New paradigm in combination therapy of siRNA with chemotherapeutic drugs for effective cancer therapy

Inhibition of STAT3: A promising approach to enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy in medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is a type of brain cancer that primarily affects children. While chemotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating medulloblastoma, the development of chemotherapy resistance remains a challenge. One potential therapeutic approach is to selectively inhibit the inducible transcription factor called STAT3, which is known to play a crucial role in the survival and growth of tumor cells. The activation of STAT3 has been linked to the growth and progression of various cancers, including medulloblastoma. Inhibition of STAT3 has been shown to sensitize medulloblastoma cells to chemotherapy, leading to improved treatment outcomes. Different approaches to STAT3 inhibition have been developed, including small-molecule inhibitors and RNA interference. Preclinical studies have shown the efficacy of STAT3 inhibitors in medulloblastoma, and clinical trials are currently ongoing to evaluate their safety and effectiveness in patients with various solid tumors, including medulloblastoma. In addition, researchers are also exploring ways to optimize the use of STAT3 inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy and identify biomarkers that can predict treatment that will help to develop personalized treatment strategies. This review highlights the potential of selective inhibition of STAT3 as a novel approach for the treatment of medulloblastoma and suggests that further research into the development of STAT3 inhibitors could lead to improved outcomes for patients with aggressive cancer.

Evaluation of Gemcitabine and Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles on Benzopyrene Induced Lung Cancer Model Via Intranasal Route: Improved Pharmacokinetics and Safety Profile

The objective of this study was to create a new treatment for lung cancer using solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) loaded with gemcitabine (GEM) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) that can be administered through the nose. We analyzed the formulation for its effectiveness in terms of micromeritics, drug release, and anti-cancer activity in the benzopyrene-induced Swiss albino mice lung cancer model. We also assessed the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, biocompatibility, and hemocompatibility of GEM-EGCG SLNs. The GEM-EGCG SLNs had an average particle size of 93.54 ± 11.02 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.146 ± 0.05, and a zeta potential of -34.7 ± 0.4 mV. The entrapment efficiency of GEM and EGCG was 93.39 ± 4.2% and 89.49 ± 5.1%, respectively, with a sustained release profile for both drugs. GEM-EGCG SLNs had better pharmacokinetics than other treatments, and a high drug targeting index value of 17.605 for GEM and 2.118 for EGCG, indicating their effectiveness in targeting the lungs. Blank SLNs showed no pathological lesions in the liver, kidney, and nasal region validating the safety of SLNs. GEM-EGCG SLNs also showed fewer pathological lesions than other treatments and a lower hemolysis rate of 1.62 ± 0.10%. These results suggest that GEM-EGCG SLNs could effectively treat lung cancer.

HER2 siRNA Facilitated Gene Silencing Coupled with Doxorubicin Delivery: A Dual Responsive Nanoplatform Abrogates Breast Cancer

The present study investigated the concurrent delivery of antineoplastic drug, doxorubicin, and HER2 siRNA through a targeted theranostic metallic gold nanoparticle designed using polysaccharide, PSP001. The as-synthesized HsiRNA@PGD NPs were characterized in terms of structural, functional, physicochemical, and biological properties. HsiRNA@PGD NPs exposed adequate hydrodynamic size, considerable ζ potential, and excellent drug/siRNA loading and encapsulation efficiency. Meticulous exploration of the biocompatible dual-targeted nanoconjugate exhibited an appealing biocompatibility and pH-sensitive cargo release kinetics, indicating its safety for use in clinics. HsiRNA@PGD NPs deciphered competent cancer cell internalization, enhanced cytotoxicity mediated via the induction of apoptosis, and excellent downregulation of the overexpressing target HER2 gene. Further in vivo explorations in the SKBR3 xenograft breast tumor model revealed the appealing tumor reduction properties, selective accumulation in the tumor site followed by significant suppression of the HER2 gene which contributed to the exclusive abrogation of breast tumor mass by the HsiRNA@PGD NPs. Compared to free drugs or the monotherapy constructs, the dual delivery approach produced a synergistic suppression of breast tumors both in vitro and in vivo. Hence the drawings from these findings implicate that the as-synthesized HsiRNA@PGD NPs could offer a promising platform for chemo-RNAi combinational breast cancer therapy.

In Vivo Cancer Microenvironment Responsive Glycan Receptor-Targeted Nanoparticles for Gemcitabine Delivery to Benzo[a]pyrene-Induced Lung Cancer Model

Targeted gemcitabine (GEB) loaded 5-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) assembled chitosan nanoparticles (CA-NPs) were formulated by ionotropic gelation process and evaluated for physicochemical and morphological characterization, in vitro and in vivo studies in A-549 cells and lung cancer mice model, respectively. The mean diameter of GEB-CA-Neu5Ac-NPs determined by dynamic light scattering was 161.16 ± 7.70 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) value of 0.303 ± 0.011 and its zeta potential and entrapment efficiency (%EE) were 40.3 ± 3.45 mv and 66.11 ± 1.94%, respectively. The in vitro cellular uptake studies showed that glycan receptor-targeted nanoparticles deliver significantly more amount (p < 0.001) of GEB into the A-549 lung cancerous cells than non-targeted nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity study using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay clearly demonstrated that GEB-CA-Neu5Ac-NPs have lower IC50 value (6.39 ± 3.78 µg/ml) than others groups that showed that the greater lung cancerous cells inhibition potential of targeted nanoparticles. The in vivo biodistribution of the GEB-loaded 5-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid conjugated chitosan nanoparticles was revealed that targeted nanoparticles showed higher accumulation and retention for an extended period of time due to the active targeting ability of Neu5Ac to glycan receptors. Histopathological examination showed significant recovery in the physiological architecture upon administration of targeted nanoparticles. The glycan receptor-targeted nanoparticles treated groups showed a significant decline in the number of metastatic lung epithelial cells, as compared to the untreated positive control group (p < 0.001) confirming higher anticancer efficacy of the GEB-CA-Neu5Ac-NPs.

Advances in siRNA delivery approaches in cancer therapy: challenges and opportunities

Advancements in the clinical applications of small interfering RNA (siRNA) in cancer therapy have opened up new possibilities for precision medicine. siRNAs, as powerful genetic tools, have shown potential in targeting and suppressing the expression of specific genes associated with cancer progression. Their effectiveness has been further enhanced by incorporating them into nanoparticles, which protect siRNAs from degradation and enable targeted delivery. However, despite these promising developments, several challenges persist in the clinical translation of siRNA-based cancer therapy. This comprehensive review explores the progress and challenges associated with the clinical applications of siRNA in cancer therapy. This review highlights the use of siRNA-loaded nanoparticles as an effective delivery system for optimizing siRNA efficacy in various types of carcinomas and the potential of siRNA-based therapy as a genetic approach to overcome limitations associated with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, including severe drug toxicities and organ damage. Moreover, it emphasizes on the key challenges, including off-target effects, enzymatic degradation of siRNAs in serum, low tumor localization, stability issues, and rapid clearance from circulation that need to be addressed for successful clinical development of siRNA-based cancer therapy. Despite these challenges, the review identifies significant avenues for advancing siRNA technology from the laboratory to clinical settings. The ongoing progress in siRNA-loaded nanoparticles for cancer treatment demonstrates potential antitumor activities and safety profiles. By understanding the current state of siRNA-based therapy and addressing the existing challenges, we aim to pave the way for translating siRNA technology into effective oncologic clinics as an improved treatment options for cancer patients.

Liposomal nanocarriers containing siRNA as small molecule-based drugs to overcome cancer drug resistance

This review discusses the application of nanoliposomes containing siRNA/drug to overcome multidrug resistance for all types of cancer treatments. As drug resistance-associated factors are overexpressed in many cancer cell types, pumping chemotherapy drugs out of the cytoplasm leads to an inadequate therapeutic response. The siRNA/drug-loaded nanoliposomes are a promising approach to treating multidrug-resistant cancer, as they can effectively transmit a small-molecule drug into the target cytoplasm, ensuring that the drug binds efficiently. Moreover, nanoliposome-based therapeutics with advances in nanotechnology can effectively deliver siRNA to cancer cells. Overall, nanoliposomes have the potential to effectively deliver siRNA and small-molecule drugs in a targeted manner and are thus a promising tool for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Emergence of Nanoscale Drug Carriers through Supramolecular Self-Assembly of RNA with Calixarene

Supramolecular self-assembly is a powerful tool for the development of polymolecular assemblies that can form the basis of useful nanomaterials. Given the increasing popularity of RNA therapy, the extension of this concept of self-assembly to RNA is limited. Herein, a simple method for the creation of nanosized particles through the supramolecular self-assembly of RNA with a three-dimensional macrocycle from the calixarene family was reported for the first time. This self-assembly into nanoparticles was realized using cooperative supramolecular interactions under mild conditions. The obtained nanoparticles are able to bind various hydrophobic (quercetin, oleic acid) and hydrophilic (doxorubicin) drugs, as a result of which their cytotoxic properties are enhanced. This work demonstrates that intermolecular interactions between flexible RNA and rigid calixarene is a promising route to bottom-up assembly of novel supramolecular soft matter, expanding the design possibilities of nanoscale drug carriers.

Lipopolyplex-Mediated Co-Delivery of Doxorubicin and FAK siRNA to Enhance Therapeutic Efficiency of Treating Colorectal Cancer

Tumor metastasis is a major concern in cancer therapy. In this context, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) gene overexpression, which mediates cancer cell migration and invasion, has been reported in several human tumors and is considered a potential therapeutic target. However, gene-based treatment has certain limitations, including a lack of stability and low transfection ability. In this study, a biocompatible lipopolyplex was synthesized to overcome the aforementioned limitations. First, polyplexes were prepared using poly(2-Hydroxypropyl methacrylamide-co-methylacrylate-hydrazone-pyridoxal) (P(HPMA-co-MA-hyd-VB6)) copolymers, which bore positive charges at low pH value owing to protonation of pyridoxal groups and facilitated electrostatic interactions with negatively charged FAK siRNA. These polyplexes were then encapsulated into methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG)-modified liposomes to form lipopolyplexes. Doxorubicin (DOX) was also loaded into lipopolyplexes for combination therapy with siRNA. Experimental results revealed that lipopolyplexes successfully released DOX at low pH to kill cancer cells and induced siRNA out of endosomes to inhibit the translation of FAK proteins. Furthermore, the efficient accumulation of lipopolyplexes in the tumors led to excellent cancer therapeutic efficacy. Overall, the synthesized lipopolyplex is a suitable nanocarrier for the co-delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and genes to treat cancers.

Delivery of Therapeutic Biopolymers Employing Silica-Based Nanosystems

The use of nanoparticles is crucial for the development of a new generation of nanodevices for clinical applications. Silica-based nanoparticles can be tailored with a wide range of functional biopolymers with unique physicochemical properties thus providing several advantages: (1) limitation of interparticle interaction, (2) preservation of cargo and particle integrity, (3) reduction of immune response, (4) additional therapeutic effects and (5) cell targeting. Therefore, the engineering of advanced functional coatings is of utmost importance to enhance the biocompatibility of existing biomaterials. Herein we will focus on the most recent advances reported on the delivery and therapeutic use of silica-based nanoparticles containing biopolymers (proteins, nucleotides, and polysaccharides) with proven biological effects.

Characterization of PDL1 enhanced siRNA/albumin liposome for effective therapeutic function in lung cancer

PURPOSE

The applications of liposomes are limited due to poor structural stability and short drug circulation time. This study aims to build an albumin-based liposomal delivery system to provide strategies for tumor specificity, efficient gene delivery and effective release of albumin liposomes.

METHODS

In this study, siRNA loaded PDL1-targeted albumin liposome was constructed for the treatment of lung cancer and its function was evaluated. Physical parameters such as particle size, potential and infrared spectrum were detected and microscopic morphology was observed by electron microscopy to detect the binding and uptake capacity of albumin liposome with cells. The optimal preparation process and binding ratio of PDL1-targeted albumin liposome/siRNA complex were determined.

RESULTS

The constructed siRNA loaded PDL1-targeted albumin liposomes has low toxicity, high loading rate and tumor cell targeted gene therapy ability. Moreover, it increased T cell activation and down-regulated siRNA expression, effectively realizing the inhibition of lung cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that the PDL1-targeted albumin liposome could be used as a high efficient delivery vector of siRNA, and was a high efficient and safe nano vector for tumor targeted gene therapy.