Efficacy of a novel LyP-1-containing self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) for active targeting to breast cancer

Recent Advances in Targeted Nanocarriers for the Management of Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a life-threatening form of breast cancer which has been found to account for 15% of all the subtypes of breast cancer. Currently available treatments are significantly less effective in TNBC management because of several factors such as poor bioavailability, low specificity, multidrug resistance, poor cellular uptake, and unwanted side effects being the major ones. As a rapidly growing field, nano-therapeutics offers promising alternatives for breast cancer treatment. This platform provides a suitable pathway for crossing biological barriers and allowing sustained systemic circulation time and an improved pharmacokinetic profile of the drug. Apart from this, it also provides an optimized target-specific drug delivery system and improves drug accumulation in tumor cells. This review provides insights into the molecular mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of TNBC, along with summarizing the conventional therapy and recent advances of different nano-carriers for the management of TNBC.

Emergence of Nanotechnology as a Powerful Cavalry against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered one of the un-manageable types of breast cancer, involving devoid of estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER 2) receptors. Due to their ability of recurrence and metastasis, the management of TNBC remains a mainstay challenge, despite the advancements in cancer therapies. Conventional chemotherapy remains the only treatment regimen against TNBC and suffers several limitations such as low bioavailability, systemic toxicity, less targetability, and multi-drug resistance. Although various targeted therapies have been introduced to manage the hardship of TNBC, they still experience certain limitations associated with the survival benefits. The current research thus aimed at developing and improving the strategies for effective therapy against TNBC. Such strategies involved the emergence of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are designated as nanocavalries, loaded with various agents (drugs, genes, etc.) to battle the progression and metastasis of TNBC along with overcoming the limitations experienced by conventional chemotherapy and targeted therapy. This article documents the treatment regimens of TNBC along with their efficacy towards different subtypes of TNBC, and the various nanotechnologies employed to increase the therapeutic outcome of FDA-approved drug regimens.

Multi-strategic approaches for enhancing active transportation using self-emulsifying drug delivery system

Oral delivery is the most desired route of drug administration and it can be more beneficial for patients suffering from chronic diseases wherein frequent parenteral administration of proteins such as insulin and calcitonin is required. The BCS class II drugs show low aqueous solubility and high permeability whereas BCS class IV drugs suffer from low aqueous solubility and low permeability. Additionally, biologic drugs are highly sensitive to presence of bioenzymes and bile salts when administered orally. Self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) is a thermodynamically stable lipid formulation that enhances oral absorption of active ingredients via the opening of tight junctions, increasing the membrane fluidity, and thus overcomes the physiological barriers like viscous mucus layer, strong acid conditions and enzymatic degradation. An understanding of different theories that govern SEDDS formation and drug release can help in formulating a highly stable and effective drug delivery system. Poorly permeable drugs such as chlorpromazine require modification using methods like hydrophobic ion pairing, complexation with phospholipids, etc. to enable high entrapment efficiency which is discussed in the article. Additionally, the article gives an overview of the influence of polymers, length of fatty acids chain and zeta potential in enhancing permeation across the intestinal membrane.

A Stability Indicating RP-HPLC Method for Determination of the COVID-19 Drug Molnupiravir Applied Using Nanoformulations in Permeability Studies

Antiviral drugs have gained much more attention in recent years due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and many drug candidates are currently under investigation in order to end pandemic. Molnupiravir, a prodrug of the synthetic nucleoside derivative N4-hydroxycytidine, is one of the promising candidates for SARS-CoV-2 treatment. In this study, a RP-HPLC method was developed for the determination of Molnupiravir and applied for in vitro permeability studies of self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) formulations using Caco-2 cell line. Discovery® HS C18 Column (75 ×4.6 mm, 3 µm) was used at 30 °C. Isocratic elution was performed with ACN:water (20:80 v/v) mixture. The flow rate was 0.5 mL/min and UV detection was at 240 nm. Molnupiravir eluted within 5 min. Molnupiravir was exposed to thermal, photolytic, hydrolytic, and oxidative stress conditions. Peak homogeneity data of Molnupiravir in the stressed samples peak obtained using photodiode array detector, in the stressed sample chromatograms, demonstrated the specificity of the method for their estimation in presence of degradants. The developed method was validated according to the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines and found to be linear within the range 0.1–60.0 μg/mL. The method was simple, rapid, selective, sensitive, accurate, precise, robust and rugged. Thus, it was applied successfully for permeability quantitation of Molnupiravir in nanoformulations. The apparent permeability of Molnupiravir in SEDDS formulations, which have droplet size under 350 nm, was calculated as 3.20 ± 0.44 × 10⁻⁶ cm/s.

The role of peptide-based therapeutics in oncotherapy

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and the search for specialised therapy options has been a challenge for decades. The emergence of active targeted therapies provides the opportunity to treat cancerous tissues without harming healthy ones due to peculiar physiological changes. Herein, peptides and peptide analogs have been gaining a lot of attention over the last decade, especially for the on-site delivery of therapeutics to target tissues in order to achieve efficient and reliable cancer treatment. Combining peptides with highly efficient drug delivery platforms could potentially eliminate off-target adverse effects encountered during active targeting of conventional chemotherapeutics. Small size, ease of production and characterisation, low immunogenicity and satisfactory binding affinity of peptides offer some advantages over other complex targeting moiety, no wonder the market of peptide-based drugs continues to expand expeditiously. It is estimated that the global peptide drug market will be worth around USD 48.04 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.4%. In this review, the current state of art of peptide-based therapeutics with special interest on tumour targeting peptides has been discussed. Moreover, various active targeting strategies such as the use functionalised peptides or peptide analogs are also elaborated.

Co-administration of a branched arginine-rich polymer enhances the anti-cancer efficacy of doxorubicin

The severe side-effects and drug resistance development of conventional chemotherapy are mainly caused by poor tumor penetration as well as nonspecific biodistribution and insufficient cellular uptake of drugs. Herein a branched arginine-rich polymer was synthesized and co-administration of this polymer with doxorubicin, a model drug of chemotherapeutic agents, overcame simultaneously the three obstacles shown above. Co-incubation of the polymer promoted doxorubicin penetration deeply into multicellular tumor spheroids and internalization into cancer cells. Upon co-injection of the polymer with doxorubicin into tumor-bearing mice, the enhanced drug accumulation in and deep penetration into tumor tissue were observed compared to injection of doxorubicin alone. A combined therapy of doxorubicin and the polymer in the treatment of tumor-bearing mice showed a marked enhancement in anticancer efficacy compared to doxorubicin alone. Notably, the treatment with the combination regime reduced the doxorubicin dose to one fifth without reducing the antitumor efficacy compared to the treatment with doxorubicin alone. The possible mechanism of action of the polymer was postulated, in which the guanidinium groups of arginine residues in the polymer may play a pivotal role in the action.

Macropinocytosis as a cell entry route for peptide-functionalized and bystander nanoparticles

Endocytic pathways provide the primary route for therapeutic and diagnostic nanoparticles (NPs) to enter cells and subcellular compartments. A better understanding of these cell entry processes will not only aid in nanomaterial applications but also broaden our knowledge of cell biology. Among the endocytic routes, macropinocytosis has unique characteristics for engulfing NPs and other large cargo, yet its molecular machinery and involvement in NP uptake are far less characterized relative to other pathways. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the macropinocytic machinery, and its involvement in NP internalization. Particularly, we differentiate ligand (specifically peptide)-functionalized and unfunctionalized NPs (bystander NPs). While most of previous research focused on ligand-functionalized NPs, we showcase here a synergistic effect between these two NP types during their cell entry through receptor-mediated macropinocytosis. The regulation of NP uptake efficiency by extracellular amino acids is also highlighted in the context of interconnections between macropinocytosis and metabolic signaling. These discussions may fuel future research interests in improving NP internalization through this pathway, and open a new avenue to study the interplay among endocytosis, metabolism and nanomedicine.

Orally administered self-emulsifying drug delivery system in disease management: advancement and patents

Introduction: Oral administration of a drug is the most common, ideal and preferred route of administration. The main problem of oral drug formulations is their low bioavailability arises from poor aqueous solubility of drug. Aqueous solubility of lipophilic drugs can be improved by various techniques like salt formation, complexation, addition of co-solvent etc. but self-emulsifying drug-delivery system (SEDDS) is getting more attention for increasing the solubility of such drugs. The SEDDS is an isotropic mixture of drug, lipids, and emulsifiers, usually with one or more hydrophilic co-solvents/co-emulsifiers. This system is having ability to generate oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions or microemulsions upon gentle agitation followed by dilution with aqueous phase. The SEDDSs are relatively newer, lipid-based technological innovations possessing unparalleled potential in improving oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.Areas covered: This review provides updated information regarding the types of SEDDS, their preparation techniques, drug delivery and related recent patents along with marketed formulations.Expert opinion: The SEDDS has been explored for improving bioavailability, rising intra-subject heterogeneity, and increasing solubility. SEDDS offers the benefit of a protective effect against the hostile environment in the gut. The unique fabrication techniques provide specific strategy to overcome the low bioavailability and poor solubility problems.

A review of nanotechnology-based approaches for breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in women. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in which the three major receptors i.e. estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), are absent is known to express the most aggressive phenotype and increased metastasis which results in the development of resistance to chemotherapy. It offers various therapeutic advantages in treating BC and TNBC. Nanotechnology offers various unique characteristics such as small size (nanometric), active and passive targeting, and the ability to attach multiple targeting moieties, controlled release, and site-specific targeting. This review focuses on conventional drug therapies, recent treatment strategies, and unique therapeutic approaches available for BC and TNBC. The role of breast cancer stem cells in the recurrence of BC and TNBC has also been highlighted. Several chemotherapeutic agents delivered using nanocarriers such as polymeric nanoparticles/micelles, metallic/inorganic NPs, and lipid-based NPs (Liposome, solid-lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs)), etc. with excellent responses in the treatment of BC/TNBC along with breast cancer stem cells have been discussed in details. Moreover, the application of nanomedicine including CRISPR nanoparticle, exosomes for the treatment of BC/TNBC and other molecular targets available such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), etc. for further exploration have also been discussed.

Role of stable hydrogen isotope variations in water for drug dissolution managing

In the present work, we provide the results of defining by utilizing Laser diffraction spectroscopy, the kinetic isotopic effect of solvent and constant of dissolution rate κ, s−1 of аn active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in water with a different content of a stable 2 1 H _2^1{\rm{H}} isotope on the basis of the laws of first-order kinetics. This approach is based on the analysis of the light scattering profile that occurs when the particles of the dispersion phase in the aquatic environment are covered with a collimated laser beam. For the first time, the dependence of the rate of dissolution is demonstrated not only on the properties of the pharmaceutical substance itself (water solubility mg/ml, octanol–water partition coefficient log P oct/water, topological polar surface area, Abraham solvation parameters, the lattice type), but also on the properties of the solvent, depending on the content of stable hydrogen isotope. We show that the rate constant of dissolution of a sparingly hydrophobic substance moxifloxacin hydrochloride (MF · HCl) in the Mili-Q water is: k=1.20±0.14∙10−2 s−1 at 293.15 K, while in deuterium depleted water, it is k=4.24±0.4∙10−2 s−1. Consequently, we have established the development of the normal kinetic isotopic effect (kH/kD >1) of the solvent. This effect can be explained both by the positions of the difference in the vibrational energy of zero levels in the initial and transition states, and from the position of water clusters giving volumetric effects of salvation, depending on the ratio D/H. The study of kinetic isotopic effects is a method that gives an indication of the mechanism of reactions and the nature of the transition state. The effect of increasing the dissolution of the API, as a function of the D/H ratio, we have discovered, can be used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries in the study of API properties and in the drug production through improvement in soluble and pharmacokinetic characteristics.

Characterization and targeting ability evaluation of cell-penetrating peptide LyP-1 modified alginate-based nanoparticles

Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) shows a powerful treatment effect on breast cancer. However, for its indiscriminate distribution after systemic administration, the therapeutic response of DOX will reduce and even result in serious adverse reactions during the long-term administration. To achieve better treatment, in this study we established a non-condensing sodium alginate-based nanoparticle-encapsulated DOX (DOX/NP), the surface of which was modified with cell-penetrating peptide LyP-1 (namely LyP-1-DOX/NP) to attain active targeting towards breast cancer cells. The size of LyP-1-DOX/NP was 138.50 ± 4.65 nm, with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.22 ± 0.02, and the zeta potential was 18.60 ± 0.49 mV. The drug loading efficiency (DLE) for the preparation was 91.21 ± 2.01%, with an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 12.37 ± 0.35%. The nanoparticles exhibited good stability in vitro and slower release trend compared with free DOX in PBS at pH7.4. In vitro cytopharmacodynamics showed that LyP-1-DOX/NP had an excellent anti-breast cancer effect against MDA-MB-231 cells by the MTT test. The uptake amount of LyP-1-DOX/NP by MDA-MB-231 cells was much higher than that of free DOX or unmodified DOX/NP at all time points. Further in vivo pharmacokinetics studies showed that the concentration of LyP-1-DOX/NP was higher than that of free DOX or DOX/NP both in plasma and in tumor, suggesting its favorable long circulation and enhancing targeting property. The present study provides a promising strategy for using the LyP-1 cell-penetrating peptide to modify nanoparticles for enhancing their targeting ability towards breast cancer.

Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) shows a powerful treatment effect on breast cancer.

Development of Triptolide Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System and Its Anti-tumor Effect on Gastric Cancer Xenografts

Purpose: To develop a triptolide (TP) self-microemulsifying drug delivery system and to investigate its anti-tumor effect on human gastric cancer line MGC80-3 xenografts in nude mice.

Methods: The medium chain triglyceride (MCT) was selected as oil phase; polyoxyethylene castor oil (EL) was selected as surfactant, and PEG-400 was selected as cosurfactant. The mass ratio of each phase was optimized by central composite design and response surface methodology to prepare TP-SMEDDS (self-microemulsifying drug delivery system). The quality of TP-SMEDDS was evaluated, and its inhibitory effect on tumor growth investigated in nude mice transplanted with MGC80-3 cells.

Results: The final prescription process was defined as follows: MCT mass ratio: 25.3%; EL mass ratio: 49.6%; PEG-400 mass ratio: 25.1%. The prepared TP-SMEDDS was a transparent liquid with a clear appearance (the theoretical particle size: 31.168 nm). On transmission electron microscopy, the microemulsion particles were spherical in size and uniformly distributed without adhesions. The in vitro release experiment showed complete release of the prepared TP-SMEDDS in PBS solution in 6 h. In vivo antitumor activity showed its inhibitory effect in the xenograft model.

Conclusion: The self-microemulsifying delivery system improved the oral bioavailability and the in vivo antitumor effect of TP.

Drug formulation and nanomedicine approaches to targeting lymphatic cancer metastases

Lymphatic metastasis plays an important role in cancer progression and prognosis. However, conventional small-molecule chemotherapy drugs inefficiently access the lymphatic system, making the effective eradication of lymphatic metastases difficult without dose-limiting toxicity. Various formulation and nanomedicine-based approaches can be used to significantly enhance the trafficking of small-molecule, peptide and protein drugs toward the lymphatic system to enhance drug exposure at sites of lymphatic cancer growth. However, a number of obstacles exist in translating improved lymphatic exposure into improved chemotherapeutic outcomes. This review highlights the opportunities and challenges inherent in employing formulation and nanomedicinal approaches to improve chemotherapeutic drug activity within the lymphatic system and, importantly, at sites of lymphatic cancer metastasis.