90Y-Labeled Gold Nanoparticle Depot (NPD) Combined with Anti-PD-L1 Antibodies Strongly Inhibits the Growth of 4T1 Tumors in Immunocompetent Mice and Induces an Abscopal Effect on a Distant Non-Irradiated Tumor

Tumor therapy utilizing dual-responsive nanoparticles: A multifaceted approach integrating calcium-overload and PTT/CDT/chemotherapy

The advancement of rational nano drug delivery systems offers robust tools for achieving synergistic therapeutic outcomes in tumor treatment. In this study, we present the development of pH and near-infrared laser dual-responsive nanoparticles (DOX-CuS@CaCO3@PL-PEG, DCCP NPs) based on calcium carbonate, utilizing a one-pot gas diffusion reaction. These nanoparticles enable combined photothermal therapy (PTT), chemodynamic therapy (CDT), chemotherapy, and Ca2+-overloading synergistic therapy. Doxorubicin (DOX) and copper sulfide (CuS) NPs were co-loaded in CaCO3, followed by PEG surface functionalization. The presence of PEG enhanced the stability of DCCP NPs in aqueous environments. Controlled release of DOX, CuS NPs, and Ca2+ occurs specifically in the acidic tumor microenvironment. Released DOX enhances chemotherapy efficiency, while CuS NPs, upon laser irradiation, induce thermal damage, promoting further drug release and cellular uptake. Additionally, CuS NPs in our system consume excess GSH and generate toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH) through a Fenton-like reaction, contributing to CDT. These radicals not only directly eliminate tumor cells but also disrupt mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering capacity. Furthermore, Ca2+ released from CaCO3 induces Ca2+-overloading, intensifying mitochondrial disruption and oxidative damage. The synergistic combination of PTT, CDT, chemotherapy, and Ca2+-overloading showcases significant therapeutic potential, indicating broad applications in tumor therapy. This multifaceted approach holds promise for advancing the field of tumor therapeutics.

Nanoscale Radiotheranostics for Cancer Treatment: From Bench to Bedside

In recent years, the application of radionuclides-containing nanomaterials in cancer treatment has garnered widespread attention. The diversity of nanomaterials allows researchers to selectively combine them with appropriate radionuclides for biomedical purposes, addressing challenges faced by peptides, small molecules, or antibodies used for radionuclide labeling. However, with advantages come challenges, and nanoradionuclides still encounter significant issues during clinical translation. This review summarized the recent progress of nanosized radionuclides for cancer treatment or diagnosis. The discussion began with representative radionuclides and the methods of incorporating them into nanomaterial structures. Subsequently, new combinations of nanomaterials and radionuclides, along with their applications, were introduced to demonstrate their future trends. The benefits of nanoradionuclides included optimized pharmacokinetic properties, enhanced disease-targeting efficacy, and synergistic application with other treatment techniques. Besides, the basic rule of this section was to summarize how these nanoradionuclides can truly impact the diagnosis and therapy of various cancer types. In the last part, the focus was devoted to the nanoradionuclides currently applicable in clinics and how to address the existing issues and problems based on our knowledge.

NIR-triggered and Thermoresponsive Core-shell nanoparticles for synergistic anticancer therapy

Recent advancements in cancer treatment have underscored the inadequacy of conventional monotherapies in addressing complex malignant tumors. Consequently, there is a growing interest in synergistic therapies capable of overcoming the limitations of monotherapies, leading to more personalized and effective approaches. Among these, the combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemotherapy has emerged as a promising avenue for tumor management. In this study, we present a novel approach utilizing thermoresponsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) as a delivery system for the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. By incorporating photothermal agent copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles into the MSN, the resulting composite material exhibits potent photothermal properties. Furthermore, the integration of an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) polymer within the silica outer layer serves as a "gatekeeper", enabling precise control over drug release kinetics. This innovative nanomaterial effectively merges thermoresponsive behavior with PTT, thereby minimizing the collateral damage associated with traditional chemotherapy on healthy tissues. Moreover, in both in vitro studies using mouse breast carcinoma cells (4 T1) and in vivo experiments utilizing a 4 T1 tumor-bearing mouse model, our nanomaterials demonstrated synergistic effects, enhancing the anti-tumor efficacy of combined PTT and chemotherapy. With its remarkable photothermal conversion efficiency, robust stability, and biocompatibility, the UCST-responsive nanoplatform holds immense potential for clinical applications.

Membrane Fusion Liposomes Deliver Antifibrotic and Chemotherapeutic Drugs Sequentially to Enhance Tumor Treatment Efficacy by Reshaping Tumor Microenvironment

The intricate tumor microenvironment in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) hampers chemotherapy and immunotherapy efficacy due to dense extracellular matrix (ECM) by tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs). Nanoparticle-based therapies, especially "all-in-one" nanoparticles, have shown great potential in combined drug delivery strategies to reshape the tumor microenvironment and enhance therapeutic efficiency. However, these "all-in-one" nanoparticles suffer from limitations in targeting different target cells, uncontrollable dosing ratio, and disregarding the impact of delivery schedules. This study prepared cell membrane fusion liposomes (TAFsomes and CCMsomes) to load FDA-approved antifibrotic drug pirfenidone (PFD/TAFsomes) and antitumor drug doxorubicin (DOX/CCMsomes). These liposomes can specifically target TAFs cells and tumor cells, and combined administration can effectively inhibit TAFs activity, reshape the tumor microenvironment (TME), and significantly enhance the tumor chemotherapy efficacy. Combined drug delivery defeats "all-in-one" liposomes (DOX/PFD/Liposomes, DOX/PFD/TAFsomes, and DOX/PFD/CCMsomes) by flexibly adjusting the drug delivery ratio. Moreover, an asynchronous delivery strategy that optimizes the administration schedule not only further improves the therapeutic effect, but also amplifies the effectiveness of α-PD-L1 immunotherapy by modulating the tumor immune microenvironment. This delivery strategy provides a personalized treatment approach with clinical translation potential, providing new ideas for enhancing the therapeutic effect against solid tumors such as TNBC.

Nanoparticle-Mediated Immunotherapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with the worst prognosis and highest recurrence rates. The treatment choices are limited due to the scarcity of endocrine and HER2 targets, except for chemotherapy. However, the side effects of chemotherapy restrict its long-term usage. Immunotherapy shows potential as a promising therapeutic strategy, such as inducing immunogenic cell death, immune checkpoint therapy, and immune adjuvant therapy. Nanotechnology offers unique advantages in the field of immunotherapy, such as improved delivery and targeted release of immunotherapeutic agents and enhanced bioavailability of immunomodulators. As well as the potential for combination therapy synergistically enhanced by nanocarriers. Nanoparticles-based combined application of multiple immunotherapies is designed to take the tactics of enhancing immunogenicity and reversing immunosuppression. Moreover, the increasing abundance of biomedical materials holds more promise for the development of this field. This review summarizes the advances in the field of nanoparticle-mediated immunotherapy in terms of both immune strategies for treatment and the development of biomaterials and presents challenges and hopes for the future.

Radiation nanomedicines for cancer treatment: a scientific journey and view of the landscape

BACKGROUND

Radiation nanomedicines are nanoparticles labeled with radionuclides that emit α- or β-particles or Auger electrons for cancer treatment. We describe here our 15 years scientific journey studying locally-administered radiation nanomedicines for cancer treatment. We further present a view of the radiation nanomedicine landscape by reviewing research reported by other groups.

MAIN BODY

Gold nanoparticles were studied initially for radiosensitization of breast cancer to X-radiation therapy. These nanoparticles were labeled with 111In to assess their biodistribution after intratumoural vs. intravenous injection. Intravenous injection was limited by high liver and spleen uptake and low tumour uptake, while intratumoural injection provided high tumour uptake but low normal tissue uptake. Further, [111In]In-labeled gold nanoparticles modified with trastuzumab and injected iintratumourally exhibited strong tumour growth inhibition in mice with subcutaneous HER2-positive human breast cancer xenografts. In subsequent studies, strong tumour growth inhibition in mice was achieved without normal tissue toxicity in mice with human breast cancer xenografts injected intratumourally with gold nanoparticles labeled with β-particle emitting 177Lu and modified with panitumumab or trastuzumab to specifically bind EGFR or HER2, respectively. A nanoparticle depot (nanodepot) was designed to incorporate and deliver radiolabeled gold nanoparticles to tumours using brachytherapy needle insertion techniques. Treatment of mice with s.c. 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma tumours with a nanodepot incorporating [90Y]Y-labeled gold nanoparticles inserted into one tumour arrested tumour growth and caused an abscopal growth-inhibitory effect on a distant second tumour. Convection-enhanced delivery of [177Lu]Lu-AuNPs to orthotopic human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumours in mice arrested tumour growth without normal tissue toxicity. Other groups have explored radiation nanomedicines for cancer treatment in preclinical animal tumour xenograft models using gold nanoparticles, liposomes, block copolymer micelles, dendrimers, carbon nanotubes, cellulose nanocrystals or iron oxide nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were labeled with radionuclides emitting Auger electrons (111In, 99mTc, 125I, 103Pd, 193mPt, 195mPt), β-particles (177Lu, 186Re, 188Re, 90Y, 198Au, 131I) or α-particles (225Ac, 213Bi, 212Pb, 211At, 223Ra). These studies employed intravenous or intratumoural injection or convection enhanced delivery. Local administration of these radiation nanomedicines was most effective and minimized normal tissue toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiation nanomedicines have shown great promise for treating cancer in preclinical studies. Local intratumoural administration avoids sequestration by the liver and spleen and is most effective for treating tumours, while minimizing normal tissue toxicity.

The quest for nanoparticle-powered vaccines in cancer immunotherapy

Despite recent advancements in cancer treatment, this disease still poses a serious threat to public health. Vaccines play an important role in preventing illness by preparing the body's adaptive and innate immune responses to combat diseases. As our understanding of malignancies and their connection to the immune system improves, there has been a growing interest in priming the immune system to fight malignancies more effectively and comprehensively. One promising approach involves utilizing nanoparticle systems for antigen delivery, which has been shown to potentiate immune responses as vaccines and/or adjuvants. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the immunological mechanisms of cancer vaccines while focusing specifically on the recent applications of various types of nanoparticles in the field of cancer immunotherapy. By exploring these recent breakthroughs, we hope to identify significant challenges and obstacles in making nanoparticle-based vaccines and adjuvants feasible for clinical application. This review serves to assess recent breakthroughs in nanoparticle-based cancer vaccinations and shed light on their prospects and potential barriers. By doing so, we aim to inspire future immunotherapies for cancer that harness the potential of nanotechnology to deliver more effective and targeted treatments.