TPGS-Galactose-Modified Polydopamine Co-delivery Nanoparticles of Nitric Oxide Donor and Doxorubicin for Targeted Chemo-Photothermal Therapy against Drug-Resistant Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Multifunctional and stimuli-responsive liposomes in hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis and therapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent type of liver cancer, mainly occurring in Asian countries with an increased incidence rate globally. Currently, several kinds of therapies have been deployed for HCC therapy including surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. However, this tumor is still incurable, requiring novel strategies for its treatment. The nanomedicine has provided the new insights regarding the treatment of cancer that liposomes as lipid-based nanoparticles, have been widely applied in cancer therapy due to their biocompaitiblity, high drug loading and ease of synthesis and modification. The current review evaluates the application of liposomes for the HCC therapy. The drugs and genes lack targeting ability into tumor tissues and cells. Therefore, loading drugs or genes on liposomes can increase their accumulation in tumor site for HCC suppression. Moreover, the stimuli-responsive liposomes including pH-, redox- and light-sensitive liposomes are able to deliver drug into tumor microenvironment to improve therapeutic index. Since a number of receptors upregulate on HCC cells, the functionalization of liposomes with lactoferrin and peptides can promote the targeting ability towards HCC cells. Moreover, phototherapy can be induced by liposomes through loading phtoosensitizers to stimulate photothermal- and photodynamic-driven ablation of HCC cells. Overall, the findings are in line with the fact that liposomes are promising nanocarriers for the treatment of HCC.

Intra-Articular Injection of PLGA/Polydopamine Core-Shell Nanoparticle Attenuates Osteoarthritis Progression

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease characterized by progressive cartilage degeneration. Unfortunately, currently available clinical drugs are mainly analgesics and cannot alleviate the development of OA. Kartogenin (KGN) has been found to promote the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into chondrocytes for the treatment of cartilage damage in early OA. However, KGN, as a small hydrophobic molecule, is rapidly cleared from the synovial fluid after intra-articular injection. This study synthesized a KGN-loaded nanocarrier based on PLGA/polydopamine core/shell structure to treat OA. The fluorescence signal of KGN@PLGA/PDA-PEG-E7 nanoparticles lasted for 4 weeks, ensuring long-term sustained release of KGN from a single intra-articular injection. In addition, the polyphenolic structure of PDA enables it to effectively scavenge reactive oxygen species, and the BMSC-targeting peptide E7 (EPLQLKM) endows KGN@PLGA/PDA-PEG-E7 NPs with an effective affinity for BMSCs. As a result, the KGN@PLGA/PDA-PEG-E7 nanoparticles could effectively induce cartilage in vitro and protect the cartilage and subchondral bone in a rat ACLT model. This therapeutic strategy could also be extended to the delivery of other drugs, targeting other tissues to treat joint diseases.

Different Targeting Ligands-Mediated Drug Delivery Systems for Tumor Therapy

Traditional tumor treatments have the drawback of harming both tumor cells and normal cells, leading to significant systemic toxic side effects. As a result, there is a pressing need for targeted drug delivery methods that can specifically target cells or tissues. Currently, researchers have made significant progress in developing targeted drug delivery systems for tumor therapy using various targeting ligands. This review aims to summarize recent advancements in targeted drug delivery systems for tumor therapy, focusing on different targeting ligands such as folic acid, carbohydrates, peptides, aptamers, and antibodies. The review also discusses the advantages, challenges, and future prospects of these targeted drug delivery systems.

Targeting metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma to overcome therapeutic resistance: A comprehensive review

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a heavy burden on human health with high morbidity and mortality rates. Systematic therapy is crucial for advanced and mid-term HCC, but faces a significant challenge from therapeutic resistance, weakening drug effectiveness. Metabolic reprogramming has gained attention as a key contributor to therapeutic resistance. Cells change their metabolism to meet energy demands, adapt to growth needs, or resist environmental pressures. Understanding key enzyme expression patterns and metabolic pathway interactions is vital to comprehend HCC occurrence, development, and treatment resistance. Exploring metabolic enzyme reprogramming and pathways is essential to identify breakthrough points for HCC treatment. Targeting metabolic enzymes with inhibitors is key to addressing these points. Inhibitors, combined with systemic therapeutic drugs, can alleviate resistance, prolong overall survival for advanced HCC, and offer mid-term HCC patients a chance for radical resection. Advances in metabolic research methods, from genomics to metabolomics and cells to organoids, help build the HCC metabolic reprogramming network. Recent progress in biomaterials and nanotechnology impacts drug targeting and effectiveness, providing new solutions for systemic therapeutic drug resistance. This review focuses on metabolic enzyme changes, pathway interactions, enzyme inhibitors, research methods, and drug delivery targeting metabolic reprogramming, offering valuable references for metabolic approaches to HCC treatment.

Construction of the Gal-NH2/mulberry leaf polysaccharides-lysozyme/luteolin nanoparticles and the amelioration effects on lipid accumulation

Luteolin is a kind of natural flavonoid with great potential for lipid accumulation intervention. However, the poor water solubility and non-targeted release greatly diminish its efficiency. In this study, 4-aminophenyl β-D-galactopyranoside (Gal-NH2)/mulberry leaf polysaccharides- lysozyme/luteolin nanoparticles (Gal-MPL/Lut) were fabricated via amide reaction, self-assembly process and electrostatic interaction. The nanoparticles could hepatic-target of Lut and enhance action on liver tissue by specific recognition of asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). Physicochemical characterization of the nanoparticles showed a spherical shape with a uniform particle size distribution (77.8 ± 2.6 nm) with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.22 ± 0.06. Subsequently, in HepG2 cells model, administration with hepatic-targeted Gal-MPL/Lut nanoparticles promoted the cellular uptake of Lut, and regulated lipid metabolism manifested by remarkably inhibiting total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) expression levels through the modulation of PI3K/SIRT-1/FAS/CEBP-α signaling pathway. This study provides a promising strategy for a highly hepatic-targeted therapy to ameliorate lipid accumulation using natural medicines facilitated by nano-technology.

Photothermal synergistic nitric oxide controlled release injectable self-healing adhesive hydrogel for biofilm eradication and wound healing

The development of injectable self-healing adhesive hydrogel dressings with excellent bactericidal activity and wound healing ability is urgently in demand for combating biofilm infections. Herein, a multifunctional hydrogel (QP/QT-MB) with near-infrared (NIR) light-activated mild photothermal/gaseous antimicrobial activity was developed based on the dynamic reversible borate bonds and hydrogen bonds crosslinking between quaternization chitosan (QCS) derivatives alternatively containing phenylboronic acid and catechol-like moieties in conjunction with the in situ encapsulation of BNN6-loaded mesoporous polydopamine (MPDA@BNN6 NPs). Given the dynamic reversible cross-linking feature, the versatile hybrid hydrogel exhibited injectability, flexibility, and rapid self-healing ability. The numerous phenylboronic acid and catechol-like moieties on the QCS backbone confer the hydrogel with specific bacterial affinity, desirable tissue adhesion, and antioxidant stress ability that enhance bactericidal activity and facilitate the regeneration of infection wounds. Under NIR irradiation, the QP/QT-MB hydrogels exhibited a desirable mild photothermal effect and NIR-activity controllable NO delivery, combined with the endogenous contact antimicrobial activity of hydrogel, contributing jointly to induce dispersal of biofilms and disruption of the bacterial plasma membranes, ultimately leading to bacteria inactivation and biofilm elimination. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the fabricated QP/QT-MB hydrogel platform was capable of inducing efficient eradication of the S. aureus biofilm in a severely infected wound model and accelerating infected wound repair by promoting collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and suppressing inflammatory responses. Additionally, the QP/QT-MB hydrogel demonstrated excellent biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, the hydrogel (QP/QT-MB) reveals great potential application prospects as a promising alternative in the field of biofilm-associated infection treatment.

Cobalt-doped hollow polydopamine for oxygen generation and GSH consumption enhanced chemo-PTT combined cancer therapy

Nanotechnology has revolutionized the field of therapeutics by introducing a plethora of nanomaterials capable of enhancing traditional drug efficacy or paving the way for innovative treatment methods. Within this domain, we propose a novel Cobalt-doped hollow polydopamine nanosphere system. This system, incorporating Doxorubicin loading and hyaluronic acid (HA) surface coating (CoHPDA@DOX-HA), is designed for combined tumor therapy. The overarching aim is to diminish the administration dosage, mitigate the cytotoxic side effects of chemotherapy drugs, augment chemosensitivity within neoplastic tissues, and attain superior results in tumor treatment via combined therapeutic strategies. The targeted molecule, hyaluronic acid (HA), amplifies the biocompatibility of CoHPDA@DOX-HA throughout circulation and fosters endocytosis of the nanoparticle system within cancer cells. This nanosphere system possesses pH sensitivity properties, allowing for a meticulous drug release within the acidic microenvironment of tumor cells. Concurrently, Polydopamine (PDA) facilitates proficient photothermal therapy upon exposure to 808 nm laser irradiation. This process further amplifies the Glutathione (GSH) depletion, and when coupled with the oxygen production capabilities of the Cobalt-doped hollow PDA, significantly enhances the chemo-photothermal therapeutic efficiency. Findings from the treatment of tumor-bearing mice substantiate that even at dosages equivalent to a singular DOX administration, the CoHPDA@DOX-HA can provide efficacious synergistic therapy. Therefore, it is anticipated that multifunctional nanomaterials with Photoacoustic Tomography (PAT) imaging capabilities, targeted delivery, and a controlled collaborative therapeutic framework may serve as promising alternatives for accurate diagnostics and efficacious treatment strategies.

Polyphenol-Based Nanosystems for Next-Generation Cancer Therapy: Multifunctionality, Design, and Challenges

With the continuous updating of cancer treatment methods and the rapid development of precision medicine in recent years, there are higher demands for advanced and versatile drug delivery systems. Scientists are committed to create greener and more effective nanomedicines where the carrier is no longer limited to a single function of drug delivery. Polyphenols, which can act as both active ingredients and fundamental building blocks, are being explored as potential multifunctional carriers that are efficient and safe for design purposes. Due to their intrinsic anticancer activity, phenolic compounds have shown surprising expressiveness in ablation of tumor cells, overcoming cancer multidrug resistance (MDR), and enhancing immunotherapeutic efficacy. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the design, synthesis, and application of versatile polyphenol-based nanosystems for cancer therapy in various modes. Moreover, the merits of polyphenols and the challenges for their clinical translation are also discussed, and it is pointed out that the novel polyphenol delivery system requires further optimization and validation.

Functionalized nanohybrids with rod shape for improved chemo-phototherapeutic effect against cancer by sequentially generating singlet oxygen and carbon dioxide bubbles

The application of hybrid nanocarriers is expected to play an active role in improving treatment of chemotherapy and phototherapy. Herein, a nanohybrid with a core of mesoporous silica nanorods and shell of folate-functionalized zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF-8/FA) was synthesized via polydopamine (PDA)-mediated integration. A chemotherapeutic drug (DOX), bubble generator (NH4HCO3, ABC), and photosensitive agent (ICG) were simultaneously loaded into the delivery system to construct smart ZIF-8/FA-coated mesoporous silica nanorods (IDa-PRMSs@ZF). We found that ICG endowed the designed delivery system with a moderate photothermal conversion efficiency of 26.06% and the capacity to release 1O2. The produced hyperthermia caused ABC to decompose and further generate carbon dioxide bubbles, thereby facilitating DOX release, sequentially. Importantly, the underlying mechanism was also investigated using mathematical kinetic modeling. The tumor inhibition rate of IDa-PRMSs@ZF under NIR irradiation reached 83.8%. This study provides a promising strategy based on rod-shaped nanohybrids for effective combination antitumor therapy.

Nitric Oxide: Physiological Functions, Delivery, and Biomedical Applications

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous molecule that has a central role in signaling pathways involved in numerous physiological processes (e.g., vasodilation, neurotransmission, inflammation, apoptosis, and tumor growth). Due to its gaseous form, NO has a short half-life, and its physiology role is concentration dependent, often restricting its function to a target site. Providing NO from an external source is beneficial in promoting cellular functions and treatment of different pathological conditions. Hence, the multifaceted role of NO in physiology and pathology has garnered massive interest in developing strategies to deliver exogenous NO for the treatment of various regenerative and biomedical complexities. NO-releasing platforms or donors capable of delivering NO in a controlled and sustained manner to target tissues or organs have advanced in the past few decades. This review article discusses in detail the generation of NO via the enzymatic functions of NO synthase as well as from NO donors and the multiple biological and pathological processes that NO modulates. The methods for incorporating of NO donors into diverse biomaterials including physical, chemical, or supramolecular techniques are summarized. Then, these NO-releasing platforms are highlighted in terms of advancing treatment strategies for various medical problems.

Advanced Nitric Oxide Generating Nanomedicine for Therapeutic Applications

Nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous transmitter extensively present in the human body, regulates vascular relaxation, immune response, inflammation, neurotransmission, and other crucial functions. Nitrite donors have been used clinically to treat angina, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. Based on NO's vast biological functions, it further can treat tumors, bacteria/biofilms and other infections, wound healing, eye diseases, and osteoporosis. However, delivering NO is challenging due to uncontrolled blood circulation release and a half-life of under five seconds. With advanced biotechnology and the development of nanomedicine, NO donors packaged with multifunctional nanocarriers by physically embedding or chemically conjugating have been reported to show improved therapeutic efficacy and reduced side effects. Herein, we review and discuss recent applications of NO nanomedicines, their therapeutic mechanisms, and the challenges of NO nanomedicines for future scientific studies and clinical applications. As NO enables the inhibition of the replication of DNA and RNA in infectious microbes, including COVID-19 coronaviruses and malaria parasites, we highlight the potential of NO nanomedicines for antipandemic efforts. This review aims to provide deep insights and practical hints into design strategies and applications of NO nanomedicines.

Combination therapy based on dual-target biomimetic nano-delivery system for overcoming cisplatin resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma

Strategies to overcome toxicity and drug resistance caused by chemotherapeutic drugs for targeted therapy against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are urgently needed. Previous studies revealed that high oxidored-nitro domain-containing protein 1(NOR1) expression in HCC was associated with cisplatin (DDP) resistance. Herein, a novel dual-targeting nanocarrier system AR-NADR was generated for the treatment of DDP resistance in HCC. The core of the nanocarrier system is the metal-organic frameworks (MOF) modified with nuclear location sequence (NLS), which loading with DDP and NOR1 shRNA (R). The shell is an A54 peptide inserted into the erythrocyte membrane (AR). Our results show that AR-NADR efficiently internalized by tumor cells due to its specific binding to the A54 receptors that are abundantly expressed on the surface of HCC cells and NLS peptide-mediated nuclear entry. Additionally, DDP is more likely to be released due to the degradation of Ag-MOF in the acidic tumor microenvironment. Moreover, by acting as a vector for gene delivery, AR-NADR effectively inhibits tumor drug resistance by suppressing the expression of NOR1, which induces intracellular DDP accumulation and makes cells sensitive to DDP. Finally, the anti-HCC efficacy and mechanisms of AR-NADR were systematically elucidated by a HepG2/DDP cell model as well as a tumor model. Therefore, AR-NADR constitutes a key strategy to achieve excellent gene silencing and antitumor efficacy, which provides effective gene therapy and precise treatment strategies for cisplatin resistance in HCC.

Nanocarriers overcoming biological barriers induced by multidrug resistance of chemotherapeutics in 2D and 3D cancer models

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is currently a big challenge in cancer therapy and limits its success in several patients. Tumors use the MDR mechanisms to colonize the host and reduce the efficacy of chemotherapeutics that are injected as single agents or combinations. MDR mechanisms are responsible for inactivation of drugs and formbiological barriers in cancer like the drug efflux pumps, aberrant extracellular matrix, hypoxic areas, altered cell death mechanisms, etc. Nanocarriers have some potential to overcome these barriers and improve the efficacy of chemotherapeutics. In fact, they are versatile and can deliver natural and synthetic biomolecules, as well as RNAi/DNAi, thus providing a controlled release of drugs and a synergistic effect in tumor tissues. Biocompatible and safe multifunctional biopolymers, with or without specific targeting molecules, modify the surface and interface properties of nanocarriers. These modifications affect the interaction of nanocarriers with cellular models as well as the selection of suitable models for in vitro experiments. MDR cancer cells, and particularly their 2D and 3D models, in combination with anatomical and physiological structures of tumor tissues, can boost the design and preparation of nanomedicines for anticancer therapy. 2D and 3D cancer cell cultures are suitable models to study the interaction, internalization, and efficacy of nanocarriers, the mechanisms of MDR in cancer cells and tissues, and they are used to tailor a personalized medicine and improve the efficacy of anticancer treatment in patients. The description of molecular mechanisms and physio-pathological pathways of these models further allow the design of nanomedicine that can efficiently overcome biological barriers involved in MDR and test the activity of nanocarriers in 2D and 3D models of MDR cancer cells.

Carbohydrate ligands-directed active tumor targeting of combinatorial chemotherapy/phototherapy-based nanomedicine: A review

Phototherapies or light mediated therapies, including mutually photothermal and photodynamic therapy that encompass irradiation of the target organs with light, have been widely employed as minimally invasive approach associated with negligible drug resistance for eradicating multiple tumors with minimal hazards to normal organs. Despite all these advantages, many obstacles in phototherapy hinder progress toward clinical application. Therefore, researchers have developed nano-particulate delivery systems integrated with phototherapy and therapeutic cytotoxic drugs to overcome these obstacles and achieve maximum efficacy in cancer treatment. Active targeting ligands were integrated into their surfaces to improve the selectivity and tumor targeting ability, enabling easy binding and recognition by cellular receptors overexpressed on the tumor tissue compared to normal ones. This enhances intratumoral accumulation with minimal toxicity on the adjacent normal cells. Various active targeting ligands, including antibodies, aptamers, peptides, lactoferrin, folic acid and carbohydrates, have been explored for the targeted delivery of chemotherapy/phototherapy-based nanomedicine. Among these ligands, carbohydrates have been applied due to their unique features that ameliorate the bioadhesive, noncovalent conjugation to biological tissues. In this review, the up-to-date techniques of employing carbohydrates active targeting ligands will be highlighted concerning the surface modification of the nanoparticles for ameliorating the targeting ability of the chemo/phototherapy.

Preparation and In Vitro Evaluation of a Gadolinium-Containing Vitamin E TPGS Micelle as a Potential Contrast Agent for MR Imaging

The application of many currently evaluated macromolecular contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been limited because of their bio-incompatibility and toxicity. The aim of this study is to synthesize and characterize a new micelle-based TPGS gadolinium chelate as a biocompatible MRI contrast agent for prolonged blood circulation time and good tumor imaging contrast. The TPGS-gadolinium conjugate was prepared through the conjugation between TPGS-SA and bifunctional L-NETA-Gd chelate. The conjugate was characterized with regard to molecular weight, critical micellar concentration and particle sizes, cellular uptake, and in vitro cell MRI. Distributions of the MRI contrast agent in various organs were determined via intravenous injection of the agent into mice bearing xenograft tumors. The successfully prepared TPGS-L-NETA-Gd micelle exhibited improved cellular uptake in HepG2 cells and xenografts and high in vivo safety. Distributions of TPGS-L-NETA-Gd in mice showed enhanced cellular uptake up to 2 h after the contrast agent injection. Its in vitro and in vivo properties make it a favorable macromolecular MRI contrast agent for future in vivo imaging.

Recent progress in nitric oxide-generating nanomedicine for cancer therapy

Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenous, multipotent biological signaling molecule that participates in several physiological processes. Recently, exogenous supplementation of tumor tissues with NO has emerged as a potential anticancer therapy. In particular, it induces synergistic effects with other conventional therapies (such as chemo-, radio-, and photodynamic therapies) by regulating the activity of P-glycoprotein, acting as a vascular relaxant to relieve tumor hypoxia, and participating in the metabolism of reactive oxygen species. However, NO is highly reactive, and its half-life is relatively short after generation. Meanwhile, NO-induced anticancer activity is dose-dependent. Therefore, the targeted delivery of NO to the tumor is required for better therapeutic effects. In the past decade, NO-generating nanomedicines (NONs), which enable sustained and specific NO release in tumor tissues, have been developed for enhanced cancer therapy. This review describes the recent efforts and preclinical achievements in the development of NON-based cancer therapies. The chemical structures employed in the fabrication of NONs are summarized, and the strategies involved in NON-based cancer therapies are elaborated.

A nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide dual-donating nanosystem for highly synergistic gas-radiotherapy against hepatocellular carcinoma

A drug delivery system (DDS) based on gold-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) is fabricated for loading NOSH-aspirin, a nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) dual-donating cytotoxic molecule. The liver targeting and tumor microenvironment responsive properties of the nanosystem enable, for the first time, the concurrent delivery of NO and H₂S from a DDS into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Combined gas-radiotherapy (GT-RT) from drug-loaded DDS (NOSH@MSN-Au-Gal) and X-ray irradiation shows highly synergistic anti-cancer activity against both normoxic and hypoxic HCC cells. Further studies revealed that the combined GT-RT not only retains the well-known anticancer mechanism of NO, H₂S, and X-ray individually, but also alleviates HCC hypoxia via NO- and H₂S- involved unique pathways. In mice, the GT-RT greatly slows the growth of both subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC tumors and shows high biocompatibility. The current work is expected to promote the clinical application of combined GT-RT as an effective cancer treatment.

Nanoparticle-based delivery of nitric oxide for therapeutic applications

Nitric oxide (NO), a low molecular weight signaling molecule, plays critical roles in both cellular health and disease. There is continued interest in new modalities for the controlled therapeutic delivery of NO to cells and tissues. The physicochemical properties of NO (including its short half-life and on-demand synthesis at the point of function), however, pose considerable challenges for its specific and efficient delivery. Recently, a number of nanoparticle (NP)-based systems are described that address some of these issues by taking advantage of the unique attributes of the NP carrier to effect efficient NO delivery. This review highlights the progress that has been made over the past 5 years in the use of various constructs for the therapeutic delivery of NO.

Therapeutic gas-releasing nanomedicines with controlled release: Advances and perspectives

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery has become one of the most popular approaches for maximising drug therapeutic potentials. With the notable improvements, a greater challenge hinges on the formulation of gasotransmitters with unique challenges that are not met in liquid and solid active ingredients. Gas molecules upon release from formulations for therapeutic purposes have not really been discussed extensively. Herein, we take a critical look at four key gasotransmitters, that is, carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and sulphur dioxide (SO2), their possible modification into prodrugs known as gas-releasing molecules (GRMs), and their release from GRMs. Different nanosystems and their mediatory roles for efficient shuttling, targeting and release of these therapeutic gases are also reviewed extensively. This review thoroughly looks at the diverse ways in which these GRM prodrugs in delivery nanosystems are designed to respond to intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli for sustained release. In this review, we seek to provide a succinct summary for the development of therapeutic gases into potent prodrugs that can be adapted in nanomedicine for potential clinical use.

N-acetyl-galactosamine modified metal-organic frameworks to inhibit the growth and pulmonary metastasis of liver cancer stem cells through targeted chemotherapy and starvation therapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common high-mortality malignancy which still needs efficient treatments. HCC patients undergoing extrahepatic metastases are mostly with unsatisfactory prognosis. Therefore, specific attention has been paid to extrahepatic HCC metastasis. We integrated Sorafenib (Sor) and glucose oxidase (GOx) into a N-acetyl-galactosamine (GalNAc) modified zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8), designated as SG@GR-ZIF-8, for targeted bimodal therapies of chemotherapy and starvation therapy against HCC. The hepatic delivery of SG@GR-ZIF was mediated by the specific recognition of GalNAc residues with asialoglycoprotein (ASGPR) on the liver cell surface. Sor is a clinically approved anti-proliferation and anti-angiogenesis drug for advanced HCC treatment. GOx can efficiently induce cell death and disturb malignant progression by suppressing glucose supply of cancer cells, which is highly associated with metabolic rewiring in metastasis. The nano-formulation exhibit significant anti-metastatic HCC activity against C5WN1 cells, a liver cancer stem cell-like cell line with tumorigenicity and pulmonary metastasis activity. In a subcutaneous C5WN1-tumor carrying mouse model, SG@GR-ZIF exhibits potent synergistic anti-tumor activity with a tumor inhibition rate of 89% and a prolonged survival status. The growth and pulmonary metastasis of HCC in an orthotopic mouse model of HCC was remarkably suppressed in SG@GR-ZIF treated group. The therapeutic strategy targeting energy supply combined with first-line treatment holds great promise for the future treatment of metastatic HCC. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: : SG@GR-ZIF, a N-acetyl-galactosamine modified metal-organic framework carrying Sorafenib and glucose oxidase, was fabricated for treating metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sorafenib is an anti-proliferation and anti-angiogenesis drug for advanced HCC treatment. Glucose oxidase blocks energy demand in HCC metastasis by depleting glucose. C5WN1 was used for therapeutic evaluations as a liver cancer stem cell-like cell line with tumorigenicity and pulmonary metastasis activity. In subcutaneous C5WN1-tumor bearing mice, SG@GR-ZIF exhibited a tumor inhibition rate of 89% and prolonged survival period. In orthotopic C5WN1-tumor carrying mice, the growth and pulmonary metastasis of hepatocarcinoma was remarkably suppressed by SG@GR-ZIF. Together, this study suggests the great potential of synergistic chemo/starvation therapy mediated by SG@GR-ZIF for treating metastatic HCC.

Bimodal Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeted Minimally Interventional Photodynamic/Chemotherapy Using Glyco-Covalent-Organic Frameworks-Guided Porphyrin/Sorafenib

Very limited treatment options are available to fight hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a serious global health concern with high morbidity and mortality. The integration of multiple therapies into one nanoplatform to exert synergistic therapeutic effects offers advantages over monotherapies. Here, we describe the construction of the nanoplatform Sor@GR-COF-366 for synergistic chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for HCC using a porphyrin-based covalent organic framework (COF-366) coated with N-acetyl-galactosamine (GalNAc) and rhodamine B (RhB), and loaded with the first-line agent, Sorafenib (Sor). The nanoplatform is targeted towards ASGPR-overexpressed HCC cells and liver tissues by GalNAc and observed by real-time imaging of RhB in vitro and in vivo. The nanoplatform Sor@GR-COF-366 exerts an enhanced synergistic tumor suppression effect in a subcutaneous HCC mouse model with a tumor inhibition rate (TGI) of 97% while significantly prolonging survival at very low toxicity. The potent synergistic therapeutic outcome is confirmed in an orthotopic mouse model of HCC with the TGI of 98% with a minimally invasive interventional PDT (IPDT). Sor@GR-COF-366 is a promising candidate to be combined with chemo-IPDT for the treatment of HCC. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This work describes the construction of covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) modified with glyco-moieties to serve as hepato-targeted multitherapy delivery systems. They combine minimally invasive interventional photodynamic therapy (IPDT) triggered synergism with chemotherapy treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). With the aid of minimally invasive intervention, PDT can elicit potent anti-cancer activity for deep solid tumors. This platform shows strong therapeutic outcomes in both subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse models, which can significantly prolong survival. This work showed an effective combination of a biomedical nano-formulation with the clinical operational means in cancer treatment, which is greatly promising in clinical translation.

Orally Administered Halofuginone-Loaded TPGS Polymeric Micelles Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Enhanced Absorption and Efficacy with Reduced Toxicity and Metastasis

Background

Halofuginone (HF)-loaded TPGS polymeric micelles (HTPM) were successfully fabricated using the thin-film hydration technique. HTPM via intravenous injection have been demonstrated to exert an excellent anticancer effect against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and subcutaneous xenografts. In the present study, we further explored the potential treatment effect and mechanism of orally administered HTPM alone and in combination with surgical therapy on TNBC in subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse models.

Methods

Herein, the stability and in vitro release behavior of HTPM were first evaluated in the simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Caco-2 cell monolayers were then used to investigate the absorption and transport patterns of HF with/without encapsulation in TPGS polymeric micelles. Subsequently, the therapeutic effect of orally administered HTPM was checked on subcutaneous xenografts of TNBC in nude mice. Ultimately, orally administered HTPM, combined with surgical therapy, were utilized to treat orthotopic TNBC in nude mice.

Results

Our data confirmed that HTPM exhibited good stability and sustained release in the simulated gastrointestinal fluids. HF was authenticated to be a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), and its permeability across Caco-2 cell monolayers was markedly enhanced via heightening intracellular absorption and inhibiting P-gp efflux due to encapsulation in TPGS polymeric micelles. Compared with HF alone, HTPM showed stronger tumor-suppressing effects in subcutaneous xenografts of MDA-MB-231 cells when orally administered. Moreover, compared with HTPM or surgical therapy alone, peroral HTPM combined with partial surgical excision synergistically retarded the growth of orthotopic TNBC. Fundamentally, HTPM orally administered at the therapeutic dose did not cause any pathological injury, while HF alone led to weight loss and jejunal bleeding in the investigated mice.

Conclusion

Taken together, HTPM could be applied as a potential anticancer agent for TNBC by oral administration.

Photothermal/NO combination therapy from plasmonic hybrid nanotherapeutics against breast cancer

In this study, a plasmon-semiconductor nanotheranostic system comprising Au nanostars/graphene quantum dots (AuS/QD) hybrid nanoparticles loaded with BNN6 and surface modified with PEG-pyrene was developed for the photo-triggered hyperthermia effect and NO production as the dual modality treatment against orthotopic triple-negative breast cancer. The structure and morphology of the hybrid nanodevice was characterized and the NIR-II induced thermal response and NO production was determined. The hybrid nanodevice has shown enhanced plasmonic energy transfer from localized surface plasmonic resonance of Au nanostars to QD semiconductor that activates the BNN6 species loaded on QD surfaces, leading to the effective NO production and the gas therapy in addition to the photothermal response. The increased accumulation of the NIR-II-responsive hybrid nanotheranostic in tumor via the enhanced permeation and retention effects was confirmed by both in vivo fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging. The prominent therapeutic efficacy of the photothermal/NO combination therapy from the BNN6-loaded AuS@QD nanodevice with the NIR-II laser irradiation at 1064 nm against 4T1 breast cancer was observed both in vitro and in vivo. The NO therapy for the cancer treatment was evidenced with the increased cellular nitrosative and oxidative stress, nitration of tyrosine residues of mitochondrial proteins, vessel eradication and cell apoptosis. The efficacy of the photothermal treatment was corroborated directly by severe tissue thermal ablation and tumor growth inhibition. The NIR-II triggered thermal/NO combination therapy along with the photoacoustic imaging-guided therapeutic accumulation in tumor shows prominent effect to fully inhibit tumor growth and validates the promising strategy developed in this study.

Synergistic antitumor efficacy of PD-1-conjugated PTX- and ZSQ-loaded nanoliposomes against multidrug-resistant liver cancers

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide with poor chemotherapeutic efficiency due to multidrug resistance (MDR); it is very important to develop a targeted nanocarrier for the treatment of HCC. In this study, a programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)-conjugated nanoliposome was constructed for co-delivery of paclitaxel (PTX) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor zosuquidar (ZSQ) to overcome MDR in human HCC cells and tumors in vivo. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) were used to examine the nanoparticles morphology and size; PD-1-conjugated PTX and ZSQ-loaded nanoliposomes (PD-PZLP) revealed a spherical shape with a size of 139.5 ± 10.7 nm. Then, the physicochemical properties, as well as the drug loading capacity, release profile, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity of the dual drug-encapsulated nanoliposomes were characterized. PD-PZLP displayed a high drug loading capacity of 20 ~ 30% for both PTX and ZSQ; the drug release of PTX and ZSQ in pH 5.0 was significantly faster than in pH 7.4. Cellular uptake study demonstrated PD-PZLP had higher internalization efficiency than non-targeted PZLP. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis demonstrated that PD-PZLP triggered an excessive ROS reaction and cell apoptosis compared with that of free PTX or ZSQ, which was also consistent with the cell antiproliferative effects in MTT assay. Furthermore, PD-PZLP could enhance synergistic antitumor effects on 7721/ADM xenograft tumor model, which also significantly alleviated hepatotoxicity as evident from the decreased aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. Overall, PD-PZLP exhibited high loading capacity, significant synergistic effects, promising antitumor efficacy, and the lowest toxicity, which provide a promising strategy to overcome MDR in HCC.