Human Glioblastoma Visualization: Triple Receptor-Targeting Fluorescent Complex of Dye, SIWV Tetra-Peptide, and Serum Albumin Protein

Surface-engineered erythrocyte membrane-camouflage fluorescent bioprobe for precision ovarian cancer surgery

PURPOSE

Fluorescence imaging-guided surgery has been used in oncology. However, for tiny tumors, the current imaging probes are still difficult to achieve high-contrast imaging, leading to incomplete resection. In this study, we achieved precise surgical resection of tiny metastatic cancers by constructing an engineering erythrocyte membrane-camouflaged bioprobe (AR-M@HMSN@P).

METHODS

AR-M@HMSN@P combined the properties of aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) named PF3-PPh3 (P), with functional erythrocyte membrane modified by a modular peptide (AR). Interestingly, AR was composed of an asymmetric tripodal pentapeptide scaffold (GGKGG) with three appended modulars: KPSSPPEE (A6) peptide, RRRR (R4) peptide and cholesterol. To verify the specificity of the probe in vitro, SKOV3 cells with overexpression of CD44 were used as the positive group, and HLF cells with low expression of CD44 were devoted as the control group. The AR-M@HMSN@P fluorescence imaging was utilized to provide surgical guidance for the removal of micro-metastatic lesions.

RESULTS

In vivo, the clearance of AR-M@HMSN@P by the immune system was reduced due to the natural properties inherited from erythrocytes. Meanwhile, the A6 peptide on AR-M@HMSN@P was able to specifically target CD44 on ovarian cancer cells, and the electrostatic attraction between the R4 peptide and the cell membrane enhanced the firmness of this targeting. Benefiting from these multiple effects, AR-M@HMSN@P achieved ultra-precise tumor imaging with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 15.2, making it possible to surgical resection of tumors < 1 mm by imaging guidance.

CONCLUSION

We have successfully designed an engineered fluorescent imaging bioprobe (AR-M@HMSN@P), which can target CD44-overexpressing ovarian cancers for precise imaging and guide the resection of minor tumors. Notably, this work holds significant promise for developing biomimetic probes for clinical imaging-guided precision cancer surgery by exploiting their externally specified functional modifications.

GP60 and SPARC as albumin receptors: key targeted sites for the delivery of antitumor drugs

Albumin is derived from human or animal blood, and its ability to bind to a large number of endogenous or exogenous biomolecules makes it an ideal drug carrier. As a result, albumin-based drug delivery systems are increasingly being studied. With these in mind, detailed studies of the transport mechanism of albumin-based drug carriers are particularly important. As albumin receptors, glycoprotein 60 (GP60) and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) play a crucial role in the delivery of albumin-based drug carriers. GP60 is expressed on vascular endothelial cells and enables albumin to cross the vascular endothelial cell layer, and SPARC is overexpressed in many types of tumor cells, while it is minimally expressed in normal tissue cells. Thus, this review supplements existing articles by detailing the research history and specific biological functions of GP60 or SPARC and research advances in the delivery of antitumor drugs using albumin as a carrier. Meanwhile, the deficiencies and future perspectives in the study of the interaction of albumin with GP60 and SPARC are also pointed out.

Recent Progress in Fluorescent Probes for Real-Time Monitoring of Glioblastoma

Treating glioblastoma (GBM) by resecting to a large extent can prolong a patient's survival by controlling the tumor cells, but excessive resection may produce postoperative complications by perturbing the brain structures. Therefore, various imaging procedures have been employed to successfully diagnose and resect with utmost caution and to protect vital structural or functional features. Fluorescence tagging is generally used as an intraoperative imaging technique in glioma cells in collaboration with other surgical tools such as MRI and navigation methods. However, the existing fluorescent probes may have several limitations, including poor selectivity, less photostability, false signals, and intraoperative re-administration when used in clinical and preclinical studies for glioma surgery. The involvement of smart fluorogenic materials, specifically fluorescent dyes, and biomarker-amended cell-penetrable fluorescent probes have noteworthy advantages for precise glioma imaging. This review outlines the contemporary advancements of fluorescent probes for imaging glioma cells along with their challenges and visions, with the anticipation to develop next-generation smart glioblastoma detection modalities.

Strategies increasing the effectiveness of temozolomide at various levels of anti-GBL therapy

Glioblastoma (GBL) is the most common (60-70% of primary brain tumours) and the most malignant of the glial tumours. Although current therapies remain palliative, they have been proven to prolong overall survival. Within an optimal treatment regimen (incl. surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy) temozolomide as the current anti-GBL first-line chemotherapeutic has increased the median overall survival to 14-15 months, and the percentage of patients alive at two years has been reported to rise from 10.4% to 26.5%. Though, the effectiveness of temozolomide chemotherapy is limited by the serious systemic, dose-related side effects. Therefore, the ponderation regarding novel treatment methods along with innovative formulations is crucial to emerging the therapeutic potential of the widely used drug simultaneously reducing the drawbacks of its use. Herein the complex temozolomide application restrictions present at different levels of therapy as well as, the currently proposed strategies aimed at reducing those limitations are demonstrated. Approaches increasing the efficacy of anti-GBL treatment are addressed. Our paper is focused on the most recent developments in the field of nano/biomaterials-based systems for temozolomide delivery and their functionalization towards more effective blood-brain-barrier crossing and/or tumour targeting. Appropriate designing accounting for the physical and chemical features of formulations along with distinct routes of administration is also discussed. In addition, considering the multiple resistance mechanisms, the molecular heterogeneity and the evolution of tumour the purposely selected delivery methods, the combined therapeutic approaches and specifically focused on GBL cells therapies are reviewed.

Wavelength engineerable porous organic polymer photosensitizers with protonation triggered ROS generation

Engineering excitation wavelength of photosensitizers (PSs) for enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation has inspired new windows for opportunities, enabling investigation of previously impracticable biomedical and photocatalytic applications. However, controlling the wavelength corresponding to operating conditions remains challenging while maintaining high ROS generation. To address this challenge, we implement a wavelength-engineerable imidazolium-based porous organic photocatalytic ROS generation system (KUP system) via a cost-effective one-pot reaction. Remarkably, the optimal wavelength for maximum performance can be tuned by modifying the linker, generating ROS despite the absence of metal ions and covalently attached heavy atoms. We demonstrate that protonated polymerization exclusively enables photosensitization and closely interacts with oxygen related to the efficiency of photosensitizing. Furthermore, superior tumor eradication and biocompatibility of the KUP system were confirmed through bioassays. Overall, the results document an unprecedented polymerization method capable of engineering wavelength, providing a potential basis for designing nanoscale photosensitizers in various ROS-utilizing applications.

SIWV tetrapeptide and ROS-responsive prodrug conjugate for advanced glioblastoma therapy

A new conjugate formulation, SIWV-PB-SN, based on glioblastoma (GBM)-homing SIWV tetrapeptide and an ROS-responsive prodrug is reported. SIWV-PB-SN selectively penetrates the GBM cells and releases anti-GBM drug (SN-38) via ROS-induced linker cleavage. This study presents a new insight for a more advanced therapeutic approach to overcoming GBM.

Red-Emitting SBBF (Single-Benzene-Based Fluorophore)-Silica Hybrid Material: One-Pot Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications

We report, for the first time, a new red-emitting hybrid material based on a single-benzene-based fluorophore (SBBF) and silica. This robust formulation shows several features, including bright emissions at a red wavelength (>600 nm), high scalability (>gram-scale), facile synthesis (one-pot reaction; SBBF formation, hydrolytic condensation, propagation), high stability (under different humidity, pH, light), bio-imaging applicability with low cellular toxicity, and an antibacterial effect within Gram-negative/Gram-positive strains. Based on our findings, we believe that these hybrid materials can pave the way for the further development of dye-hybrid materials and applications in various fields.