Tumor Vessel Targeted Self-Assemble Nanoparticles for Amplification and Prediction of the Embolization Effect in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

High-Performance Photodynamic Therapy of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Multifunctional Nano-Verteporfin

Background

The photodynamic therapy (PDT) showed promising potential in treating tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). The Food and Drug Administration approved Verteporfin (Ver) is a powerful alternative in this field for its penetrating power and high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, its applications in the treatment of TSCC are still rare.

Methods

Ver was loaded onto Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, followed by the modification with RGD peptide as the ligand. The nanostructured was named as RPV. In vitro assessments were conducted to evaluate the cytotoxicity of RPV through the Live/Dead assay analysis and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Using the reactive oxygen species assay kit, the potential for inducing targeted tumor cell death upon laser irradiation by promoting ROS production was investigated. In vivo experiments involved with the biological distribution of RPV, the administration with RPV followed by laser irradiation, and the measurement of the tumor volumes. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to detect the Ki-67 expression, and apoptosis induced by RPV-treated group. Systemic toxicity was evaluated through hematoxylin-eosin staining and blood routine analysis. Real-time monitoring was employed to track RPV accumulation at tumor sites.

Results

The in vitro assessments demonstrated the low cytotoxicity of RPV and indicated its potential for targeted killing TSCC cells under laser irradiation. In vivo experiments revealed significant tumor growth inhibition with RPV treatment and laser irradiation. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a notable decrease in Ki-67 expression, suggesting the effective suppression of cell proliferation, and TUNEL assay indicated the increased apoptosis in the RPV-treated group. Pathological examination and blood routine analysis revealed no significant systemic toxicity. Real-time monitoring exhibited selective accumulation of RPV at tumor sites.

Conclusion

The findings collectively suggest that RPV holds promise as a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for TSCC, offering a combination of targeted drug delivery with photodynamic therapy.

Gold nanorod-chitosan based nanocomposites for photothermal and chemoembolization therapy of breast cancer

Gold nanorods (AuNR) have received significant attention in tumor thermo-chemotherapy. However, insufficient thermal availability limits the in vivo highly efficient applications of AuNR in photothermal therapy. In this study, we have fabricated N-isopropylacrylamide grafted O-carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles (NCMC NPs) with thermo-responsive properties for co-encapsulating AuNR and doxorubicin (DOX), forming AuNR@NCMC/DOX nanocomposites (NCs). As a result of the thermo- and photothermal-responsiveness, AuNR@NCMC/DOX NCs exhibited irreversible aggregation at high temperature and under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation with an increase of size to 3 μm. When AuNR@NCMC/DOX NCs reached tumor sites following intravenous administration, they were located in the tumor vessels under NIR irradiation due to an embolization effect. This response enhanced tumor targeting, on-demand release, and the thermal performance of AuNR@NCMC/DOX NCs. We have observed higher tumor accumulation of DOX and AuNR with subsequent stronger inhibition of tumor growth than that achieved without NIR irradiation. The development of AuNR-based NCs with multiple smart responsivenesses at tumors can provide a promising paradigm for solid tumor treatment via the cooperative effects of photothermal therapy and chemoembolization.

A novel gas embolotherapy using microbubbles electrocoalescence for cancer treatment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Embolotherapy has been increasingly used to disrupt tumor growth. Despite its success in the occlusion of microvessels, it has drawbacks such as limited access to the target location, limited control of the blocker size, and inattention to the tumor characteristics, especially high interstitial fluid pressure. The present work introduces a novel numerical method of gas embolotherapy for cancer treatment through tumor vessel occlusion.

METHODS

The gas microbubbles are generated from Levovist bolus injection into the tumor microvessel. The microbubble movement in the blood flow is innovatively controlled by an electric field applied to the tumor-feeding vessel. The interaction between the Levovist microbubbles and the electric field is resolved by developing a fully coupled model using the phase-field model, Carreau model for non-Newtonian blood, Navier-Stokes equations and Maxwell stress tensor. Additionally, the critical effect of high interstitial fluid pressure as a characteristic of solid tumors is included.

RESULTS

The findings of this study indicate that the rates of microbubble deformation and displacement increase with the applied potential intensity to the microvessel wall. Accordingly, the required time for a microbubble to join the upper microvessel wall reduces from 1.97ms to 22 μs with an increase of the electric potential from 3.5V to 12.5V. Additionally, an electric potential of 12.5V causes the microbubbles coalescence and formation of a gas column against the bloodstream.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinically, our novel embolization procedure can be considered a non-invasive targeted therapy, and under a controlled electric field, the blocker size can be precisely controlled. Also, the proposed method has the potential to be used as a gradual treatment in advanced cancers as tumors develop resistance and relapse.

An injectable, in situ forming and NIR-responsive hydrogel persistently reshaping tumor microenvironment for efficient melanoma therapy

BACKGROUND

Melanoma is a highly aggressive form of skin cancer with increasing incidence and mortality rates. Chemotherapy, the primary treatment for melanoma, is limited by hypoxia-induced drug resistance and suppressed immune response at the tumor site. Modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) to alleviate hypoxia and enhance immune response has shown promise in improving chemotherapy outcomes.

METHODS

In this study, a novel injectable and in situ forming hydrogel named MD@SA was developed using manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanosheets pre-loaded with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (DOX) and mixed with sodium alginate (SA). The sustainable drug delivery, oxygen generation ability, and photothermal property of MD@SA hydrogel were characterized. The therapeutic efficacy of hydrogel was studied in B16F10 in vitro and B16F10 tumor-bearing mice in vivo. The immune effects on macrophages were analyzed by flow cytometry, real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and immunofluorescence analyses.

RESULTS

The MD@SA hydrogel catalyzed the tumoral hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into oxygen, reducing the hypoxic TME, down-regulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and drug efflux pump P-glycoprotein (P-gp). The improved TME conditions enhanced the uptake of DOX by melanoma cells, enhancing its efficacy and facilitating the release of tumor antigens. Upon NIR irradiation, the photothermal effect of the hydrogel induced tumor apoptosis to expose more tumor antigens, thus re-educating the M2 type macrophage into the M1 phenotype. Consequently, the MD@SA hydrogel proposes an ability to constantly reverse the hypoxic and immune-inhibited TME, which eventually restrains cancer proliferation.

CONCLUSION

The injectable and in situ forming MD@SA hydrogel represents a promising strategy for reshaping the TME in melanoma treatment. By elevating oxygen levels and activating the immune response, this hydrogel offers a synergistic approach for TME regulation nanomedicine.

Emerging nanotechnological approaches to regulating tumor vasculature for cancer therapy

Abnormal angiogenesis stands for one of the most striking manifestations of malignant tumor. The pathologically and structurally abnormal tumor vasculature facilitates a hostile tumor microenvironment, providing an ideal refuge exclusively for cancer cells. The emergence of vascular regulation drugs has introduced a distinctive class of therapeutics capable of influencing nutrition supply and drug delivery efficacy without the need to penetrate a series of physical barriers to reach tumor cells. Nanomedicines have been further developed for more precise regulation of tumor vasculature with the capacity of co-delivering multiple active pharmaceutical ingredients, which overall reduces the systemic toxicity and boosts the therapeutic efficacy of free drugs. Additionally, precise structure design enables the integration of specific functional motifs, such as surface-targeting ligands, droppable shells, degradable framework, or stimuli-responsive components into nanomedicines, which can improve tissue-specific accumulation, enhance tissue penetration, and realize the controlled and stimulus-triggered release of the loaded cargo. This review describes the morphological and functional characteristics of tumor blood vessels and summarizes the pivotal molecular targets commonly used in nanomedicine design, and then highlights the recent cutting-edge advancements utilizing nanotechnologies for precise regulation of tumor vasculature. Finally, the challenges and future directions of this field are discussed.

Nanoprobe-based molecular imaging for tumor stratification

The responses of patients to tumor therapies vary due to tumor heterogeneity. Tumor stratification has been attracting increasing attention for accurately distinguishing between responders to treatment and non-responders. Nanoprobes with unique physical and chemical properties have great potential for patient stratification. This review begins by describing the features and design principles of nanoprobes that can visualize specific cell types and biomarkers and release inflammatory factors during or before tumor treatment. Then, we focus on the recent advancements in using nanoprobes to stratify various therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy (RT), photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), chemodynamic therapy (CDT), ferroptosis, and immunotherapy. The main challenges and perspectives of nanoprobes in cancer stratification are also discussed to facilitate probe development and clinical applications.

From liver fibrosis to hepatocarcinogenesis: Role of excessive liver H2O2 and targeting nanotherapeutics

Liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been worldwide threats nowadays. Liver fibrosis is reversible in early stages but will develop precancerosis of HCC in cirrhotic stage. In pathological liver, excessive H₂O₂ is generated and accumulated, which impacts the functionality of hepatocytes, Kupffer cells (KCs) and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), leading to genesis of fibrosis and HCC. H₂O₂ accumulation is associated with overproduction of superoxide anion (O₂^•−) and abolished antioxidant enzyme systems. Plenty of therapeutics focused on H₂O₂ have shown satisfactory effects against liver fibrosis or HCC in different ways. This review summarized the reasons of liver H₂O₂ accumulation, and the role of H₂O₂ in genesis of liver fibrosis and HCC. Additionally, nanotherapeutics targeting H₂O₂ were summarized for further consideration of antifibrotic or antitumor therapy.

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Liver fibrosis and HCC are closely related because ROS induced liver damage and inflammation, especially over-cumulated H₂O₂.

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Excess H₂O₂ diffusion in pathological liver was due to increased metabolic rate and diminished cellular antioxidant systems.

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Freely diffused H₂O₂ damaged liver-specific cells, thereby leading to fibrogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis.

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Nanotherapeutics targeting H₂O₂ are summarized for treatment of liver fibrosis and HCC, and also challenges are proposed.

Smart nanoparticles and microbeads for interventional embolization therapy of liver cancer: state of the art

The process of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization is characterized by the ability to accurately deliver chemotherapy drugs with minimal systemic side effects and has become the standard treatment for unresectable intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, this treatment option still has much room for improvement, one of which may be the introduction of nanomaterials, which exhibit unique functions and can be applied to in vivo tumor imaging and therapy. Several biodegradable and multifunctional nanomaterials and nanobeads have recently been developed and applied in the locoregional treatment of hepatocellular cancer. This review explores recent developments and findings in relation to micro-nano medicines in transarterial therapy for HCC, emerging strategies to improve the efficacy of delivering nano-based medicines, and expounding prospects for clinical applications of nanomaterials.

CXCR4-guided liposomes regulating hypoxic and immunosuppressive microenvironment for sorafenib-resistant tumor treatment

Clinical sorafenib treatment could activate C-X-C receptor type 4 (CXCR4)/stromal source factor-1α (SDF-1α) axis to aggravate intra-tumoral hypoxia of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which further leads to progression, invasion, metastasis, and immunosuppression of tumors and in return causes resistance to sorafenib therapy. Therefore, a multi-functional oxygen delivery nanoplatform was rationally constructed based on an oxygen-saturated perfluorohexane (PFH)-cored liposome, with the CXCR4 antagonist LFC131 peptides modifying on the surface to simultaneously deliver sorafenib and the CSF1/CSF1R inhibitor PLX3397 (named PFH@LSLP) for sorafenib-resistant HCC treatment. The PFH@LSLP was developed to overcome sorafenib resistance by synergistic effects of the following 3 roles: 1) the O₂-saturated PFH core could alleviate the tumor hypoxia by O₂ supply; 2) the LFC131 peptide recognized the hypoxia-related overexpressed CXCR4 and then blocked SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis to re-sensitize the HCC cells to sorafenib; 3) PLX3397 activated the immune responses via inhibiting the CSF1/CSF1R pathway in TAMs, further enhanced CD8⁺ T cell infiltration to reverse immunosuppression in tumors. Antitumor performance on H22 tumor-bearing mice and HCC patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) model showed that PFH@LSLP could overcome sorafenib resistance by synergistic effect of hypoxia attenuation, resistance-related gene regulation, and immune-microenvironment modification.

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PFH@LSLP was developed to overcome sorafenib resistance.

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LFC131 peptide blocked SDF-1α/CXCR4 to sensitize sorafenib.

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PLX3397 blocked CSF1/CSF1R to activate immune response.

Nanotechnology strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis and treatment

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy threatening human health, and existing diagnostic and therapeutic techniques are facing great challenges. In the last decade or so, nanotechnology has been developed and improved for tumor diagnosis and treatment. For example, nano-intravenous injections have been approved for malignant perivascular epithelioid cell tumors. This article provides a comprehensive review of the applications of nanotechnology in HCC in recent years: (I) in radiological imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fluorescence imaging (FMI) and multimodality imaging. (II) For diagnostic applications in HCC serum markers. (III) As embolic agents in transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or directly as therapeutic drugs. (IV) For application in photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy. (V) As carriers of chemotherapeutic drugs, targeted drugs, and natural plant drugs. (VI) For application in gene and immunotherapy. Compared with the traditional methods for diagnosis and treatment of HCC, nanoparticles have high sensitivity, reduce drug toxicity and have a long duration of action, and can also be combined with photothermal and photodynamic multimodal combination therapy. These summaries provide insights for the further development of nanotechnology applications in HCC.

Recent advances in smart nanoplatforms for tumor non-interventional embolization therapy

Tumor embolization therapy has attracted great attention due to its high efficiency in inhibiting tumor growth by cutting off tumor nutrition and oxygen supply by the embolic agent. Although transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is the mainstream technique in the clinic, there are still some limitations to be considered, especially the existence of high risks and complications. Recently, nanomaterials have drawn wide attention in disease diagnosis, drug delivery, and new types of therapies, such as photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy, owing to their unique optical, thermal, convertible and in vivo transport properties. Furthermore, the utilization of nanoplatforms in tumor non-interventional embolization therapy has attracted the attention of researchers. Herein, the recent advances in this area are summarized in this review, which revealed three different types of nanoparticle strategies: (1) nanoparticles with active targeting effects or stimuli responsiveness (ultrasound and photothermal) for the safe delivery and responsive release of thrombin; (2) tumor microenvironment (copper and phosphate, acidity and GSH/H₂O₂)-responsive nanoparticles for embolization therapy with high specificity; and (3) peptide-based nanoparticles with mimic functions and excellent biocompatibility for tumor embolization therapy. The benefits and limitations of each kind of nanoparticle in tumor non-interventional embolization therapy will be highlighted. Investigations of nanoplatforms are undoubtedly of great significance, and some advanced nanoplatform systems have arrived at a new height and show potential applications in practical applications.

Smart-Polypeptide-Coated Mesoporous Fe3O4 Nanoparticles: Non-Interventional Target-Embolization/Thermal Ablation and Multimodal Imaging Combination Theranostics for Solid Tumors

Tumor theranostics hold great potential for personalized medicine in the future, and transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is an important clinical treatment for unresectable or hypervascular tumors. In order to break the limitation, simplify the procedure of TAE, and achieve ideal combinatorial theranostic capability, here, a kind of triblock-polypeptide-coated perfluoropentane-loaded mesoporous Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites (PFP-m-Fe₃O₄@PGTTCs) were prepared for non-interventional target-embolization, magnetic hyperthermia, and multimodal imaging combination theranostics of solid tumors. The results of systematic animal experiments by H22-tumor-bearing mice and VX2-tumor-bearing rabbits in vivo indicated that PFP-m-Fe₃O₄@PGTTC-6.3 has specific tumor accumulation and embolization effects. The tumors' growth has been inhibited and the tumors disappeared 4 weeks and ≤15 days post-injection with embolization and magnetic hyperthermia combination therapy, respectively. The results also showed an excellent effect of magnetic resonance/ultrasound/SPECT multimodal imaging. This pH-responsive non-interventional embolization combinatorial theranostics system provides a novel embolization and multifunctional theranostic candidate for solid tumors.

Thrombin Based Photothermal-Responsive Nanoplatform for Tumor-Specific Embolization Therapy

The specific coagulation in the tumor vasculature has the potential for the ablation of solid tumors by cutting off the blood supply. However, the safe delivery of effective vessel occluding agents in the tumor-specific embolization therapy remains challenging. Herein, it is reported that the photothermal responsive tumor-specific embolization therapy based on thrombin (Thr) is delivered by intravenous injection via the phase-change materials (PCM)-based nanoparticles. The wax sealing profile of PCM enables safe delivery and prevents the preleakage of Thr in the blood circulation. While in the tumor site, the thermal effect induced by IR780 triggers the melting of PCM and rapidly releases Thr to generate coagulation in the tumor blood vessels. Based on the safe delivery and controllable release of Thr, thermal responsive tumor-specific embolization therapy could be achieved with high efficiency and no significant damage to normal organs and tissues. The safe administration of Thr to induce vascular infarction in tumors based on PCM nanoparticles in this work shows a promising strategy for improving the therapeutic specificity and efficacy of coagulation-based tumor therapy.

Recent Advances of Manganese-Based Hybrid Nanomaterials for Cancer Precision Medicine

Cancer precision medicine (CPM) could tailor the best treatment for individual cancer patients, while imaging techniques play important roles in its application. With the characteristics of noninvasion, nonionized, radiation-free, multidimensional imaging function, and real-time monitoring, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an effective way for early tumor detection, and it has become a tower of strength in CPM imaging techniques. Due to linkage with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agent (CA), which was long used in MRI, has been restricted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In this review, we would like to introduce the manganese (Mn)-based CAs that could significantly increase the safety of MRI CAs by realizing more superior performance and functions simultaneously in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors. Also, recent advances in Mn-based hybrid nanomaterials for CPM are summarized and discussed.

Metal-Coordinated Supramolecular Self-Assemblies for Cancer Theranostics

Metal-coordinated supramolecular nanoassemblies have recently attracted extensive attention as materials for cancer theranostics. Owing to their unique physicochemical properties, metal-coordinated supramolecular self-assemblies can bridge the boundary between traditional inorganic and organic materials. By tailoring the structural components of the metal ions and binding ligands, numerous multifunctional theranostic nanomedicines can be constructed. Metal-coordinated supramolecular nanoassemblies can modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME), thus facilitating the development of TME-responsive nanomedicines. More importantly, TME-responsive organic-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials can be constructed in vivo by exploiting the metal-coordinated self-assembly of a variety of functional ligands, which is a promising strategy for enhancing the tumor accumulation of theranostic molecules. In this review, recent advancements in the design and fabrication of metal-coordinated supramolecular nanomedicines for cancer theranostics are highlighted. These supramolecular compounds are classified according to the order in which the coordinated metal ions appear in the periodic table. Furthermore, the prospects and challenges of metal-coordinated supramolecular self-assemblies for both technical advances and clinical translation are discussed. In particular, the superiority of TME-responsive nanomedicines for in vivo coordinated self-assembly is elaborated, with an emphasis on strategies that enhance the accumulation of functional components in tumors for an ideal theranostic outcome.

Activable Nanoparticle for Tumor Aggressiveness and Drug Resistance Prediction by Glutathione Heterogeneous Imaging

Studies have shown that a higher GSH level is related to more drug-resistant and invasiveness of a tumor. However, it is a great challenge to accurately imaging the GSH level in vivo, for its imaging intensity will interfered by different accumulation of probes in the tumor. Thus, we hypothesized ratiometric photoacoustic imaging that can be used to predict the drug-resistant and invasiveness of tumors by accurate GSH level imaging. In this study, we synthesized MnO₂/Indocyanine Green (MnO₂/ICG). It can be used as ratiometric photoacoustic (PA) imaging probe, for its absorption at 780 nm (Ab₇₈₀) can be decreased and 680 nm (Ab₆₈₀) remain unchanged upon GSH reduction. And our results confirmed that a lower PA absorption ratio (Ab₇₈₀/Ab₆₈₀) corresponded to a higher GSH level of the tumor. Besides, the near-infrared fluorescence (FI) imaging was used as an assistant, for it can be quenched upon GSH. Therefore, MnO₂/ICG can predict the tumor invasiveness and drug resistance by imaging the GSH level. This study provides reference to predict the prognosis of tumors by imaging the metabolic biomarker of tumors.

Applications and Biological Activity of Nanoparticles of Manganese and Manganese Oxides in In Vitro and In Vivo Models

The expanding applications of nanotechnology seem to be a response to many technological, environmental, and medical challenges. The unique properties of nanoparticles allow for developing new technologies and therapies. Among many investigated compounds is manganese and its oxides, which in the form of nanoparticles, could be a promising alternative for gadolinium-based contrast agents used in diagnostic imaging. Manganese, which is essential for living organisms as an enzyme cofactor, under excessive exposure-for example, due to water contamination or as an occupational hazard for welders-can lead to neurological disorders, including manganism-a condition similar to Parkinson's disease. This review attempts to summarise the available literature data on the potential applications of manganese and manganese oxide nanoparticles and their biological activity. Some of the published studies, both in vitro and in vivo, show negative effects of exposure to manganese, mainly on the nervous system, whereas other data suggest that it is possible to develop functionalised nanoparticles with negligible toxicity and novel promising properties.