1
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Di Francesco V, Chua AJ, Davoudi E, Kim J, Bleier BS, Amiji MM. Minimally invasive nasal infusion (MINI) approach for CNS delivery of protein therapeutics: A case study with ovalbumin. J Control Release 2024; 372:674-681. [PMID: 38909700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.06.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
One of the primary obstacles in treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders lies in the limited ability of disease-modifying drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Our previously described Minimally Invasive Nasal Depot (MIND) technique has proven successful in delivering various drugs to the brain in rat models via a trans-olfactory mucosal approach. In this study, we introduce a novel Minimally Invasive Nasal Infusion (MINI) delivery approach for administering ovalbumin, a model protein, utilizing a programmable infusion pump (iPRECIO SMP-310R) in a mouse model. This research highlights the significant role of olfactory mucosa in nose-to-brain delivery, with an efficacy of nearly 45% compared to intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration. This demonstrates its potential as an alternative procedure for treating CNS diseases, offering a greater safety profile relative to the highly invasive clinical routes traditionally adopted for CNS drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Di Francesco
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 140 The Fenway Building, MA 02115., USA; Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114., USA
| | - Andy J Chua
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 140 The Fenway Building, MA 02115., USA; Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114., USA; Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital, 110, Sengkang, E Way, Singapore 544886
| | - Elham Davoudi
- Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts at Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Jonghan Kim
- Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts at Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin S Bleier
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114., USA.
| | - Mansoor M Amiji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 140 The Fenway Building, MA 02115., USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 140 The Fenway Building, Boston, MA 02115., USA.
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2
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Agarwal P, Reid DL, Amiji M. CNS delivery of targeted protein degraders. J Control Release 2024; 372:661-673. [PMID: 38936742 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.06.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Heterobifunctional small molecule degraders are a subset of targeted protein degraders (TPDs), consisting of two ligands joined by a linker to induce proteasomal degradation of a target protein. As compared to traditional small molecules these compounds generally demonstrate inflated physicochemical properties, which may require innovative formulation strategies to enable their delivery and exert pharmacodynamic effect. The blood brain barrier (BBB) serves an essential function in human physiology, but its presence requires advanced approaches for treating central nervous system (CNS) diseases. By integrating emerging modalities like TPDs with conventional concepts of drug delivery, novel strategies to overcome the BBB can be developed. Amongst the available routes, lipid and polymer-based long-acting delivery seems to be the most amenable to TPDs, due to their ability to encapsulate lipophilic cargo and potential to be functionalized for targeted delivery. Another key consideration will be understanding E3 ligase expression in the different regions of the brain. Discovery of new brain or CNS disease specific E3 ligases could help overcome some of the barriers currently associated with CNS delivery of TPDs. This review discusses the current strategies that exist to overcome and improve therapeutic delivery of TPDs to the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Agarwal
- Drug Product Technologies, Process Development, Amgen, Inc., One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, United States of America; Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Darren L Reid
- Drug Product Technologies, Process Development, Amgen, Inc., 360 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142, United States of America
| | - Mansoor Amiji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America; Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America.
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3
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Mahmoud DB, Wölk C, Schulz-Siegmund M. Fabrication of 3D Printed, Core-and-Shell Implants as Controlled Release Systems for Local siRNA Delivery. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2301643. [PMID: 37712605 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
The development and clinical translation of small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapies remains challenging owing to their poor pharmacokinetics. 3D printing technology presents a great opportunity to fabricate personalized implants for local and sustained delivery of siRNA. Hydrogels can mimic the mechanical properties of tissues, avoiding the problems associated with rigid implants. Herein, a thermoresponsive composite hydrogel suitable for extrusion 3D-printing is formulated to fabricate controlled-release implants loaded with siRNA-Lipofectamine RNAiMAX complexes. A hydrogel matrix mainly composed of uncharged agarose to protect siRNA from decomplexation is selected. Additionally, pluronic F127 and gelatin are added to improve the printability, degradation, and cell adhesion to the implants. To avoid exposing siRNA to thermal stress during the printing process, a core-and-shell design is set up for the implants in which a core of siRNA-complexes loaded-pluronic F127 is printed without heat and enclosed with a shell comprising the thermoresponsive composite hydrogel. The release profile of siRNA-complexes is envisioned to be controlled by varying the printing patterns. The results reveal that the implants sustain siRNA release for one month. The intactness of the released siRNA-complexes is proven until the eighth day. Furthermore, by changing the printing patterns, the release profiles can be tailored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina B Mahmoud
- Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, 04317, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Egyptian Drug Authority, Giza, 11553, Egypt
| | - Christian Wölk
- Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, 04317, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michaela Schulz-Siegmund
- Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, 04317, Leipzig, Germany
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4
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Khorkova O, Stahl J, Joji A, Volmar CH, Zeier Z, Wahlestedt C. Long non-coding RNA-targeting therapeutics: discovery and development update. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:1011-1029. [PMID: 37466388 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2236552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION lncRNAs are major players in regulatory networks orchestrating multiple cellular functions, such as 3D chromosomal interactions, epigenetic modifications, gene expression and others. Due to progress in the development of nucleic acid-based therapeutics, lncRNAs potentially represent easily accessible therapeutic targets. AREAS COVERED Currently, significant efforts are directed at studies that can tap the enormous therapeutic potential of lncRNAs. This review describes recent developments in this field, particularly focusing on clinical applications. EXPERT OPINION Extensive druggable target range of lncRNA combined with high specificity and accelerated development process of nucleic acid-based therapeutics open new prospects for treatment in areas of extreme unmet medical need, such as genetic diseases, aggressive cancers, protein deficiencies, and subsets of common diseases caused by known mutations. Although currently wide acceptance of lncRNA-targeting nucleic acid-based therapeutics is impeded by the need for parenteral or direct-to-CNS administration, development of less invasive techniques and orally available/BBB-penetrant nucleic acid-based therapeutics is showing early successes. Recently, mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated clinical safety of all aspects of nucleic acid-based therapeutic technology, including multiple chemical modifications of nucleic acids and nanoparticle delivery. These trends position lncRNA-targeting drugs as significant players in the future of drug development, especially in the area of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Khorkova
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jack Stahl
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Aswathy Joji
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Claude-Henry Volmar
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Zane Zeier
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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5
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Padmakumar S, Amiji MM. Long-Acting Therapeutic Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Gliomas. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 197:114853. [PMID: 37149040 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite the emergence of cutting-edge therapeutic strategies and tremendous progress in research, a complete cure of glioma remains elusive. The heterogenous nature of tumor, immunosuppressive state and presence of blood brain barrier are few of the major obstacles in this regard. Long-acting depot formulations such as injectables and implantables are gaining attention for drug delivery to brain owing to their ease in administration and ability to elute drug locally for extended durations in a controlled manner with minimal toxicity. Hybrid matrices fabricated by incorporating nanoparticulates within such systems help to enhance pharmaceutical advantages. Utilization of long-acting depots as monotherapy or in conjunction with existing strategies rendered significant survival benefits in many preclinical studies and some clinical trials. The discovery of novel targets, immunotherapeutic strategies and alternative drug administration routes are now coupled with several long-acting systems with an ultimate aim to enhance patient survival and prevent glioma recurrences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smrithi Padmakumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115
| | - Mansoor M Amiji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115; Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115.
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6
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Chen X, Gong Y, Chen W. Advanced Temporally-Spatially Precise Technologies for On-Demand Neurological Disorder Intervention. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2207436. [PMID: 36929323 PMCID: PMC10190591 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202207436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Temporal-spatial precision has attracted increasing attention for the clinical intervention of neurological disorders (NDs) to mitigate adverse effects of traditional treatments and achieve point-of-care medicine. Inspiring steps forward in this field have been witnessed in recent years, giving the credit to multi-discipline efforts from neurobiology, bioengineering, chemical materials, artificial intelligence, and so on, exhibiting valuable clinical translation potential. In this review, the latest progress in advanced temporally-spatially precise clinical intervention is highlighted, including localized parenchyma drug delivery, precise neuromodulation, as well as biological signal detection to trigger closed-loop control. Their clinical potential in both central and peripheral nervous systems is illustrated meticulously related to typical diseases. The challenges relative to biosafety and scaled production as well as their future perspectives are also discussed in detail. Notably, these intelligent temporally-spatially precision intervention systems could lead the frontier in the near future, demonstrating significant clinical value to support billions of patients plagued with NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuli Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic MedicineTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and Technology430030WuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Pharmacodynamic EvaluationHuazhong University of Science and Technology430030WuhanChina
| | - Yusheng Gong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic MedicineTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and Technology430030WuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Pharmacodynamic EvaluationHuazhong University of Science and Technology430030WuhanChina
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic MedicineTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and Technology430030WuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Pharmacodynamic EvaluationHuazhong University of Science and Technology430030WuhanChina
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7
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Yang J, Luly KM, Green JJ. Nonviral nanoparticle gene delivery into the CNS for neurological disorders and brain cancer applications. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 15:e1853. [PMID: 36193561 PMCID: PMC10023321 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Nonviral nanoparticles have emerged as an attractive alternative to viral vectors for gene therapy applications, utilizing a range of lipid-based, polymeric, and inorganic materials. These materials can either encapsulate or be functionalized to bind nucleic acids and protect them from degradation. To effectively elicit changes to gene expression, the nanoparticle carrier needs to undergo a series of steps intracellularly, from interacting with the cellular membrane to facilitate cellular uptake to endosomal escape and nucleic acid release. Adjusting physiochemical properties of the nanoparticles, such as size, charge, and targeting ligands, can improve cellular uptake and ultimately gene delivery. Applications in the central nervous system (CNS; i.e., neurological diseases, brain cancers) face further extracellular barriers for a gene-carrying nanoparticle to surpass, with the most significant being the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Approaches to overcome these extracellular challenges to deliver nanoparticles into the CNS include systemic, intracerebroventricular, intrathecal, and intranasal administration. This review describes and compares different biomaterials for nonviral nanoparticle-mediated gene therapy to the CNS and explores challenges and recent preclinical and clinical developments in overcoming barriers to nanoparticle-mediated delivery to the brain. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Yang
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Ophthalmology, Oncology, Neurosurgery, Materials Science & Engineering, and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathryn M Luly
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Ophthalmology, Oncology, Neurosurgery, Materials Science & Engineering, and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jordan J Green
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Ophthalmology, Oncology, Neurosurgery, Materials Science & Engineering, and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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8
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CNS Delivery of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics: Beyond the Blood-Brain Barrier and Towards Specific Cellular Targeting. Pharm Res 2023; 40:77-105. [PMID: 36380168 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03433-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid-based therapeutic molecules including small interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA(miRNA), antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), messenger RNA (mRNA), and DNA-based gene therapy have tremendous potential for treating diseases in the central nervous system (CNS). However, achieving clinically meaningful delivery to the brain and particularly to target cells and sub-cellular compartments is typically very challenging. Mediating cell-specific delivery in the CNS would be a crucial advance that mitigates off-target effects and toxicities. In this review, we describe these challenges and provide contemporary evidence of advances in cellular and sub-cellular delivery using a variety of delivery mechanisms and alternative routes of administration, including the nose-to-brain approach. Strategies to achieve subcellular localization, endosomal escape, cytosolic bioavailability, and nuclear transfer are also discussed. Ultimately, there are still many challenges to translating these experimental strategies into effective and clinically viable approaches for treating patients.
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9
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Seyednejad SA, Sartor GC. Noncoding RNA therapeutics for substance use disorder. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2022; 2:10807. [PMID: 36601439 PMCID: PMC9808746 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2022.10807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Although noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been shown to regulate maladaptive neuroadaptations that drive compulsive drug use, ncRNA-targeting therapeutics for substance use disorder (SUD) have yet to be clinically tested. Recent advances in RNA-based drugs have improved many therapeutic issues related to immune response, specificity, and delivery, leading to multiple successful clinical trials for other diseases. As the need for safe and effective treatments for SUD continues to grow, novel nucleic acid-based therapeutics represent an appealing approach to target ncRNA mechanisms in SUD. Here, we review ncRNA processes implicated in SUD, discuss recent therapeutic approaches for targeting ncRNAs, and highlight potential opportunities and challenges of ncRNA-targeting therapeutics for SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Afshin Seyednejad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
- Connecticut Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences (CT IBACS), Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Gregory C. Sartor
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
- Connecticut Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences (CT IBACS), Storrs, CT, United States
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10
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Kutlehria S, D'Souza A, Bleier BS, Amiji MM. Role of 3D Printing in the Development of Biodegradable Implants for Central Nervous System Drug Delivery. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:4411-4427. [PMID: 36154128 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Increased life expectancy has led to a rise in age-related disorders including neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Limited progress has been made in the development of clinically translatable therapies for these central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Challenges including the blood-brain barrier, brain complexity, and comorbidities in the elderly population are some of the contributing factors toward lower success rates. Various invasive and noninvasive ways are being employed to deliver small and large molecules across the brain. Biodegradable, implantable drug-delivery systems have gained lot of interest due to advantages such as sustained and targeted delivery, lower side effects, and higher patient compliance. 3D printing is a novel additive manufacturing technique where various materials and printing techniques can be used to fabricate implants with the desired complexity in terms of mechanical properties, shapes, or release profiles. This review discusses an overview of various types of 3D-printing techniques and illustrative examples of the existing literature on 3D-printed systems for CNS drug delivery. Currently, there are various technical and regulatory impediments that need to be addressed for successful translation from the bench to the clinical stage. Overall, 3D printing is a transformative technology with great potential in advancing customizable drug treatment in a high-throughput manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shallu Kutlehria
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Anisha D'Souza
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.,Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Benjamin S Bleier
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Mansoor M Amiji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.,Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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11
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Padmakumar S, D'Souza A, Parayath NN, Bleier BS, Amiji MM. Nucleic acid therapies for CNS diseases: Pathophysiology, targets, barriers, and delivery strategies. J Control Release 2022; 352:121-145. [PMID: 36252748 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid therapeutics have emerged as one of the very advanced and efficacious treatment approaches for debilitating health conditions, including those diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Precise targeting with an optimal control over gene regulation confers long-lasting benefits through the administration of nucleic acid payloads via viral, non-viral, and engineered vectors. The current review majorly focuses on the development and clinical translational potential of non-viral vectors for treating CNS diseases with a focus on their specific design and targeting approaches. These carriers must be able to surmount the various intracellular and extracellular barriers, to ensure successful neuronal transfection and ultimately attain higher therapeutic efficacies. Additionally, the specific challenges associated with CNS administration also include the presence of blood-brain barrier (BBB), the complex pathophysiological and biochemical changes associated with different disease conditions and the existence of non-dividing cells. The advantages offered by lipid-based or polymeric systems, engineered proteins, particle-based systems coupled with various approaches of neuronal targeting have been discussed in the context of a variety of CNS diseases. The possibilities of rapid yet highly efficient gene modifications rendered by the breakthrough methodologies for gene editing and gene manipulation have also opened vast avenues of research in neuroscience and CNS disease therapy. The current review also underscores the extensive scientific efforts to optimize specialized, efficacious yet non-invasive and safer administration approaches to overcome the therapeutic delivery challenges specifically posed by the CNS transport barriers and the overall obstacles to clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smrithi Padmakumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anisha D'Souza
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 20115, USA
| | - Neha N Parayath
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Benjamin S Bleier
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 20115, USA
| | - Mansoor M Amiji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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12
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Khorkova O, Stahl J, Joji A, Volmar CH, Zeier Z, Wahlestedt C. Natural antisense transcripts as drug targets. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:978375. [PMID: 36250017 PMCID: PMC9563854 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.978375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent discovery of vast non-coding RNA-based regulatory networks that can be easily modulated by nucleic acid-based drugs has opened numerous new therapeutic possibilities. Long non-coding RNA, and natural antisense transcripts (NATs) in particular, play a significant role in networks that involve a wide variety of disease-relevant biological mechanisms such as transcription, splicing, translation, mRNA degradation and others. Currently, significant efforts are dedicated to harnessing these newly emerging NAT-mediated biological mechanisms for therapeutic purposes. This review will highlight the recent clinical and pre-clinical developments in this field and survey the advances in nucleic acid-based drug technologies that make these developments possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Khorkova
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Jack Stahl
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Aswathy Joji
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Claude-Henry Volmar
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Zane Zeier
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Claes Wahlestedt,
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13
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Padmakumar S, Kulkarni P, Ferris CF, Bleier BS, Amiji MM. Traumatic brain injury and the development of parkinsonism: Understanding pathophysiology, animal models, and therapeutic targets. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 149:112812. [PMID: 35290887 PMCID: PMC9050934 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical translation of therapeutic approaches to combat debilitating neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), remains as an urgent unmet challenge. The strong molecular association between the pathogenesis of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the development of parkinsonism in humans has been well established. Therefore, a lot of ongoing research aims to investigate this pathology overlap in-depth, to exploit the common targets of TBI and PD for development of more effective and long-term treatment strategies. This review article intends to provide a detailed background on TBI pathophysiology and its established overlap with PD with an additional emphasis on the recent findings about their effect on perivascular clearance. Although, the traditional animal models of TBI and PD are still being considered, there is a huge focus on the development of combinatory hybrid animal models coupling concussion with the pre-established PD models for a better recapitulation of the human context of PD pathogenesis. Lastly, the therapeutic targets for TBI and PD, and the contemporary research involving exosomes, DNA vaccines, miRNA, gene therapy and gene editing for the development of potential candidates are discussed, along with the recent development of lesser invasive and promising central nervous system (CNS) drug delivery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smrithi Padmakumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Praveen Kulkarni
- Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Craig F Ferris
- Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Benjamin S Bleier
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Mansoor M Amiji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America.
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14
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Lee D, Minko T. Nanotherapeutics for Nose-to-Brain Drug Delivery: An Approach to Bypass the Blood Brain Barrier. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13122049. [PMID: 34959331 PMCID: PMC8704573 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13122049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or other central nervous system (CNS) disorders has always been a significant challenge. The nature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits the penetration of therapeutic molecules to the brain after oral or parenteral administration, which, in combination with hepatic metabolism and drug elimination and inactivation during its journey in the systemic circulation, decreases the efficacy of the treatment, requires high drug doses and often induces adverse side effects. Nose-to-brain drug delivery allows the direct transport of therapeutic molecules by bypassing the BBB and increases drug concentration in the brain. The present review describes mechanisms of nose-to-brain drug delivery and discusses recent advances in this area with especial emphasis on nanotechnology-based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA;
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- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA;
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Science Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-848-445-6348
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