Self-assembled dehydropeptide nanocarrier as a delivery system for antitumor drug temozolomide

pH-responsive self-assembled nanoparticles for tumor-targeted drug delivery

Recent advances in the field of drug delivery have opened new avenues for the development of novel nanodrug delivery systems (NDDS) in cancer therapy. Self-assembled nanoparticles (SANPs) based on tumour microenvironment have great advantages in improving antitumor effect, and pH-responsive SANPs prepared by the combination of pH-responsive nanomaterials and self-assembly technology can effectively improve the efficacy and reduce the systemic toxicity of antitumor drugs. In this review, we describe the characteristics of self-assembly and its driving force, the mechanism of pH-responsive NDDS, and the nanomaterials for pH-responsive SANPs type. A series of pH-responsive SANPs for tumour-targeted drug delivery are discussed, with an emphasis on the relation between structural features and theranostic performance.

Bifunctional drug delivery system with carbonic anhydrase IX targeting and glutathione-responsivity driven by host-guest amphiphiles for effective tumor therapy

It remains a critical issue to deliver anticancer drugs to tumor tissues and reducing the toxic effects on normal tissues. The drug delivery system (DDS) based on self-assembly provides a multi-functional way for drug delivery. In this work, a supramolecular host (L-CD) with targeting function based on a β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) backbone was synthesized with carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) overexpressed on tumor cells as a target, and the methotrexate prodrug (MTX-SS-Ad) modified by adamantane and disulfide bond was prepared to be used as the guest. The amphiphilic complex was prepared between L-CD and MTX-SS-Ad through host-guest interactions and could further self-assemble into supramolecular nanoparticles (SNPs) with active targeting and stimulus release functions. The interaction between host and guest was investigated by UV, NMR, IR, XRD and TGA. The characteristic of SNPs was observed by DLS and TEM. Throng the study of molecular docking, in vitro inhibition, cell uptake experiments, and western blotting, SNPs have showed CAIX inhibitory effects both inside and outside the cells. The in vitro release experiments indicated that SNPs can undergo disintegration and release drugs under acidic and GSH conditions. Moreover, SNP can effectively inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells without generating additional toxic side effects on normal cells. So, we provide a strategy of bifunctional drug delivery system with targeting and glutathione-responsivity for effective tumor therapy.

In vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of novel Rh(III) and Pd(II) complexes with pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives

Six pyrazolopyrimidine rhodium(III) or palladium(II) complexes, [Rh(L1)(H2O)Cl3] (1), [Rh(L2)(CH3OH)Cl3] (2), [Rh(L3)(H2O)Cl3] (3), [Rh2(L4)Cl6]·CH3OH (4), [Rh(L5)(CH3CN)Cl3]·0.5CH3CN (5), and [Pd(L5)Cl2] (6), were synthesized and characterized. These complexes showed high cytotoxicity against six tested cancer cell lines. Most of the complexes showed higher cytotoxicity to T-24 cells in vitro than cisplatin. Mechanism studies indicated that complexes 5 and 6 induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest through DNA damage, and induced apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum stress response. In addition, complex 5 also induced cell apoptosis via mitochondrial dysfunction. Complexes 5 and 6 showed low in vivo toxicity and high tumor growth inhibitory activity in mouse tumor models. The inhibitory effect of rhodium complex 5 on tumor growth in vivo was more pronounced than that of palladium complex 6.

Intelligent delivery system targeting PD-1/PD-L1 pathway for cancer immunotherapy

The drugs targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have gained abundant clinical applications for cancer immunotherapy. However, only a part of patients benefit from such immunotherapy. Thus, brilliant novel tactic to increase the response rate of patients is on the agenda. Nanocarriers, particularly the rationally designed intelligent delivery systems with controllable therapeutic agent release ability and improved tumor targeting capacity, are firmly recommended. In light of this, state-of-the-art nanocarriers that are responsive to tumor-specific microenvironments (internal stimuli, including tumor acidic microenvironment, high level of GSH and ROS, specifically upregulated enzymes) or external stimuli (e.g., light, ultrasound, radiation) and release the target immunomodulators at tumor sites feature the advantages of increased anti-tumor potency but decreased off-target toxicity. Given the fantastic past achievements and the rapid developments in this field, the future is promising. In this review, intelligent delivery platforms targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis are attentively appraised. Specifically, mechanisms of the action of these stimuli-responsive drug release platforms are summarized to raise some guidelines for prior PD-1/PD-L1-based nanocarrier designs. Finally, the conclusion and outlook in intelligent delivery system targeting PD-1/PD-L1 pathway for cancer immunotherapy are outlined.