Polydopamine surface-modified nanocarriers for improved anticancer activity: Current progress and future prospects

Melanin-Ce6-loaded polydopamine nanoparticles-based enhanced phototherapy for B16 melanoma cancer cells

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and lethal types of cancer owing to its metastatic propensity and chemoresistance property. An alternative therapeutic option is photodynamic and photothermal therapies (PDT/PTT), which employ near-infrared (NIR) light to generate heat and reactive oxygen species (ROS). As per previous reports, Melanin (Mel), and its synthetic analogs (i.e. polydopamine nanoparticles) can induce NIR light-mediated heat energy, thereby selectively targeting and ameliorating cancer cells. Similarly, chlorin e6 (Ce6) also has high ROS generation ability and antitumor activity against various types of cancer. Based on this tenet, In the current study, we have encapsulated Mel-Ce6 in a polydopamine (PDA) nanocarrier (MCP NPs) synthesized by the oxidation polymerization method. The hydrodynamic diameter of the synthesized spherical MCP NPs was 139 ± 10 nm. The MCP NPs, upon irradiation with NIR 690 nm laser for 6 min, showed photothermal efficacy of more than 50 °C. Moreover, the red fluorescence in the MCP NPs due to Ce6 can be leveraged for diagnostic purposes. Further, the MCP NPs exhibited considerable biocompatibility with the L929 cell line and exerted nearly 70% ROS-mediated cytotoxicity on the B16 melanoma cell line after the laser irradiation. Thus, the prepared MCP NPs could be a promising theranostic agent for treating the B16 melanoma cancer.

Preparation of the Myricetin-Loaded PEGylated Niosomes and Evaluation of their in vitro Anti-Cancer Potentials

Several edible plants contain flavonoids, including myricetin (Myr), which perform a wide range of biological activities. Myr has antitumor properties against various tumor cells. In this study Myr-loaded PEGylated niosomes (Myr-PN) were prepared and their anti-cancer activities were evaluated in vitro. Myr-PNs were prepared as a tool for drug delivery to the tumor site. Myr-PN was characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, and functional groups using dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Myr-PN size was 241 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.20, and zeta potential -32.7±6.6 mV. Apoptotic properties of Myr-PN against normal and cancer cell lines were determined by flow cytometry and real-time quantitative PCR. Cancer cells showed higher cytotoxicity when treated with Myr-PN compared with normal cells, indicating that the synthesized nanoparticles pose no adverse effects. Apoptosis was induced in cells treated with 250 μg/mL of Myr-PN, in which 45.2 % of cells were arrested in subG1, suggesting that Myr-PN can induce apoptosis. In vitro, the synthesized Myr-PN demonstrated potent anticancer properties. Furthermore, more research should be conducted in vitro and in vivo to study the more details of Myr-PN anti-cancer effects.

Vinorelbine-loaded multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles as anticancer drug delivery systems: synthesis, characterization, and in vitro release study

In this study, a multifunctional therapeutic agent combining chemotherapy and photothermal therapy on a single platform has been developed in the form of vinorelbine-loaded polydopamine-coated iron oxide nanoparticles. Vinorelbine (VNB) is loaded on the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles produced by a solvothermal technique after coating with polydopamine (PDA) with varying weight ratios as a result of dopamine polymerisation and covalent bonding of thiol-polyethylene glycol (SH-PEG). The VNB/PDA/Fe3O4 nanoparticles have a saturation magnetisation value of 60.40 emu/g in vibrating sample magnetometry, which proves their magnetisation. Vinorelbine, which is used as an effective cancer therapy agent, is included in the nanocomposite structure, and in vitro drug release studies under different pH conditions (pH 5.5 and 7.4) and photothermal activity at 808 nm NIR laser irradiation are investigated. The comprehensive integration of precise multifunctional nanoparticles design, magnetic response, and controlled drug release with photothermal effect brings a different perspective to advanced cancer treatment research.

Regulation and therapeutic potentials of microRNAs to non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for 80%-85% of total cases and leading to millions of deaths worldwide. Drug resistance is the primary cause of treatment failure in NSCLC, which urges scientists to develop advanced approaches for NSCLC treatment. Among novel approaches, the miRNA-based method has emerged as a potential approach as it allows researchers to modulate target gene expression. Subsequently, cell behaviors are altered, which leads to the death and the depletion of cancer cells. It has been reported that miRNAs possess the capacity to regulate multiple genes that are involved in various signaling pathways, including the phosphoinositide 3-kinase, receptor tyrosine kinase/rat sarcoma virus/mitogen-activated protein kinase, wingless/integrated, retinoblastoma, p53, transforming growth factor β, and nuclear factor-kappa B pathways. Dysregulation of these signaling pathways in NSCLC results in abnormal cell proliferation, tissue invasion, and drug resistance while inhibiting apoptosis. Thus, understanding the roles of miRNAs in regulating these signaling pathways may enable the development of novel NSCLC treatment therapies. However, a comprehensive review of potential miRNAs in NSCLC treatment has been lacking. Therefore, this review aims to fill the gap by summarizing the up-to-date information on miRNAs regarding their targets, impact on cancer-associated pathways, and prospective outcomes in treating NSCLC. We also discuss current technologies for delivering miRNAs to the target cells, including virus-based, non-viral, and emerging extracellular vesicle-based delivery systems. This knowledge will support future studies to develop an innovative miRNA-based therapy and select a suitable carrier to treat NSCLC effectively.

Nanocarrier-based targeting of metabolic pathways for endometrial cancer: Status and future perspectives

Cancer is the second-most lethal global disease, as per health reports, and is responsible for around 70% of deaths in low- and middle-income countries. Endometrial cancer is one of the emerging malignancies and has been predicted as a public health challenge for the future. Insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes mellitus are the key metabolic factors that promote risks for the development of endometrial cancer. Various signaling pathways and associated genes are involved in the genesis of endometrial cancer, and any mutation or deletion in such related factors leads to the induction of endometrial cancer. The conventional way of drug delivery has been used for ages but is associated with poor management of cancer due to non-targeting of the endometrial cancer cells, low efficacy of the therapy, and toxicity issues as well. In this context, nanocarrier-based therapy for the management of endometrial cancer is an effective alternate choice that overcomes the problems associated with conventional therapy. In this review article, we highlighted the nanocarrier-based targeting of endometrial cancer, with a special focus on targeting various metabolic signaling pathways. Furthermore, the future perspectives of nanocarrier-based targeting of metabolic pathways in endometrial cancer were also underpinned. It is concluded that targeting metabolic signaling pathways in endometrial cancer via nanocarrier scaffolds is the future of pharmaceutical design for the significant management and treatment of endometrial cancer.

Polydopamine conjugated SiO2 nanoparticles as potential drug carriers for melanoma treatment

Silica nanoparticles (SiO₂) are increasingly investigated for biomedical applications. Aim: This study aimed to analyze the potential use of a SiO₂ nanoparticles coated with biocompatible polydopamine (SiO₂@PDA) as a potential chemotherapeutic drug carrier. Materials & methods: SiO₂ morphology and PDA adhesion was analyzed by dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Cytotoxicity studies and morphology analyses (immunofluorescence, scanning and transmission electron microscopy) were used to assess the cellular reaction to the SiO₂@PDA nanoparticles and to identify a biocompatible (safe use) window. Results & conclusion: Concentrations above 10 μg/ml and up to 100 μg/ml SiO₂@PDA showed the best biocompatibility on human melanoma cells at 24 h and represent a potential drug carrier template for targeted melanoma cancer treatment.

Doxorubicin-Loaded Fungal-Carboxymethyl Chitosan Functionalized Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Photothermal Cancer Therapy

In this work, we synthesized doxorubicin-loaded fungal-carboxymethyl chitosan (FC) functionalized polydopamine (Dox@FCPDA) nanoparticles for improved anticancer activity via photothermal drug release. The photothermal properties revealed that the FCPDA nanoparticles with a concentration of 400 µg/mL produced a temperature of about 61.1 °C at 2 W/cm² laser illumination, which is more beneficial for cancer cells. Due to the hydrophilic FC biopolymer, the Dox was successfully encapsulated into FCPDA nanoparticles via electrostatic interactions and pi-pi stacking. The maximum drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were calculated to be 19.3% and 80.2%, respectively. The Dox@FCPDA nanoparticles exhibited improved anticancer activity on HePG2 cancer cells when exposed to an NIR laser (800 nm, 2 W/cm²). Furthermore, the Dox@FCPDA nanoparticles also improved cellular uptake with HepG2 cells. Therefore, functionalizing FC biopolymer with PDA nanoparticles is more beneficial for drug and photothermal dual therapeutic properties for cancer therapy.

Surface Modification of Lipid-Based Nanocarriers: A Potential Approach to Enhance Targeted Drug Delivery

Nanocarriers have the utmost significance for advancements in drug delivery and nanomedicine technology. They are classified as polymer-based nanocarriers, lipid-based nanocarriers, viral nanoparticles, or inorganic nanoparticles, depending on their constituent parts. Lipid-based nanocarrier systems have gained tremendous attention over the years because of their noteworthy properties like high drug-loading capacity, lower toxicity, better bioavailability and biocompatibility, stability in the gastrointestinal tract, controlled release, simpler scale-up, and validation process. Nanocarriers still have some disadvantages like poor drug penetration, limited drug encapsulation, and poor targeting. These disadvantages can be overcome by their surface modification. Surface-modified nanocarriers result in controlled release, enhanced penetration efficiency, and targeted medication delivery. In this review, the authors summarize the numerous lipid-based nanocarriers and their functionalization through various surface modifiers such as polymers, ligands, surfactants, and fatty acids. Recent examples of newly developing surface-modified lipid-based nanocarrier systems from the available literature, along with their applications, have been compiled in this work.

The effects of process parameters on polydopamine coatings employed in tissue engineering applications

The biomaterials’ success within the tissue engineering field is hinged on the capability to regulate tissue and cell responses, comprising cellular adhesion, as well as repair and immune processes’ induction. In an attempt to enhance and fulfill these biomaterials’ functions, scholars have been inspired by nature; in this regard, surface modification via coating the biomaterials with polydopamine is one of the most successful inspirations endowing the biomaterials with surface adhesive properties. By employing this approach, favorable results have been achieved in various tissue engineering-related experiments, a significant one of which is the more rapid cellular growth observed on the polydopamine-coated substrates compared to the untreated ones; nonetheless, some considerations regarding polydopamine-coated surfaces should be taken into account to control the ultimate outcomes. In this mini-review, the importance of coatings in the tissue engineering field, the different types of surfaces requiring coatings, the significance of polydopamine coatings, critical factors affecting the result of the coating procedure, and recent investigations concerning applications of polydopamine-coated biomaterials in tissue engineering are thoroughly discussed.