1
|
Mazrad ZAI, Refaat A, Morrow JP, Voelcker NH, Nicolazzo JA, Leiske MN, Kempe K. Folic Acid-Conjugated Brush Polymers Show Enhanced Blood-Brain Barrier Crossing in Static and Dynamic In Vitro Models Toward Brain Cancer Targeting Therapy. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:2894-2910. [PMID: 38556768 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decades, evidence has consistently shown that treatment of central nervous system (CNS)-related disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and brain cancer, is limited due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To assist with the development of new therapeutics, it is crucial to engineer a drug delivery system that can cross the BBB efficiently and reach target cells within the brain. In this study, we present a potentially efficient strategy for targeted brain delivery through utilization of folic acid (FA)-conjugated brush polymers, that specifically target the reduced folate carrier (RFC, SLC19A1) expressed on brain endothelial cells. Here, azide (N3)-decorated brush polymers were prepared in a straightforward manner coupling a heterotelechelic α-NH2, ω-N3-poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (NH2-PEtOx-N3) to N-acylated poly(amino ester) (NPAE)-based brushes. Strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) 'click chemistry' with DBCO-folic acid (FA) yielded FA-brush polymers. Interestingly, while azide functionalization of the brush polymers dramatically reduced their association to brain microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3), the introduction of FA to azide led to a substantial accumulation of the brush polymers in hCMEC/D3 cells. The ability of the polymeric brush polymers to traverse the BBB was quantitatively assessed using different in vitro BBB models including static Transwell and microfluidic platforms. FA-brush polymers showed efficient transport across hCMEC/D3 cells in a manner dependent on FA composition, whereas nonfunctionalized brush polymers exhibited limited trafficking under the same conditions. Further, cellular uptake inhibition studies suggested that the interaction and transport pathway of FA-brush polymers across BBB relies on the RFC-mediated pathways. The potential application of the developed FA-brush polymers in brain cancer delivery was also investigated in a microfluidic model of BBB-glioblastoma. Brush polymers with more FA units successfully presented an enhanced accumulation into U-87 MG glioma cells following its BBB crossing, compared to controls. These results demonstrate that FA-modified brush polymers hold a great potential for more efficient delivery of future brain therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zihnil A I Mazrad
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Ahmed Refaat
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Azarita 21521, Egypt
| | - Joshua P Morrow
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Joseph A Nicolazzo
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Meike N Leiske
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Faculty of Biology, Chemistry & Earth Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
- Bavarian Polymer Institute, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Kristian Kempe
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abousalman-Rezvani Z, Refaat A, Dehghankelishadi P, Roghani-Mamaqani H, Esser L, Voelcker NH. Insights into Targeted and Stimulus-Responsive Nanocarriers for Brain Cancer Treatment. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302902. [PMID: 38199238 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Brain cancers, especially glioblastoma multiforme, are associated with poor prognosis due to the limited efficacy of current therapies. Nanomedicine has emerged as a versatile technology to treat various diseases, including cancers, and has played an indispensable role in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic as evidenced by the role that lipid nanocarrier-based vaccines have played. The tunability of nanocarrier physicochemical properties -including size, shape, surface chemistry, and drug release kinetics- has resulted in the development of a wide range of nanocarriers for brain cancer treatment. These nanocarriers can improve the pharmacokinetics of drugs, increase blood-brain barrier transfer efficiency, and specifically target brain cancer cells. These unique features would potentially allow for more efficient treatment of brain cancer with fewer side effects and better therapeutic outcomes. This review provides an overview of brain cancers, current therapeutic options, and challenges to efficient brain cancer treatment. The latest advances in nanomedicine strategies are investigated with an emphasis on targeted and stimulus-responsive nanocarriers and their potential for clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Abousalman-Rezvani
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Biomedical Manufacturing, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Research Way, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Ahmed Refaat
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Pharmaceutics Department, Faculty of Pharmacy - Alexandria University, 1 El-Khartoum Square, Alexandria, 21021, Egypt
| | - Pouya Dehghankelishadi
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Hossein Roghani-Mamaqani
- Faculty of Polymer Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, P.O. Box: 51335/1996, Iran
| | - Lars Esser
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Biomedical Manufacturing, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Research Way, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, 14 Alliance Ln, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cai X, Refaat A, Gan PY, Fan B, Yu H, Thang SH, Drummond CJ, Voelcker NH, Tran N, Zhai J. Angiopep-2-Functionalized Lipid Cubosomes for Blood-Brain Barrier Crossing and Glioblastoma Treatment. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:12161-12174. [PMID: 38416873 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c14709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer with high malignancy and resistance to conventional treatments, resulting in a bleak prognosis. Nanoparticles offer a way to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and deliver precise therapies to tumor sites with reduced side effects. In this study, we developed angiopep-2 (Ang2)-functionalized lipid cubosomes loaded with cisplatin (CDDP) and temozolomide (TMZ) for crossing the BBB and providing targeted glioblastoma therapy. Developed lipid cubosomes showed a particle size of around 300 nm and possessed an internal ordered inverse primitive cubic phase, a high conjugation efficiency of Ang2 to the particle surface, and an encapsulation efficiency of more than 70% of CDDP and TMZ. In vitro models, including BBB hCMEC/D3 cell tight monolayer, 3D BBB cell spheroid, and microfluidic BBB/GBM-on-a-chip models with cocultured BBB and glioblastoma cells, were employed to study the efficiency of the developed cubosomes to cross the BBB and showed that Ang2-functionalized cubosomes can penetrate the BBB more effectively. Furthermore, Ang2-functionalized cubosomes showed significantly higher uptake by U87 glioblastoma cells, with a 3-fold increase observed in the BBB/GBM-on-a-chip model as compared to that of the bare cubosomes. Additionally, the in vivo biodistribution showed that Ang2 modification could significantly enhance the brain accumulation of cubosomes in comparison to that of non-functionalized particles. Moreover, CDDP-loaded Ang2-functionalized cubosomes presented an enhanced toxic effect on U87 spheroids. These findings suggest that the developed Ang2-cubosomes are prospective for improved BBB crossing and enhanced delivery of therapeutics to glioblastoma and are worth pursuing further as a potential application of nanomedicine for GBM treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Cai
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia
| | - Ahmed Refaat
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3052, VIC, Australia
| | - Poh-Yi Gan
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, VIC, Australia
| | - Bo Fan
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton 3800, VIC, Australia
| | - Haitao Yu
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia
| | - San H Thang
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton 3800, VIC, Australia
| | - Calum J Drummond
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3052, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, Clayton 3168, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nhiem Tran
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia
| | - Jiali Zhai
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tian M, Ma Z, Yang GZ. Micro/nanosystems for controllable drug delivery to the brain. Innovation (N Y) 2024; 5:100548. [PMID: 38161522 PMCID: PMC10757293 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2023.100548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug delivery to the brain is crucial in the treatment for central nervous system disorders. While significant progress has been made in recent years, there are still major challenges in achieving controllable drug delivery to the brain. Unmet clinical needs arise from various factors, including controlled drug transport, handling large drug doses, methods for crossing biological barriers, the use of imaging guidance, and effective models for analyzing drug delivery. Recent advances in micro/nanosystems have shown promise in addressing some of these challenges. These include the utilization of microfluidic platforms to test and validate the drug delivery process in a controlled and biomimetic setting, the development of novel micro/nanocarriers for large drug loads across the blood-brain barrier, and the implementation of micro-intervention systems for delivering drugs through intraparenchymal or peripheral routes. In this article, we present a review of the latest developments in micro/nanosystems for controllable drug delivery to the brain. We also delve into the relevant diseases, biological barriers, and conventional methods. In addition, we discuss future prospects and the development of emerging robotic micro/nanosystems equipped with directed transportation, real-time image guidance, and closed-loop control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhen Tian
- Institute of Medical Robotics, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhichao Ma
- Institute of Medical Robotics, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Guang-Zhong Yang
- Institute of Medical Robotics, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vashist A, Manickam P, Raymond AD, Arias AY, Kolishetti N, Vashist A, Arias E, Nair M. Recent Advances in Nanotherapeutics for Neurological Disorders. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023. [PMID: 37368486 PMCID: PMC10354745 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Neurological disorders remain a significant health and economic burden worldwide. Addressing the challenges imposed by existing drugs, associated side- effects, and immune responses in neurodegenerative diseases is essential for developing better therapies. The immune activation in a diseased state has complex treatment protocols and results in hurdles for clinical translation. There is an immense need for the development of multifunctional nanotherapeutics with various properties to address the different limitations and immune interactions exhibited by the existing therapeutics. Nanotechnology has proven its potential to improve therapeutic delivery and enhance efficacy. Promising advancements have been made in developing nanotherapies that can be combined with CRISPR/Cas9 or siRNA for a targeted approach with unique potential for clinical translation. Engineering natural exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), dendritic cells (DCs), or macrophages to both deliver therapeutics and modulate the immune responses to tumors or in neurodegenerative disease (ND) can allow for targeted personalized therapeutic approaches. In the present review, we summarize and overview the recent advances in nanotherapeutics in addressing the existing treatment limitations and neuroimmune interactions for developing ND therapies and provide insights into the upcoming advancements in nanotechnology-based nanocarriers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arti Vashist
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Pandiaraj Manickam
- Electrodics and Electrocatalysis Division, CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), CSIR-CECRI Campus, Karaikudi, 630 003 Tamil Nadu, India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002 Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Andrea D Raymond
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Adriana Yndart Arias
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Nagesh Kolishetti
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Atul Vashist
- Department of Infection & Immunology, Translational Health Science and Technology, Faridabad, 121001 Haryana, India
| | - Emanuel Arias
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Madhavan Nair
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chan WCW. Principles of Nanoparticle Delivery to Solid Tumors. BME FRONTIERS 2023; 4:0016. [PMID: 37849661 PMCID: PMC10085247 DOI: 10.34133/bmef.0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The effective treatment of patients with cancer hinges on the delivery of therapeutics to a tumor site. Nanoparticles provide an essential transport system. We present 5 principles to consider when designing nanoparticles for cancer targeting: (a) Nanoparticles acquire biological identity in vivo, (b) organs compete for nanoparticles in circulation, (c) nanoparticles must enter solid tumors to target tumor components, (d) nanoparticles must navigate the tumor microenvironment for cellular or organelle targeting, and (e) size, shape, surface chemistry, and other physicochemical properties of nanoparticles influence their transport process to the target. This review article describes these principles and their application for engineering nanoparticle delivery systems to carry therapeutics to tumors or other disease targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Warren C W Chan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5 3E1, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|