Tuning ligand number to enhance selectivity of paclitaxel liposomes towards ovarian cancer

Revolutionizing targeting precision: microfluidics-enabled smart microcapsules for tailored delivery and controlled release

As promising delivery systems, smart microcapsules have garnered significant attention owing to their targeted delivery loaded with diverse active materials. By precisely manipulating fluids on the micrometer scale, microfluidic has emerged as a powerful tool for tailoring delivery systems based on potential applications. The desirable characteristics of smart microcapsules are associated with encapsulation capacity, targeted delivery capability, and controlled release of encapsulants. In this review, we briefly describe the principles of droplet-based microfluidics for smart microcapsules. Subsequently, we summarize smart microcapsules as delivery systems for efficient encapsulation and focus on target delivery patterns, including passive targets, active targets, and microfluidics-assisted targets. Additionally, based on release mechanisms, we review controlled release modes adjusted by smart membranes and on/off gates. Finally, we discuss existing challenges and potential implications associated with smart microcapsules.

Amalgamation of Nanoparticles within Drug Carriers: A Synergistic Approach or a Futile Attempt?

In recent years, nanotechnology has gained much attention from scientists and significant advances in therapeutic potential. Nano-delivery systems have emerged as an effective way in order to improve the therapeutic properties of drugs including solubility, stability, prolongation of half-life as well as promoting the accumulation of drug at the target site. The nanoparticles have also been incorporated into various conventional drug delivery systems. This review study aims to introduce the amalgamation of nanoparticles into drug carriers. To overcome the limitations of single nanoparticles such as toxicity, high instability, rapid drug release as well as limited drug loading capacity, a multi-component system is developed. Liposomes, microparticles, nanofibers, dendrimers etc., are promising drug carriers, having some limitations that can be minimized, and the compilation of nanoparticles synergizes the properties. The amalgamated nanocarriers are used for the diagnostic purpose as well as treatment of various chronic diseases. It also increases the solubility of hydrophobic drugs. However, each system has its advantages and disadvantages based on its physicochemical properties, efficacy, and other parameters. This review details the past and present state of development for the fusion of nanoparticles within drug carriers and from which we identify future research works needed for the same.

Lipid- and TPGS-Based Core-Shell-Type Nanocapsules Endowed with High Paclitaxel Loading and Enhanced Anticancer Potential

The current study elucidates the improved drug loading of paclitaxel (PTX) in lipid- and D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS)-based core-shell-type lipid nanocapsules (PTX-TPGS-LNC) for augmenting the therapeutic efficacy and curbing the toxicity. PTX-TPGS-LNCs were formulated by employing anti-solvent precipitation technique and displayed a particle size of 162.1 ± 4.70 nm and % practical drug loading of 15.04 ± 2.44%. Electron microscopy revealed that PTX-TPGS-LNCs have spherical morphology and the inner core was surrounded by a relatively lighter region, i.e., layer of lipids and TPGS. The nature of loaded PTX inside the PTX-TPGS-LNC was also confirmed using DSC and PXRD analysis. The in vitro release study showed biphasic and sustained release pattern of PTX from PTX-TPGS-LNC and it showed ~ threefold higher PTX uptake in MCF-7 cell line in comparison to free PTX. Moreover, it was apparent from the cytotoxicity assay that PTX-TPGS-LNC displayed higher cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells and revealed ~ 2.92-fold decrease in IC₅₀ value as against free PTX when incubated for 72 h. The apoptotic index in case of PTX-TPGS-LNC was ~ twofold higher than free PTX. The pharmacokinetic profile of PTX-TPGS-LNC revealed a ~ 3.18-fold increase in t_1/2 and a ~ 2.62-fold higher AUC_(0→∞) compared to Intaxel^®. Finally, treatment with PTX-TPGS-LNC demonstrated significant lowering in the % tumor burden and serum toxicity markers compared to marketed formulation Intaxel^®. Thus, the lipid- and TPGS-based core-shell-type LNC with high PTX loading can advance the existing standards of therapy for overshadowing cancer.

Mannose-Anchored Nano-Selenium Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers of Etravirine for Delivery to HIV Reservoirs

The present investigation aims to develop and explore mannosylated lipid-based carriers to deliver an anti-HIV drug, Etravirine (TMC) and Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), to the HIV reservoirs via the mannose receptor. The successful mannosylation was evaluated by the change in zeta potential and lectin binding assay using fluorescence microscopy. Electron microscopy and scattering studies were employed to study the structure and surface of the nanocarrier system. The presence of selenium at the core-shell of the nanocarrier system was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Further, the in vitro anti-HIV1 efficacy was assessed using HIV1 infected TZM-bl cells followed by in vivo biodistribution studies to evaluate distribution to various reservoirs of HIV. The results exhibited higher effectiveness and a significant increase in the therapeutic index as against the plain drug. The confocal microscopy and flow cytometry studies exhibited the efficient uptake of the coumarin-6 tagged respective formulations. The protective effect of nano selenium toward oxidative stress was evaluated in rats, demonstrating the potential of the lipidic nanoparticle-containing selenium in mitigating oxidative stress in all the major organs. The in vivo biodistribution assessment in rats showed a 12.44, 8.05 and 9.83-fold improvement in the brain, ovary, and lymph node biodistribution, respectively as compared with plain TMC. Delivery of such a combination via mannosylated nanostructured lipid carriers could be an efficient approach for delivering drugs to reservoirs of HIV while simultaneously reducing the oxidative stress induced by such long-term therapies by co-loading Nano-Selenium.

Using GPCRs as Molecular Beacons to Target Ovarian Cancer with Nanomedicines

The five-year survival rate for women with ovarian cancer is very poor despite radical cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy. Although most patients initially respond to platinum-based chemotherapy, the majority experience recurrence and ultimately develop chemoresistance, resulting in fatal outcomes. The current administration of cytotoxic compounds is hampered by dose-limiting severe adverse effects. There is an unmet clinical need for targeted drug delivery systems that transport chemotherapeutics selectively to tumor cells while minimizing off-target toxicity. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane receptors, and many are overexpressed in solid tumors, including ovarian cancer. This review summarizes the progress in engineered nanoparticle research for drug delivery for ovarian cancer and discusses the potential use of GPCRs as molecular entry points to deliver anti-cancer compounds into ovarian cancer cells. A newly emerging treatment paradigm could be the personalized design of nanomedicines on a case-by-case basis.