Development, optimization and in vitro evaluation of oxaliplatin loaded nanoparticles in non-small cell lung cancer

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).

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Treatment Options and Limitations: Future Outlook

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a negative expression of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptors (HER2). The survival rate for TNBC is generally worse than other breast cancer subtypes. TNBC treatment has made significant advances, but certain limitations remain. Treatment for TNBC can be challenging since the disease has various molecular subtypes. A variety of treatment options are available, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Chemotherapy is the most common of these options. TNBC is generally treated with systemic chemotherapy using drugs such as anthracyclines and taxanes in neoadjuvant or adjuvant settings. Developing resistance to anticancer drugs and off-target toxicity are the primary hindrances to chemotherapeutic solutions for cancer. It is imperative that researchers, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies work together to develop effective treatment options for TNBC. Several studies have suggested nanotechnology as a potential solution to the problem of suboptimal TNBC treatment. In this review, we summarized possible treatment options for TNBC, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, combination therapy, and nanoparticle-based therapy, and some solutions for the treatment of TNBC in the future. Moreover, we gave general information about TNBC in terms of its characteristics and aggressiveness.

A novel estrogen-targeted PEGylated liposome co-delivery oxaliplatin and paclitaxel for the treatment of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the second cause of death among gynecological malignancies. In this study, we designed a novel estrogen-targeted PEGylated liposome loaded with oxaliplatin and paclitaxel (ES-SSL-OXA/PTX) which could target estrogen receptor (ER) highly expressed on the surface of SKOV-3 cells to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce the side effects for SKOV-3 tumor therapy. ES-SSL-OXA/PTX was prepared by thin film hydration method and exhibited a uniform spherical morphology. Encapsulation efficiency (EE) were determined by HPLC method with the results of 44.10% for OXA and 65.85% for PTX. The mean particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) were 168.46 nm and 0.145, respectively. In vivo and in vitro targeting study confirmed that ES-SSL-OXA/PTX has optimum specific targeting ability. Meanwhile, In vitro and in vivo antitumor results of ES-SSL-OXA/PTX exhibited a superior antiproliferative effect on SKOV-3 cells and a stronger anti-tumor efficacy with the tumor inhibition rate of 85.24%. The pharmacokinetics results of ES-SSL-OXA/PTX showed a prolonged half-life time and a slowed clearance rate. The preliminary safety study of acute toxicity and long-term toxicity demonstrated ES-SSL-OXA/PTX exhibited a reduced toxicity profile. Based on the above results, ES-SSL-OXA/PTX could be a promising novel formulation for the treatment of ovarian cancer in future clinic.

Comprehensive analyses of one-carbon metabolism related genes and their association with prognosis, tumor microenvironment, chemotherapy resistance and immunotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common type of lung cancer and is a global public health concern. One-carbon (1C) metabolism plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of multiple cancer types. However, there are limited studies investigating 1C metabolism in LUAD. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of 1C metabolism-related genes in LUAD and to explore the potential correlation of these genes with gene methylation, the tumor microenvironment, and immunotherapy. Methods: We identified 26 1C metabolism-related genes and performed a Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of these genes. Consensus clustering was further performed to determine the 1C metabolism-related gene patterns in LUAD. The clinical and molecular characteristics of subgroups were investigated based on consensus clustering. CIBERSORT and ssGSEA algorithms were used to calculate the relative infiltration levels of multiple immune cell subsets. The relationship between 1C metabolism-related genes and drug sensitivity to immunotherapy was evaluated using the CellMiner database and IMvigor210 cohort, respectively. Results: The expression levels of 23 1C metabolism-related genes were significantly different between LUAD tumor tissues and normal tissues. Seventeen of these genes were related to prognosis. Two clusters (cluster 1 and cluster 2) were identified among 497 LUAD samples based on the expression of 7 prognosis-related genes. Distinct expression patterns were observed between the two clusters. Compared to cluster 2, cluster 1 was characterized by inferior overall survival (OS) (median OS = 41 vs. 60 months, p = 0.00031), increased tumor mutation burden (15.8 vs. 7.5 mut/Mb, p < 0.001), high expression of PD-1 (p < 0.001) and PD-L1 (p < 0.001), as well as enhanced immune infiltration. 1C metabolism-related genes were positively correlated with the expression of methylation enzymes, and a lower methylation level was observed in cluster 1 (p = 0.0062). Patients in cluster 1 were resistant to chemotherapy drugs including pemetrexed, gemcitabine, paclitaxel, etoposide, oxaliplatin, and carboplatin. The specific expression pattern of 1C metabolism-related genes was correlated with a better OS in patients treated with immunotherapy (median OS: 11.2 vs. 7.8 months, p = 0.0034). Conclusion: This study highlights that 1C metabolism is correlated with the prognosis of LUAD patients and immunotherapy efficacy. Our findings provide novel insights into the role of 1C metabolism in the occurrence, development, and treatment of LUAD, and can assist in guiding immunotherapy for LUAD patients.

Platinum Nanoparticles: The Potential Antioxidant in the Human Lung Cancer Cells

Oxidative stress-related conditions associated with lung cells, specifically lung cancer, often lead to a poor prognosis. We hypothesized that platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) can play a role in reversing oxidative stress in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 epithelial lung cell lines. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was used to induce oxidative stress in cells, and the ability of PtNPs to lower the oxidative stress in the H₂O₂ treated epithelial lung cell line was determined. The differential capacity of PtNPs to remove H₂O₂ was studied through cell viability, nanoparticle uptake, DNA damage, ROS production, and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase). Results indicated that a higher concentration of PtNPs exhibited a higher antioxidant capacity and was able to reduce DNA damage and quench ROS production in the presence of 350 µM H₂O₂. All antioxidant enzymes’ activities also increased in the PtNPs treatment. Our data suggested that PtNPs could be a promising antioxidant in the treatment of lung cancer.

Establishment of childhood hepatoblastoma xenografts and evaluation of the anti-tumour effects of anlotinib, oxaliplatin and sorafenib

BACKGROUND

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is a common primary malignant liver tumour in children, mainly treated by means of traditional chemotherapy using platinum and doxorubicin (ADM). There has been limited progress in the research and development of new drugs for treating HB.

METHODS

A tumour biopsy from a child with HB was implanted into immunodeficient mice. The primary tumour and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumour were extensively characterised by histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and humanisation identification. We used the PDX model to evaluate the anti-tumour effects of anlotinib oxaliplatin (L-OHP) and sorafenib on childhood HB.

RESULTS

The established PDX model maintained the histological characteristics of the primary tumour. Anlotinib, L-OHP, and sorafenib can significantly inhibit the tumour growth in the PDX model. There was no obvious damage of the drugs to the heart, liver and kidney of the mice, and the side effects observed were light.

CONCLUSION

We have successfully established a PDX model of childhood HB. The model retains important molecular characteristics of human primary tumours. Using the model, it was found that anlotinib, L-OHP, and sorafenib have a good inhibitory effect on the growth of childhood HB. This provides a preliminary research basis for the clinical application of the drugs.

Advanced Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems and Their Cellular Evaluation for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment

Lung cancers, the number one cancer killer, can be broadly divided into small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with NSCLC being the most commonly diagnosed type. Anticancer agents for NSCLC suffer from various limitations that can be partly overcome by the application of nanomedicines. Nanoparticles is a branch within nanomedicine that can improve the delivery of anticancer drugs, whilst ensuring the stability and sufficient bioavailability following administration. There are many publications available in the literature exploring different types of nanoparticles from different materials. The effectiveness of a treatment option needs to be validated in suitable in vitro and/or in vivo models. This includes the developed nanoparticles, to prove their safety and efficacy. Many researchers have turned towards in vitro models that use normal cells or specific cells from diseased tissues. However, in cellular works, the physiological dynamics that is available in the body could not be mimicked entirely, and hence, there is still possible development of false positive or false negative results from the in vitro models. This article provides an overview of NSCLC, the different nanoparticles available to date, and in vitro evaluation of the nanoparticles. Different types of cells suitable for in vitro study and the important precautions to limit the development of false results are also extensively discussed.