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Wang G, Zhang M, Lai W, Gao Y, Liao S, Ning Q, Tang S. Tumor Microenvironment Responsive RNA Drug Delivery Systems: Intelligent Platforms for Sophisticated Release. Mol Pharm 2024. [PMID: 39056442 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.4c00334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is a significant health concern, increasingly showing insensitivity to traditional treatments, highlighting the urgent need for safer and more practical treatment options. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) gene therapy drugs have demonstrated promising potential in preclinical and clinical trials for antitumor therapy by regulating tumor-related gene expression. However, RNA's poor membrane permeability and stability restrict its effectiveness in entering and being utilized in cells. An appropriate delivery system is crucial for achieving targeted tumor effects. The tumor microenvironment (TME), characterized by acidity, hypoxia, enzyme overexpression, elevated glutathione (GSH) concentration, and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), is essential for tumor survival. Furthermore, these distinctive features can also be harnessed to develop intelligent drug delivery systems. Various nanocarriers that respond to the TME have been designed for RNA drug delivery, showing the advantages of tumor targeting and low toxicity. This Review discusses the abnormal changes of components in TME, therapeutic RNAs' roles, underlying mechanisms, and the latest developments in utilizing vectors that respond to microenvironments for treating tumors. We hope it provides insight into creating and optimizing RNA delivery vectors to improve their effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guihua Wang
- Institute of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Mengxia Zhang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Weiwei Lai
- Institute of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Shuxian Liao
- Institute of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Qian Ning
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Shengsong Tang
- Institute of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
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Su Y, Liu B, Wang B, Chan L, Xiong C, Lu L, Zhang X, Zhan M, He W. Progress and Challenges in Tumor Ferroptosis Treatment Strategies: A Comprehensive Review of Metal Complexes and Nanomedicine. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2310342. [PMID: 38221682 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202310342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a new form of regulated cell death featuring iron-dependent lipid peroxides accumulation to kill tumor cells. A growing body of evidence has shown the potential of ferroptosis-based cancer therapy in eradicating refractory malignancies that are resistant to apoptosis-based conventional therapies. In recent years, studies have reported a number of ferroptosis inducers that can increase the vulnerability of tumor cells to ferroptosis by regulating ferroptosis-related signaling pathways. Encouraged by the rapid development of ferroptosis-driven cancer therapies, interdisciplinary fields that combine ferroptosis, pharmaceutical chemistry, and nanotechnology are focused. First, the prerequisites and metabolic pathways for ferroptosis are briefly introduced. Then, in detail emerging ferroptosis inducers designed to boost ferroptosis-induced tumor therapy, including metal complexes, metal-based nanoparticles, and metal-free nanoparticles are summarized. Subsequently, the application of synergistic strategies that combine ferroptosis with apoptosis and other regulated cell death for cancer therapy, with emphasis on the use of both cuproptosis and ferroptosis to induce redox dysregulation in tumor and intracellular bimetallic copper/iron metabolism disorders during tumor treatment is discussed. Finally, challenges associated with clinical translation and potential future directions for potentiating cancer ferroptosis therapies are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519000, P. R. China
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, 999078, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519000, P. R. China
| | - Binghan Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519000, P. R. China
| | - Leung Chan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519000, P. R. China
| | - Chan Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519000, P. R. China
| | - Ligong Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519000, P. R. China
| | - Xuanjun Zhang
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, 999078, China
- MOE Frontiers Science Centre for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macau SAR, 999078, China
| | - Meixiao Zhan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519000, P. R. China
| | - Weiling He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519000, P. R. China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, China
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Yin J, Liu C, Guo J, Li M, Chen B, Zhang X, Wang B, Zhu X, Chen D. A copper-loaded self-assembled nanoparticle for disturbing the tumor redox balance and triple anti-tumor therapy. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:3509-3520. [PMID: 38516824 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02576d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Both chemodynamic therapy and photodynamic therapy, based on the production of reactive oxygen (ROS), have excellent potential in cancer therapy. However, the abnormal redox homeostasis in tumor cells, especially the overexpressed glutathione (GSH) could scavenge ROS and reduce the anti-tumor efficiency. Therefore, it is essential to develop a simple and effective tumor-specific drug delivery system for modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) and achieving synergistic therapy at the tumor site. In this study, self-assembled nanoparticles (named CDZP NPs) were developed using copper ion (Cu2+), doxorubicin (Dox), zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and a trace amount of poly(2-(di-methylamino)ethylmethacrylate)-poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate]-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate) (PDMAEMA-PHB-PDMAEMA) through chelation, π-π stacking and hydrophobic interaction. These triple factor-responsive (pH, laser and GSH) nanoparticles demonstrated unique advantages through the synergistic effect. Highly controllable drug release ensured its effectiveness at the tumor site, Dox-induced chemotherapy and ZnPc-mediated fluorescence (FL) imaging exhibited the distribution of nanoparticles. Meanwhile, Cu2+-mediated GSH-consumption not only reduced the intracellular ROS elimination but also produced Cu+ to catalyze hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and generated hydroxyl radicals (˙OH), thereby enhancing the chemodynamic and photodynamic therapy. Herein, this study provides a green and relatively simple method for preparing multifunctional nanoparticles that can effectively modulate the TME and improve synergetic cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieli Yin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
| | - Chen Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
| | - Jiaqi Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
| | - Mao Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
| | - Baoyin Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
| | - Xuewen Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
| | - Bing Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering/Sino-Canada Joint R&D Centre for Water and Environmental Safety, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Xuan Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
| | - Dengyue Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
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Qiu Y, Lu G, Li N, Hu Y, Tan H, Jiang C. Exosome-mediated communication between gastric cancer cells and macrophages: implications for tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1327281. [PMID: 38455041 PMCID: PMC10917936 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1327281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant neoplasm originating from the epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa. The pathogenesis of GC is intricately linked to the tumor microenvironment within which the cancer cells reside. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) primarily differentiate from peripheral blood monocytes and can be broadly categorized into M1 and M2 subtypes. M2-type TAMs have been shown to promote tumor growth, tissue remodeling, and angiogenesis. Furthermore, they can actively suppress acquired immunity, leading to a poorer prognosis and reduced tolerance to chemotherapy. Exosomes, which contain a myriad of biologically active molecules including lipids, proteins, mRNA, and noncoding RNAs, have emerged as key mediators of communication between tumor cells and TAMs. The exchange of these molecules via exosomes can markedly influence the tumor microenvironment and consequently impact tumor progression. Recent studies have elucidated a correlation between TAMs and various clinicopathological parameters of GC, such as tumor size, differentiation, infiltration depth, lymph node metastasis, and TNM staging, highlighting the pivotal role of TAMs in GC development and metastasis. In this review, we aim to comprehensively examine the bidirectional communication between GC cells and TAMs, the implications of alterations in the tumor microenvironment on immune escape, invasion, and metastasis in GC, targeted therapeutic approaches for GC, and the efficacy of potential GC drug resistance strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qiu
- Medical Oncology Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Guimei Lu
- Department of Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Na Li
- Medical Oncology Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yanyan Hu
- Medical Oncology Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Hao Tan
- Thoracic Esophageal Radiotherapy Department, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Chengyao Jiang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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Xiao H, Wu GL, Tan S, Tan X, Yang Q. Recent Progress on Tumor Microenvironment-Activated NIR-II Phototheranostic Agents with Simultaneous Activation for Diagnosis and Treatment. Chem Asian J 2024; 19:e202301036. [PMID: 38230541 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202301036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Malignant tumors seriously threaten human life and well-being. Emerging Near-infrared II (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) phototheranostic nanotechnology integrates diagnostic and treatment modalities, offering merits including improved tissue penetration and enhanced spatiotemporal resolution. This remarkable progress has opened promising avenues for advancing tumor theranostic research. The tumor microenvironment (TME) differs from normal tissues, exhibiting distinct attributes such as hypoxia, acidosis, overexpressed hydrogen peroxide, excess glutathione, and other factors. Capitalizing on these attributes, researchers have developed TME-activatable NIR-II phototheranostic agents with diagnostic and therapeutic attributes concurrently. Therefore, developing TME-activatable NIR-II phototheranostic agents with diagnostic and therapeutic activation holds significant research importance. Currently, research on TME-activatable NIR-II phototheranostic agents is still in its preliminary stages. This review examines the recent advances in developing dual-functional NIR-II activatable phototheranostic agents over the past years. It systematically presents NIR-II phototheranostic agents activated by various TME factors such as acidity (pH), hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), glutathione (GSH), hydrogen sulfide (H2 S), enzymes, and their hybrid. This encompasses NIR-II fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging diagnostics, along with therapeutic modalities, including photothermal, photodynamic, chemodynamic, and gas therapies triggered by these TME factors. Lastly, the difficulties and opportunities confronting NIR-II activatable phototheranostic agents in the simultaneous diagnosis and treatment field are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Xiao
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 28, West Changsheng Road, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, 421001, China
- MOE Key Lab of Rare Pediatric Diseases, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 28, West Changsheng Road, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, 421001, China
| | - Gui-Long Wu
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 28, West Changsheng Road, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, 421001, China
- MOE Key Lab of Rare Pediatric Diseases, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 28, West Changsheng Road, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, 421001, China
| | - Senyou Tan
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 28, West Changsheng Road, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, 421001, China
- MOE Key Lab of Rare Pediatric Diseases, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 28, West Changsheng Road, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, 421001, China
| | - Xiaofeng Tan
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 28, West Changsheng Road, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, 421001, China
- MOE Key Lab of Rare Pediatric Diseases, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 28, West Changsheng Road, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, 421001, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, 53 Xiangchun Road, Changsha City, Hunan Province, 410008, China
| | - Qinglai Yang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 28, West Changsheng Road, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, 421001, China
- MOE Key Lab of Rare Pediatric Diseases, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 28, West Changsheng Road, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, 421001, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, 53 Xiangchun Road, Changsha City, Hunan Province, 410008, China
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Bao Y, Li G, Li S, Zhang H, Wu X, Yan R, Wang Z, Guo C, Jin Y. Multifunctional Tumor-Targeting Carbon Dots for Tumor Microenvironment Activated Ferroptosis and Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 38015563 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c13867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
As an emerging cancer treatment strategy, ferroptosis is distinguished by the perturbation of lipid metabolism equilibrium and the accumulation of lipid peroxidation. However, the efficacy is consistently hindered by excessive GSH in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, this work designed and prepared multifunctional tumor-targeting carbon dots (FG-CDs@Cu) for ferroptosis and immunotherapy. Cu2+ in FG-CDs@Cu rapidly depletes high concentrations of GSH and inhibits glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression in an acidic TME. Meanwhile, the generated Cu+ produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) through Fenton-like reaction. Due to the high efficiency of ROS production and GSH depletion, ferroptosis mediated by oxidative stress is significantly enhanced by FG-CDs@Cu in vivo, which can induce immunogenic cell death and promote CD8+ T cell infiltration. Meanwhile, the generated O2 effectively improves the hypoxic environment of the cells and leads to the reduction of hypoxia factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression, which activates the transformation of tumor-promoting M2-type tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to tumor-inhibiting M1-type TAMs, further enhancing the immune response and ferroptosis. The in vivo tests suggested that FG-CDs@Cu could efficiently suppress tumor growth in the mouse model and did not cause obvious toxicity. The combination with antiprogrammed death-ligand 1 (αPD-L1) synergy immune therapy could effectively restrain the growth of distal tumors, suggesting the significant potential of FG-CDs@Cu in augmenting ferroptosis and immunotherapy for efficacious cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujun Bao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cytogenetics and Genetic Breeding of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Guanghao Li
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Siqi Li
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Xiaodan Wu
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Rui Yan
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Changhong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cytogenetics and Genetic Breeding of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Yingxue Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cytogenetics and Genetic Breeding of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
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