Tumor-oriented mathematical models in hydrogel regulation for precise topical administration regimens

Research on the biological mechanism and potential application of CEMIP

Cell migration-inducing protein (CEMIP), also known as KIAA1199 and hyaluronan-binding protein involved in hyaluronan depolymerization, is a new member of the hyaluronidase family that degrades hyaluronic acid (HA) and remodels the extracellular matrix. In recent years, some studies have reported that CEMIP can promote the proliferation, invasion, and adhesion of various tumor cells and can play an important role in bacterial infection and arthritis. This review focuses on the pathological mechanism of CEMIP in a variety of diseases and expounds the function of CEMIP from the aspects of inhibiting cell apoptosis, promoting HA degradation, inducing inflammatory responses and related phosphorylation, adjusting cellular microenvironment, and regulating tissue fibrosis. The diagnosis and treatment strategies targeting CEMIP are also summarized. The various functions of CEMIP show its great potential application value.

The recent advancement in the PLGA-based thermo-sensitive hydrogel for smart drug delivery

To date, hydrogels have opened new prospects for potential applications for drug delivery. The thermo-sensitive hydrogels have the great potential to provide more effective and controllable release of therapeutic/bioactive agents in response to changes in temperature. PLGA is a safe FDA-approved copolymer with good biocompatibility and biodegradability. Recently, PLGA-based formulation have attracted a lot of interest for thermo-sensitive hydrogels. Thermo-sensitive PLGA-based hydrogels provide the delivery system with good spatial and temporal control, and have been widely applied in drug delivery. This review is focused on the recent progression of the thermo-sensitive and biodegradable PLGA-based hydrogels that have been reported for smart drug delivery to the different organs. Eventually, future perspectives and challenges of thermo-sensitive PLGA-based hydrogels are discussed briefly.

Combined Photothermal Therapy and Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide for Topical Administration to Improve the Efficacy of Doxorubicin in the Treatment of Breast Cancer

In order to improve the efficacy of doxorubicin in the treatment of breast cancer, we constructed a drug delivery system combined with local administration of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) and photothermal-material polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPY NPs). In vitro cytotoxicity experiments showed that the inhibitory effect of DOX + LBP + PPY NPs on 4T1 cells under NIR (near infrared) laser was eight times that of DOX at the same concentration (64% vs. 8%). In vivo antitumor experiments showed that the tumor inhibition rate of LBP + DOX + PPY NPs + NIR reached 87.86%. The results of the H&E staining and biochemical assays showed that the systemic toxicity of LBP + DOX + PPY NPs + NIR group was reduced, and liver damage was significantly lower in the combined topical administration group (ALT 54 ± 14.44 vs. 28 ± 3.56; AST 158 ± 16.39 vs. 111 ± 20.85) (p < 0.05). The results of the Elisa assay showed that LBP + DOX + PPY NPs + NIR can enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity (IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IgA, ROS). In conclusion, LBP + DOX + PPY NPs combined with photothermal therapy can improve the therapeutic effect of DOX on breast cancer and reduce its toxic side effects.

CEMIP, a Promising Biomarker That Promotes the Progression and Metastasis of Colorectal and Other Types of Cancer

Simple Summary

CEMIP (cell migration-inducing and hyaluronan-binding protein) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including colorectal and other forms of cancer. The molecular functions of CEMIP are currently under investigation and include the degradation of the extracellular matrix component hyaluronic acid (HA), as well as the regulation of a number of signaling pathways. In this review, we survey our current understanding of how CEMIP contributes to tumor growth and metastasis, focusing particularly on colorectal cancer, for which it serves as a promising biomarker.

Abstract

Originally discovered as a hypothetical protein with unknown function, CEMIP (cell migration-inducing and hyaluronan-binding protein) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including deafness, arthritis, atherosclerosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and cancer. Although a comprehensive definition of its molecular functions is still in progress, major functions ascribed to CEMIP include the depolymerization of the extracellular matrix component hyaluronic acid (HA) and the regulation of a number of signaling pathways. CEMIP is a promising biomarker for colorectal cancer. Its expression is associated with poor prognosis for patients suffering from colorectal and other types of cancer and functionally contributes to tumor progression and metastasis. Here, we review our current understanding of how CEMIP is able to foster the process of tumor growth and metastasis, focusing particularly on colorectal cancer. Studies in cancer cells suggest that CEMIP exerts its pro-tumorigenic and pro-metastatic activities through stimulating migration and invasion, suppressing cell death and promoting survival, degrading HA, regulating pro-metastatic signaling pathways, inducing the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) program, and contributing to the metabolic reprogramming and pre-metastatic conditioning of future metastatic microenvironments. There is also increasing evidence indicating that CEMIP may be expressed in cells within the tumor microenvironment that promote tumorigenesis and metastasis formation, although this remains in an early stage of investigation. CEMIP expression and activity can be therapeutically targeted at a number of levels, and preliminary findings in animal models show encouraging results in terms of reduced tumor growth and metastasis, as well as combating therapy resistance. Taken together, CEMIP represents an exciting new player in the progression of colorectal and other types of cancer that holds promise as a therapeutic target and biomarker.

Advances in Cellulose-Based Hydrogels for Biomedical Engineering: A Review Summary

In recent years, hydrogel-based research in biomedical engineering has attracted more attention. Cellulose-based hydrogels have become a research hotspot in the field of functional materials because of their outstanding characteristics such as excellent flexibility, stimulus-response, biocompatibility, and degradability. In addition, cellulose-based hydrogel materials exhibit excellent mechanical properties and designable functions through different preparation methods and structure designs, demonstrating huge development potential. In this review, we have systematically summarized sources and types of cellulose and the formation mechanism of the hydrogel. We have reviewed and discussed the recent progress in the development of cellulose-based hydrogels and introduced their applications such as ionic conduction, thermal insulation, and drug delivery. Also, we analyzed and highlighted the trends and opportunities for the further development of cellulose-based hydrogels as emerging materials in the future.