Design and in vitro evaluation of folate-targeted, co-drug encapsulated theranostic liposomes for non-small cell lung cancer

Moving beyond traditional therapies: the role of nanomedicines in lung cancer

Amidst a global rise in lung cancer occurrences, conventional therapies continue to pose substantial side effects and possess notable toxicities while lacking specificity. Counteracting this, the incorporation of nanomedicines can notably enhance drug delivery at tumor sites, extend a drug's half-life and mitigate inadvertent toxic and adverse impacts on healthy tissues, substantially influencing lung cancer's early detection and targeted therapy. Numerous studies signal that while the nano-characteristics of lung cancer nanomedicines play a pivotal role, further interplay with immune, photothermal, and genetic factors exist. This review posits that the progression towards multimodal combination therapies could potentially establish an efficacious platform for multimodal targeted lung cancer treatments. Current nanomedicines split into active and passive targeting. Active therapies focus on a single target, often with unsatisfactory results. Yet, developing combination systems targeting multiple sites could chart new paths in lung cancer therapy. Conversely, low drug delivery rates limit passive therapies. Utilizing the EPR effect to bind specific ligands on nanoparticles to tumor cell receptors might create a new regime combining active-passive targeting, potentially elevating the nanomedicines' concentration at target sites. This review collates recent advancements through the lens of nanomedicine's attributes for lung cancer therapeutics, the novel carrier classifications, targeted therapeutic modalities and their mechanisms, proposing that the emergence of multi-target nanocomposite therapeutics, combined active-passive targeting therapies and multimodal combined treatments will pioneer novel approaches and tools for future lung cancer clinical therapies.

68 Ga-labeled, imatinib encapsulated, theranostic liposomes: Formulation, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of anticancer activity

Cancer is still a global health problem. Among cancer types, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed one, and it causes a high mortality rate if not diagnosed in the early stages. In our study, imatinib encapsulated, nanosized, neutral/cationic liposome formulations were prepared as theranostic agents for breast cancer. After the characterization studies in which all liposomes exhibited proper profile owing to their particle size between 133 and 250 nm, polydispersity index values lower than 0.4, neutral and cationic zeta potential values, and high drug encapsulation efficiency, controlled drug release behaviors with zero-order kinetic were obtained. The higher than 90% radiolabeling efficiency values were obtained thanks to the determination of optimum radiolabeling condition (80°C temperature, 5 mCi radioactivity, and 10 min incubation period). According to the resazurin assay evaluating the cytotoxic profile of liposomes on MCF7 cells, neutral empty liposome was found as biocompatible, while both cationic liposomes (empty and drug-loaded ones) exhibited high nonspecific cytotoxicity at even low drug concentration due to the existence of stearyl amine in the formulations. However, dose-dependent cytotoxic effect and the highest cellular binding capacity were obtained by imatinib loaded neutral liposomes. In conclusion, 68 Ga-radiolabeled, imatinib-loaded, neutral, nanosized liposome formulation is the most promising one as a theranostic agent among all formulations.

99mTc-Labeled, Colistin Encapsulated, Theranostic Liposomes for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection

Infectious diseases are still the major issue not only due to antibiotic resistance but also causing deaths if not diagnosed at early-stages. Different approaches including nanosized drug delivery systems and theranostics are researched to overcome antibiotic resistance, decrease the side effects of antibiotics, improve the treatment response, and early diagnose. Therefore, in the present study, nanosized, radiolabeled with ^99mTc, colistin encapsulated, neutral and cationic liposome formulations were prepared as the theranostic agent for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Liposomes exhibited appropriate physicochemical properties thanks to their nano-particle size (between 173 and 217 nm), neutral zeta potential value (about - 6.5 and 2.8 mV), as well as encapsulation efficiency of about 75%. All liposome formulations were radiolabeled with over 90% efficiency, and the concentration of stannous chloride was found as 1 mg.mL^-1 to obtain maximum radiolabeling efficiency. In alamar blue analysis, neutral liposome formulations were found more biocompatible compared with the cationic formulations. Neutral colistin encapsulated liposomes were found to be more effective against P. aeruginosa strain according to their time-dependent antibacterial effect, in addition to their highest bacterial binding capacity. As conclusion, theranostic, nanosized, colistin encapsulated, neutral liposome formulations were found as promising agents for the imaging and treating of P. aeruginosa infections.

Ligand conjugated lipid-based nanocarriers for cancer theranostics

Cancer is one of the major health-related issues affecting the population worldwide and subsequently accounts for the second-largest death. Genetic and epigenetic modifications in oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes affect the regulatory systems that lead to the initiation and progression of cancer. Conventional methods, including chemotherapy/radiotherapy/appropriate combinational therapy and surgery, are being widely used for theranostics of cancer patients. Surgery is useful in treating localized tumors, but it is ineffective in treating metastatic tumors, which spread to other organs and result in a high recurrence rate and death. Also, the therapeutic application of free drugs is related to substantial issues such as poor absorption, solubility, bioavailability, high degradation rate, short shelf-life, and low therapeutic index. Therefore, these issues can be sorted out using nano lipid-based carriers (NLBCs) as promising drug delivery carriers. Still, at most, they fail to achieve site targeted drug delivery and detection. This can be achieved by selecting a specific ligand/antibody for its cognate receptor molecule expressed on the surface of cancer cell. In this review, we have mainly discussed the various types of ligands used to decorate NLBCs. A list of the ligands used to design nanocarriers to target malignant cells has been extensively undertaken. The approved ligand decorated lipid-based nanomedicines with their clinical status has been explained in tabulated form to provide a wider scope to the readers regarding ligand coupled NLBCs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The State of the Art of Theranostic Nanomaterials for Lung, Breast, and Prostate Cancers

The synthesis and engineering of nanomaterials offer more robust systems for the treatment of cancer, with technologies that combine therapy with imaging diagnostic tools in the so-called nanotheranostics. Among the most studied systems, there are quantum dots, liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, dendrimers, and gold nanoparticles. Most of the advantages of nanomaterials over the classic anticancer therapies come from their optimal size, which prevents the elimination by the kidneys and enhances their permeation in the tumor due to the abnormal blood vessels present in cancer tissues. Furthermore, the drug delivery and the contrast efficiency for imaging are enhanced, especially due to the increased surface area and the selective accumulation in the desired tissues. This property leads to the reduced drug dose necessary to exert the desired effect and for a longer action within the tumor. Finally, they are made so that there is no degradation into toxic byproducts and have a lower immune response triggering. In this article, we intend to review and discuss the state-of-the-art regarding the use of nanomaterials as therapeutic and diagnostic tools for lung, breast, and prostate cancer, as they are among the most prevalent worldwide.

Synergistic Antitumor Efficacy Mediated by Liposomal Co-Delivery of Polymeric Micelles of Vinorelbine and Cisplatin in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an aggressive tumor with high mortality and poor prognosis. In this study, we designed a liposome encapsulating polymeric micelles (PMs) loaded with vinorelbine (NVB) and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin or CDDP) for the treatment of NSCLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sodium poly(α-l-glutamic acid)-graft-methoxy-polyethylene glycol (PLG-G-PEG5K) was used to prepare NVB-loaded NVB-PMs and CDDP-loaded CDDP-PMs that were co-encapsulated into liposomes by a reverse evaporation method, yielding NVB and CDDP co-delivery liposomes (CoNP-lips) composed of egg phosphatidyl lipid-80/cholesterol/DPPG/DSPE-mPEG2000 at a molar ratio of 52:32:14:2. The CoNP-lips were characterized in terms of particle size, zeta potential, drug content, encapsulation efficiency, and structural properties. Drug release by the CoNP-lips as well as their stability and cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro, and their antitumor efficacy was assessed in a mouse xenograft model of Lewis lung carcinoma cell-derived tumors.

RESULTS

CoNP-lips had a spherical shape with uniform size distribution; the average particle size was 162.97±9.06 nm, and the average zeta potential was -13.02±0.22 mV. In vitro cytotoxicity analysis and the combination index demonstrated that the CoNP-lips achieved a synergistic cytotoxic effect at an NVB:CDDP weight ratio of 2:1 in an NSCLC cell line. There was sustained release of both drugs from CoNP-lips. The pharmacokinetic analysis showed that CoNP-lips had a higher plasma half-life than NP solution, with 6.52- and 8.03-fold larger areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of NVB and CDDP. CoNP-lips showed antitumor efficacy in tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice and drug accumulation in tumors via the enhanced permeability and retention effect.

CONCLUSION

CoNP-lips are a promising formulation for targeted therapy in NSCLC.

Radiolabeled Tedizolid Phosphate Liposomes for Topical Application: Design, Characterization, and Evaluation of Cellular Binding Capacity

Nowadays, the incidence of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI) is increasing. The increased bioavailability and reduced drug resistance of antibiotics are crucial to obtain a more effective treatment response in these infections. These favorable properties could be achieved by different drug delivery systems such as liposomes. In this study, nanosized, radiolabeled tedizolid phosphate liposomal formulations were prepared and evaluated with their in vitro cellular binding capacity and biocompatible profile for topical treatment of ABSSSI. Liposomes were characterized by evaluation of their visual inspection, particle size (about 190-270 nm), zeta potential value (around 0), and encapsulation efficiency (nearly 10%). The release rate of tedizolid phosphate from liposomes was also studied using dialysis membranes and evaluated kinetically. The stability of formulations was observed at three different temperatures and humidity conditions for 28 days. Afterward, liposomes were labeled with ^99mTc, and the optimal amount of reducing agent (stannous chloride) was determined as 500 μg in this direct labeling procedure. All liposome formulations were successfully radiolabeled with high efficiency and exhibited high radiochemical purity (> 80%) during 6 h in different media. Furthermore, the cellular bindings of liposomal formulations were evaluated in human skin fibroblast cells by measuring the radioactivity. Higher radioactivity values were obtained in CCD-1070Sk cells incubated by liposome formulations compared to sodium pertechnetate. This finding suggested that liposomal formulation increased the cellular binding of radioactivity. By the result of our study, nanosized, tedizolid phosphate encapsulated liposome formulation was found to be a favorable carrier system in the treatment of ABSSSI.