over time. The therapies currently utilized for breast cancer treatment do not specifically target cancerous cells, resulting in significant adverse effects and potential harm to healthy cells alongside the cancer cells. As a result, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have emerged. Among various types of nanoparticles, natural polysaccharide-based nanoparticles have gained significant attention due to their ability to precisely control the drug release and achieve targeted drug delivery. Moreover, polysaccharides are biocompatible, biodegradable, easily modifiable, and renewable, which makes them a unique material for nanoformulation. In recent years, dextran and its derivatives have gained much interest in the field of breast cancer therapy. Dextran is a hydrophilic polysaccharide composed of a main chain formed by α-1,6 linked glucopyranoside residues and a side chain composed of residues linked in α-1,2/3/4 positions. Different dextran-antitumor medication conjugates enhancethe efficacy of anticancer agents. With this context, the present review provides brief insights into dextran and its modification. Further, it meticulously discusses the role of dextran-based nanoparticles in breast cancer therapy and imaging, followed by snippets on their toxicity. Lastly, it presents clinical trials and future perspectives of dextran-based nanoparticles in breast cancer treatment.

Peptide ligands for the affinity purification of adeno-associated viruses from HEK 293 cell lysates

Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are the vector of choice for delivering gene therapies that can cure inherited and acquired diseases. Clinical research on various AAV serotypes significantly increased in recent years alongside regulatory approvals of AAV-based therapies. The current AAV purification platform hinges on the capture step, for which several affinity resins are commercially available. These adsorbents rely on protein ligands-typically camelid antibodies-that provide high binding capacity and selectivity, but suffer from low biochemical stability and high cost, and impose harsh elution conditions (pH < 3) that can harm the transduction activity of recovered AAVs. Addressing these challenges, this study introduces peptide ligands that selectively capture AAVs and release them under mild conditions (pH = 6.0). The peptide sequences were identified by screening a focused library and modeled in silico against AAV serotypes 2 and 9 (AAV2 and AAV9) to select candidate ligands that target homologous sites at the interface of the VP1-VP2 and VP2-VP3 virion proteins with mild binding strength (KD  ~ 10-5 -10- 6  M). Selected peptides were conjugated to Toyopearl resin and evaluated via binding studies against AAV2 and AAV9, demonstrating the ability to target both serotypes with values of dynamic binding capacity (DBC10%  > 1013 vp/mL of resin) and product yields (~50%-80%) on par with commercial adsorbents. The peptide-based adsorbents were finally utilized to purify AAV2 from a HEK 293 cell lysate, affording high recovery (50%-80%), 80- to 400-fold reduction of host cell proteins (HCPs), and high transduction activity (up to 80%) of the purified viruses.

Tumor-Specific Growth Factor (TSGF): A Futuristic Tumor Biomarker in Early Diagnosis of Cancer

Despite the significant improvement in the treatment modalities, cancer is one of the fastest-growing chronic disease conditions all over the world. Genetic and Epigenetic alterations in the normal physiology of the cell are the key factor for tumor development. These changes can trigger the production of abnormal protein expressions through stimulation of different signaling pathways and can deeply affect normal cell growth and proliferation. Any altered protein expression, genetic variation, micro-RNA or post-translational protein modifications that indicate tumorigenesis can act as an early signal termed as biomarker. Cancer, being a multistep process with accumulating genetic and epigenetic alterations, could be detected early with suitable biomarkers. There are several proteins such as AFP, CA-125, PSA, troponin, CEA, osteopontin, CA 19-9 that act as biomarkers which help in early detection, prognosis, and monitoring of disease progression, a hunt for newer biomarkers with higher specificity and sensitivity is still ongoing. Tumor-specific growth factor (TSGF) is one such budding and prevailing tumor biomarker used for the early-stage detection of several types of carcinomas. TSGF is a gene that helps in tumor angiogenesis and gets released during the preliminary stages from cancer cells that ensure the vascular proliferation of the same. In this review, the clinical investigations of TSGF in different kinds of malignancy is discussed in detail and suggests the possibility of using TSGF as a biomarker in early diagnosis of cancer.

The Role of Death-Associated Protein Kinase-1 in Cell Homeostasis-Related Processes

Tremendous amount of financial resources and manpower have been invested to understand the function of numerous genes that are deregulated during the carcinogenesis process, which can be targeted for anticancer therapeutic interventions. Death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK-1) is one of the genes that have shown potential as biomarkers for cancer treatment. It is a member of the kinase family, which also includes Death-associated protein kinase 2 (DAPK-2), Death-associated protein kinase 3 (DAPK-3), Death-associated protein kinase-related apoptosis-inducing kinase 1 (DRAK-1) and Death-associated protein kinase-related apoptosis-inducing kinase 2 (DRAK-2). DAPK-1 is a tumour-suppressor gene that is hypermethylated in most human cancers. Additionally, DAPK-1 regulates a number of cellular processes, including apoptosis, autophagy and the cell cycle. The molecular basis by which DAPK-1 induces these cell homeostasis-related processes for cancer prevention is less understood; hence, they need to be investigated. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current understanding of the mechanisms of DAPK-1 in cell homeostasis-related processes, especially apoptosis, autophagy and the cell cycle. It also explores how the expression of DAPK-1 affects carcinogenesis. Since deregulation of DAPK-1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, altering DAPK-1 expression or activity may be a promising therapeutic strategy against cancer.

Apoptosis-targeted gene therapy for non-small cell lung cancer using chitosan-poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid -based nano-delivery system and CASP8 and miRs 29A-B1 and 34A

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with resistance to apoptosis being a major driver of therapeutic resistance and aggressive phenotype. This study aimed to develop a novel gene therapy approach for NSCLC by targeting resistance to apoptosis. Loss of function mutations of caspase 8 (CASP8) and downregulation of microRNAs (miRs) 29A-B1 and 34A were identified as key contributors to resistance to apoptosis in NSCLC. A biodegradable polymeric nano-gene delivery system composed of chitosan-poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid was formulated to deliver initiator CASP8 and miRs 29A-B1 and 34A. The nano-formulation efficiently encapsulated the therapeutic genes effectively internalized into NSCLC cells and induced significant apoptosis. Evaluation of the nano-formulation in A549 tumor spheroids showed a significant increase in apoptosis within the core of the spheroids, suggesting effective penetration into the spheroid structures. We provide a novel nano-formulation that demonstrate therapeutic potential for suicidal gene therapy in NSCLC.

Cellular signaling pathways as plastic, proto-cognitive systems: Implications for biomedicine

Many aspects of health and disease are modeled using the abstraction of a "pathway"-a set of protein or other subcellular activities with specified functional linkages between them. This metaphor is a paradigmatic case of a deterministic, mechanistic framework that focuses biomedical intervention strategies on altering the members of this network or the up-/down-regulation links between them-rewiring the molecular hardware. However, protein pathways and transcriptional networks exhibit interesting and unexpected capabilities such as trainability (memory) and information processing in a context-sensitive manner. Specifically, they may be amenable to manipulation via their history of stimuli (equivalent to experiences in behavioral science). If true, this would enable a new class of biomedical interventions that target aspects of the dynamic physiological "software" implemented by pathways and gene-regulatory networks. Here, we briefly review clinical and laboratory data that show how high-level cognitive inputs and mechanistic pathway modulation interact to determine outcomes in vivo. Further, we propose an expanded view of pathways from the perspective of basal cognition and argue that a broader understanding of pathways and how they process contextual information across scales will catalyze progress in many areas of physiology and neurobiology. We argue that this fuller understanding of the functionality and tractability of pathways must go beyond a focus on the mechanistic details of protein and drug structure to encompass their physiological history as well as their embedding within higher levels of organization in the organism, with numerous implications for data science addressing health and disease. Exploiting tools and concepts from behavioral and cognitive sciences to explore a proto-cognitive metaphor for the pathways underlying health and disease is more than a philosophical stance on biochemical processes; at stake is a new roadmap for overcoming the limitations of today's pharmacological strategies and for inferring future therapeutic interventions for a wide range of disease states.

Utilization of a cell-penetrating peptide-adaptor for delivery of human papillomavirus protein E2 into cervical cancer cells to arrest cell growth and promote cell death

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the causative agent of nearly all forms of cervical cancer, which can arise upon viral integration into the host genome and concurrent loss of viral regulatory gene E2. Gene-based delivery approaches show that E2 reintroduction reduces proliferative capacity and promotes apoptosis in vitro.

AIMS

This work explored if our calcium-dependent protein-based delivery system, TAT-CaM, could deliver functional E2 protein directly into cervical cancer cells to limit proliferative capacity and induce cell death.

MATERIALS AND RESULTS

TAT-CaM and the HPV16 E2 protein containing a CaM-binding sequence (CBS-E2) were expressed and purified from Escherichia coli. Calcium-dependent binding kinetics were verified by biolayer interferometry. Equimolar TAT-CaM:CBS-E2 constructs were delivered into the HPV16+ SiHa cell line and uptake verified by confocal microscopy. Proliferative capacity was measured by MTS assay and cell death was measured by release of lactate dehydrogenase. As a control, human microvascular cells (HMECs) were used. As expected, TAT-CaM bound CBS-E2 with high affinity in the presence of calcium and rapidly disassociated upon its removal. After introduction by TAT-CaM, fluorescently labeled CBS-E2 was detected in cellular interiors by orthogonal projections taken at the depth of the nucleus. In dividing cells, E2 relocalized to regions associated with the mitotic spindle. Cells receiving a daily dose of CBS-E2 for 4 days showed a significant reduction in metabolic activity at low doses and increased cell death at high doses compared to controls. This phenotype was retained for 7 days with no further treatments. When subcultured on day 12, treated cells regained their proliferative capacity.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the TAT-CaM platform, bioactive E2 protein was delivered into living cervical cancer cells, inducing senescence and cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that this nucleic acid and virus-free delivery method could be harnessed to develop novel, effective protein therapeutics.

Milk/colostrum exosomes: A nanoplatform advancing delivery of cancer therapeutics

Chemotherapeutics continue to play a central role in the treatment of a wide variety of cancers. Conventional chemotherapy involving bolus intravenous doses results in severe side effects - in some cases life threatening - delayed toxicity and compromised quality-of-life. Attempts to deliver small drug molecules using liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, lipid nanoparticles, etc. have produced limited nanoformulations for clinical use, presumably due to a lack of biocompatibility of the material, costs, toxicity, scalability, and/or lack of effective administration. Naturally occurring small extracellular vesicles, or exosomes, may offer a solution and a viable system for delivering cancer therapeutics. Combined with their inherent trafficking ability and versatility of cargo capacity, exosomes can be engineered to specifically target cancerous cells, thereby minimizing off-target effects, and increasing the efficacy of cancer therapeutics. Exosomal formulations have mitigated the toxic effects of several drugs in murine cancer models. In this article, we review studies related to exosomal delivery of both small molecules and biologics, including siRNA to inhibit specific gene expression, in the pursuit of effective cancer therapeutics. We focus primarily on bovine milk and colostrum exosomes as the cancer therapeutic delivery vehicles based on their high abundance, cost effectiveness, scalability, high drug loading, functionalization of exosomes for targeted delivery, and lack of toxicity. While bovine milk exosomes may provide a new platform for drug delivery, extensive comparison to other nanoformulations and evaluation of long-term toxicity will be required to fully realize its potential.

Applications of tissue-specific and cancer-selective gene promoters for cancer diagnosis and therapy

Current treatment of solid tumors with standard of care chemotherapies, radiation therapy and/or immunotherapies are often limited by severe adverse toxic effects, resulting in a narrow therapeutic index. Cancer gene therapy represents a targeted approach that in principle could significantly reduce undesirable side effects in normal tissues while significantly inhibiting tumor growth and progression. To be effective, this strategy requires a clear understanding of the molecular biology of cancer development and evolution and developing biological vectors that can serve as vehicles to target cancer cells. The advent and fine tuning of omics technologies that permit the collective and spatial recognition of genes (genomics), mRNAs (transcriptomics), proteins (proteomics), metabolites (metabolomics), epiomics (epigenomics, epitranscriptomics, and epiproteomics), and their interactomics in defined complex biological samples provide a roadmap for identifying crucial targets of relevance to the cancer paradigm. Combining these strategies with identified genetic elements that control target gene expression uncovers significant opportunities for developing guided gene-based therapeutics for cancer. The purpose of this review is to overview the current state and potential limitations in developing gene promoter-directed targeted expression of key genes and highlights their potential applications in cancer gene therapy.

Oncolytic virus-based suicide gene therapy for cancer treatment: a perspective of the clinical trials conducted at Henry Ford Health

Gene therapy manipulates or modifies a gene that provides a new cellular function to treat or correct a pathological condition, such as cancer. The approach of using gene manipulation to modify patient's cells to improve cancer therapy and potentially find a cure is gaining popularity. Currently, there are 12 gene therapy products approved by US-FDA, EMA and CFDA for cancer management, these include Rexin-G, Gendicine, Oncorine, Provange among other. The Radiation Biology Research group at Henry Ford Health has been actively developing gene therapy approaches for improving clinical outcome in cancer patients. The team was the first to test a replication-competent oncolytic virus armed with a therapeutic gene in humans, to combine this approach with radiation in humans, and to image replication-competent adenoviral gene expression/activity in humans. The adenoviral gene therapy products developed at Henry Ford Health have been evaluated in more than 6 preclinical studies and evaluated in 9 investigator initiated clinical trials treating more than100 patients. Two phase I clinical trials are currently following patients long term and a phase I trial for recurrent glioma was initiated in November 2022. This systematic review provides an overview of gene therapy approaches and products employed for treating cancer patients including the products developed at Henry Ford Health.

Computational analysis of protein-ligand interaction by targeting a cell cycle restrainer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 (CDK4/6) are among the most crucial controllers of the cell cycle, and their abnormal activity may induce uncontrolled cell multiplication, leading to cancers. The FDA currently approved three CDK4/6 inhibitors, however, they are associated with a variety of side effects. Thus it is required to design/develop novel potent and safe CDK4/6 inhibitors.

METHODS

In the present work, we furnished an integrated in-silico approach followed by steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations to identify molecules that can be developed into novel CDK4/6 inhibitors.

RESULTS

Out of thirty-two 3-methyleneisoindolin-1-one molecules we selected top three M18, M24, and M32 molecules as potential drug candidates based on their respective interaction energies. According to the robust 250 ns MD simulations and thermodynamic free energy, M24 was the best molecule in comparison to palbociclib. In SMD, M24 required ∼205.587 kJ/mol/nm external pulling force, while palbociclib needed ∼160.97 kJ/mol/nm to dissociate from the binding pocket of the CDK4.

CONCLUSIONS

The high pulling force required for M24 dissociation from the binding site denotes stronger binding with CDK4. Therefore, M24 offers the possibility of a critical starting structure in developing effective CDK4 inhibitors.

Theoretical aspects of interaction of the anticancer drug cytarabine with human serum albumin

Despite diagnostic and therapeutic methods, cancer is a major cause of death worldwide. Since anticancer drugs affect both normal and cancer cells, targeted drug delivery systems can play a key role in reducing the destructive effects of anticancer drugs on normal cells. In this regard, the use of stimulus-sensitive polymers has increased in recent years. This study has attempted to investigate interaction of the anticancer drug cytarabine with a stimuli-sensitive polymer, human serum albumin (HSA), one of the most abundant protein in blood plasma, via computational methods at both body temperature and tumor temperature. For this purpose, molecular docking was performed using Molegro virtual Docker software to select the best ligand in terms of binding energy to simulate molecular dynamics. Then, molecular dynamics simulation was performed on human serum albumin with code (1Ao6) and cytarabine with code (AR3), using Gromacs software and the results were presented in the graphs. The simulations were performed at 310 K (normal cell temperature) and 313 K (cancer cell temperature) in 100 ns. Results showed drug release occurred at a temperature of 313 K. These findings demonstrated the sensitivity of human serum albumin to temperature.

Potential Alternative Therapeutic Modalities for Management Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Review

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) includes malignancies of the lip and oral cavity, oropharynx, nasopharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx. It is among the most common malignancy worldwide, affecting nearly 1 million people annually. The traditional treatment options for HNSCC include surgery, radiotherapy, and conventional chemotherapy. However, these treatment options have their specific sequelae, which produce high rates of recurrence and severe treatment-related disabilities. Recent technological advancements have led to tremendous progress in understanding tumor biology, and hence the emergence of several alternative therapeutic modalities for managing cancers (including HNSCC). These treatment options are stem cell targeted therapy, gene therapy, and immunotherapy. Therefore, this review article aims to provide an overview of these alternative treatments of HNSCC.

Research progress on near-infrared long persistent phosphor materials in biomedical applications

After excitation is stopped, long persistent phosphor materials (LPPs) can emit light for a long time. The most important feature is that it allows the separation of excitation and emission in time. Therefore, it plays a vital role in various fields such as data storage, information technology, and biomedicine. Owing to the unique mechanism of storage and luminescence, LPPs can avoid the interference of sample autofluorescence, as well as show strong tissue penetration ability, good afterglow performance, and rich spectral information in the near-infrared (NIR) region, which provides a broad prospect for the application of NIR LPPs in the field of biomedicine. In recent years, the development and applications in biomedical fields have been advanced significantly, such as biological imaging, sensing detection, and surgical guidance. In this review, we focus on the synthesis methods and luminescence mechanisms of different types of NIR LPPs, as well as their applications in bioimaging, biosensing detection, and cancer treatment in the field of biomedicine. Finally, future prospects and challenges of NIR LPPs in biomedical applications are also discussed.