Loco-regional radiosensitizing nanoparticles-in-gel augments head and neck cancer chemoradiotherapy

Nanoradiosensitizers in glioblastoma treatment: recent advances and future perspectives

Glioblastoma (GBM), a highly invasive type of brain tumor located within the central nervous system, manifests a median survival time of merely 14.6 months. Radiotherapy kills tumor cells through focused high-energy radiation and has become a crucial treatment strategy for GBM, especially in cases where surgical resection is not viable. However, the presence of radioresistant tumor cells limits its clinical effectiveness. Radioresistance is a key factor of treatment failure, prompting the development of various therapeutic strategies to overcome this challenge. With the rapid development of nanomedicine, nanoradiosensitizers provide a novel approach to enhancing the effectiveness of radiotherapy. In this review, we discuss the reasons behind GBM radio-resistance and the mechanisms of radiotherapy sensitization. Then we summarize the primary types of nanoradiosensitizers and recent progress in their application for the radiosensitization of GBM. Finally, we elucidate the factors influencing their practical implementation, along with the challenges and promising prospects associated with multifunctional nanoradiosensitizers.

Enhancing X-Ray Sensitization with Multifunctional Nanoparticles

In the progression of X-ray-based radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer, the incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) has a transformative impact. This study investigates the potential of NPs, particularly those comprised of high atomic number elements, as radiosensitizers. This aims to optimize localized radiation doses within tumors, thereby maximizing therapeutic efficacy while preserving surrounding tissues. The multifaceted applications of NPs in radiotherapy encompass collaborative interactions with chemotherapeutic, immunotherapeutic, and targeted pharmaceuticals, along with contributions to photodynamic/photothermal therapy, imaging enhancement, and the integration of artificial intelligence technology. Despite promising preclinical outcomes, the paper acknowledges challenges in the clinical translation of these findings. The conclusion maintains an optimistic stance, emphasizing ongoing trials and technological advancements that bolster personalized treatment approaches. The paper advocates for continuous research and clinical validation, envisioning the integration of NPs as a revolutionary paradigm in cancer therapy, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

Surface engineered multifunctional nano-systems for localised drug delivery against thyroid cancer: A review of current practices

Thyroid cancer, the most prevalent cancer of the endocrine system and cervical region, has experienced a significant increase in incidence over recent decades. Nanomedicine has fundamentally revolutionized cancer treatment, particularly through the development of multifunctional nano-therapeutics. The progress in this field has been facilitated by the distinctive properties of nanomaterials, such as their capacity to perform several functions, be modified, and offer various detection methods. These features allow for non-invasive and practical diagnostic techniques through versatile imaging. Surface engineering plays a pivotal role in the design of multifunctional nano-systems for localized drug delivery against thyroid cancer. Nano-systems can be customized via surface modification techniques, such as functionalization with targeting ligands and inclusion of therapeutic drugs. This customization allows the nano-systems to specifically target cancer cells while reducing the impact on non-target cells. As a result, bovine serum albumin-coated nanostructures have emerged as powerful diagnostic and targeting nanosystems for thyroid cancer. This targeted strategy enhances the effectiveness of cancer treatment while reducing overall body toxicity. This comprehensive review aims to provide an extensive overview of the latest advancements in surface-engineered nanoparticle-based approaches for both diagnosing and treating thyroid cancer. It highlights the promising research endeavors aimed at creating novel and effective multifunctional nanomedicine for localized delivery to thyroid cancer sites. The review examines different nanomedicines that have been developed for cancer treatment and diagnosis. It also analyzes the current trends, future possibilities, and obstacles in this rapidly advancing sector. By synthesizing the current state of knowledge on surface-engineered multifunctional nano-systems, this review contributes to a better understanding of their potential applications in thyroid cancer treatment and paves the way for future research directions in this promising field of nanomedicine.

Revolution in Cancer Treatment: How Are Intelligently Designed Nanostructures Changing the Game?

Nanoparticles (NPs) are extremely important tools to overcome the limitations imposed by therapeutic agents and effectively overcome biological barriers. Smart designed/tuned nanostructures can be extremely effective for cancer treatment. The selection and design of nanostructures and the adjustment of size and surface properties are extremely important, especially for some precision treatments and drug delivery (DD). By designing specific methods, an important era can be opened in the biomedical field for personalized and precise treatment. Here, we focus on advances in the selection and design of nanostructures, as well as on how the structure and shape, size, charge, and surface properties of nanostructures in biological fluids (BFs) can be affected. We discussed the applications of specialized nanostructures in the therapy of head and neck cancer (HNC), which is a difficult and aggressive type of cancer to treat, to give an impetus for novel treatment approaches in this field. We also comprehensively touched on the shortcomings, current trends, and future perspectives when using nanostructures in the treatment of cancer.

Current advances in nanoformulations of therapeutic agents targeting tumor microenvironment to overcome drug resistance

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a pivotal role in cancer development and progression. In this line, revealing the precise mechanisms of the TME and associated signaling pathways of tumor resistance could pave the road for cancer prevention and efficient treatment. The use of nanomedicine could be a step forward in overcoming the barriers in tumor-targeted therapy. Novel delivery systems benefit from enhanced permeability and retention effect, decreasing tumor resistance, reducing tumor hypoxia, and targeting tumor-associated factors, including immune cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. Emerging evidence also indicates the engagement of multiple dysregulated mediators in the TME, such as matrix metalloproteinase, vascular endothelial growth factor, cytokines/chemokines, Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, Hedgehog, and related inflammatory and apoptotic pathways. Hence, investigating novel multitargeted agents using a novel delivery system could be a promising strategy for regulating TME and drug resistance. In recent years, small molecules from natural sources have shown favorable anticancer responses by targeting TME components. Nanoformulations of natural compounds are promising therapeutic agents in simultaneously targeting multiple dysregulated factors and mediators of TME, reducing tumor resistance mechanisms, overcoming interstitial fluid pressure and pericyte coverage, and involvement of basement membrane. The novel nanoformulations employ a vascular normalization strategy, stromal/matrix normalization, and stress alleviation mechanisms to exert higher efficacy and lower side effects. Accordingly, the nanoformulations of anticancer monoclonal antibodies and conventional chemotherapeutic agents also improved their efficacy and lessened the pharmacokinetic limitations. Additionally, the coadministration of nanoformulations of natural compounds along with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, monoclonal antibodies, and nanomedicine-based radiotherapy exhibits encouraging results. This critical review evaluates the current body of knowledge in targeting TME components by nanoformulation-based delivery systems of natural small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, conventional chemotherapeutic agents, and combination therapies in both preclinical and clinical settings. Current challenges, pitfalls, limitations, and future perspectives are also discussed.

Advances in nanomaterials for the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancers: A review

Nanomaterials (NMs) have increasingly been used for the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancers (HNCs) over the past decade. HNCs can easily infiltrate surrounding tissues and form distant metastases, meaning that most patients with HNC are diagnosed at an advanced stage and often have a poor prognosis. Since NMs can be used to deliver various agents, including imaging agents, drugs, genes, vaccines, radiosensitisers, and photosensitisers, they play a crucial role in the development of novel technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of HNCs. Indeed, NMs have been reported to enhance delivery efficiency and improve the prognosis of patients with HNC by allowing targeted delivery, controlled release, responses to stimuli, and the delivery of multiple agents. In this review, we consider recent advances in NMs that could be used to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients with HNC and the potential for future research.

A Local Strategy Toward Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Based on Fibrin Gel for Postsurgical Cancer Treatment

PURPOSE

Postoperative cancer recurrence and metastasis have always been huge challenges in cancer therapy. The concurrent cisplatin (CDDP)-based chemoradiotherapy regimen is a standard therapeutic strategy in some cancer treatments after surgical resection. However, severe side effects and unsatisfactory local tumor concentrations of CDDP have hampered the application of this concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Therefore, a superior option that can enhance CDDP-based chemoradiotherapy efficacy with milder concurrent therapy-related toxicity is highly desirable.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We developed a platform based on fibrin gel (Fgel) loaded with CDDP to be implanted into the tumor bed after surgery combined with concurrent radiation therapy for the prevention of postoperative local cancer recurrence and distant metastasis. The postoperative subcutaneous tumor mouse models established by incomplete resection of primary tumors were used to evaluate the therapeutic advantages of this chemoradiotherapy regimen for postsurgical treatment.

RESULTS

The local and sustained release of CDDP from Fgel could enhance the antitumor efficacy of radiation therapy in the residual tumor with lower systemic toxicity. The therapeutic benefits of this approach are demonstrated in breast cancer, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, and osteosarcoma mouse models.

CONCLUSIONS

Our work offers a general platform for concurrent chemoradiotherapy to prevent postoperative cancer recurrence and metastasis.

In Vitro Analysis of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Coated with APTES as Possible Radiosensitizers for HNSCC Cells

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) are being investigated for many purposes, e.g., for the amplification of ionizing radiation and for the targeted application of therapeutics. Therefore, we investigated SPIONs coated with (3-Aminopropyle)-Triethoxysilane (SPION-APTES) for their influence on different head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines, as well as for their suitability as a radiosensitizer. We used 24-well microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy for cell observation, growth curves to determine cytostatic effects, and colony formation assays to determine cytotoxicity. We found that the APTES-SPIONs were very well taken up by the HNSCC cells. They generally have a low cytotoxic effect, showing no significant difference in clonogenic survival between the control group and cells treated with 20 µg Fe/mL (p > 0.25) for all cell lines. They have a cytostatic effect on some cell lines cells (e.g., Cal33) that is visible across different radiation doses (1, 2, 8 Gy, p = 0.05). In Cal33, e.g., SPION-APTES raised the doubling time at 2 Gy from 24.53 h to 41.64 h. Importantly, these findings vary notably between the cell lines. However, they do not significantly alter the radiation effect: only one out of eight cell lines treated with SPION-APTES showed a significantly reduced clonogenic survival after ionizing radiation with 2 Gy, and only two showed significantly reduced doubling times. Thus, although the APTES-SPIONs do not qualify as a radiosensitizer, we were still able to vividly demonstrate and analyze the effect that the APTES-SPIONs have on various cell lines as a contribution to further functionalization.

Advanced Nanomedicine for High-Risk HPV-Driven Head and Neck Cancer

The incidence of high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV)-driven head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is on the rise globally. HR-HPV-driven HNSCC displays molecular and clinical characteristics distinct from HPV-uninvolved cases. Therapeutic strategies for HR-HPV-driven HNSCC are under investigation. HR-HPVs encode the oncogenes E6 and E7, which are essential in tumorigenesis. Meanwhile, involvement of E6 and E7 provides attractive targets for developing new therapeutic regimen. Here we will review some of the recent advancements observed in preclinical studies and clinical trials on HR-HPV-driven HNSCC, focusing on nanotechnology related methods. Materials science innovation leads to great improvement for cancer therapeutics including HNSCC. This article discusses HPV-E6 or -E7- based vaccines, based on plasmid, messenger RNA or peptide, at their current stage of development and testing as well as how nanoparticles can be designed to target and access cancer cells and activate certain immunology pathways besides serving as a delivery vehicle. Nanotechnology was also used for chemotherapy and photothermal treatment. Short interference RNA targeting E6/E7 showed some potential in animal models. Gene editing by CRISPR-CAS9 combined with other treatments has also been assessed. These advancements have the potential to improve the outcome in HR-HPV-driven HNSCC, however breakthroughs are still to be awaited with nanomedicine playing an important role.

Hydrogels for Treatment of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases: Current Research, Challenge, and Future Directions

Oral and maxillofacial diseases such as infection and trauma often involve various organs and tissues, resulting in structural defects, dysfunctions and/or adverse effects on facial appearance. Hydrogels have been applied...