Investigation of different targeting decorations effect on the radiosensitizing efficacy of albumin-stabilized gold nanoparticles for breast cancer radiation therapy

Veillonella parvula as an anaerobic lactate-fermenting bacterium for inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis through tumor-specific colonization and decrease of tumor's lactate level

High tumor's lactate level directly associates with high tumor growth, metastasis, and patients' poor prognosis. Therefore, many studies have focused on the decrease of tumor's lactate as a novel cancer treatment. In the present study for the first time, a strictly anaerobic lactate-fermenting bacterium, Veillonella parvula, was employed for the decrease of tumor's lactate level. At first, 4T1 breast tumor-bearing BALB/c mice were administered with 106 V. parvula bacteria intravenously, orally, intraperitoneally, and intratumorally. Then, the bacteria biodistribution was evaluated. The best administration route according to tumor colonization was selected and its safety was assessed. Then, the therapeutic effect of V. parvula administration through the best route was investigated according to 4T1 murine breast tumor's growth and metastasis in vivo. In addition, histopathological and immunohistochemistry evaluations were done to estimate microscopic changes at the inner of the tumor and tumor's lactate level was measured after V. parvula administration. V. parvula exhibited considerable tumor-targeting and colonization efficacy, 24 h after intravenous administration. Normal organs were free of the bacteria after 72 h and no side effect was observed. Tumor colonization by V. parvula significantly decreased the tumors' lactate level for about 46% in comparison with control tumors which caused 44.3% and 51.6% decline (P < 0.05) in the mean tumors' volume and liver metastasis of the treatment group in comparison with the control group, respectively. The treatment group exhibited 35% inhibition in the cancer cell proliferation in comparison with the control according to the Ki-67 immunohistochemistry staining. Therefore, intravenous administration of V. parvula is a tumor-specific and safe treatment which can significantly inhibit tumors' growth and metastasis by decreasing the tumor lactate level.

Tackling breast cancer with gold nanoparticles: twinning synthesis and particle engineering with efficacy

The World Health Organization identifies breast cancer as the most prevalent cancer despite predominantly affecting women. Surgery, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the current treatment modalities. Site-directed nanotherapeutics, engineered with multidimensional functionality are now the frontrunners in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Gold nanoparticles with their unique colloidal, optical, quantum, magnetic, mechanical, and electrical properties have become the most valuable weapon in this arsenal. Their advantages include facile modulation of shape and size, a high degree of reproducibility and stability, biocompatibility, and ease of particle engineering to induce multifunctionality. Additionally, the surface plasmon oscillation and high atomic number of gold provide distinct advantages for tailor-made diagnosis, therapy or theranostic applications in breast cancer such as photothermal therapy, radiotherapy, molecular labeling, imaging, and sensing. Although pre-clinical and clinical data are promising for nano-dimensional gold, their clinical translation is hampered by toxicity signs in major organs like the liver, kidneys and spleen. This has instigated global scientific brainstorming to explore feasible particle synthesis and engineering techniques to simultaneously improve the efficacy and versatility and widen the safety window of gold nanoparticles. The present work marks the first study on gold nanoparticle design and maneuvering techniques, elucidating their impact on the pharmacodynamics character and providing a clear-cut scientific roadmap for their fast-track entry into clinical practice.

Chitosan-based hybrid nanospheres for vessel normalization towards enhancing tumor chemotherapy

Vessel normalization has proved imperative in tumor growth inhibition. In this work, biopolymer-based hybrid nanospheres capable of normalizing blood vessels were designed to improve the therapeutic effect of chemotherapeutic drugs. Zn0.4Fe2.6O4 nanoparticles (ZFO NPs) were synthesized, and were encapsulated in cross-inked chitosan (CS) along with a nitric oxide (NO) precursor, DETA NONOate, forming hybrid ZFO/NO@CS nanospheres highly stable in physiological environment. The structure, morphology and size of the nanospheres were characterized. The ZFO/NO@CS nanospheres could release NO under acidic conditions typical of intratumoral and intracellular environment. The results of related factors expression, wound healing and tube formation assays demonstrated that both the encapsulated ZFO NPs and the released NO were able to inhibit angiogenesis in tumors. The ZFO/NO@CS nanospheres enhanced the antitumor efficacy of the chemotherapeutic drug DOX by normalizing tumor vessels, as evidenced by in vivo experiments for CT26 tumor-bearing mice. By analyzing the contents of Fe in the tumor and different organs, the nanospheres were found to accumulate primarily at the tumor site. The blood analysis showed little side effect of the nanospheres. The ZFO/NO@CS nanospheres have great potential in improving tumor therapeutic effect when used in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs.

Application of fluorocarbon nanoparticles of 131I-fulvestrant as a targeted radiation drug for endocrine therapy on human breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignant tumor among women, with hormone receptor-positive cases constituting 70%. Fulvestrant, an antagonist for these receptors, is utilized for advanced metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Yet, its inhibitory effect on tumor cells is not strong, and it lacks direct cytotoxicity. Consequently, there's a significant challenge in preventing recurrence and metastasis once cancer cells develop resistance to fulvestrant.

METHOD

To address these challenges, we engineered tumor-targeting nanoparticles termed 131I-fulvestrant-ALA-PFP-FA-NPs. This involved labeling fulvestrant with 131I to create 131I-fulvestrant. Subsequently, we incorporated the 131I-fulvestrant and 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into fluorocarbon nanoparticles with folate as the targeting agent. This design facilitates a tri-modal therapeutic approach-endocrine therapy, radiotherapy, and PDT for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

RESULTS

Our in vivo and in vitro tests showed that the drug-laden nanoparticles effectively zeroed in on tumors. This targeting efficiency was corroborated using SPECT-CT imaging, confocal microscopy, and small animal fluorescence imaging. The 131I-fulvestrant-ALA-PFP-FA-NPs maintained stability and showcased potent antitumor capabilities due to the synergism of endocrine therapy, radiotherapy, and CR-PDT. Throughout the treatment duration, we detected no notable irregularities in hematological, biochemical, or histological evaluations.

CONCLUSION

We've pioneered a nanoparticle system loaded with radioactive isotope 131I, endocrine therapeutic agents, and a photosensitizer precursor. This system offers a combined modality of radiotherapy, endocrine treatment, and PDT for breast cancer.

Methodological and Cellular Factors Affecting the Magnitude of Breast Cancer and Normal Cell Radiosensitization Using Gold Nanoparticles

Purpose

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in women, which most often originates from the epithelial tissue of the breast gland. One of the most recommended kinds of treatment is radiotherapy (RT), but irradiation (IR) can affect not only the cancer tumor but also the healthy tissue around it. Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) were proposed as a radiosensitizing agent for RT which would allow for lower radiation doses, reducing the negative radiation effects on healthy tissues. The main objective of the study is to assess the dependence on the radiosensitivity of BC (MDA-MB-231) and normal mammary gland epithelial cells (MCF12A) to ionizing radiation, caused by functionalized AuNPs under diverse conditions.

Methods

The viability, uptake, reactive oxygen species induction, and mitochondrial membrane potential in cells were analyzed applying a time and concentration-dependent manner. After different incubation times with AuNPs, cells were exposed to 2 Gy. The determination of radiation effect in combination with AuNPs was investigated using the clonogenic assay, p53, and γH2AX level, as well as, Annexin V staining.

Results

Our results highlighted the strong need for assessing the experimental conditions' optimization before the AuNPs will be implemented with IR. Moreover, results indicated that AuNPs did not act universally in cells.

Conclusion

AuNPs could be a promising tool as a radiotherapy sensitizing agent, but it should be specified and deeply investigated under what conditions it will be applied taking into consideration not only AuNPs modifications but also the model and experimental conditions.

In-vivo anticancer efficacy of self-targeted methotrexate-loaded polymeric nanoparticles in solid tumor-bearing rat

Here, cytotoxicity and antitumor efficacy against a chemically (N-methyl-N-nitrosourea) generated mammary tumor in rats were assessed using methotrexate-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Meth-Cs-NPs). Meth-Cs-NPs intravenous administrated resulted in noticeably decreased tumor incidence, multiplicity, and weight. Further, kidney function tests for the treated groups resulted in noticeably decreased ALP (Meth-Cs-NPs; 244 ± 15, diseases control; 403 ± 14 U/L), Creatinine (Meth-Cs-NPs; 0.81 ± 0.05, diseases control; 2 ± 0.05 mg/dl), and Urea (Meth-Cs-NPs; 56.62 ± 5, diseases control; 113 ± 6 mg/dl) levels, close to a normal control group. Similarly, liver function tests showed significantly decreased serum biomarkers, SGPT (Meth-Cs-NPs; 40 ± 1.8, diseases control; 84 ± 1.9 U/L) and SGOT (Meth-Cs-NPs; 15 ± 2, diseases control; 55 ± 4 U/L) levels in treated groups as compared to the untreated group (diseases control). From the results, pro-inflammatory cytokines were also markedly reduced in the treated group such as, TNF-α (Meth-Cs-NPs; 17.31 ± 1.15, diseases control; 36.9 ± 5 pg/mL), IL-1β (Meth-Cs-NPs; 433.3 ± 66.5, diseases control; 1540 ± 131.1 pg/mL), and IL-6 (Meth-Cs-NPs; 1515 ± 53, diseases control; 2200.6 ± 69 pg/mL) levels. Whereas Meth-Cs-NPs not only helped in lowering tumor multiplicity rates but also decrease inflammation. The studies could be successfully performed in chemically induced mammary tumors due to their easy, quick tumor growth and low mortality rates in rat models. According to the current study, Meth-Cs-NPs have high treatment potency and represent a possible therapeutic alternative for breast cancer treatment.

Metal-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites as promising frontier in cancer chemotherapy

Cancer is a disease associated with complex pathology and one of the most prevalent and leading reasons for mortality in the world. Current chemotherapy has challenges with cytotoxicity, selectivity, multidrug resistance, and the formation of stemlike cells. Nanomaterials (NMs) have unique properties that make them useful for various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in cancer research. NMs can be engineered to target cancer cells for early detection and can deliver drugs directly to cancer cells, reducing side effects and improving treatment efficacy. Several of NMs can also be used for photothermal therapy to destroy cancer cells or enhance immune response to cancer by delivering immune-stimulating molecules to immune cells or modulating the tumor microenvironment. NMs are being modified to overcome issues, such as toxicity, lack of selectivity, increase drug capacity, and bioavailability, for a wide spectrum of cancer therapies. To improve targeted drug delivery using nano-carriers, noteworthy research is required. Several metal-based NMs have been studied with the expectation of finding a cure for cancer treatment. In this review, the current development and the potential of plant and metal-based NMs with their effects on size and shape have been discussed along with their more effective usage in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

An overview of the intracellular localization of high-Z nanoradiosensitizers

Radiation therapy (RT) is a method commonly used for cancer treatment worldwide. Commonly, RT utilizes two routes for combating cancers: 1) high-energy radiation to generate toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) (through the dissociation of water molecules) for damaging the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) inside the nucleus 2) direct degradation of the DNA. However, cancer cells have mechanisms to survive under intense RT, which can considerably decrease its therapeutic efficacy. Excessive radiation energy damages healthy tissues, and hence, low doses are applied for cancer treatment. Additionally, different radiosensitizers were used to sensitize cancer cells towards RT through individual mechanisms. Following this route, nanoparticle-based radiosensitizers (herein called nanoradiosensitizers) have recently gained attention owing to their ability to produce massive electrons which leads to the production of a huge amount of ROS. The success of the nanoradiosensitizer effect is closely correlated to its interaction with cells and its localization within the cells. In other words, tumor treatment is affected from the chain of events which is started from cell-nanoparticle interaction followed by the nanoparticles direction and homing inside the cell. Therefore, passive or active targeting of the nanoradiosensitizers in the subcellular level and the cell-nano interaction would determine the efficacy of the radiation therapy. The importance of the nanoradiosensitizer's targeting is increased while the organelles beyond nucleus are recently recognized as the mediators of the cancer cell death or resistance under RT. In this review, the principals of cell-nanomaterial interactions and which dominate nanoradiosensitizer efficiency in cancer therapy, are thoroughly discussed.

Green Chemistry Based Gold Nanoparticles Synthesis Using the Marine Bacterium Lysinibacillus odysseyi PBCW2 and Their Multitudinous Activities

Green chemistry has paved an 'avant-garde avenue' in the production and fabrication of eco-friendly stable nanoparticles employing the utilization of biological agents. In the present study we present the first report on the potential of the marine bacterium Lysinibacillus odysseyi PBCW2 for the extracellular production of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Utilizing a variety of methods, AuNPs in the cell-free supernatant of L. odysseyi (CFS-LBOE) were identified and their antioxidant, antibacterial, and dye-degrading properties were examined. The visual coloring of the reaction mixture to a ruby red hue showed the production of LBOE-AuNPs; validated by means of XRD, TEM, SEM, XRD, DLS, TGA, and FT-IR analysis. Additionally, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl technique and the well diffusion assay were used to examine their dose-dependent antioxidant and antibacterial activity. These biogenic LBOE-AuNPs showed 91% dye degradation efficiency during catalytic reduction activity on BTB dye, demonstrating their versatility as options for heterogeneous catalysis.

Antibacterial and in vivo toxicological studies of Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposite synthesized via cost effective methods

In this research work, Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites have been synthesized via an eco-friendly green synthesis technique, solgel route and co-precipitation method respectively for the assessment of antibacterial activity as well as in vivo toxicity. The XRD patterns confirm the formation of Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites showing monoclinic structures. Crystallite size and lattice strain are calculated by Scherrer equation, Scherrer plot and Willimson Hall plot methods. Average crystallite size measured for Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites by Scherrer equation, Scherrer plot and WH-plot methods are (5.1, 13.9, 11.5)nm, (5.4, 14.2, 11.3)nm and (5.2, 13.5, 12.0)nm respectively. Optical properties such as absorption peaks and band-gap energies are studied by UV-vis spectroscopy. The FTIR peaks at 513 cm-1, 553 cm-1 and 855 cm-1 confirms the successful synthesis of Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites. The antibacterial activity of synthesized Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites is examined against two gram-negative (Escherichia coli and pseudomonas) as well as gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) at dose 25 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg by disk diffusion technique. Zone of inhibition for Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO at dose 40 mg/kg against E. coli (gram - ve) are 12 mm, 17 mm and 18 mm respectively and against Pseudomonas (gram - ve) are 28 mm, 19 mm and 21 mm respectively. While the zone of inhibition for Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO at dose 40 mg/kg against B. cereus (gram + ve) are 8 mm and 8.5 mm respectively and against S. aureus (gram + ve) are 5 mm and 10.5 mm respectively. These amazing results reveal that Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposite as a kind of antibacterial content, have enormous potential for biomedical applications. In addition, the in vivo toxicity of synthesized Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposite is investigated on Swiss Albino mice at dose of 20 mg/kg by evaluating immune response, hematology and biochemistry at the time period of 2, 7, 14 and 30 days. No severe damage is observed in mice during whole treatment. The p value calculated by statistical analysis of hematological and biochemistry tests is nonsignificant which ensures that synthesized nanocomposites are safe and non-toxic as they do not affect mice significantly. This study proves that Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites are biocompatible and can be explored further for different biomedical applications.

pH-responsive graphene oxide loaded with targeted peptide and anticancer drug for OSCC therapy

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of cancer occurring in the oral and maxillofacial regions. Despite of the advances in the diagnosis and treatment, the overall 5-year survival rate has remained about 40%–50% in the past decades. Various nanotechnology-based carrier systems have been investigated for their potentials in the OSCC treatment. However, because of the lack of active targeting of tumors, their application is limited. Studies have shown that gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) are overexpressed on many human cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Herein, we aimed to develop a GRPR-targeted nano-graphene oxide (NGO) nanoprobe drug delivery system for OSCC therapy. DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 was synthesized by the non-covalent bonding method to couple carboxylated NGO with BBN-AF750 (bombesin antagonist peptides conjugated to Alexa Fluor 750) and DOX (doxorubicin) through π-π and hydrogen bonding. Internalization and antitumor activities were carried out in human HSC-3 cancer cells. The tumor pH microenvironment was simulated to study the release of antitumor drug DOX from the DOX@NGO-ant BBN-AF750 complex under different pH conditions. DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 showed internalization into HSC-3 cells. The IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) was 5 µg/ml for DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 in HSC-3 cells. Furthermore, DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 showed a pH-sensitive drug release rate, and a dose-dependent and pH-responsive cytotoxicity in HSC-3 cells. DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 presents the characteristics ensuring a slow release of DOX from the nanoprobe, thereby protecting the drug from degradation and prolonging the half-life of the drug. This report provides a versatile strategy to achieving targeted and imaging-guided therapy of OSCC.

Surface modifications of Gold Nanoparticles: Stabilization and Recent Applications in Cancer Therapy

Gold nanoparticles (GNP) are noble metal nanocarriers that have been recently researched upon for pharmaceutical applications, imaging, and diagnosis. These metallic nanocarriers are easy to synthesize using chemical reduction techniques as their surface can be easily modified. Also, the properties of GNP are significantly affected by its size and shape which mandates its stabilization using suitable techniques of surface modification. Over the past decade, research has focused on surface modification of GNP and its stabilization using polymers, polysaccharides, proteins, dendrimers, and phase-stabilizers like gel phase or ionic liquid phase. The use of GNP for pharmaceutical applications requires its surface modification using biocompatible and inert surface modifiers. The stabilizers used, interact with the surface of GNP to provide either electrostatic stabilization or steric stabilization. This review extensively discusses the surface modification techniques for GNP and the related molecular level interactions involved in the same. The influence of various factors like the concentration of stabilizers used their characteristics like chain length and thickness, pH of the surrounding media, etc., on the surface of GNP and resulting to stability have been discussed in detail. Further, this review highlights the recent applications of surface-modified GNP in the management of tumor microenvironment and cancer therapy.

Gold nanomaterials for oral cancer diagnosis and therapy: Advances, challenges, and prospects

Early diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer are vital for patient survival. Since the oral cavity accommodates the second largest and most diverse microbiome community after the gut, the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches with low invasiveness and minimal damage to surrounding tissues are keys to preventing clinical intervention-related infections. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are widely used in the research of cancer diagnosis and therapy due to their excellent properties such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, surface plasma resonance, controlled synthesis, the plasticity of surface morphology, biological safety, and stability. AuNPs had been used in oral cancer detection reagents, tumor-targeted therapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and other combination therapies for oral cancer. AuNPs-based noninvasive diagnosis and precise treatments further reduce the clinical intervention-related infections. This review is focused on the recent advances in research and application of AuNPs for early screening, diagnostic typing, drug delivery, photothermal therapy, radiotherapy sensitivity treatment, and combination therapy of oral cancer. Distinctive reports from the literature are summarized to highlight the latest advances in the development and application of AuNPs in oral cancer diagnosis and therapy. Finally, this review points out the challenges and prospects of possible applications of AuNPs in oral cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Biodegradable and biocompatible subcutaneous implants consisted of pH-sensitive mebendazole-loaded/folic acid-targeted chitosan nanoparticles for murine triple-negative breast cancer treatment

BACKGROUND

Mebendazole (MBZ) is a well-known anti-parasite drug with significant anti-cancer properties. However, MBZ exhibits low solubility, limited absorption efficacy, extensive first-pass effect, and low bioavailability. Therefore, multiple oral administration of high dose MBZ is required daily for achieving the therapeutic serum level which can cause severe side effects and patients' non-compliance.

METHOD

In the present study, MBZ-loaded/folic acid-targeted chitosan nanoparticles (CS-FA-MBZ) were synthesized, characterized, and used to form cylindrical subcutaneous implants for 4T1 triple-negative breast tumor (TNBC) treatment in BALB/c mice. The therapeutic efficacy of the CS-FA-MBZ implants was investigated after subcutaneous implantation in comparison with Control, MBZ (40 mg/kg, oral administration, twice a week for 2 weeks), and CS-FA implants, according to 4T1 tumors' growth progression, metastasis, and tumor-bearing mice survival time. Also, their biocompatibility was evaluated by blood biochemical analyzes and histopathological investigation of vital organs.

RESULTS

The CS-FA-MBZ implants were completely degraded 15 days after implantation and caused about 73.3%, 49.2%, 57.4% decrease in the mean tumors' volume in comparison with the Control (1050.5 ± 120.7 mm³), MBZ (552.4 ± 76.1 mm³), and CS-FA (658.3 ± 88.1 mm³) groups, respectively. Average liver metastatic colonies' number per microscope field at the CS-FA-MBZ group (2.3 ± 0.7) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the Control (9.6 ± 1.7), MBZ (5.0 ± 1.5), and CS-FA (5.2 ± 1) groups. In addition, the CS-FA-MBZ treated mice exhibited about 52.1%, 27.3%, and 17% more survival days after the cancer cells injection in comparison with the Control, MBZ, and CS-FA groups, respectively. Moreover, the CS-FA-MBZ implants were completely biocompatible based on histopathology and blood biochemical analyzes.

CONCLUSION

Taking together, CS-FA-MBZ implants were completely biodegradable and biocompatible with high therapeutic efficacy in a murine TNBC model.

Radiation nanosensitizers in cancer therapy-From preclinical discoveries to the outcomes of early clinical trials

Improving the efficacy and spatial targeting of radiation therapy while sparing surrounding normal tissues has been a guiding principle for its use in cancer therapy. Nanotechnologies have shown considerable growth in terms of innovation and the development of new therapeutic approaches, particularly as radiosensitizers. The aim of this study was to systematically review how nanoparticles (NPs) are used to enhance the radiotherapeutic effect, including preclinical and clinical studies. Clinicaltrials.gov was used to perform the search using the following terms: radiation, cancer, and NPs. In this review, we describe the various designs of nano-radioenhancers, the rationale for using such technology, as well as their chemical and biological effects. Human trials are then discussed with an emphasis on their design and detailed clinical outcomes.

Systematic Review of Cancer Targeting by Nanoparticles Revealed a Global Association between Accumulation in Tumors and Spleen

Active targeting of nanoparticles toward tumors is one of the most rapidly developing topics in nanomedicine. Typically, this strategy involves the addition of cancer-targeting biomolecules to nanoparticles, and studies on this topic have mainly focused on the localization of such formulations in tumors. Here, the analysis of the factors determining efficient nanoparticle targeting and therapy, various parameters such as types of targeting molecules, nanoparticle type, size, zeta potential, dose, and the circulation time are given. In addition, the important aspects such as how active targeting of nanoparticles alters biodistribution and how non-specific organ uptake influences tumor accumulation of the targeted nanoformulations are discussed. The analysis reveals that an increase in tumor accumulation of targeted nanoparticles is accompanied by a decrease in their uptake by the spleen. There is no association between targeting-induced changes of nanoparticle concentrations in tumors and other organs. The correlation between uptake in tumors and depletion in the spleen is significant for mice with intact immune systems in contrast to nude mice. Noticeably, modulation of splenic and tumor accumulation depends on the targeting molecules and nanoparticle type. The median survival increases with the targeting-induced nanoparticle accumulation in tumors; moreover, combinatorial targeting of nanoparticle drugs demonstrates higher treatment efficiencies. Results of the comprehensive analysis show optimal strategies to enhance the efficiency of actively targeted nanoparticle-based medicines.

Distribution of gold nanoparticles into the brain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Despite the widespread use of gold nanoparticles (GNPs), there is no consensus on their distribution to different tissues and organs. The present systematic review and meta-analysis addresses the accumulation of GNPs in brain tissue. Extensive searches were conducted in electronic databases, Medline, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Scopus. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, primary and secondary screening was performed. The value of brain accumulation of gold nanoparticle (the percentage of the injection dose of GNPs/gram of brain tissue that applied as effect size (ES) in analysis) and the standard error of the mean were extracted from articles and analyzed by calculating the pooled ES and the pooled confidence interval (CI) using STATA software. p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Thirty-eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that the amount of GNPs was 0.06% of the injection dose/gram of brain tissue (ES = 0.06, %95 CI: 0.06-0.06, p < 0.0001). Considering the time between injection and tissue harvest (follow-up time), after 1 h the GNPs in brain tissue was 0.288% of the injection dose/gram of tissue (ES = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.25-0.33, p < 0.0001), while after four weeks it was only 0.02% (ES = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.01-0.03, p < 0.0001) of the injection dose/gram of tissue. The amount of GNPs in brain tissue was higher for PEG-coated GNPs compared to uncoated GNPs, and it was 5.6 times higher for rod-shaped GNPs compared to spherical GNPs. The mean amount of GNPs in the brain tissues of animals bearing a tumor was 5.8 times higher than in normal animals.

A bifunctional electrospun nanocomposite wound dressing containing surfactin and curcumin: In vitro and in vivo studies

A double-nozzle electrospinning technique was adopted in the present study to yield a novel bifunctional wound dressing composed of curcumin (Cur) and surfactin (Sur)-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-gelatin (Gel). To comprehensively unveil the effect of both composition and drug molecules on the applicability, different dressings composed of PCL, Gel, and combination of the polymers with the drug molecules were fabricated. Besides the physicochemical properties, the in vitro and in vivo biological properties of prepared wound dressings were assessed. The results showed that increasing in the Cur from 0 to 3% (w/w) and Sur from 0 to 0.2 mg/mL caused a decrease in the elastic modulus on the one hand. On the other hand, the tensile strength and elongation at break experienced an increase in their values. The wettability, swelling capacity, and degradation rate of PCL improved significantly when both Gel and the drug molecules had been added. The dressings encompassing Sur (0.2 mg/mL) exhibited an excellent antibacterial activity after 24 h (>99%). Moreover, a sustained release of Cur up to 14 days was obtained. The in vitro cell compatibility tests implied a desirable result for all dressings without taking the composition into consideration. To complement the in vitro studies, the PCL/0.2Sur-Gel/3%Cur dressing was further assessed in vivo and the results revealed a significant improvement in the healing rate compared to control groups proofing its great potential for accelerated wound healing applications.

Cu (II)-porphyrin metal-organic framework/graphene oxide: synthesis, characterization, and application as a pH-responsive drug carrier for breast cancer treatment

A new multifunctional graphene oxide/Cu (II)-porphyrin MOF nanocomposite (CuG) comprised of Cu-TCPP MOF supported on graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, has been fabricated by a solvothermal method at low temperature and one-pot process. Cu-TCPP MOF with universal advantages, such as high porosity, nontoxicity, large surface area, and safe biodegradation, combined with GO allows the achievement of an efficient doxorubicin loading (45.7%) and smart pH-responsive release for chemotherapy. More significantly, more than 97% of DOX was released by CuG at pH 5 which was more than that at pH 7.4 (~ 33.5%), while Cu-TCPP MOF displayed DOX release of 68.5% and 49% at pH 5 and 7.4, respectively, illustrating the effect of GO on the smart MOF construction for controllable releasing behavior in vitro. The results of in vitro anticancer experiments demonstrate that the developed nanocarrier exhibited slight or no cytotoxicity on normal cells, while the drug-loaded nanocarrier increased significant cancer cell-killing ability with higher therapeutic efficacy than free DOX, indicating the sustained release behavior of the CuG nanocarrier without any "burst effect". Moreover, the in vivo experiments demonstrated that the CuG-DOX exhibited significantly higher anticancer efficiency compared with free DOX. High anti-cancer therapeutic efficacy of this nanoscale carrier as an efficient pH sensitive agent, has the potential to enter further biomedical investigations. A new smart multifunctional graphene oxide-Cu (II)-porphyrin MOF nanocomposite (CuG) formed of Cu-TCPP MOF and graphene oxide (GO) has successfully fabricated and demonstrated an efficient pH-responsive drug release behavior in cancer therapy without using any targeting ligand.

Development of Polymer-Assisted Nanoparticles and Nanogels for Cancer Therapy: An Update

With cancer remaining as one of the main causes of deaths worldwide, many studies are undergoing the effort to look for a novel and potent anticancer drug. Nanoparticles (NPs) are one of the rising fields in research for anticancer drug development. One of the key advantages of using NPs for cancer therapy is its high flexibility for modification, hence additional properties can be added to the NPs in order to improve its anticancer action. Polymer has attracted considerable attention to be used as a material to enhance the bioactivity of the NPs. Nanogels, which are NPs cross-linked with hydrophilic polymer network have also exhibited benefits in anticancer application. The characteristics of these nanomaterials include non-toxic, environment-friendly, and variable physiochemical properties. Some other unique properties of polymers are also attributed by diverse methods of polymer synthesis. This then contributes to the unique properties of the nanodrugs. This review article provides an in-depth update on the development of polymer-assisted NPs and nanogels for cancer therapy. Topics such as the synthesis, usage, and properties of the nanomaterials are discussed along with their mechanisms and functions in anticancer application. The advantages and limitations are also discussed in this article.

Gold Nanoparticles as Radiosensitizers in Cancer Radiotherapy

The rapid development of nanotechnology offers a variety of potential therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. High atomic element nanomaterials are often utilized as radiosensitizers due to their unique photoelectric decay characteristics. Among them, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are one of the most widely investigated and are considered to be an ideal radiosensitizers for radiotherapy due to their high X-ray absorption and unique physicochemical properties. Over the last few decades, multi-disciplinary studies have focused on the design and optimization of GNPs to achieve greater dosing capability and higher therapeutic effects and highlight potential mechanisms for radiosensitization of GNPs. Although the radiosensitizing potential of GNPs has been widely recognized, its clinical translation still faces many challenges. This review analyses the different roles of GNPs as radiosensitizers in cancer radiotherapy and summarizes recent advances. In addition, the underlying mechanisms of GNP radiosensitization, including physical, chemical and biological mechanisms are discussed, which may provide new directions for the optimization and clinical transformation of next-generation GNPs.

Mg(1-x)CuxFe2O4 superparamagnetic nanoparticles as nano-radiosensitizer agents in radiotherapy of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Magnesium-doped copper spinel ferrite superparamagnetic nanoparticles (Mg_(1-x)Cu_xFe₂O₄ SPMNPs, 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The cytotoxicity effects and cell viability of MCF-7 on human breast cancer cells pre and post exposure to the Mg_1-xCu_xFe₂O₄ SPMNPs at different concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μg ml^-1 under radiotherapy were studied by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Here, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, UV-visible spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and vibrating-sample magnetometry were evaluated for the crystal structure, morphology, optical and magnetic property of the Mg_(1-x)Cu_xFe₂O₄ SPMNPs. The results showed that the Mg_(1-x)Cu_xFe₂O₄ SPMNPs all at x values had no significant cytotoxicity at concentrations of 0.1,1 and 10 μg ml^-1, but were enhanced by increasing of Cu content. Furthermore, cell destruction of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells post exposure to Mg_(1-x)Cu_xFe₂O₄ SPMNPs under x-ray irradiation was enhanced by increasing the Cu content and concentration. Superparamagnetic properties of the Mg_(1-x)Cu_xFe₂O₄ SPMNPs cause their localization and elimination, by only an external magnetic field. In conclusion, the Mg_(1-x)Cu_xFe₂O₄ SPMNPs with optimum values of x = 0.2 (10 μg ml^-1) and x = 0.6 (1 μg ml^-1) can be considered as a nano-radiosensitizer because of the synergistic treatment effect without cytotoxicity on the MCF-7 cells.

Efficacy of co-immunization with the DNA and peptide vaccines containing SYCP1 and ACRBP epitopes in a murine triple-negative breast cancer model

Multiepitope cancer vaccines have gained lots of attention for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes in cancer patients. In our previous study, multiepitope DNA and peptide cancer vaccines consisted of the most immunodominant epitopes of ACRBP and SYCP1 antigens were designed by bioinformatic tools. In this study, the effect of prophylactic co-immunization with these DNA and peptide cancer vaccines in the 4T1 breast cancer animal model was assessed. Serum levels of the peptide-specific IgG total, IgG2a and IgG1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Also, the efficacy of the immunized mice splenocytes' for producing interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was evaluated. The co-immunization caused a significant (P < .05) increase in the serum levels of IgG1 and IgG2a. The co-immunized mice splenocytes exhibited significantly enhanced IL-4 (6.6-fold) and IFN-γ (19-fold) production. Also, their lymphocytes exhibited higher proliferation rate (3-fold) and granzyme B production (6.5-fold) in comparison with the control. The prophylactic co-immunization significantly decreased the breast tumors' volume (78%) and increased the tumor-bearing mice survival time (37.5%) in comparison with the control. Taking together, prophylactic co-immunization with these multiepitope DNA and peptide cancer vaccines can activate the immune system against breast cancer. However, further experiments are needed to evaluate their efficacy from different angles.

Nanomedicine in treatment of breast cancer - A challenge to conventional therapy

Amongst the various types of cancer, breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease and known as the leading cause of death among women globally. The extensive interdisciplinary investigation in nanotechnology and cancer biomedical research has been evolved over the years for its effective treatment. However, the advent of chemotherapeutic resistance in breast cancer is one of the major confront researchers are facing in achieving successful chemotherapy. Research in the area of cancer nanotechnology over the years have now been revolutionized through the development of smart polymers, lipids, inorganic materials and eventually their surface-engineering with targeting ligands. Moreover, nanotechnology further extended and brings in the notice the new theranostic approach which combining the therapy and imaging simultaneously. Currently, research is being envisaged in the area of novel nano-pharmaceutical design viz. liposome, nanotubes, polymer lipid hybrid system, which focuses to make the chemotherapy curative and long-lasting. In this review, we aimed to discuss the recent advancement of different surface-engineered/targeted nanomedicines that improved the drug efficacy in breast cancer.

A graphene gold nanocomposite-based 5-FU drug and the enhancement of the MCF-7 cell line treatment

There is no doubt that cancer is now one of the most formidable diseases in the world; despite all the efforts and research, common treatment routes, including chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and photothermal therapy, suffer from different limitations in terms of their efficiency and performance. For this reason, different strategies are being explored to improve the efficiency of the traditional drugs reported to date. In this study, we have redirected the function of one of these drugs (5-fluorouracil, 5-FU) by combining it with a graphene-gold nanocomposite in different molar ratios that has been exceedingly used for biological research development. The high activity of the graphene-gold material enables it to produce reactive oxygen and ions, which display good anticancer and antioxidant activity through the scavenging of the DPPH, SOD and GP x radicals; in addition, different characterizations have been used to confirm the structure and morphology of the obtained samples. Highly potent cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cells was achieved with the drug combination containing the nanocomposite. All the results, including those obtained via cytometry, indicate that the combination of 5% graphene-gold nanocomposites with 5-FU exhibits a higher antitumor impact and more drug stability than pure 5-FU.