An Intelligent Vascular Disrupting Dendritic Nanodevice Incorporating Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles for Immune Modulation-Mediated Combination Tumor Therapy

Antitumor Research Based on Drug Delivery Carriers: Reversing the Polarization of Tumor-Associated Macrophages

The development of malignant tumors is a complex process that involves the tumor microenvironment (TME). An immunosuppressive TME presents significant challenges to current cancer therapies, serving as a key mechanism through which tumor cells evade immune detection and play a crucial role in tumor progression and metastasis. This impedes the optimal effectiveness of immunotherapeutic approaches, including cytokines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and cancer vaccines. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), a major component of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, exhibit dual functionalities: M1-like TAMs suppress tumorigenesis, while M2-like TAMs promote tumor growth and metastasis. Consequently, the development of various nanocarriers aimed at polarizing M2-like TAMs to M1-like phenotypes through distinct mechanisms has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to inhibit tumor immune escape and enhance antitumor responses. This Review covers the origin and types of TAMs, common pathways regulating macrophage polarization, the role of TAMs in tumor progression, and therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding and guidance for future research and clinical applications.

Nanomaterial-mediated photothermal therapy modulates tumor-associated macrophages: applications in cancer therapy

Complex pathogenesis and diverse clinical features pose many challenges in selecting appropriate cancer treatment strategies. Recent studies have shown that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play dual roles in both promoting and inhibiting tumor growth. TAMs not only contribute to tumor survival and metastasis but also impact the response to therapy. Nanomaterial-based photothermal therapy (PTT) strategies have been widely used as ablative therapies for various cancers. Many studies have demonstrated that nanomaterial-mediated PTT effectively shifts TAMs towards an anticancer phenotype, thus inducing tumor apoptosis. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the tumor immune microenvironment will undoubtedly accelerate advancements in tumor therapy. This paper summarizes the application of nanomaterial-mediated PTT for cancer treatment by modulating TAMs. It highlights the types of nanomaterials and near-infrared laser modes used in the treatment process, analyzes the physicochemical factors that influence the distribution of different isoforms in TAMs, and finally explores the specific therapeutic parameters and mechanisms of nanomaterial-mediated PTT to guide future research in related fields.

Targeting the tumour vasculature: from vessel destruction to promotion

As angiogenesis was recognized as a core hallmark of cancer growth and survival, several strategies have been implemented to target the tumour vasculature. Yet to date, attempts have rarely been so diverse, ranging from vessel growth inhibition and destruction to vessel normalization, reprogramming and vessel growth promotion. Some of these strategies, combined with standard of care, have translated into improved cancer therapies, but their successes are constrained to certain cancer types. This Review provides an overview of these vascular targeting approaches and puts them into context based on our subsequent improved understanding of the tumour vasculature as an integral part of the tumour microenvironment with which it is functionally interlinked. This new knowledge has already led to dual targeting of the vascular and immune cell compartments and sets the scene for future investigations of possible alternative approaches that consider the vascular link with other tumour microenvironment components for improved cancer therapy.

Structural and Property Characterizations of Dual-Responsive Core-Shell Tecto Dendrimers for Tumor Penetration and Gene Delivery Applications

Core-shell tecto dendrimers (CSTDs) with excellent physicochemical properties and good tumor penetration and gene transfection efficiency have been demonstrated to have the potential to replace high-generation dendrimers in biomedical applications. However, their characterization and related biological properties of CSTDs for enhanced tumor penetration and gene delivery still lack in-depth investigation. Herein, three types of dual-responsive CSTDs are designed for thorough physicochemical characterization and investigation of their tumor penetration and gene delivery efficiency. Three types of CSTDs are prepared through phenylborate ester bonds of phenylboronic acid (PBA)-decorated generation 5 (G5) poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers as cores and monose (galactose, glucose, or mannose)-conjugated G3 PAMAM dendrimers as shells and thoroughly characterized via NMR and other techniques. It is shown that the produced CSTDs display strong correlation signals between the PBA and monose protons, similar hydrodynamic diameters, and dual reactive oxygen species- and pH-responsivenesses. The dual-responsive CSTDs are proven to have structure-dependent tumor penetration property and gene delivery efficiency in terms of small interference RNA for gene silencing and plasmid DNA for gene editing, thus revealing a great potential for different biomedical applications.

NIR-triggered and Thermoresponsive Core-shell nanoparticles for synergistic anticancer therapy

Recent advancements in cancer treatment have underscored the inadequacy of conventional monotherapies in addressing complex malignant tumors. Consequently, there is a growing interest in synergistic therapies capable of overcoming the limitations of monotherapies, leading to more personalized and effective approaches. Among these, the combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemotherapy has emerged as a promising avenue for tumor management. In this study, we present a novel approach utilizing thermoresponsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) as a delivery system for the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. By incorporating photothermal agent copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles into the MSN, the resulting composite material exhibits potent photothermal properties. Furthermore, the integration of an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) polymer within the silica outer layer serves as a "gatekeeper", enabling precise control over drug release kinetics. This innovative nanomaterial effectively merges thermoresponsive behavior with PTT, thereby minimizing the collateral damage associated with traditional chemotherapy on healthy tissues. Moreover, in both in vitro studies using mouse breast carcinoma cells (4 T1) and in vivo experiments utilizing a 4 T1 tumor-bearing mouse model, our nanomaterials demonstrated synergistic effects, enhancing the anti-tumor efficacy of combined PTT and chemotherapy. With its remarkable photothermal conversion efficiency, robust stability, and biocompatibility, the UCST-responsive nanoplatform holds immense potential for clinical applications.

Peptide-IR820 Conjugate: A Promising Strategy for Efficient Vascular Disruption and Hypoxia Induction in Melanoma

Photothermal therapy (PTT) has emerged as a noninvasive and precise cancer treatment modality known for its high selectivity and lack of drug resistance. However, the clinical translation of many PTT agents is hindered by the limited biodegradability of inorganic nanoparticles and the instability of organic dyes. In this study, a peptide conjugate, IR820-Cys-Trp-Glu-Trp-Thr-Trp-Tyr (IR820-C), was designed to self-assemble into nanoparticles for both potent PTT and vascular disruption in melanoma treatment. When co-assembled with the poorly soluble vascular disrupting agent (VDA) combretastatin A4 (CA4), the resulting nanoparticles (IR820-C@CA4 NPs) accumulate efficiently in tumors, activate systemic antitumor immune responses, and effectively ablate melanoma with a single treatment and near-infrared irradiation, as confirmed by our in vivo experiments. Furthermore, by exploiting the resulting tumor hypoxia, we subsequently administered the hypoxia-activated prodrug tirapazamine (TPZ) to capitalize on the created microenvironment, thereby boosting therapeutic efficacy and antimetastatic potential. This study showcases the potential of short-peptide-based nanocarriers for the design and development of stable and efficient photothermal platforms. The multifaceted therapeutic strategy, which merges photothermal ablation with vascular disruption and hypoxia-activated chemotherapy, holds great promise for advancing the efficacy and scope of cancer treatment modalities.

Nanomaterial-Based Strategies for Preventing Tumor Metastasis by Interrupting the Metastatic Biological Processes

Tumor metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths. The prevention of tumor metastasis has garnered notable interest and interrupting metastatic biological processes is considered a potential strategy for preventing tumor metastasis. The tumor microenvironment (TME), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and premetastatic niche (PMN) play crucial roles in metastatic biological processes. These processes can be interrupted using nanomaterials due to their excellent physicochemical properties. However, most studies have focused on only one aspect of tumor metastasis. Here, the hypothesis that nanomaterials can be used to target metastatic biological processes and explore strategies to prevent tumor metastasis is highlighted. First, the metastatic biological processes and strategies involving nanomaterials acting on the TME, CTCs, and PMN to prevent tumor metastasis are briefly summarized. Further, the current challenges and prospects of nanomaterials in preventing tumor metastasis by interrupting metastatic biological processes are discussed. Nanomaterial-and multifunctional nanomaterial-based strategies for preventing tumor metastasis are advantageous for the long-term fight against tumor metastasis and their continued exploration will facilitate rapid progress in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of tumor metastasis. Novel perspectives are outlined for developing more effective strategies to prevent tumor metastasis, thereby improving the outcomes of patients with cancer.

Dendritic nanoparticles for immune modulation: a potential next-generation nanocarrier for cancer immunotherapy

Immune activation, whether occurring from direct immune checkpoint blockade or indirectly as a result of chemotherapy, is an approach that has drastically impacted the way we treat cancer. Utilizing patients' own immune systems for anti-tumor efficacy has been translated to robust immunotherapies; however, clinically significant successes have been achieved in only a subset of patient populations. Dendrimers and dendritic polymers have recently emerged as a potential nanocarrier platform that significantly improves the therapeutic efficacy of current and next-generation cancer immunotherapies. In this paper, we highlight the recent progress in developing dendritic polymer-based therapeutics with immune-modulating properties. Specifically, dendrimers, dendrimer hybrids, and dendronized copolymers have demonstrated promising results and are currently in pre-clinical development. Despite their early stage of development, these nanocarriers hold immense potential to make profound impact on cancer immunotherapy and combination therapy. This overview provides insights into the potential impact of dendrimers and dendron-based polymers, offering a preview of their potential utilities for various aspects of cancer treatment.

Recent advances in copper sulfide nanoparticles for phototherapy of bacterial infections and cancer

Copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) have attracted growing interest in biomedical research due to their remarkable properties, such as their high photothermal and thermodynamic capabilities, which are ideal for anticancer and antibacterial applications. This comprehensive review focuses on the current state of antitumor and antibacterial applications of CuS NPs. The initial section provides an overview of the various approaches to synthesizing CuS NPs, highlighting the size, shape and composition of CuS NPs fabricated using different methods. In this review, the mechanisms underlying the antitumor and antibacterial activities of CuS NPs in medical applications are discussed and the clinical challenges associated with the use of CuS NPs are also addressed.

Phosphorus core-shell tecto dendrimers for enhanced tumor imaging: the rigidity of the backbone matters

Nanoplatforms with amplified passive tumor targeting and enhanced protein resistance can evade unnecessary uptake by the reticuloendothelial system and achieve high tumor retention for accurate tumor theranostics. To achieve this goal, we here constructed phosphorus core-shell tecto dendrimers (CSTDs) with a rigid aromatic backbone core as a nanoplatform for enhanced fluorescence and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) dual-mode imaging of tumors. In this study, the phosphorus P-G2.5/G3 CSTDs (G denotes generation) were partially conjugated with tetraazacyclododecane tetraacetic acid (DOTA), cyanine5.5 (Cy5.5) and 1,3-propane sulfonate (1,3-PS) and then labeled with 99mTc. The formed P-G2.5/G3-DOTA-Cy5.5-PS CSTDs possess good monodispersity with a particle size of 10.1 nm and desired protein resistance and cytocompatibility. Strikingly, compared to the counterpart material G3/G3-DOTA-Cy5.5-PS with both the core and shell components being soft poly(amidoamine) dendrimers, the developed P-G2.5/G3-DOTA-Cy5.5-PS complexes allow for more efficient cellular uptake and more significant penetration in 3-dimensional tumor spheroids in vitro, as well as more significant tumor retention and accumulation for enhanced dual-mode fluorescence and SPECT (after labelling with 99mTc) tumor imaging in vivo. Our studies suggest that the rigidity of the core for the constructed CSTDs matters in the amplification of the tumor enhanced permeability retention (EPR) effect for improved cancer nanomedicine development.

Nanoparticle-Based Photothermal Therapy for Breast Cancer Noninvasive Treatment

Rapid advancements in materials science and nanotechnology, intertwined with oncology, have positioned photothermal therapy (PTT) as a promising noninvasive treatment strategy for cancer. The breast's superficial anatomical location and aesthetic significance render breast cancer a particularly pertinent candidate for the clinical application of PTT following melanoma. This review comprehensively explores the research conducted on the various types of nanoparticles employed in PTT for breast cancer and elaborates on their specific roles and mechanisms of action. The integration of PTT with existing clinical therapies for breast cancer is scrutinized, underscoring its potential for synergistic outcomes. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying PTT and consequential modifications to the tumor microenvironment after treatment are elaborated from a medical perspective. Future research directions are suggested, with an emphasis on the development of integrative platforms that combine multiple therapeutic approaches and the optimization of nanoparticle synthesis for enhanced treatment efficacy. The goal is to push the boundaries of PTT toward a comprehensive, clinically applicable treatment for breast cancer.