Monoclonal Antibody-conjugated Polyphosphoester-hyd-DOX Prodrug Nanoparticles for Targeted Chemotherapy of Liver Cancer Cells

A nanomedicine composed of polymer-ss-DOX and polymer-Ce6 prodrugs with monoclonal antibody targeting effect for anti-tumor chemo-photodynamic synergetic therapy

Anticancer drugs used for systemic chemotherapy often exhibit off-target toxicity and uncontrolled drug release due to their lack of targeting. To improve the bioavailability of drugs and reduce side effects, we have developed a mixed micelle of nanomedicine composed of two prodrugs with surface modified monoclonal antibody for cancer therapy. In this system, Nimotuzumab was used as targeting ligands of the mixed micelles (named as DCMMs) that is composed of polymer-doxorubicin prodrug (abbreviated as PEG-b-P(GMA-ss-DOX)) and maleimide polyethylene glycol-chlorin e6 (abbreviated as Mal-PEG-Ce6). The mixed micelles modified with Nimotuzumab (named as NTZ-DCMMs) bind to overexpressed EGFR receptors on Hepatoma-22 (H22) cells. Disulfide bonds in PEG-b-P(GMA-ss-DOX) are disrupted in tumor microenvironment, inducing the reduction-responsive release of DOX and leading to tumor cell apoptosis. Simultaneously, Chlorin e6 (Ce6) produced plenty of singlet oxygen (1O2) under laser irradiation to kill tumor cells. In vivo biological distribution and antineoplastic effect experiments demonstrate that NTZ-DCMMs enhanced drug enrichment at tumor sites through targeting function of antibody, dramatically suppressing tumor growth and mitigating cardiotoxicity of drugs. All results prove that NTZ-DCMMs have the ability to actively target H22 cells and quickly respond to tumor microenvironment, which is expected to become an intelligent and multifunctional drug delivery carrier for efficient chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy of hepatoma. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Anticancer drugs used for systemic chemotherapy often exhibit off-target toxicity due to their lack of targeting. Therefore, it's necessary to develop effective, targeted, and collaborative treatment strategies. We construct a mixed micelle of nanomedicine based on two polymer prodrugs and modified with monoclonal antibody on surface for cancer therapy. Under the tumor cell microenvironment, the disulfide bonds of polymer-ss-DOX were broken, effectively triggering DOX release. The photosensitizer Ce6 could generate a large amount of ROS under light, which synergistically promotes tumor cell apoptosis. By coupling antibodies to the hydrophilic segments of polymer micelles, drugs can be specifically delivered. Compared with monotherapy, the combination of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy can significantly enhance the therapeutic effect of liver cancer.

Phosphorus and Silicon-Based Macromolecules as Degradable Biomedical Polymers

Synthetic polymers are indispensable in biomedical applications because they can be fabricated with consistent and reproducible properties, facile scalability, and customizable functionality to perform diverse tasks. However, currently available synthetic polymers have limitations, most notably when timely biodegradation is required. Despite there being, in principle, an entire periodic table to choose from, with the obvious exception of silicones, nearly all known synthetic polymers are combinations of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen in the main chain. Expanding this to main-group heteroatoms can open the way to novel material properties. Herein the authors report on research to incorporate the chemically versatile and abundant silicon and phosphorus into polymers to induce cleavability into the polymer main chain. Less stable polymers, which degrade in a timely manner in mild biological environments, have considerable potential in biomedical applications. Herein the basic chemistry behind these materials is described and some recent studies into their medical applications are highlighted.

Dextran-doxorubicin prodrug nanoparticles conjugated with CD147 monoclonal antibody for targeted drug delivery in hepatoma therapy

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a class of tumor cell-targeting drugs that have developed rapidly in recent years. From the perspective of further improving ADC targeting and developing natural macromolecules as drug carriers, it is still challenging and necessary to try new targeted drug delivery modalities. In this study, we have developed an antibody-modified prodrug nanoparticle based on biomacromolecule dextran (DEX) to delivery antitumour drug doxorubicin (DOX). Firstly, oxidized dextran (ODEX) and DOX were bonded to yield ODEX-DOX via Schiff base reaction, which can self-assemble into nanoparticles (NPs) carrying some aldehyde groups. Subsequently, the amino groups of CD147 monoclonal antibody were bound to the aldehyde groups on the surface of ODEX-DOX NPs, resulting in acid-responsive and antibody-modified CD147-ODEX-DOX NPs with relatively small particle size and high DOX loading. FT-IR, UV-Vis, HPLC, and ¹H NMR were used to demonstrate the successful synthesis of polymer prodrug ODEX-DOX NPs and antibody-modified nanomedicine CD147-ODEX-DOX NPs. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to evaluate the stability and the pH responsiveness of ODEX-DOX NPs in different media and tumour microenvironment. The in vitro total release content of DOX reached approximately 70% in PB 5.0 buffer solution after 103 h. Furthermore, the in vivo antitumour efficacy and biodistribution experiments confirmed that CD147-ODEX-DOX NPs could significantly inhibit the growth of HepG2 tumour. All of the results indicate that this acid-sensitive nanomedicine has higher safety and targeting effects. It promises to be an ideal strategy for future targeted drug delivery systems and anticancer therapies.

CD163 Monoclonal Antibody Modified Polymer Prodrug Nanoparticles for Targeting Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) to Enhance Anti-Tumor Effects

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)-based immunotherapy is a promising strategy. Since TAMs are mainly composed of M2-type macrophages, they have a promoting effect on tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. M2-type macrophages contain a specific receptor CD163 on their surface, providing a prerequisite for active targeting to TAMs. In this study, we prepared CD163 monoclonal antibody modified doxorubicin-polymer prodrug nanoparticles (abbreviated as mAb-CD163-PDNPs) with pH responsiveness and targeted delivery. First, DOX was bonded with the aldehyde group of a copolymer by Schiff base reaction to form an amphiphilic polymer prodrug, which could self-assemble into nanoparticles in the aqueous solution. Then, mAb-CD163-PDNPs were generated through a "Click" reaction between the azide group on the surface of the prodrug nanoparticles and dibenzocyclocytyl-coupled CD163 monoclonal antibody (mAb-CD163-DBCO). The structure and assembly morphology of the prodrug and nanoparticles were characterized by ¹H NMR, MALDI-TOF MS, FT-IR UV-vis spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). In vitro drug release behavior, cytotoxicity, and cell uptake were also investigated. The results show that the prodrug nanoparticles have regular morphology and stable structure, especially mAb-CD163-PDNPs, which can actively target TAMs at tumor sites, respond to the acidic environment in tumor cells, and release drugs. While depleting TAMs, mAb-CD163-PDNPs can actively enrich drugs at the tumor site and have a strong inhibitory effect on TAMs and tumor cells. The result of the in vivo test also shows a good therapeutic effect, with a tumor inhibition rate of 81%. This strategy of delivering anticancer drugs in TAMs provides a new way to develop targeted drugs for immunotherapy of malignant tumors.

Reduction-responsive dextran-based Pt(IV) nano-prodrug showed a synergistic effect with doxorubicin for effective melanoma treatment

Melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer with high metastasis potential, has posed a great threat to human health. Accordingly, early efficient blocking of melanoma progression is vital in antitumor treatment. Herein, a reduction-responsive dextran-based Pt(IV) nano-prodrug (PDPN) was synthesized and used for doxorubicin (DOX) delivery to combat melanoma synergistically. First, PDPN was prepared by one-pot chemical coupling of carboxylated methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG), dextran (Dex), and the crosslinking agent cisPt (IV)-COOH. PDPN had a spherical structure (R_h = 34 ± 11.3 nm). Then, DOX was encapsulated into the PDPN core to form DOX-loaded PDPN (PDPN-DOX). The obtained PDPN-DOX displayed reduction-responsive release of DOX and Pt, thus showing a synergistic anticancer effect in B16F10 cells (combination index, 0.46). Furthermore, in vivo experiments demonstrated that PDPN-DOX was effective for the synergistic treatment of subcutaneous melanoma. Collectively, the as-prepared PDPN could serve as a promising and versatile nano-prodrug carrier for the co-delivery of chemotherapeutics in tumor combination therapy.

Antibody–Biopolymer Conjugates in Oncology: A Review

Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases and affects a large proportion of the population worldwide. Conventional treatments in the management include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Although being well-accepted, they have many lacunas in the form of severe side effect resulting from lack of targeted delivery. Antibody biopolymer conjugates are a novel method which is an add-on to older methods of immunization. It is used in various diseases and disorders. It ensures the targeted delivery of molecules to increase its efficacy and reduce unwanted effects of the molecule/drug to normal cells. It shows miraculous results in the treatment and management of several cancers even in advanced stages. Herein, we present the chemistry between biopolymer and antibody, their effects on cancer as well as the basic differences between antibody–drug conjugates and antibody–biopolymer conjugates.

Phosphorylated Poly(vinyl alcohol) Electrospun Mats for Protective Equipment Applications

The development of intelligent materials for protective equipment applications is still growing, with enormous potential to improve the safety of personnel functioning in specialized professions, such as firefighters. The design and production of such materials by the chemical modification of biodegradable semisynthetic polymers, accompanied by modern manufacturing techniques such as electrospinning, which may increase specific properties of the targeted material, continue to attract the interest of researchers. Phosphorus-modified poly(vinyl alcohol)s have been, thus, synthesized and utilized to prepare environmentally friendly electrospun mats. Poly(vinyl alcohol)s of three different molecular weights and degrees of hydrolysis were phosphorylated by polycondensation reaction in solution in the presence of phenyl dichlorophosphate in order to enhance their flame resistance and thermal stability. The thermal behavior and the flame resistance of the resulting phosphorus-modified poly(vinyl alcohol) products were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and by cone calorimetry at a micro scale. Based on the as-synthesized phosphorus-modified poly(vinyl alcohol)s, electrospun mats were successfully fabricated by the electrospinning process. Rheology studies were performed to establish the optimal conditions of the electrospinning process, and scanning electron microscopy investigations were undertaken to observe the morphology of the phosphorus-modified poly(vinyl alcohol) electrospun mats.

Antibody-Incorporated Nanomedicines for Cancer Therapy

Antibody-based cancer therapy, one of the most significant therapeutic strategies, has achieved considerable success and progress over the past decades. Nevertheless, obstacles including limited tumor penetration, short circulation half-lives, undesired immunogenicity, and off-target side effects remain to be overcome for the antibody-based cancer treatment. Owing to the rapid development of nanotechnology, antibody-containing nanomedicines that have been extensively explored to overcome these obstacles have already demonstrated enhanced anticancer efficacy and clinical translation potential. This review intends to offer an overview of the advancements of antibody-incorporated nanoparticulate systems in cancer treatment, together with the nontrivial challenges faced by these next-generation nanomedicines. Diverse strategies of antibody immobilization, formats of antibodies, types of cancer-associated antigens, and anticancer mechanisms of antibody-containing nanomedicines are provided and discussed in this review, with an emphasis on the latest applications. The current limitations and future research directions on antibody-containing nanomedicines are also discussed from different perspectives to provide new insights into the construction of anticancer nanomedicines.

Genetically engineered materials: Proteins and beyond

Information-rich molecules provide opportunities for evolution. Genetically engineered materials are superior in that their properties are coded within genetic sequences and could be fine-tuned. In this review, we elaborate the concept of genetically engineered materials (GEMs) using examples ranging from engineered protein materials to engineered living materials. Protein-based materials are the materials of choice by nature. Recent progress in protein engineering has led to opportunities to tune their sequences for optimal material performance. Proteins also play a central role in living materials where they act in concert with other biological components as well as nonbiological cofactors, giving rise to living features. While the existing GEMs are often limited to those constructed by building blocks of biological origin, being genetically engineerable does not preclude nonbiologic or synthetic materials, the latter of which have yet to be fully explored.