Biomimetic lipid nanoparticles for homologous-targeting and enhanced photodynamic therapy against glioma

The siEGFR nanoplexes for the enhanced brain glioma treatment: Endoplasmic reticulum biomimetic strategy to induce homing effect and non-degradable intracellular transport

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a pivotal role in tumor progression and is an essential therapeutic target for treating malignant gliomas. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has the potential to selectively degrade EGFR mRNA, yet its clinical utilization is impeded by various challenges, such as inefficient targeting and limited escape from lysosomes. Our research introduces polyethylene glycol (PEG) and endoplasmic reticulum membrane-coated siEGFR nanoplexes (PEhCv/siEGFR NPs) as an innovative approach to brain glioma therapy by overcoming several obstacles: 1) Tumor-derived endoplasmic reticulum membrane modifications provide a homing effect, facilitating targeted accumulation and cellular uptake; 2) Endoplasmic reticulum membrane proteins mediate a non-degradable "endosome-Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum" transport pathway, circumventing lysosomal degradation. These nanoplexes demonstrated significantly enhanced siEGFR gene silencing in both in vitro and in vivo U87 glioma models. The findings of this study pave the way for the advanced design and effective application of nucleic acid-based therapeutic nanocarriers.

Lipid Nanoparticles for Brain Tumor Theranostics: Challenges and Status

Lipid nanoparticles have been recognized as a powerful weapon for delivering various imaging and therapeutic agents to the localized solid tumors, especially brain tumors individually or in combination. Promisingly, lipid-based nanosystems have been considered as safe delivery systems which are even approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). One recent spotlight of lipid nanoparticles as COVID-19 mRNA vaccines where lipid nanoparticles play an important role in effectively protecting and delivering mRNA to the desired cells. As of now, successive progress in lipid-based nanocarriers, viz., nanoliposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, ionizable lipid nanostructures, etc., with better biochemical and biophysical stabilities, has been noticed and reported. Moreover, lipid nanostructures have been considered as versatile therapeutics platforms for a variety of diseases due to their biocompatibility, ability to protect and deliver therapeutics to the localized site, and better reproducibility and reliability. However, lipid nanoparticles still face morphological and biochemical changes upon their in vivo administration. These changes alter the specific biological and pathological response of lipid nanoparticles during their personalized brain tumor theranostics. Second, lipid nanomedicine still faces major challenges of zero premature leakage of loaded cargo, long-term colloidal stability, and off targeting. Herein, various lipid-based nanomedicines for brain tumor imaging and therapeutics "theranostics" have been reviewed and summarized considering major aspects of preclinical and clinical studies. On the other hand, engineering and biological challenges of lipid theranostics systems with relevant advantages and guidelines for clinical practice for different brain tumors have also been discussed. This review provides in-depth knowledge of lipid nanoparticle-based theranostics agents for brain tumor imaging and therapeutics.

Targeting specific brain districts for advanced nanotherapies: A review from the perspective of precision nanomedicine

Numerous studies are focused on nanoparticle penetration into the brain functionalizing them with ligands useful to cross the blood-brain barrier. However, cell targeting is also crucial, given that cerebral pathologies frequently affect specific brain cells or areas. Functionalize nanoparticles with the most appropriate targeting elements, tailor their physical parameters, and consider the brain's complex anatomy are essential aspects for precise therapy and diagnosis. In this review, we addressed the state of the art on targeted nanoparticles for drug delivery in diseased brain regions, outlining progress, limitations, and ongoing challenges. We also provide a summary and overview of general design principles that can be applied to nanotherapies, considering the areas and cell types affected by the most common brain disorders. We then emphasize lingering uncertainties that hinder the translational possibilities of nanotherapies for clinical use. Finally, we offer suggestions for continuing preclinical investigations to enhance the overall effectiveness of precision nanomedicine in addressing neurological conditions. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

Mitochondria targeted biomimetic platform for chemo/photodynamic combination therapy against osteosarcoma

Clinical treatment for osteosarcoma (OS) is still lacking effective means, and no significant progress in OS treatment have been made in recent years. Single chemotherapy has serious side effects and can produce drug resistance easily, resulting poor therapeutic effect. As a modern and non-invasive treatment form, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is widely used to treat diverse cancers. Chemotherapy in combination with PDT is a particularly efficient antitumor method that could overcome the defects of monotherapies. Since mitochondria is a key subcellular organelle involved in cell apoptosis regulation, targeting tumor cells mitochondria for drug delivery has become an important entry point for anti-tumor therapy. Herein, we rationally designed a core-shell structured biomimetic nanoplatform, i.e., D@SLNP@OSM-IR780, to achieve tumor homologous targeting and mitochondria targeted drug release for chemotherapy combined with PDT against OS. Upon 808 nm laser irradiation, D@SLNP@OSM-IR780 exhibited excellent photo-cytotoxicity in vitro. The excellent targeting effect of D@SLNP@OSM-IR780 in tumor tissues produced a tumor inhibition rate of 98.9% in vivo. We further indicated that synergistic chemo-photodynamic effect induced by D@SLNP@OSM-IR780 could activate mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway, along with host immune response and potential photothermal effect. On the whole, D@SLNP@OSM-IR780 is revealed to be a promising platform for OS targeted combination therapeutics.

Current Photodynamic Therapy for Glioma Treatment: An Update

Research on the development of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of brain tumors has shown promise in the treatment of this highly aggressive form of brain cancer. Analysis of both in vivo studies and clinical studies shows that photodynamic therapy can provide significant benefits, such as an improved median rate of survival. The use of photodynamic therapy is characterized by relatively few side effects, which is a significant advantage compared to conventional treatment methods such as often-used brain tumor surgery, advanced radiotherapy, and classic chemotherapy. Continued research in this area could bring significant advances, influencing future standards of treatment for this difficult and deadly disease.

Cell membrane-based biomimetic technology for cancer phototherapy: Mechanisms, recent advances and perspectives

Despite significant advances in medical technology and antitumour treatments, the diagnosis and treatment of tumours have undergone remarkable transformations. Noninvasive phototherapy methods, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), have gained significant interest in antitumour medicine. However, traditional photosensitisers or photothermal agents face challenges like immune system recognition, rapid clearance from the bloodstream, limited tumour accumulation, and phototoxicity concerns. Researchers combine photosensitisers or photothermal agents with natural cell membranes to overcome these obstacles to create a nano biomimetic therapeutic platform. When used to coat nanoparticles, red blood cells, platelets, cancer cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, and bacterial outer membranes could provide prolonged circulation, tumour targeting, immune stimulation, or antigenicity. This article covers the principles of cellular membrane biomimetic nanotechnology and phototherapy, along with recent advancements in applying nano biomimetic technology to PDT, PTT, PCT, and combined diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, the challenges and issues of using nano biomimetic nanoparticles in phototherapy are discussed. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Currently, there has been significant progress in the field of cell membrane biomimetic technology. Researchers are exploring its potential application in tumor diagnosis and treatment through phototherapy. Scholars have conducted extensive research on combining cell membrane technology and phototherapy in anticancer diagnosis and treatment. This review aims to highlight the mechanisms of phototherapy and the latest advancements in single phototherapy (PTT, PDT) and combination phototherapy (PCT, PRT, and PIT), as well as diagnostic approaches. The review provides an overview of various cell membrane technologies, including RBC membranes, platelet membranes, macrophage cell membranes, tumour cell membranes, bacterial membranes, hybrid membranes, and their potential for anticancer applications under phototherapy. Lastly, the review discusses the challenges and future directions in this field.