Mechanistic Nanotherapeutic Approach Based on siRNA-Mediated DJ-1 Protein Suppression for Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

miR-199a/b-3p inhibits HCC cell proliferation and invasion through a novel compensatory signaling pathway DJ-1\Ras\PI3K/AKT

Several studies have reported the effects of DJ-1 gene and miR-199a/b-3p on HCC development. However, whether miR-199a/b-3p regulates HCC progression through a novel compensatory signaling pathway involving DJ-1, Ras, and PI3K/AKT remains unknown. We used (TCGA, HPA, miRWalk and Target scan) databases, cancer and para-tissue HCC patients, dual-luciferase reporter gene analysis, proteomic imprinting, qPCR, cell proliferation, scratch, transport, and flow cytometry to detect the molecular mechanism of DJ-1 and miR-199a/b-3p co-expression in HCC cell lines. Bioinformatics analysis showed that DJ-1 was highly expressed in HCC ((P < 0.001) were closely associated with tumor stage (T), portal vein vascular invasion, OS, DSS, and PFI (P < 0.05); miR-199a/b-3p was lowly expressed in HCC (P < 0.001), which was the upstream regulator of DJ-1. Spearman coefficient r = -0.113, P = 0.031; Dual luciferase gene report verified the negative targeting relationship between them P< 0.001; Western blotting demonstrated that miR-199a/b-3p could inhibit the protein expression of DJ-1, Ras and AKT(P < 0.05); The results of CCK8, cell scratch, Transwell migration and flow cytometry showed that OE + DJ-1 increased the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of HepG2 cells, and decreased the apoptosis process, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05), while miR-199a/b-3p had the opposite effect (P < 0.05).

Nanotechnology-integrated ovarian cancer metastasis therapy: Insights from the metastatic mechanisms into administration routes and therapy strategies

Ovarian cancer is a kind of malignant tumour which locates in the pelvic cavity without typical clinical symptoms in the early stages. Most patients are diagnosed in the late stage while about 60 % of them have suffered from the cancer cells spreading in the abdominal cavity. The high recurrence rate and mortality seriously damage the reproductive needs and health of women. Although recent advances in therapeutic regimes and other adjuvant therapies improved the overall survival of ovarian cancer, overcoming metastasis has still been a challenge and is necessary for achieving cure of ovarian cancer. To present potential targets and new strategies for curbing the occurrence of ovarian metastasis and the treatment of ovarian cancer after metastasis, the first section of this paper explained the metastatic mechanisms of ovarian cancer comprehensively. Nanomedicine, not limited to drug delivery, offers opportunities for metastatic ovarian cancer therapy. The second section of this paper emphasized the advantages of various administration routes of nanodrugs in metastatic ovarian cancer therapy. Furthermore, the third section of this paper focused on advances in nanotechnology-integrated strategies for targeting metastatic ovarian cancer based on the metastatic mechanisms of ovarian cancer. Finally, the challenges and prospects of nanotherapeutics for ovarian cancer metastasis therapy were evaluated. In general, the greatest emphasis on using nanotechnology-based strategies provides avenues for improving metastatic ovarian cancer outcomes in the future.

Novel Nanoparticle-Based Treatment and Imaging Modalities

Over the last twenty years, nanomaterials have been widely used in cancer research [...].

Nano-Theranostic Modality for Visualization of the Placenta and Photo-Hyperthermia for Potential Management of Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is the leading cause of maternity-related death in the first trimester of pregnancy. Approximately 98% of ectopic implantations occur in the fallopian tube, and expedient management is crucial for preventing hemorrhage and maternal death in the event of tubal rupture. Current ultrasound strategies misdiagnose EP in up to 40% of cases, and the failure rate of methotrexate treatment for confirmed EP exceeds 10%. Here the first theranostic strategy for potential management of EP is reported using a near-infrared naphthalocyanine dye encapsulated within polymeric nanoparticles. These nanoparticles preferentially accumulate in the developing murine placenta within 24 h following systemic administration, and enable visualization of implantation sites at various gestational stages via fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging. These nanoparticles do not traverse the placental barrier to the fetus or impact fetal development. However, excitation of nanoparticles localized in specific placentas with focused NIR light generates heat (>43 °C) sufficient for disruption of placental function, resulting in the demise of targeted fetuses with no effect on adjacent fetuses. This novel approach would enable diagnostic confirmation of EP when current imaging strategies are unsuccessful, and elimination of EP could subsequently be achieved using the same nano-agent to generate localized hyperthermia resulting in targeted placental impairment.

Nanoparticle-Based Combination Therapy for Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in gynecology with a high incidence. Combination therapy, eg, administration of paclitaxel followed by a platinum anticancer drug is recommended to treat ovarian cancer due to its advantages in, eg, reducing side effects and reversing (multi)drug-resistance compared to single treatment. However, the benefits of combination therapy are often compromised. In chemo and chemo/gene combinations, co-deposition of the combined therapeutics in the tumor cells is required, which is difficult to achieve due to dramatic pharmacokinetic differences between combinational agents in free forms. Moreover, some undesired properties such as the low-water solubility of chemodrugs and the difficulty of cellular internalization of gene therapeutics also hinder the therapeutic potential. Delivery of dual or multiple agents by nanoparticles provides opportunities to tackle these limits. Nanoparticles encapsulate hydrophobic drug(s) to yield aqueous dispersions facilitating its administration and/or to accommodate hydrophilic genes facilitating its access to cells. Moreover, nanoparticle-based therapeutics can not only improve drug properties (eg, in vivo stability) and ensure the same drug disposition behavior with controlled drug ratios but also can minimize drug exposure of the normal tissues and increase drug co-accumulation at targeted tissues via passive and/or active targeting strategies. Herein, this work summarizes nanoparticle-based combination therapies, mainly including anticancer drug-based combinations and chemo/gene combinations, and emphasizes the advantageous outcomes of nanocarriers in the combination treatment of ovarian cancer. In addition, we also review mechanisms of synergetic effects resulting from different combinations.

Polymeric nanoparticles-siRNA as an emerging nano-polyplexes against ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC) is considered fifth-deadliest cancer globally responsible for high mortality in women. As the conventional therapeutic and diagnostic approaches are ineffective in increasing the survival rates of advanced staged patients by more than 5 years, OC has resulted in high morbidity and mortality rates over the last two decades. As a result, there is a dire need for innovative treatment approaches to address the issues. RNAi and nanotechnology can be considered the most appropriate strategies that can be used to improve OC therapy and help circumvent the chemo-resistance. siRNA is considered highly successful in facilitating the knockdown of specific genes on entering the cytosol when administered in-vivo via inhibiting the mRNA expression responsible for translation of those specific genes through the mechanism called RNA interference (RNAi). However, the primary barrier of utmost importance in the clinical efficacy of employed siRNA for the treatment of OC is the systemic distribution to the targeted site from the administration site. As a result, nanoparticles are constructed to carry the siRNA molecules inside them to the targeted site by preventing serum degradation and enhancing the serum stability of administered siRNA. The present review assesses the developments made in the polymeric-based nanoparticle siRNA delivery for targeting particular genes involved in the prognosis of ovarian cancers and surpassing the chemo-resistance and thus improving the therapeutic potentials of administered agents.

Near-Infrared Heptamethine Cyanine Dyes for Nanoparticle-Based Photoacoustic Imaging and Photothermal Therapy

We have synthesized and characterized a library of near-infrared (NIR) heptamethine cyanine dyes for biomedical application as photoacoustic imaging and photothermal agents. These hydrophobic dyes were incorporated into a polymer-based nanoparticle system to provide aqueous solubility and protection of the photophysical properties of each dye scaffold. Among those heptamethine cyanine dyes analyzed, 13 compounds within the nontoxic polymeric nanoparticles have been selected to exemplify structural relationships in terms of photostability, photoacoustic imaging, and photothermal behavior within the NIR (∼650-850 nm) spectral region. The most contributing structural features observed in our dye design include hydrophobicity, rotatable bonds, heavy atom effects, and stability of the central cyclohexene ring within the dye core. The NIR agents developed within this project serve to elicit a structure-function relationship with emphasis on their photoacoustic and photothermal characteristics aiming at producing customizable NIR photoacoustic and photothermal tools for clinical use.

Employing siRNA tool and its delivery platforms in suppressing cisplatin resistance: Approaching to a new era of cancer chemotherapy

Although chemotherapy is a first option in treatment of cancer patients, drug resistance has led to its failure, requiring strategies to overcome it. Cancer cells are capable of switching among molecular pathways to ensure their proliferation and metastasis, leading to their resistance to chemotherapy. The molecular pathways and mechanisms that are responsible for cancer progression and growth, can be negatively affected for providing chemosensitivity. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a powerful tool extensively applied in cancer therapy in both pre-clinical (in vitro and in vivo) and clinical studies because of its potential in suppressing tumor-promoting factors. As such oncogene pathways account for cisplatin (CP) resistance, their targeting by siRNA plays an important role in reversing chemoresistance. In the present review, application of siRNA for suppressing CP resistance is discussed. The first priority of using siRNA is sensitizing cancer cells to CP-mediated apoptosis via down-regulating survivin, ATG7, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and XIAP. The cancer stem cell properties and related molecular pathways including ID1, Oct-4 and nanog are inhibited by siRNA in CP sensitivity. Cell cycle arrest and enhanced accumulation of CP in cancer cells can be obtained using siRNA. In overcoming siRNA challenges such as off-targeting feature and degradation, carriers including nanoparticles and biological carriers have been applied. These carriers are important in enhancing cellular accumulation of siRNA, elevating gene silencing efficacy and reversing CP resistance.

Nanomedicines for Endometriosis: Lessons Learned from Cancer Research

Endometriosis is an incurable gynecological disease characterized by the abnormal growth of endometrium-like tissue, characteristic of the uterine lining, outside of the uterine cavity. Millions of people with endometriosis suffer from pelvic pain and infertility. This review aims to discuss whether nanomedicines that are promising therapeutic approaches for various diseases have the potential to create a paradigm shift in endometriosis management. For the first time, the available reports and achievements in the field of endometriosis nanomedicine are critically evaluated, and a summary of how nanoparticle-based systems can improve endometriosis treatment and diagnosis is provided. Parallels between cancer and endometriosis are also drawn to understand whether some fundamental principles of the well-established cancer nanomedicine field can be adopted for the development of novel nanoparticle-based strategies for endometriosis. This review provides the state of the art of endometriosis nanomedicine and perspective for researchers aiming to realize and exploit the full potential of nanoparticles for treatment and imaging of the disorder.

The Protective Effects of Flavonoids in Cataract Formation through the Activation of Nrf2 and the Inhibition of MMP-9

Cataracts account for over half of global blindness. Cataracts formations occur mainly due to aging and to the direct insults of oxidative stress and inflammation to the eye lens. The nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcriptional factor for cell cytoprotection, is known as the master regulator of redox homeostasis. Nrf2 regulates nearly 600 genes involved in cellular protection against contributing factors of oxidative stress, including aging, disease, and inflammation. Nrf2 was reported to disrupt the oxidative stress that activates Nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) and proinflammatory cytokines. One of these cytokines is matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), which participates in the decomposition of lens epithelial cells (LECs) extracellular matrix and has been correlated with cataract development. Thus, during inflammatory processes, MMP production may be attenuated by the Nrf2 pathway or by the Nrf2 inhibition of NFκB pathway activation. Moreover, plant-based polyphenols have garnered attention due to their presumed safety and efficacy, nutritional, and antioxidant effects. Polyphenol compounds can activate Nrf2 and inhibit MMP-9. Therefore, this review focuses on discussing Nrf2's role in oxidative stress and cataract formation, epigenetic effect in Nrf2 activity, and the association between Nrf2 and MMP-9 in cataract development. Moreover, we describe the protective role of flavonoids in cataract formation, targeting Nrf2 activation and MMP-9 synthesis inhibition as potential molecular targets in preventing cataracts.

Systemically Delivered Magnetic Hyperthermia for Prostate Cancer Treatment

Herein, we report a novel therapy for prostate cancer based on systemically delivered magnetic hyperthermia. Conventional magnetic hyperthermia is a form of thermal therapy where magnetic nanoparticles delivered to cancer sites via intratumoral administration produce heat in the presence of an alternating magnetic field (AMF). To employ this therapy for prostate cancer tumors that are challenging to inject intratumorally, we designed novel nanoclusters with enhanced heating efficiency that reach prostate cancer tumors after systemic administration and generate desirable intratumoral temperatures upon exposure to an AMF. Our nanoclusters are based on hydrophobic iron oxide nanoparticles doped with zinc and manganese. To overcome the challenges associated with the poor water solubility of the synthesized nanoparticles, the solvent evaporation approach was employed to encapsulate and cluster them within the hydrophobic core of PEG-PCL (methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone))-based polymeric nanoparticles. Animal studies demonstrated that, following intravenous injection into mice bearing prostate cancer grafts, the nanoclusters efficiently accumulated in cancer tumors within several hours and increased the intratumoral temperature above 42 °C upon exposure to an AMF. Finally, the systemically delivered magnetic hyperthermia significantly inhibited prostate cancer growth and did not exhibit any signs of toxicity.

Nanoparticle delivery systems to combat drug resistance in ovarian cancer

Due to the lack of early symptoms and difficulty of accurate diagnosis, ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer faced by women. First-line therapy includes a combination of tumor resection surgery and chemotherapy regimen. However, treatment becomes more complex upon recurrence due to development of drug resistance. Drug resistance has been linked to many mechanisms, including efflux transporters, apoptosis dysregulation, autophagy, cancer stem cells, epigenetics, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Thus, developing and choosing effective therapies is exceptionally complex. There is a need for increased specificity and efficacy in therapies for drug-resistant ovarian cancer, and research in targeted nanoparticle delivery systems aims to fulfill this challenge. Although recent research has focused on targeted nanoparticle-based therapies, few of these therapies have been clinically translated. In this review, non-viral nanoparticle delivery systems developed to overcome drug-resistance in ovarian cancer were analyzed, including their structural components, surface modifications, and drug-resistance targeted mechanisms.

Nanoparticle-Based Platform for Activatable Fluorescence Imaging and Photothermal Ablation of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful disorder where endometrium-like tissue forms lesions outside of the uterine cavity. Intraoperative identification and removal of these lesions are difficult. This study presents a nanoplatform that concurrently delineates and ablates endometriosis tissues using real-time near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence and photothermal therapy (PTT). The nanoplatform consists of a dye, silicon naphthalocyanine (SiNc), capable of both NIR fluorescence imaging and PTT, and a polymeric nanoparticle as a SiNc carrier to endometriosis tissue following systemic administration. To achieve high contrast during fluorescence imaging of endometriotic lesions, nanoparticles are constructed to be non-fluorescent prior to internalization by endometriosis cells. In vitro studies confirm that these nanoparticles activate the fluorescence signal following internalization in macaque endometrial stromal cells and ablate them by increasing cellular temperature to 53 ^° C upon interaction with NIR light. To demonstrate in vivo efficiency of the nanoparticles, biopsies of endometrium and endometriosis from rhesus macaques are transplanted into immunodeficient mice. Imaging with the intraoperative Fluobeam 800 system reveals that 24 h following intravenous injection, nanoparticles efficiently accumulate in, and demarcate, endometriotic grafts with fluorescence. Finally, the nanoparticles increase the temperature of endometriotic grafts up to 47 °C upon exposure to NIR light, completely eradicating them after a single treatment.

Biodegradable Hypericin-Containing Nanoparticles for Necrosis Targeting and Fluorescence Imaging

Necrosis targeting and imaging has significant implications for evaluating tumor growth, therapeutic response, and delivery of therapeutics to perinecrotic tumor zones. Hypericin is a hydrophobic molecule with high necrosis affinity and fluorescence imaging properties. To date, the safe and effective delivery of hypericin to areas of necrosis in vivo remains a challenge because of its incompatible biophysical properties. To address this issue, we have developed a biodegradable nanoparticle (Hyp-NP) for delivery of hypericin to tumors for necrosis targeting and fluorescence imaging. The nanoparticle was developed using methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) and hypericin by a modified solvent evaporation technique. The size of Hyp-NP was 19.0 ± 1.8 nm from cryo-TEM and 37.3 ± 0.7 nm from dynamic light-scattering analysis with a polydispersity index of 0.15 ± 0.01. The encapsulation efficiency of hypericin was 95.05% w/w by UV-vis absorption. After storage for 30 days, 91.4% hypericin was retained in Hyp-NP with nearly no change in hydrodynamic size, representing nanoparticle stability. In an ovarian cancer cell line, Hyp-NP demonstrated cellular internalization with intracellular cytoplasmic localization and preserved fluorescence and necrosis affinity. In a mouse subcutaneous tumor model, tumor accumulation was noted at 8 h postinjection, with near-complete clearance at 96 h postinjection. Hyp-NP was shown to be tightly localized within necrotic tumor zones. Histological analysis of harvested organs demonstrated no gross abnormalities, and in vitro, no hemolysis was observed. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the potential clinical applications of Hyp-NP for necrosis targeting.

Nanocarrier-based systems for targeted and site specific therapeutic delivery

Systemic drug delivery methods such as oral or parenteral administration of free drugs possess relatively low treatment efficiency and marked adverse side effects. The use of nanoparticles for drug delivery in most cases substantially enhances drug efficacy, improves pharmacokinetics and drug release and limits their side effects. However, further enhancement in drug efficacy and significant limitation of adverse side effects can be achieved by specific targeting of nanocarrier-based delivery systems especially in combination with local administration. The present review describes major advantages and limitations of organic and inorganic nanocarriers or living cell-based drug and nucleic acid delivery systems. Among these, different nanoparticles, supramolecular gels, therapeutic cells as living drug carriers etc. have emerged as a new frontier in modern medicine.

DJ-1 Alters Epirubicin-induced Apoptosis via Modulating Epirubicinactivated Autophagy in Human Gastric Cancer Cells

Epirubicin, which is a conventional chemotherapeutic drug for gastric cancer, has innate and adaptive chemoresistance. Recent studies revealed that epirubicin could induce autophagy as a defensive mechanism in drug resistance of mammary carcinoma. Another study implied that DJ-1 may be a chemoresistance-related gene. But the association between DJ-1 and drug resistance of epirubicin in gastric cancer is still ambiguous. In the present report, we explored whether and how DJ-1 conduced to epirubicin-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer. Epirubicin dose-dependently increased the expression of DJ-1 and induced autophagy. Knockdown of DJ-1 notably enhanced epirubicin-induced cell apoptosis, whereas overexpression of DJ-1 attenuated epirubicin-induced cell apoptosis. Further studies revealed that down-regulation of DJ-1 modulated epirubicinactivated autophagy which augmented epirubicin-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, our results validated that DJ-1 reduced epirubicin-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells via modulating epirubicin-activated autophagy.

Liposomal formulation of hypoxia activated prodrug for the treatment of ovarian cancer

In this work, a new sphingomyelin-cholesterol liposomal formulation (CPD100Li) for the delivery of a hypoxia activated prodrug of vinblastine, mon-N-oxide (CPD100), is developed. The optimized liposomal formulation uses an ionophore (A23187) mediated pH-gradient method. Optimized CPD100Li is characterized for size, drug loading, and stability. The in vitro toxicity of CPD100Li is assessed on different aspects of cell proliferation and apoptosis of ES2 ovarian cancer under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The pharmacokinetics of CPD100Li in mice as well as the influence of A23187 on the retention of CPD100 are assessed. The dose limiting toxicity (DLT) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for CPD100Li are evaluated in nude mice. CPD100 is loaded in the liposome at 5.5 mg/mL. The sizes of CPD100Li using DLS, qNano and cryo-TEM techniques are 155.4 ± 4.2 nm, 132 nm, and 112.6 ± 19.8 nm, respectively. There is no difference between the in vitro characterization of CPD100Li with and without ionophore. Freshly prepared CPD100Li with ionophore are stable for 48 h at 4 °C, while the freeze-dried formulation is stable for 3 months under argon at 4 °C. The hypoxic cytotoxicity ratios (HCR) of CPD100 and CPD100Li are 0.16 and 0.11, respectively. CPD100Li under hypoxic conditions has a 9.2-fold lower IC₅₀ value as compared to CPD100Li under normoxic conditions, confirming the hypoxia dependent activation of CPD100. CPD100Li treated ES2 cells show a time dependent enhanced cell death, along with caspase production and an increase in the number of cells in G₀/G₁ and higher cell arrest. The blood concentration profile of CPD100Li in mice without A23187 has a 12.6-fold lower area under the curve (AUC) and 1.6-fold lower circulation time compared to the CPD100Li with A23187. The DLT for both CPD100 and CPD100Li is 45 mg/kg and the MTD is 40 mg/kg in nude mice. Based on the preliminary data obtained, we clearly show that the presence of ionophore affects the in vivo stability of CPD100. CPD100Li presents a unique opportunity to develop a first-in-kind chemotherapy product based on achieving selective drug activation through the hypoxic physiologic microenvironment of solid tumors.

Overexpression of SMARCA2 or CAMK2D is associated with cisplatin resistance in human epithelial ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal types of gynecological cancer. Drug resistance is a major underlying cause of treatment failure, which has lead to continued poor mortality and morbidity rates in patients. In the present study, highly sensitive transcriptome sequencing was performed to systematically identify differentially expressed mRNAs in cisplatin-sensitive (A2780) and -resistant (A2780-DR) cells. Calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase IIδ (CAMK2D) and SWI/SNF related matrix associated actin dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily A member 2 (SMARCA2) were identified as exhibiting increased expression in cisplatin-resistant cells. Overexpression of either SMARCA2 or CAMK2D led to a significant increase in the survival rates of A2780 and SKVO3 cells following cisplatin treatment. To further verify the contribution of these two genes in the development of drug resistance, the RNA levels in tissues with different recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were compared. An increased mRNA level of CAMK2D was detected in samples with shorter RFS rates. An apoptosis assay revealed that overexpression of SMARCA2 or CAMK2D increased the resistance of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin, as indicated by the decreased apoptotic cell populations. The levels of these two genes also affected the cell cycle and apoptosis-associated protein expression. Quantitative proteomic analyses revealed that overexpression of SMARCA2 or CAMK2D influences multiple metabolism and cancer-associated signaling pathways, which are critical for responses to cisplatin treatment and drug resistance development.

Intraperitoneal nanotherapy for metastatic ovarian cancer based on siRNA-mediated suppression of DJ-1 protein combined with a low dose of cisplatin

Herein, we report an efficient combinatorial therapy for metastatic ovarian cancer based on siRNA-mediated suppression of DJ-1 protein combined with a low dose of cisplatin. DJ-1 protein modulates, either directly or indirectly, different oncogenic pathways that support and promote survival, growth, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. To evaluate the potential of this novel therapy, we have engineered a cancer-targeted nanoplatform and validated that DJ-1 siRNA delivered by this nanoplatform after intraperitoneal injection efficiently downregulates the DJ-1 protein in metastatic ovarian cancer tumors and ascites. In vivo experiments revealed that DJ-1 siRNA monotherapy outperformed cisplatin alone by inhibiting tumor growth and increasing survival of mice with metastatic ovarian cancer. Finally, three cycles of siRNA-mediated DJ-1 therapy in combination with a low dose of cisplatin completely eradicated ovarian cancer tumors from the mice, and there was no cancer recurrence detected for the duration of the study, which lasted 35 weeks.

A Tumor-Activatable Theranostic Nanomedicine Platform for NIR Fluorescence-Guided Surgery and Combinatorial Phototherapy

Fluorescence image-guided surgery combined with intraoperative therapeutic modalities has great potential for intraoperative detection of oncologic targets and eradication of unresectable cancer residues. Therefore, we have developed an activatable theranostic nanoplatform that can be used concurrently for two purposes: (1) tumor delineation with real-time near infrared (NIR) fluorescence signal during surgery, and (2) intraoperative targeted treatment to further eliminate unresected disease sites by non-toxic phototherapy.

Methods: The developed nanoplatform is based on a single agent, silicon naphthalocyanine (SiNc), encapsulated in biodegradable PEG-PCL (poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ɛ-caprolactone)) nanoparticles. It is engineered to be non-fluorescent initially via dense SiNc packing within the nanoparticle's hydrophobic core, with NIR fluorescence activation after accumulation at the tumor site. The activatable nanoplatform was evaluated in vitro and in two different murine cancer models, including an ovarian intraperitoneal metastasis-mimicking model. Furthermore, fluorescence image-guided surgery mediated by this nanoplatform was performed on the employed animal models using a Fluobeam^® 800 imaging system. Finally, the phototherapeutic efficacy of the developed nanoplatform was demonstrated in vivo.

Results: Our in vitro data suggest that the intracellular environment of cancer cells is capable of compromising the integrity of self-assembled nanoparticles and thus causes disruption of the tight dye packing inside the hydrophobic cores and activation of the NIR fluorescence. Animal studies demonstrated accumulation of activatable nanoparticles at the tumor site following systemic administration, as well as release and fluorescence recovery of SiNc from the polymeric carrier. It was also validated that the developed nanoparticles are compatible with the intraoperative imaging system Fluobeam® 800, and nanoparticle-mediated image-guided surgery provides successful resection of cancer tumors. Finally, in vivo studies revealed that combinatorial phototherapy mediated by the nanoparticles could efficiently eradicate chemoresistant ovarian cancer tumors.

Conclusion: The revealed properties of the activatable nanoplatform make it highly promising for further application in clinical image-guided surgery and combined phototherapy, facilitating a potential translation to clinical studies.

Nrf2 as a target for prevention of age-related and diabetic cataracts by against oxidative stress

Cataract is one of the most important causes of blindness worldwide, with age-related cataract being the most common one. Agents preventing cataract formation are urgently required. Substantial evidences point out aggravated oxidative stress as a vital factor for cataract formation. Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like erythroid-cell-derived protein with CNC homology (ECH)-associated protein 1 (Keap1) system is considered as one of the main cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stresses. This review discusses the role of Nrf2 pathway in the prevention of cataracts and highlights that Nrf2 suppressors may augment oxidative stress of the lens, and Nrf2 inducers may decrease the oxidative stress and prevent the cataract formation. Thus, Nrf2 may serve as a promising therapeutic target for cataract treatment.

Characterization of pegylated and non-pegylated liposomal formulation for the delivery of hypoxia activated vinblastine-N-oxide for the treatment of solid tumors

Solid tumors often contain hypoxic regions which are resistant to standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We have developed a liposomal delivery system for a prodrug of vinblastine (CPD100) which converts to the parent compound only in the presence of lower oxygen levels. As a part of this work we have developed and optimized two formulations of CPD100: one composed of sphingomyelin/cholesterol (55/45; mol/mol) (CPD100Li) and the other composed of sphingomyelin/cholesterol/PEG (55/40/5; mol/mol) (CPD100 PEGLi). We evaluated the antiproliferative effect of CPD100 and the two formulations against A549 non-small lung cancer cell. A549 cell line showed to be sensitive to CPD100 and the two formulations displayed a higher hypoxic: air cytotoxicity ratio compared to the pro-drug. CPD100 elimination from the circulation after injection in mouse was characterized by a very short circulation time (~0.44h), lower area under the curve (AUC) (33μgh/mL) and high clearance (916mL/h/kg) and lower volume of distribution (17.4mL/kg).Total drug elimination from the circulation after the administration of liposomal formulation was characterized by prolonged circulation time (5.5h) along with increase in the AUC (56μgh/mL) for CPD100 Li and (9.5h) with AUC (170μgh/mL) for CPD100PEGLi. This was observed along with increase in volume of distribution and decrease in clearance for the liposomes. The systemic exposure of the free drug was much lower than that achieved with the liposomes. When evaluated for the efficacy in A549 xenograft model in mice, both the liposomes demonstrated excellent tumor suppression and reduction for 3months. The blood chemistry panel and the comprehensive blood analysis showed no increase or decrease in the markers and blood count. In summary, the pharmacokinetic analysis along with the efficacy data emphasis on how the delivery vehicle modifies and enhances the accumulation of the drug and at the same time the increased systemic exposure is not related to toxicity.

Expression of DJ-1 in Cancer Cells: Its Correlation with Clinical Significance

Upregulation of DJ-1 mRNA is commonly observed in various human cancers such as ductal carcinoma of the breast, non-small cell carcinoma of the lung, pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma, urinary transitional cell carcinoma, and gynecologic carcinoma. At the protein level, intensity and intracellular localization of DJ-1 expression is varied, and the DJ-1 protein regulates cancer progression, clinical aggressiveness, differentiation, cancer cell morphology, and drug sensitivity. Thus, DJ-1 plays a critical role in cancer. Although DJ-1 has an important role within cancer cells, cancer cells secrete DJ-1 outside the cells. DJ-1 may serve as a tumor marker that can be detected from an early stage in the blood, secretory fluids, ascites, or pleural effusion.

Phototheranostic nanoplatform based on a single cyanine dye for image-guided combinatorial phototherapy

This study represents a novel phototheranostic nanoplatform based on the near-infrared (NIR) heptamethine cyanine dye, IR775, which is capable of concurrent real-time fluorescence imaging and cancer eradication with combinatorial phototherapy. To achieve water solubility and enhance tumor delivery, the hydrophobic IR775 dye was loaded into a biocompatible polymeric nanoparticle with a diameter of ~40nm and slightly negative surface charge (-2.34mV). The nanoparticle-encapsulated hydrophobic IR775 dye (IR775-NP) is characterized by an enhanced fluorescence quantum yield (16%) when compared to the water soluble analogs such as ICG (2.7%) and IR783 (8%). Furthermore, the developed IR-775-NP efficiently generates both heat and reactive oxygen species under NIR light irradiation, eradicating cancer cells in vitro. Finally, animal studies revealed that the IR775-NP accumulates in cancer tumors after systemic administration, efficiently delineates them with NIR fluorescence signal and completely eradicates chemo resistant cancer tissue after a single dose of combinatorial phototherapy.

Regulation of Reactive Oxygen Species and the Antioxidant Protein DJ-1 in Mastocytosis

Neoplastic accumulation of mast cells in systemic mastocytosis (SM) associates with activating mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase KIT. Constitutive activation of tyrosine kinase oncogenes has been linked to imbalances in oxidant/antioxidant mechanisms in other myeloproliferative disorders. However, the impact of KIT mutations on the redox status in SM and the potential therapeutic implications are not well understood. Here, we examined the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and of the antioxidant protein DJ-1 (PARK-7), which increases with cancer progression and acts to lessen oxidative damage to malignant cells, in relationship with SM severity. ROS levels were increased in both indolent (ISM) and aggressive variants of the disease (ASM). However, while DJ-1 levels were reduced in ISM with lower mast cell burden, they rose in ISM with higher mast cell burden and were significantly elevated in patients with ASM. Studies on mast cell lines revealed that activating KIT mutations induced constant ROS production and consequent DJ-1 oxidation and degradation that could explain the reduced levels of DJ-1 in the ISM population, while IL-6, a cytokine that increases with disease severity, caused a counteracting transcriptional induction of DJ-1 which would protect malignant mast cells from oxidative damage. A mouse model of mastocytosis recapitulated the biphasic changes in DJ-1 and the escalating IL-6, ROS and DJ-1 levels as mast cells accumulate, findings which were reversed with anti-IL-6 receptor blocking antibody. Our findings provide evidence of increased ROS and a biphasic regulation of the antioxidant DJ-1 in variants of SM and implicate IL-6 in DJ-1 induction and expansion of mast cells with KIT mutations. We propose consideration of IL-6 blockade as a potential adjunctive therapy in the treatment of patients with advanced mastocytosis, as it would reduce DJ-1 levels making mutation-positive mast cells vulnerable to oxidative damage.