Polymeric micelles in anticancer therapy: targeting, imaging and triggered release

Nanomedicines in diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancers: an updated review

Prostate cancer (PC) is the third most common male cancer in the world, which occurs due to various mutations leading to the loss of chromatin structure. There are multiple treatments for this type of cancer, of which chemotherapy is one of the most important. Sometimes, a combination of different treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, are used to prevent tumor recurrence. Among other treatments, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can be mentioned, which has had promising results. One of the drawbacks of chemotherapy and ADT treatments is that they are not targeted to the tumor tissue. For this reason, their use can cause extensive side effects. Treatments based on nanomaterials, known as nanomedicine, have attracted much attention today. Nanoparticles (NPs) are one of the main branches of nanomedicine, and they can be made of different materials such as polymer, metal, and carbon, each of which has distinct characteristics. In addition to NPs, nanovesicles (NVs) also have therapeutic applications in PC. In treating PC, synthetic NVs (liposomes, micelles, and nanobubbles) or produced from cells (exosomes) can be used. In addition to the role that NPs and NVs have in treating PC, due to being targeted, they can be used to diagnose PC and check the treatment process. Knowing the characteristics of nanomedicine-based treatments can help design new treatments and improve researchers' understanding of tumor biology and its rapid diagnosis. In this study, we will discuss conventional and nanomedicine-based treatments. The results of these studies show that the use of NPs and NVs in combination with conventional treatments has higher efficacy in tumor treatment than the individual use of each of them.

Therapeutic impacts of GNE‑477‑loaded H2O2 stimulus‑responsive dodecanoic acid‑phenylborate ester‑dextran polymeric micelles on osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly malignant primary bone neoplasm that is the leading cause of cancer‑associated death in young people. GNE‑477 belongs to the second generation of mTOR inhibitors and possesses promising potential in the treatment of OS but dose tolerance and drug toxicity limit its development and utilization. The present study aimed to prepare a novel H2O2 stimulus‑responsive dodecanoic acid (DA)‑phenylborate ester‑dextran (DA‑B‑DEX) polymeric micelle delivery system for GNE‑477 and evaluate its efficacy. The polymer micelles were characterized by morphology, size and critical micelle concentration. The GNE‑477 loaded DA‑B‑DEX (GNE‑477@DBD) tumor‑targeting drug delivery system was established and the release of GNE‑477 was measured. The cellular uptake of GNE‑477@DBD by three OS cell lines (MG‑63, U2OS and 143B cells) was analyzed utilizing a fluorescent tracer technique. The hydroxylated DA‑B was successfully grafted onto dextran at a grafting rate of 3%, suitable for forming amphiphilic micelles. Following exposure to H2O2, the DA‑B‑DEX micelles ruptured and released the drug rapidly, leading to increased uptake of GNE‑477@DBD by cells with sustained release of GNE‑477. The in vitro experiments, including MTT assay, flow cytometry, western blotting and RT‑qPCR, demonstrated that GNE‑477@DBD inhibited tumor cell viability, arrested cell cycle in G1 phase, induced apoptosis and blocked the PI3K/Akt/mTOR cascade response. In vivo, through the observation of mice tumor growth and the results of H&E staining, the GNE‑477@DBD group exhibited more positive therapeutic outcomes than the free drug group with almost no adverse effects on other organs. In conclusion, H2O2‑responsive DA‑B‑DEX presents a promising delivery system for hydrophobic anti‑tumor drugs for OS therapy.

Stimuli-responsive biomaterials: smart avenue toward 4D bioprinting

3D bioprinting is an advanced technology combining cells and bioactive molecules within a single bioscaffold; however, this scaffold cannot change, modify or grow in response to a dynamic implemented environment. Lately, a new era of smart polymers and hydrogels has emerged, which can add another dimension, e.g., time to 3D bioprinting, to address some of the current approaches' limitations. This concept is indicated as 4D bioprinting. This approach may assist in fabricating tissue-like structures with a configuration and function that mimic the natural tissue. These scaffolds can change and reform as the tissue are transformed with the potential of specific drug or biomolecules released for various biomedical applications, such as biosensing, wound healing, soft robotics, drug delivery, and tissue engineering, though 4D bioprinting is still in its early stages and more works are required to advance it. In this review article, the critical challenge in the field of 4D bioprinting and transformations from 3D bioprinting to 4D phases is reviewed. Also, the mechanistic aspects from the chemistry and material science point of view are discussed too.

Poly(Photosensitizer-Prodrug) Unimolecular Micelles for Chemo-Photodynamic Synergistic Therapy of Antitumor and Antibacteria

It is crucial to use simple methods to prepare stable polymeric micelles with multiple functions for cancer treatment. Herein, via a "bottom-up" strategy, we reported the fabrication of β-CD-(PEOSMA-PCPTMA-PPEGMA)21 (βPECP) unimolecular micelles that could simultaneously treat tumors and bacteria with chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The unimolecular micelles consisted of a 21-arm β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) core as a macromolecular initiator, photosensitizer eosin Y (EOS-Y) monomer EOSMA, anticancer drug camptothecin (CPT) monomer, and a hydrophilic shell PEGMA. Camptothecin monomer (CPTMA) could achieve controlled release of the CPT due to the presence of responsively broken disulfide bonds. PEGMA enhanced the biocompatibility of micelles as a hydrophilic shell. Two βPECP with different lengths were synthesized by modulating reaction conditions and the proportion of monomers, which both were self-assembled to unimolecular micelles in water. βPECP unimolecular micelles with higher EOS-Y/CPT content exhibited more excellent 1O2 production, in vitro drug release efficiency, higher cytotoxicity, and superior antibacterial activity. Also, we carried out simulations of the self-assembly and CPT release process of micelles, which agreed with the experiments. This nanosystem, which combines antimicrobial and antitumor functions, provides new ideas for bacteria-mediated tumor clinical chemoresistance.

Liposomes delivery systems of functional substances for precision nutrition

Natural bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and other biological activities are vital for maintaining the body's physiological functions and enhancing immunity. These compounds have great potential as nutritional therapeutic agents, but they can be limited due to their poor flavor, color, unstable nature, and poor water solubility, and degradation by gastrointestinal enzymes. Liposomes, as ideal carriers, can encapsulate both water-soluble and fat-soluble nutrients, enhance the bioavailability of functional substances, promote the biological activity of functional substances, and control the release of nutrients. Despite their potential, liposomes still face obstacles in nutrient delivery. Therefore, the design of liposomes for special needs, optimization of the liposome preparation process, enhancement of liposome encapsulation efficiency, and industrial production are key issues that must be addressed in order to develop food-grade liposomes. Moreover, the research on surface-targeted modification and surface functionalization of liposomes is valuable for expanding the scope of application of liposomes and achieving the release of functional substances from liposomes at the appropriate time and site. The establishment of in vivo and in vitro digestion models of nutrient-loaded liposomes, in-depth study of gastrointestinal digestive behavior after liposome ingestion, targeted nutrient release, and deciphering the nutritional intervention of human diseases and positive health promotion are promising fields with broad development prospects.

Hydrogen-bonded cytosine-endowed supramolecular polymeric nanogels: Highly efficient cancer cell targeting and enhanced therapeutic efficacy

We demonstrate that cytosine moieties within physically cross-linked supramolecular polymers not only manipulate drug delivery and release, but also confer specific targeting of cancer cells to effectively enhance the safety and efficacy of chemotherapy-and thus hold significant potential as a new perspective for development of drug delivery systems. Herein, we successfully developed physically cross-linked supramolecular polymers (PECH-PEG-Cy) comprised of hydrogen-bonding cytosine pendant groups, hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) side chains, and a hydrophobic poly(epichlorohydrin) main chain. The polymers spontaneously self-assemble into a reversibly hydrogen-bonded network structure induced by cytosine and directly form spherical nanogels in aqueous solution. Nanogels with a high hydrogen-bond network density (i.e., a higher content of cytosine moieties) exhibit outstanding long-term structural stability in cell culture substrates containing serum, whereas nanogels with a relatively low hydrogen-bond network density cannot preserve their structural integrity. The nanogels also exhibit numerous unique physicochemical characteristics in aqueous solution, such as a desirable spherical size, high biocompatibility with normal and cancer cells, excellent drug encapsulation capacity, and controlled pH-responsive drug release properties. More importantly, in vitro experiments conclusively indicate the drug-loaded PECH-PEG-Cy nanogels can selectively induce cancer cell-specific apoptosis and cell death via cytosine receptor-mediated endocytosis, without significantly harming normal cells. In contrast, control drug-loaded PECH-PEG nanogels, which lack cytosine moieties in their structure, can only induce cell death in cancer cells through non-specific pathways, which significantly inhibits the induction of apoptosis. This work clearly demonstrates that the cytosine moieties in PECH-PEG-Cy nanogels confer selective affinity for the surface of cancer cells, which enhances their targeted cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and subsequent induction of programmed cell death in cancer cells.

Revolution in Cancer Treatment: How Are Intelligently Designed Nanostructures Changing the Game?

Nanoparticles (NPs) are extremely important tools to overcome the limitations imposed by therapeutic agents and effectively overcome biological barriers. Smart designed/tuned nanostructures can be extremely effective for cancer treatment. The selection and design of nanostructures and the adjustment of size and surface properties are extremely important, especially for some precision treatments and drug delivery (DD). By designing specific methods, an important era can be opened in the biomedical field for personalized and precise treatment. Here, we focus on advances in the selection and design of nanostructures, as well as on how the structure and shape, size, charge, and surface properties of nanostructures in biological fluids (BFs) can be affected. We discussed the applications of specialized nanostructures in the therapy of head and neck cancer (HNC), which is a difficult and aggressive type of cancer to treat, to give an impetus for novel treatment approaches in this field. We also comprehensively touched on the shortcomings, current trends, and future perspectives when using nanostructures in the treatment of cancer.

Polymeric Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery

The recent emergence of nanomedicine has revolutionized the therapeutic landscape and necessitated the creation of more sophisticated drug delivery systems. Polymeric nanoparticles sit at the forefront of numerous promising drug delivery designs, due to their unmatched control over physiochemical properties such as size, shape, architecture, charge, and surface functionality. Furthermore, polymeric nanoparticles have the ability to navigate various biological barriers to precisely target specific sites within the body, encapsulate a diverse range of therapeutic cargo and efficiently release this cargo in response to internal and external stimuli. However, despite these remarkable advantages, the presence of polymeric nanoparticles in wider clinical application is minimal. This review will provide a comprehensive understanding of polymeric nanoparticles as drug delivery vehicles. The biological barriers affecting drug delivery will be outlined first, followed by a comprehensive description of the various nanoparticle designs and preparation methods, beginning with the polymers on which they are based. The review will meticulously explore the current performance of polymeric nanoparticles against a myriad of diseases including cancer, viral and bacterial infections, before finally evaluating the advantages and crucial challenges that will determine their wider clinical potential in the decades to come.

Deciphering resistance mechanisms and novel strategies to overcome drug resistance in ovarian cancer: a comprehensive review

Ovarian cancer is among the most lethal gynecological cancers, primarily due to the lack of specific symptoms leading to an advanced-stage diagnosis and resistance to chemotherapy. Drug resistance (DR) poses the most significant challenge in treating patients with existing drugs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved three new therapeutic drugs, including two poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (olaparib and niraparib) and one vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor (bevacizumab) for maintenance therapy. However, resistance to these new drugs has emerged. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of DR and exploring new approaches to overcome them is crucial for effective management. In this review, we summarize the major molecular mechanisms of DR and discuss novel strategies to combat DR.

pH-Sensitive Amphiphilic Diblock Polyphosphoesters with Lactate Units: Synthesis and Application as Drug Carriers

pH-sensitive amphiphilic diblock polyphosphoesters containing lactic acid units were synthesized by multistep one-pot polycondensation reactions. They comprise acid-labile P(O)-O-C and C(O)-O-C bonds, the cleavage of which depends on the pH of the medium. The structure of these copolymers was characterized by 1H, 13C {H}, 31P NMR, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The newly synthesized polymers self-assembled into the micellar structure in an aqueous solution. The effects of the molecular weight of the copolymer and the length of the hydrophobic chain on micelle formation and stabilityand micelle size were studied via dynamic light scattering (DLS). Drug loading and encapsulation efficiency tests using doxorubicin revealed that hydrophobic drugs can be delivered by copolymers. It was established that the molecular weight of the copolymer, length of the hydrophobic chain and content of lactate units affects the size of the micelles, drug loading, and efficiency of encapsulation. A copolymer with 10.7% lactate content has drug loading (3.2 ± 0.3) and efficiency of encapsulation (57.4 ± 3.2), compared to the same copolymer with 41.8% lactate content (1.63%) and (45.8%), respectively. It was demonstrated that the poly[alkylpoly(ethylene glycol) phosphate-b-alkylpoly(ethylene glycol)lactate phosphate] DOX system has a pH-sensitive response capability in the result in which DOX was selectively accumulated into the tumor, where pH is acidic. The results obtained indicate that amphiphilic diblock polyphosphoesters have potential as drug carriers.

How Shilajit-Based Nanocarriers Alter Classical Doxorubicin Delivery to Breast Cancer Cells (MCF-7 and ZR-75-1)

Chemotherapy has been ineffective in cancer treatment, and efficient delivery of chemotherapeutic agents remains a challenge. In this study, we developed a doxorubicin-loaded shilajit-based nanocarrier (SHN-Dox) using a nanoprecipitation method to enhance Dox uptake into breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and ZR-75-1). After confirmation of the physicochemical properties of the nanocarriers, the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of SHN-Dox and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated on breast cancer cells. SHN-Dox showed a spherical shape with a size of 244 nm and a sustainable release profile of Dox. It exhibited high cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and ZR-75-1 cells, effectively inducing DNA fragmentation in these cells. After 24 h of treatment, SHN-Dox increased the apoptosis rate in MCF-7 cells and raised ROS levels. Therefore, SHN-Dox is a promising carrier that might reduce the side effects of Dox on healthy cells and provide a new strategy for clinical cancer treatment.

Preparation of novel shell-ionotropically crosslinked micelles based on hexadecylamine and tripolyphosphate for cancer drug delivery

AIMS

Micellar systems have the advantage of being easily prepared, cheap, and readily loadable with bioactive molecular cargo. However, their fundamental pitfall is poor stability, particularly under dilution conditions. We propose to use simple quaternary ammonium surfactants, namely, hexadecylamine (HDA) and hexadecylpyridinium (HDAP), together with tripolyphosphate (TPP) anion, to generate ionotropically stabilized micelles capable of drug delivery into cancer cells.

METHODS

optimized mixed HDA/HDAP micelles were prepared and stabilized with TPP. Curcumin was used as a loaded model drug. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Moreover, their cellular uptake was assessed using flow cytometry and confocal fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

The prepared nanoparticles were found to be stable under dilution and at high temperatures and to have a size range from 139 nm to 580 nm, depending on pH (4.6-7.4), dilution (up to 100 times), and temperature (25 - 80 °C). They were effective at delivering their load into cancer cells. Additionally, flow cytometry indicated the resulting stabilized micellar nanoparticles to be non-cytotoxic.

CONCLUSIONS

The described novel stabilized micelles are simple to prepare and viable for cancer delivery.

Advancing cancer theranostics through biomimetics: A comprehensive review

Nanotheranostics, especially those employing biomimetic approaches, are of substantial interest for molecular imaging and cancer therapy. The incorporation of diagnostics and therapeutics, known as cancer theranostics, represents a promising strategy in modern oncology. Biomimetics, inspired by nature, offers a multidisciplinary avenue with potential in advancing cancer theranostics. This review comprehensively analyses recent progress in biomimetics-based cancer theranostics, emphasizing its role in overcoming current treatment challenges, with a focus on breast, prostate, and skin cancers. Biomimetic approaches have been explored to address multidrug resistance (MDR), emphasizing their role in immunotherapy and photothermal therapy. The specific areas covered include biomimetic drug delivery systems bypassing MDR mechanisms, biomimetic platforms for immune checkpoint blockade, immune cell modulation, and photothermal tumor ablation. Pretargeting techniques enhancing radiotherapeutic agent uptake are discussed, along with a comprehensive review of clinical trials of global nanotheranostics. This review delves into biomimetic materials, nanotechnology, and bioinspired strategies for cancer imaging, diagnosis, and targeted drug delivery. These include imaging probes, contrast agents, and biosensors for enhanced specificity and sensitivity. Biomimetic strategies for targeted drug delivery involve the design of nanoparticles, liposomes, and hydrogels for site-specific delivery and improved therapeutic efficacy. Overall, this current review provides valuable information for investigators, clinicians, and biomedical engineers, offering insights into the latest biomimetics applications in cancer theranostics. Leveraging biomimetics aims to revolutionize cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes.

Modification of Polyethylene Glycol-Hydroxypropyl Methacrylate Polymeric Micelles Loaded with Curcumin for Cellular Internalization and Cytotoxicity to Wilms Tumor 1-Expressing Myeloblastic Leukemia K562 Cells

Curcumin loaded in micelles of block copolymers of ω-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) and N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide modified with aliphatic dilactate (CD) or aromatic benzoyl group (CN) were previously reported to inhibit human ovarian carcinoma (OVCAR-3), human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), and human lymphoblastic leukemia (Molt-4) cells. Myeloblastic leukemia cells (K562) are prone to drug resistance and differ in both cancer genotype and phenotype from the three mentioned cancer cells. In the present study, CD and CN micelles were prepared and their effects on K562 and normal cells were explored. The obtained CD and CN showed a narrow size distribution with diameters of 63 ± 3 and 50 ± 1 nm, respectively. The curcumin entrapment efficiency of CD and CN was similarly high, above 80% (84 ± 8% and 91 ± 3%). Both CD and CN showed suppression on WT1-expressing K562 and high cell-cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. However, CD showed significantly higher cytotoxicity to K562, with faster cellular uptake and internalization than CN. In addition, CD showed better compatibility with normal red blood cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells than CN. The promising CD will be further investigated in rodents and possibly in clinical studies for leukemia treatment.

Tumor-specific cytolysis by peptide-conjugated echogenic polymer micelles

Interest in multifunctional polymer nanoparticles for targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs has grown significantly in recent years. In this study, tumor-targeting echogenic polymer micelles were prepared from poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether-alkyl carbonate (mPEG-AC) derivatives, and their potential in cancer therapy was assessed. Various mPEG derivatives with carbonate linkages were synthesized via an alkyl halide reaction between mPEG and alkyl chloroformate. Micelle formation using polymer amphiphiles in aqueous media and the subsequent carbon dioxide (CO2) gas generation from the micelles was confirmed. Their ability to target neuroblastoma was substantially enhanced by incorporating the rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG) peptide. RVG-modified gas-generating micelles significantly inhibited tumor growth in a tumor-bearing mouse model owing to CO2 gas generation within tumor cells and resultant cytolytic effects, showing minimal side effects. The development of multifunctional polymer micelles may offer a promising therapeutic approach for various diseases, including cancer.

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks: A Global Approach to Enhancing the Cytotoxicity of Drug-Loaded, Non-responsive Micelles Using Oligoelectrolytes

Polymeric micelles have been extensively studied as vectors for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs for the treatment of cancers and other diseases. Despite intensive research, few formulations provide significant benefits, and even fewer have been clinically approved. While many traditional non-responsive micelles have excellent safety profiles, they lack the ability to respond to the intracellular environment and release their cargo in a spatiotemporally defined manner to effectively deliver large doses of cytotoxic drugs into the cytosol of cells that overwhelm efflux pumps. As a novel and adaptable strategy, we hypothesized that well-established non-responsive polymeric micelles could be augmented with a pH-trigger via the co-encapsulation of cytocompatible oligoelectrolytes, which would allow rapid cargo release in the endosome, leading to increased cytotoxicity. Herein, we demonstrate how this strategy can be applied to render non-responsive micelles pH-responsive, resulting in abrupt cargo release at specific and tunable pH values compatible with endosomal delivery, which significantly increased their cytotoxicity up to 3-fold in an ovarian adenocarcinoma (SKOV-3) cell line compared to non-responsive micelles. In comparison, the oligoelectrolyte-loaded micelles were significantly less toxic to healthy 3T3 fibroblasts, indicating a selective cargo release in cancer cell lines. Oligoelectrolytes can be co-encapsulated in the micelles along with drugs at high encapsulation efficiency percentages, which are both ejected from the micelle core upon oligoelectrolyte ionization. Mechanistically, the increase in cytotoxicity appears to also result from the accelerated endosomal escape of the cargo caused by disruption of the endosomal membrane by the simultaneous release of the oligoelectrolytes from the micelles. Furthermore, we show how this approach is broadly applicable to non-responsive micelles regardless of their composition and various classes of hydrophobic chemotherapeutics. The preliminary studies presented here reveal the versatility and wide scope of oligoelectrolyte-mediated, pH-triggered drug release as a compelling and powerful strategy to enhance the cytotoxicity of non-responsive polymeric micelles.

Intranasal Radioiodinated Ferulic Acid Polymeric Micelles as the First Nuclear Medicine Imaging Probe for ETRA Brain Receptor

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this work was to prepare a selective nuclear medicine imaging probe for the Endothelin 1 receptor A in the brain.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ferulic acid (an ETRA antagonist) was radiolabeled using 131I by direct electrophilic substitution method. The radiolabeled ferulic acid was formulated as polymeric micelles to allow intranasal brain delivery. Biodistribution was studied in Swiss albino mice by comparing brain uptake of 131I-ferulic acid after IN administration of 131I-ferulic acid polymeric micelles, IN administration of 131I-ferulic acid solution and IV administration of 131I-ferulic acid solution.

RESULTS

Successful radiolabeling was achieved with an RCY of 98 % using 200 μg of ferulic acid and 60 μg of CAT as oxidizing agents at pH 6, room temperature and 30 min reaction time. 131I-ferulic acid polymeric micelles were successfully formulated with the particle size of 21.63 nm and polydispersity index of 0.168. Radioactivity uptake in the brain and brain/blood uptake ratio for I.N 131I-ferulic acid polymeric micelles were greater than the two other routes at all periods.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide 131I-ferulic acid polymeric micelles as a hopeful nuclear medicine tracer for ETRA brain receptor.

Biomacromolecule-based nanocarrier strategies to deliver plant-derived bioactive components for cancer treatment: A recent review

The quest for safe chemotherapy has attracted researchers to explore anticancer potential of herbal medicines. Owing to upsurging evidence of herbal drug's beneficial effects, hopes are restored for augmenting survival rates in cancer patients. However, phytoconstituents confronted severe limitations in terms of poor absorption, low-stability, and low bioavailability. Along with toxicity issues associated with phytoconstituents, quality control and limited regulatory guidance also hinder the prevalence of herbal medicines for cancer therapy. Attempts are underway to exploit nanocarriers to circumvent the limitations of existing and new herbal drugs, where biological macromolecules (e.g., chitosan, hyaluronic acid, etc.) are established highly effective in fabricating nanocarriers and cancer targeting. Among the discussed nanocarriers, liposomes and micelles possess properties to cargo hydro- and lipophilic herbal constituents with surface modification for targeted delivery. Majorly, PEG, transferrin and folate are utilized for surface modification to improve bioavailability, circulation time and targetability. The dendrimer and carbon nanotubes responded in high-loading efficiency of phytoconstituent; whereas, SLN and nanoemulsions are suited carriers for lipophilic extracts. This review emphasized unveiling the latent potential of herbal drugs along with discussing on extended benefits of nanocarriers-based delivery of phytoconstituents for safe cancer therapy owing to enhanced clinical and preclinical outcomes without compromising safety.

Overcoming challenges in the delivery of STING agonists for cancer immunotherapy: A comprehensive review of strategies and future perspectives

STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) agonists have emerged as promising agents in the field of cancer immunotherapy, owing to their excellent capacity to activate the innate immune response and combat tumor-induced immunosuppression. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of the strategies employed to develop effective formulations for STING agonists, with particular emphasis on versatile nano-delivery systems. The recent advancements in delivery systems based on lipids, natural/synthetic polymers, and proteins for STING agonists are summarized. The preparation methodologies of nanoprecipitation, self-assembly, and hydrogel, along with their advantages and disadvantages, are also discussed. Furthermore, the challenges and opportunities in developing next-generation STING agonist delivery systems are elaborated. This review aims to serve as a reference for researchers in designing novel and effective STING agonist delivery systems for cancer immunotherapy.

Nano-mediated strategy for targeting and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer, with over 2.1 million cases diagnosed annually worldwide. It has a high incidence and mortality rate, leading to extensive research into various treatment options, including the use of nanomaterial-based carriers for drug delivery. With regard to cancer treatment, the distinct biological and physico-chemical features of nano-structures have acquired considerable impetus as drug delivery system (DDS) for delivering medication combinations or combining diagnostics and targeted therapy. This review focuses on the use of nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems in the treatment of lung cancer, including the use of lipid, polymer, and carbon-based nanomaterials for traditional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and phototherapy. The review also discusses the potential of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials for drug delivery in lung cancer, and the limitations and opportunities for improving the design of nano-based materials for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Nanomaterials as drug delivery agents for overcoming the blood-brain barrier: A comprehensive review

Background and Purpose

The blood-brain barrier (BBB), a critical interface of specialized endothelial cells, plays a pivotal role in regulating molecular and ion transport between the central nervous system (CNS) and systemic circulation.

Experimental Approach

This review aims to delve into the intricate architecture and functions of the BBB while addressing challenges associated with delivering therapeutics to the brain. Historical milestones and contemporary insights underscore the BBB's significance in protecting the CNS.

Key Results

Innovative approaches for enhanced drug transport include intranasal delivery exploiting olfactory and trigeminal pathways, as well as techniques like temporary BBB opening through chemicals, receptors, or focused ultrasound. These avenues hold the potential to reshape conventional drug delivery paradigms and address the limitations posed by the BBB's selectivity.

Conclusion

This review underscores the vital role of the BBB in maintaining CNS health and emphasizes the importance of effective drug delivery through this barrier. Nanoparticles emerge as promising candidates to overcome BBB limitations and potentially revolutionize the treatment of CNS disorders. As research progresses, the application of nanomaterials shows immense potential for advancing neurological therapeutics, albeit with careful consideration of safety aspects.

Superficial Dermatophytosis across the World's Populations: Potential Benefits from Nanocarrier-Based Therapies and Rising Challenges

The most prevalent infection in the world is dermatophytosis, which is a major issue with high recurrence and can affect the entire body including the skin, hair, and nails. The major goal of this Review is to acquire knowledge about cutting-edge approaches for treating dermatophytosis efficiently by adding antifungals to formulations based on nanocarriers in order to overcome the shortcomings of standard treatment methods. Updates on nanosystems and research developments on animal and clinical investigations are also presented. Along with the currently licensed formulations, the investigation also emphasizes novel therapies and existing therapeutic alternatives that can be used to control dermatophytosis. The Review also summarizes recent developments on the prevalence, management approaches, and disadvantages of standard dosage types. There are a number of therapeutic strategies for the treatment of dermatophytosis that have good clinical cure rates but also drawbacks such as antifungal drug resistance and unfavorable side effects. To improve therapeutic activity and get around the drawbacks of the traditional therapy approaches for dermatophytosis, efforts have been described in recent years to combine several antifungal drugs into new carriers. These formulations have been successful in providing improved antifungal activity, longer drug retention, improved effectiveness, higher skin penetration, and sustained drug release.

Targeting endothelial permeability in the EPR effect

The characteristics of the primary tumor blood vessels and the tumor microenvironment drive the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, which confers an advantage towards enhanced delivery of anti-cancer nanomedicine and has shown beneficial effects in preclinical models. Increased vascular permeability is a landmark feature of the tumor vessels and an important driver of the EPR. The main focus of this review is the endothelial regulation of vascular permeability. We discuss current challenges of targeting vascular permeability towards clinical translation and summarize the structural components and mechanisms of endothelial permeability, the principal mediators and signaling players, the targeted approaches that have been used and their outcomes to date. We also critically discuss the effects of the tumor-infiltrating immune cells, their interplay with the tumor vessels and the impact of immune responses on nanomedicine delivery, the impact of anti-angiogenic and tumor-stroma targeting approaches, and desirable nanoparticle design approaches for greater translational benefit.

Kappa-carrageenan based hybrid hydrogel for soft tissue engineering applications

Biological materials such as cell-derived membrane vesicles have emerged as alternative sources for molecular delivery systems, owing to multicomponent features, the inherent functionalities and signaling networks, and easy-to-carry therapeutic agents with various properties. Herein, red blood cell membrane (RBCM) vesicle-laden methacrylate kappa-carrageenan (KaMA) composite hydrogel is introduced for soft tissue engineering. Results revealed that the characteristics of hybrid hydrogels were significantly modulated by changing the RBCM vesicle content. For instance, the incorporation of 20% (v/v) RBCM significantly enhanced compressive strength from 103 ± 26 kPa to 257 ± 18 kPa and improved toughness under the cyclic loading from 1.0 ± 0.4 kJ m-3to 4.0 ± 0.5 kJ m-3after the 5thcycle. RBCM vesicles were also used for the encapsulation of curcumin (CUR) as a hydrophobic drug molecule. Results showed a controlled release of CUR over three days of immersion in PBS solution. The RBCM vesicles laden KaMA hydrogels also supportedin vitrofibroblast cell growth and proliferation. In summary, this research sheds light on KaMA/RBCM hydrogels, that could reveal fine-tuned properties and hydrophobic drug release in a controlled manner.

Cancer Nanomedicine: Emerging Strategies and Therapeutic Potentials

Cancer continues to pose a severe threat to global health, making pursuing effective treatments more critical than ever. Traditional therapies, although pivotal in managing cancer, encounter considerable challenges, including drug resistance, poor drug solubility, and difficulties targeting tumors, specifically limiting their overall efficacy. Nanomedicine's application in cancer therapy signals a new epoch, distinguished by the improvement of the specificity, efficacy, and tolerability of cancer treatments. This review explores the mechanisms and advantages of nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery, highlighting passive and active targeting strategies. Furthermore, it explores the transformative potential of nanomedicine in tumor therapeutics, delving into its applications across various treatment modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, photodynamic and photothermal therapy, gene therapy, as well as tumor diagnosis and imaging. Meanwhile, the outlook of nanomedicine in tumor therapeutics is discussed, emphasizing the need for addressing toxicity concerns, improving drug delivery strategies, enhancing carrier stability and controlled release, simplifying nano-design, and exploring novel manufacturing technologies. Overall, integrating nanomedicine in cancer treatment holds immense potential for revolutionizing cancer therapeutics and improving patient outcomes.

New insights into nanosystems for non-small-cell lung cancer: diagnosis and treatment

Lung cancer is caused by a malignant tumor that shows the fastest growth in both incidence and mortality and is also the greatest threat to human health and life. At present, both in terms of incidence and mortality, lung cancer is the first in male malignant tumors, and the second in female malignant tumors. In the past two decades, research and development of antitumor drugs worldwide have been booming, and a large number of innovative drugs have entered clinical trials and practice. In the era of precision medicine, the concept and strategy of cancer from diagnosis to treatment are experiencing unprecedented changes. The ability of tumor diagnosis and treatment has rapidly improved, the discovery rate and cure rate of early tumors have greatly improved, and the overall survival of patients has benefited significantly, with a tendency to transform to a chronic disease with tumor. The emergence of nanotechnology brings new horizons for tumor diagnosis and treatment. Nanomaterials with good biocompatibility have played an important role in tumor imaging, diagnosis, drug delivery, controlled drug release, etc. This article mainly reviews the advancements in lipid-based nanosystems, polymer-based nanosystems, and inorganic nanosystems in the diagnosis and treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Nuclear Delivery of Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems by Nuclear Localization Signals

Nanomedicine 2.0 refers to the next generation of nanotechnology-based medical therapies and diagnostic tools. This field focuses on the development of more sophisticated and precise nanoparticles (NPs) for targeted drug delivery, imaging, and sensing. It has been established that the nuclear delivery of NP-loaded drugs can increase their therapeutic efficacy. To effectively direct the NPs to the nucleus, the attachment of nuclear localization signals (NLSs) to NPs has been employed in many applications. In this review, we will provide an overview of the structure of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and the classic nuclear import mechanism. Additionally, we will explore various nanoparticles, including their synthesis, functionalization, drug loading and release mechanisms, nuclear targeting strategies, and potential applications. Finally, we will highlight the challenges associated with developing nucleus-targeted nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs) and provide insights into the future of NDDSs.

Differential Mobility Spectrometry-Tandem Mass Spectrometry with Multiple Ion Monitoring Coupled with in Source-Collision Induced Dissociation: A New Strategy for the Quantitative Analysis of Pharmaceutical Polymer Excipients in Rat Plasma

Polylactic acids (PLAs) are synthetic polymers composed of repeating lactic acid subunits. For their good biocompatibility, PLAs have been approved and widely applied as pharmaceutical excipients and scaffold materials. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical tool not only for pharmaceutical ingredients but also for pharmaceutical excipients. However, the characterization of PLAs presents particular problems for mass spectrometry techniques. In addition to their high molecular weights and wide polydispersity, multiple charging and various adductions are intrinsic features of electrospray ionization. In the present study, a strategy combining of differential mobility spectrometry (DMS), multiple ion monitoring (MIM) and in-source collision-induced dissociation (in source-CID) has been developed and applied to the characterization and quantitation of PLAs in rat plasma. First, PLAs will be fragmented into characteristic fragment ions under high declustering potential in the ionization source. The specific fragment ions are then screened twice by quadrupoles to ensure a high signal intensity and low interference for mass spectrometry detection. Subsequently, DMS technique has been applied to further reduce the background noise. The appropriately chosen surrogate specific precursor ions could be utilized for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of PLAs, which provided results with the advantages of low endogenous interference, sufficient sensitivity and selectivity for bioassay. The linearity of the method was evaluated over the concentration range 3-100 μg/mL (r² = 0.996) for PLA 20,000. The LC-DMS-MIM coupled with in source-CID strategy may contribute to the pharmaceutical studies of PLAs and the possible prospects of other pharmaceutical excipients.

Recent Advances in Doxorubicin Formulation to Enhance Pharmacokinetics and Tumor Targeting

Doxorubicin (DOX), a widely used drug in cancer chemotherapy, induces cell death via multiple intracellular interactions, generating reactive oxygen species and DNA-adducted configurations that induce apoptosis, topoisomerase II inhibition, and histone eviction. Despite its wide therapeutic efficacy in solid tumors, DOX often induces drug resistance and cardiotoxicity. It shows limited intestinal absorption because of low paracellular permeability and P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated efflux. We reviewed various parenteral DOX formulations, such as liposomes, polymeric micelles, polymeric nanoparticles, and polymer-drug conjugates, under clinical use or trials to increase its therapeutic efficacy. To improve the bioavailability of DOX in intravenous and oral cancer treatment, studies have proposed a pH- or redox-sensitive and receptor-targeted system for overcoming DOX resistance and increasing therapeutic efficacy without causing DOX-induced toxicity. Multifunctional formulations of DOX with mucoadhesiveness and increased intestinal permeability through tight-junction modulation and P-gp inhibition have also been used as orally bioavailable DOX in the preclinical stage. The increasing trends of developing oral formulations from intravenous formulations, the application of mucoadhesive technology, permeation-enhancing technology, and pharmacokinetic modulation with functional excipients might facilitate the further development of oral DOX.

Pluronic F127 and P104 Polymeric Micelles as Efficient Nanocarriers for Loading and Release of Single and Dual Antineoplastic Drugs

The potential application of biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric micelles formed by Pluronic F127 and P104 as nanocarriers of the antineoplastic drugs docetaxel (DOCE) and doxorubicin (DOXO) is presented in this work. The release profile was carried out under sink conditions at 37 °C and analyzed using the Higuchi, Korsmeyer-Peppas, and Peppas-Sahlin diffusion models. The cell viability of HeLa cells was evaluated using the proliferation cell counting kit CCK-8 assay. The formed polymeric micelles solubilized significant amounts of DOCE and DOXO, and released them in a sustained manner for 48 h, with a release profile composed of an initial rapid release within the first 12 h followed by a much slower phase the end of the experiments. In addition, the release was faster under acidic conditions. The model that best fit the experimental data was the Korsmeyer-Peppas one and denoted a drug release dominated by Fickian diffusion. When HeLa cells were exposed for 48 h to DOXO and DOCE drugs loaded inside P104 and F127 micelles, they showed lower IC₅₀ values than those reported by other researchers using polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers or liposomes as alternative carriers, indicating that a lower drug concentration is needed to decrease cell viability by 50%.

Effect of Melittin Complexes with Graphene and Graphene Oxide on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Tumors Grown on Chicken Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane

One of the components of bee venom is melittin (M), which has strong lysing properties on membranes. M has high toxicity to cancer cells, but it also affects healthy cells, making it necessary to use methods for targeted delivery to ensure treatment. This research is a continuation of previous studies using graphene nanomaterials as M carriers to breast cancer cells. The studies described below are conducted on a more organized biological structure than what is found in vitro cells, namely, cancerous tumors grown on a chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane. Caspase 3 and 8 levels are analyzed, and the level of oxidative stress markers and changes in protein expression for cytokines are examined. The results show that M complexes with nanomaterials reduce the level of oxidative stress more than M alone does, but the use of graphene (GN) as a carrier increases the level of DNA damage to a greater extent than the increase caused by M alone. An analysis of cytokine levels shows that the use of the M and GN complex increases the level of proteins responsible for inhibiting tumor progression to a greater extent than the increase occasioned by a complex with graphene oxide (GO). The results suggest that the use of GN as an M carrier may increase the toxic effect of M on structures located inside a cell.

Polymeric Micellar Systems-A Special Emphasis on "Smart" Drug Delivery

Concurrent developments in anticancer nanotechnological treatments have been observed as the burden of cancer increases every year. The 21st century has seen a transformation in the study of medicine thanks to the advancement in the field of material science and nanomedicine. Improved drug delivery systems with proven efficacy and fewer side effects have been made possible. Nanoformulations with varied functions are being created using lipids, polymers, and inorganic and peptide-based nanomedicines. Therefore, thorough knowledge of these intelligent nanomedicines is crucial for developing very promising drug delivery systems. Polymeric micelles are often simple to make and have high solubilization characteristics; as a result, they seem to be a promising alternative to other nanosystems. Even though recent studies have provided an overview of polymeric micelles, here we included a discussion on the "intelligent" drug delivery from these systems. We also summarized the state-of-the-art and the most recent developments of polymeric micellar systems with respect to cancer treatments. Additionally, we gave significant attention to the clinical translation potential of polymeric micellar systems in the treatment of various cancers.

Drug Release from Nanoparticles (Polymeric Nanocapsules and Liposomes) Mimed through a Multifractal Tunnelling-Type Effect

The present study analyzes (theoretically and experimentally) a drug release process from nanoparticles (polymeric nanocapsules and liposomes). This process is functionalized on the surface with an aptamer. These types of drug release processes can also be included in cream-type formulations. The obtained cream ensures the active targeting of tumor epithelial cells, in the case of skin cancer, because it can be easily administered to the skin by spreading, thus avoiding side effects caused by the toxicity of the drug to healthy cells, increasing both patient compliance and the effectiveness of the treatment. The process of obtaining these formulations is a simple one, easy to use and highly reproductible. The theoretical model, based on the multifractal tunnel effect within the Scale Relativity Theory, considers the system as a complex one. In this model, complexity is replaced with system multifractality, quantified in physical quantities as multifractal dimensions and multifractal functions. The main advantage of this approach consists in the fact that it allows us to obtain information on system behavior at a microscopic level and to evaluate microscopic characteristics of the system, such as intrinsic transparences of the drug molecules, multifractal constants as indicators of the system's complexity, the frequency of interactions within the system and the energy ratio between potential barrier energy and the energy of drug molecules.

Π-Π interactions stabilize PeptoMicelle-based formulations of Pretomanid derivatives leading to promising therapy against tuberculosis in zebrafish and mouse models

Tuberculosis is the deadliest bacterial disease globally, threatening the lives of millions every year. New antibiotic therapies that can shorten the duration of treatment, improve cure rates, and impede the development of drug resistance are desperately needed. Here, we used polymeric micelles to encapsulate four second-generation derivatives of the antitubercular drug pretomanid that had previously displayed much better in vivo activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis than pretomanid itself. Because these compounds were relatively hydrophobic and had limited bioavailability, we expected that their micellar formulations would overcome these limitations, reduce toxicities, and improve therapeutic outcomes. The polymeric micelles were based on polypept(o)ides (PeptoMicelles) and were stabilized in their hydrophobic core by π-π interactions, allowing the efficient encapsulation of aromatic pretomanid derivatives. The stability of these π-π-stabilized PeptoMicelles was demonstrated in water, blood plasma, and lung surfactant by fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy and was further supported by prolonged circulation times of several days in the vasculature of zebrafish larvae. The most efficacious PeptoMicelle formulation tested in the zebrafish larvae infection model almost completely eradicated the bacteria at non-toxic doses. This lead formulation was further assessed against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the susceptible C3HeB/FeJ mouse model, which develops human-like necrotic granulomas. Following intravenous administration, the drug-loaded PeptoMicelles significantly reduced bacterial burden and inflammatory responses in the lungs and spleens of infected mice.

Nanomedicine-based commercial formulations: current developments and future prospects

Background

In recent decades, there has been a considerable increase in the number of nanomedicine-based formulations, and their advantages, including controlled/targeted drug delivery with increased efficacy and reduced toxicity, make them ideal candidates for therapeutic delivery in the treatment of complex and difficult-to-treat diseases, such as cancer.

Areas covered

This review focuses on nanomedicine-based formulation development, approved and marketed nanomedicines, and the challenges faced in nanomedicine development as well as their future prospects.

Expert opinion

To date, the Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency have approved several nanomedicines, which are now commercially available. However, several critical challenges, including reproducibility, proper characterization, and biological evaluation, e.g., via assays, are still associated with their use. Therefore, rigorous studies alongside stringent guidelines for effective and safe nanomedicine development and use are still warranted. In this study, we provide an overview of currently available nanomedicine-based formulations. Thus, the findings here reported may serve as a basis for further studies regarding the use of these formulations for therapeutic purposes in near future.

pH and its applications in targeted drug delivery

Physiologic pH is vital for the normal functioning of tissues and varies in different parts of the body. The varying pH of the body has been exploited to design pH-sensitive smart oral, transdermal and vaginal drug delivery systems (DDS). The DDS demonstrated promising results in hard-to-treat diseases such as cancer and Helicobacter pylori infection. In some cases, a change in pH of tissues or body fluids has also been employed as a useful diagnostic biomarker. This paper aims to comprehensively review the development and applications of pH-sensitive DDS as well as recent advances in the field.

[Solubilization of Poorly Water-soluble Drugs with Amphiphilic Phospholipid Polymers]

Most drug candidates developed in recent years are poorly water-soluble, which is a key challenge in pharmaceutical science. Various solubilization methods have been investigated thus far, most of which require solubilizers that provide a local hydrophobic environment wherein a drug can dissolve or induce interactions with drug molecules. We have focused on amphiphilic 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphoryl choline (MPC) polymers. In addition to the ease of molecular design of amphiphilic MPC polymers owing to their chemical structures, they have been reported to possess high biocompatibility in various biomaterial applications. Additionally, amphiphilic MPC polymers have been applied in the pharmaceutical field, especially in solubilization. We have qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated the effects of the chemical structure and physical properties of the solubilizer on the MPC polymers. In particular, MPC polymers with different chemical structures were designed and synthesized. The inner polarity and molecular mobility in the polymer aggregates were evaluated, indicating that the intrinsic properties reflect the chemical structure of the polymer. Additionally, amphiphilic MPC polymers were used to improve the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs and as solid dispersion carriers, and they exhibited superior solubilizing abilities compared to a commonly used polymer. Furthermore, the solubility of biopharmaceuticals, such as peptides, was improved. It is possible to design and synthesize optimal structures based on the polarity of the hydrophobic environment and the intermolecular interaction with a drug. This research provides a unified interpretation of drugs and efficiently summarizes knowledge about drug development, which will facilitate the efficient and rapid development of drug formulations.

Advances in Polymeric Colloids for Cancer Treatment

Polymer colloids have remarkable features and are gaining importance in many areas of research including medicinal science. Presently, the innovation of cancer drugs is at the top in the world. Polymer colloids have been used as drug delivery and diagnosis agents in cancer treatment. The polymer colloids may be of different types such as micelles, liposomes, emulsions, cationic carriers, and hydrogels. The current article describes the state-of-the-art polymer colloids for the treatment of cancer. The contents of this article are about the role of polymeric nanomaterials with special emphasis on the different types of colloidal materials and their applications in targeted cancer therapy including cancer diagnoses. In addition, attempts are made to discuss future perspectives. This article will be useful for academics, researchers, and regulatory authorities.

Novel Worm-like Micelles for Hydrochloride Doxorubicin Delivery: Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation

Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) is one of the widely used antineoplastic agents in treating various cancers, yet it is always associated with the occurrence of adverse reactions that limit its clinical use. Currently, encapsulating DOX in micelles may represent a promising strategy to reduce toxicity and side effects of the drug. This study aimed to explore a novel acitretin-based surfactant (ACMeNa) with good solid stability to encapsulate DOX to form micelles (ACM-DOX). In this work, ACM-DOX micelles were prepared by a microfluidic method free of organic solvents. The characteristics of ACM-DOX micelles were assessed, including morphology, particle size, stability, entrapment efficiency, and drug loading. An in vitro cytotoxicity experiment of the micelles on MDA-MB-231 (a human breast cancer cell line) was also performed. The micelle formation mechanism suggested that the insoluble ACMeNa/DOX complex was formed by electrostatic interaction, and subsequently encapsulated by self-assembly into micelles. The designed ACM-DOX micelles had an average particle size of 19.4 ± 0.2 nm and a zeta potential of −43.7 ± 2.4 mV, with entrapment efficiency and drug loading efficiency of 92.4 ± 0.5% and 33.4 ± 0.3%, respectively. The ACM-DOX micelles had worm-like structures under a Cryo-transmission electron microscope and exhibited good stability within 8 hours after reconstitution and 4- to 32-fold dilution of its reconstituted solution. ACM-DOX micelles released 80% of DOX within 24 hours in a medium of pH = 5.0, and its drug profile can be described by a first-order model. Moreover, ACM-DOX micelles showed cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 in a dose-dependent manner, and displayed a higher antitumor activity as compared with free DOX, with IC50 values of DOX and ACM-DOX micelles being 6.80 ± 0.50 and 4.64 ± 0.32 μg/mL, respectively. Given above, ACMeNa has great application potential as a DOX carrier for the treatment of cancers.

Multifunctional Polymeric Micelles for Cancer Therapy

Polymeric micelles, nanosized assemblies of amphiphilic polymers with a core-shell architecture, have been used as carriers for various therapeutic compounds. They have gained attention due to specific properties such as their capacity to solubilize poorly water-soluble drugs, biocompatibility, and the ability to accumulate in tumor via enhanced permeability and retention (EPR). Moreover, additional functionality can be provided to the micelles by a further modification. For example, micelle surface modification with targeting ligands allows a specific targeting and enhanced tumor accumulation. The introduction of stimuli-sensitive groups leads to the drug's release in response to environment change. This review highlights the progress in the development of multifunctional polymeric micelles in the field of cancer therapy. This review will also cover some examples of multifunctional polymeric micelles that are applied for tumor imaging and theragnosis.

Cyclodextrin-Based Polymeric Materials Bound to Corona Protein for Theranostic Applications

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharide structures that could be used for theranostic applications in personalized medicine. These compounds have been widely utilized not only for enhancing drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability but also for controlled and targeted delivery of small molecules. These compounds can be complexed with various biomolecules, such as peptides or proteins, via host-guest interactions. CDs are amphiphilic compounds with water-hating holes and water-absorbing surfaces. Architectures of CDs allow the drawing and preparation of CD-based polymers (CDbPs) with optimal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. These polymers can be cloaked with protein corona consisting of adsorbed plasma or extracellular proteins to improve nanoparticle biodistribution and half-life. Besides, CDs have become famous in applications ranging from biomedicine to environmental sciences. In this review, we emphasize ongoing research in biomedical fields using CD-based centered, pendant, and terminated polymers and their interactions with protein corona for theranostic applications. Overall, a perusal of information concerning this novel approach in biomedicine will help to implement this methodology based on host-guest interaction to improve therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.

Improvement of Oral Absorption of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs by Solid Dispersions with Amphiphilic Phospholipid Polymer

Solid dispersions are one of methods for solubilizing water-insoluble drugs. To enhance the bioavailability, maintenance of the supersaturated state and absorption of the dissolved drug in the gastrointestinal tract are important. We designed and synthesized amphiphilic 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) copolymers as carriers for solid dispersions and evaluated the dissolution behavior in test solutions with different pH and additives. Solid dispersion of troglitazone with amphiphilic MPC copolymers having both aromatic rings and urethane bonds in the side chains showed rapid dissolution and excellent supersaturation maintenance. It was indicated that the balance between the interactions with drug molecules and the water affinity of the polymer should be considered when carriers for solid dispersions are designed. In addition, cell membrane permeability of the solid dispersion with the amphiphilic MPC copolymer was evaluated by the Dissolution / Permeation system, which consists of two liquid chambers and a monolayer of epithelial cells that mimics the intestinal dissolution and permeation process. Further, blood concentration of the drug when solid dispersions were orally administered in mice was also evaluated. The cell membrane permeability and oral absorbability were significantly improved, compared to the solid dispersions with poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) and suspension or solution of crystalline troglitazone.