Preparation and therapeutic evaluation of paclitaxel-conjugated low-molecular-weight chitosan nanoparticles

Delivery of pemetrexed by magnetic nanoparticles: design, characterization, in vitro and in vivo assessment

Drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticles have been developed because of the advantages of specific drug targeting in cancer treatment. Pemetrexed (PEM) is a multi-targeting antifolate agent that is effective for the treatment of many cancers, for example, non-small cell lung cancer. Here, PEM loaded magnetic O-carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CMC) nanoparticles were prepared to deliver PEM on tumor tissue with an external magnetic field. The modification of chitosan to O-CMC was confirmed by FTIR analysis. Nanoparticle synthesis was performed via ionic gelation method. The diameter of magnetic O-CMC nanoparticles (MCMC) was found to be 130.1 ± 22.96 nm. After PEM loading, diameter was found to be 123.9 ± 11.42 nm. The drug release of PEM loaded MCMC (PMCMC) was slower in physiological medium than in acidic medium. A549-luc-C8 and CRL5807 cell lines were used for MTT test which showed that IC₅₀ values of nanoparticles were lower than PEM. The antitumor efficiency of PMCMC in xenograft tumor model was examined with in vivo imaging system (IVIS) and caliper and with hematological analyses. In vivo studies revealed that PMCMC had targeted antitumor activity in A549-luc-C8-tumor-bearing mice compared to PEM. As a result, it was suggested that PMCMC have great potential for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Treatment of hepatotoxicity induced by γ-radiation using platelet-rich plasma and/or low molecular weight chitosan in experimental rats

Background and aim: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is rich in growth factors and plays an important role in tissue healing and cytoprotection. Also, it has been proved that low molecular weight chitosan (LMC) possesses many outstanding health benefits. The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of using PRP and/or fungal LMC to treat hepatotoxicity induced by γ-radiation in albino rats.Materials and methods: Forty-eight adult male albino rats were randomly divided into eight groups. Group I (control), Group II (PRP alone), Group III (LMC alone), Group IV (PRP + LMC), Group V (γ-irradiated alone), Group VI (γ-irradiated + PRP), Group VII (γ-irradiated + LMC), and Group VIII (γ-irradiated + PRP + LMC). The irradiated rats were whole body exposed to γ-radiation (8 Gy) as fractionated doses (2 Gy) twice a week for 2 consecutive weeks. The treated groups received PRP (0.5 mL/kg body weight, s.c.) and/or LMC (10 mg/kg body weight, s.c.) 2 days a week 1 h after every dose of γ-radiation and continued for another week after the last dose of radiation. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities, as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) content, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) levels in the liver tissue and relative expression of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in serum were measured, in addition to histopathological examination.Results: Exposure of rats to γ-radiation resulted in a significant increase in serum ALT and AST activities, hepatic MDA levels, and serum miR-21 relative expression, along with a significant decrease in hepatic GSH content, TAC, and Nrf2 levels. Treatment with PRP and/or fungal LMC after exposure to γ-radiation ameliorated these parameters and improved the histopathological changes induced by γ-radiation.Conclusions: The results demonstrated that PRP and/or LMC inhibited γ-radiation-induced hepatotoxicity and using both of them together seems more effective. They can be a candidate to be studied toward the development of a therapeutic strategy for liver diseases.

Preclinical development of drug delivery systems for paclitaxel-based cancer chemotherapy

Paclitaxel (PTX) is one of the most successful drugs ever used in cancer chemotherapy, acting against a variety of cancer types. Formulating PTX with Cremophor EL and ethanol (Taxol®) realized its clinical potential, but the formulation falls short of expectations due to side effects such as peripheral neuropathy, hypotension, and hypersensitivity. Abraxane®, the albumin bound PTX, represents a superior replacement of Taxol® that mitigates the side effects associated with Cremophor EL. While Abraxane® is now considered a gold standard in chemotherapy, its 21% response rate leaves much room for further improvement. The quest for safer and more effective cancer treatments has led to the development of a plethora of innovative PTX formulations, many of which are currently undergoing clinical trials. In this context, we review recent development of PTX drug delivery systems and analyze the design principles underpinning each delivery strategy. We chose several representative examples to highlight the opportunities and challenges of polymeric systems, lipid-based formulations, as well as prodrug strategies.

Engineering Biomaterial-Drug Conjugates for Local and Sustained Chemotherapeutic Delivery

The standard of care for cancer patients includes surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy with cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs usually part of the treatment. However, these drugs are commonly associated with cardiotoxicity, ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, and myelosuppression. Strategies to deliver cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs while reducing secondary toxicity and increasing tumor dosing would therefore be desirable. This goal can be achieved through the use of controlled release drug carrier systems. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of clinically used drug carrier systems and recently developed approaches for drug-biomaterial conjugation.