Heterogeneous liposome membranes with pH-triggered permeability enhance the in vitro antitumor activity of folate-receptor targeted liposomal doxorubicin

Multicompartment colloid systems with lipid and polymer membranes for biomedical applications

Multicompartment structures have the potential for biomedical applications because they can act as multifunctional systems and provide simultaneous delivery of drugs and diagnostics agents of different types. Moreover, some of them mimic biological cells to some extent with organelles as separate sub-compartments. This article analyses multicompartment colloidal structures with smaller sub-units covered with lipid or polymer membranes that provide additional protection for the encapsulated substances. Vesosomes with small vesicles encapsulated in the inner pools of larger liposomes are the most studied systems to date. Dendrimer molecules are enclosed by a lipid bilayer shell in dendrosomes. Capsosomes, polymersomes-in-polymer capsules, and cubosomes-in-polymer capsules are composed of sub-compartments encapsulated within closed multilayer polymer membranes. Janus or Cerberus emulsions contain droplets composed of two or three phases: immiscible oils in O/W emulsions and aqueous polymer or salt solutions that are separated into two or three phases and form connected droplets in W/O emulsions. In more cases, the external surface of engulfed droplets in Janus or Cerberus emulsions is covered with a lipid or polymer monolayer. eLiposomes with emulsion droplets encapsulated into a bilayer shell have been given little attention so far, but they have very great prospects. In addition to nanoemulsion droplets, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers and inorganic nanoparticles can be loaded into eLiposomes. Molecular engineering of the external membrane allows the creation of ligand-targeted and stimuli-responsive multifunctional systems. As a result, the efficacy of drug delivery can be significantly enhanced.

Mechanistic Insight into How PEGylation Reduces the Efficacy of pH-Sensitive Liposomes from Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Liposome-based drug delivery systems composed of DOPE stabilized with cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHMS) have been proposed as a drug delivery mechanism with pH-triggered release as the anionic form (CHSa) is protonated (CHS) at reduced pH; PEGylation is known to decrease this pH sensitivity. In this manuscript, we set out to use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with a model with all-atom resolution to provide insight into why incorporation of poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG) into DOPE–CHMS liposomes reduces their pH sensitivity; we also address two additional questions: (1) How CHSa stabilizes DOPE bilayers into a lamellar conformation at a physiological pH of 7.4? and (2) how the change from CHSa to CHS at acidic pH triggers the destabilization of DOPE bilayers? We found that (A) CHSa stabilizes the DOPE lipid membrane by increasing the hydrophilicity of the bilayer surface, (B) when CHSa changes to CHS by pH reduction, DOPE bilayers are destabilized due to a reduction in bilayer hydrophilicity and a reduction in the area per lipid, and (C) PEG stabilizes DOPE bilayers into the lamellar phase, thus reducing the pH sensitivity of the liposomes by increasing the area per lipid through penetration into the bilayer, which is our main focus.

Liposomal doxorubicin as targeted delivery platform: Current trends in surface functionalization

Liposomal delivery systems have significantly enhanced the efficacy and safety of chemotherapeutic agents compared to free (non-liposomal) formulations. Liposomes are vesicles made up of lipophilic bilayer and a hydrophilic core which provides perfect opportunity for their application as transport vehicle for various therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Doxorubicin is the most exploited chemotherapeutic agent for evaluation of different liposomal applications, as its physicochemical properties permit high drug entrapment and easy remote loading in pre-formulated liposomes. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin clinically approved and, on the market, Doxil®, exemplifies the benefits offered upon the surface modification of liposome with polyethylene glycol. This unique formulation prolonged the drug residence time in the circulation and increased accumulation of doxorubicin in tumor tissue via passive targeting (enhanced permeability and retention effect). However, there is ample scope for further improvement in the efficiency of targeting tumors by coupling biological active ligands onto the liposome surface to generate intelligent drug delivery systems. Small biomolecules such as peptides, fraction of antibodies and carbohydrates have the potential to target receptors present on the surface of the malignant cells. Hence, active targeting of malignant cells using functionalised nanocarrier (liposomes encapsulated with doxorubicin) have been attempted which is reviewed in this article.

Fliposomes: trans-2-aminocyclohexanol-based amphiphiles as pH-sensitive conformational switches of liposome membrane - a structure-activity relationship study

Recently developed lipids with the trans-2-aminocyclohexanol (TACH) moiety represent unique pH-sensitive conformational switches ("flipids") that can trigger the membrane of liposome-based drug delivery systems at lowered pH as seen in many pathological scenarios. A library of flipids with various TACH-based headgroups and hydrocarbon tails were designed, prepared, and characterized to systematically elucidate the relationship between their chemical structures and their ability to form and to trigger liposomes. Liposomes (fliposomes) consisting of a flipid, POPC and PEG-ceramide were stable at 4°C, pH 7.4 for up to several months and yet released the encapsulated fluorophore in seconds upon acidification. The colloidal properties and encapsulation efficiencies of the fliposomes depended on the structure features of the flipids such as the polarity of the headgroups and the shape and fluidity of the lipid tails. The pH-triggered release also depended on the flipid structure, where shorter linear tails yielded more efficient release. The release of fliposomes was enhanced at different narrow pH ranges, depending on the basicity of the flipid headgroup, which can be estimated either by calculated pKa or by acid/base titration of the flipids while its conformation is monitored by ¹H NMR. The structure-activity relationship of the flipids supports "lipid tail conformational shortening" as the mechanism to disrupt lipid membranes and would provide great flexibility in the design of pH-sensitive drug delivery systems.

In vitro stability and cytotoxicity analysis of liposomes anchored with octylamine-graft-poly (aspartic)

Due to the polymer, octylamine-graft-poly (aspartic) (PASP-g-C₈), which acted as acidic triggered molecules, liposomes anchored with PASP-g-C₈ (OPLPs) could be safe and efficient pH sensitive drug carriers and target tumor cells.

Switchable Lipids: Conformational Change for Fast pH-Triggered Cytoplasmic Delivery

We report the use of switchable lipids to improve the endosomal escape and cytosolic delivery of cell-impermeable compounds. The system is based on a conformational reorganization of the lipid structure upon acidification, as demonstrated by NMR spectroscopic studies. When incorporated in a liposome formulation, the switchable lipids triggered bilayer destabilization through fusion even in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol). We observed 88 % release of sulforhodamine B in 15 min at pH 5, and the liposome formulations demonstrated high stability at pH 7.4 for several months. By using sulforhodamine B as a model of a highly polar drug, we demonstrated fast cytosolic delivery mediated by endosomal escape in HeLa cells, and no toxicity.

Bioinspired nanoreactors for the biomineralisation of metallic-based nanoparticles for nanomedicine

This review explores the synthesis of inorganic metallic-based nanoparticles (MBNPs) (metals, alloys, metal oxides) using biological and biologically inspired nanoreactors for precipitation/crystallisation. Such nanoparticles exhibit a range of nanoscale properties such as surface plasmon resonance (nobel metals e.g. Au), fluorescence (semiconductor quantum dots e.g. CdSe) and nanomagnetism (magnetic alloys e.g. CoPt and iron oxides e.g. magnetite), which are currently the subject of intensive research for their applicability in diagnostic and therapeutic nanomedicine. For such applications, MBNPs are required to be biocompatible, of a precise size and shape for a consistent signal or output and be easily modified with biomolecules for applications. Ideally the MBNPs would be obtained via an environmentally-friendly synthetic route. A biological or biologically inspired nanoreactor synthesis of MBNPs is shown to address these issues. Biological nanoreactors for crystallizing MBNPs within cells (magnetosomes), protein cages (ferritin) and virus capsids (cowpea chlorotic mottle, cowpea mosaic and tobacco mosaic viruses), are discussed along with how these have been modified for applications and for the next generation of new materials. Biomimetic liposome, polymersome and even designed self-assembled proteinosome nanoreactors are also reviewed for MBNP crystallisation and further modification for applications. With the advent of synthetic biology, the research and understanding in this field is growing, with the goal of realising nanoreactor synthesis of MBNPs for biomedical applications within our grasp in the near future.

Rational design and fabrication of a cancer-targeted chitosan nanocarrier to enhance selective cellular uptake and anticancer efficacy of selenocystine

A cancer-targeted chitosan nanocarrier has been rationally designed to enhance the selective cellular uptake and anticancer efficacy of selenocystine.

Nanotechnology-based intelligent drug design for cancer metastasis treatment

Traditional chemotherapy used today at clinics is mainly inherited from the thinking and designs made four decades ago when the Cancer War was declared. The potency of those chemotherapy drugs on in-vitro cancer cells is clearly demonstrated at even nanomolar levels. However, due to their non-specific effects in the body on normal tissues, these drugs cause toxicity, deteriorate patient's life quality, weaken the host immunosurveillance system, and result in an irreversible damage to human's own recovery power. Owing to their unique physical and biological properties, nanotechnology-based chemotherapies seem to have an ability to specifically and safely reach tumor foci with enhanced efficacy and low toxicity. Herein, we comprehensively examine the current nanotechnology-based pharmaceutical platforms and strategies for intelligent design of new nanomedicines based on targeted drug delivery system (TDDS) for cancer metastasis treatment, analyze the pros and cons of nanomedicines versus traditional chemotherapy, and evaluate the importance that nanomaterials can bring in to significantly improve cancer metastasis treatment.

Amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles could function as a novel cancer therapeutic agent by employing a suitable targeted drug delivery platform

Employment of nanovehicular system for delivering apoptogenic agent to cancer cells for inducing apoptosis has widely been investigated. Loading efficacy and controlled release of the agents are of the inseparable obstacles that hamper the efforts in reaching an efficacious targeted cancer therapy method. When the carrier itself is apoptogenic, then there is no need to load the carrier with apoptogenic agent and just delivering of the particle to the specific location matters. Hence, we hypothesize that amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticle (ACPN) is a potent candidate for apoptosis induction, although encapsulation in liposome shell, and surface decoration with targeting ligand (TL), and cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) plays a pivotal role in the employment of this agent. It is well understood that elevation in cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c) would result in the induction of apoptosis. ACPN has the potential to cause imbalance in this medium by elevating [Ca2+]c. Owning to the fact that the nanoparticles should be delivered into cytosol, it is necessary to trap them in a liposomal shell for evading endocytosis. It was demonstrated that employment of the trans-activator of transcription (TAT) as CPP eminently enhances the efficacy of endosomal escape; therefore, the platform is designed in a way that TAT is positioned on the surface of the liposome. Due to the fact that the apoptosis should be induced in sole cancer cells, Folate as TL is also attached on the surface of the liposome. This hypothesis heralds the new generation of chemotherapeutic agents and platforms which could have less side effect than the most common ones, in addition to other advantages they have.

pH-sensitive liposomes for drug delivery in cancer treatment

In recent years, liposomes have been employed with growing success as pharmaceutical carriers for antineoplastic drugs. One specific strategy used to enhance in vivo liposome-mediated drug delivery is the improvement of intracytoplasmic delivery. In this context, pH-sensitive liposomes (pHSLip) have been designed to explore the endosomal acidification process, which may lead to a destabilization of the liposomes, followed by a release of their contents into the cell cytoplasm. This review considers the current status of pHSLip development and its applicability in cancer treatment, focusing on the mechanisms of pH sensitivity and liposomal composition of pHSLip. The final section will discuss the application of these formulations in both in vitro and in vivo studies of antitumor efficacy.

Peptide targeted lipid nanoparticles for anticancer drug delivery

Encapsulating anticancer drugs in nanoparticles has proven to be an effective mechanism to alter the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of the drugs, leading to clinically useful cancer therapeutics like Doxil and DaunoXome. Underdeveloped tumor vasculature and lymphatics allow these first-generation nanoparticles to passively accumulate within the tumor, but work to create the next-generation nanoparticles that actively participate in the tumor targeting process is underway. Lipid nanoparticles functionalized with targeting peptides are among the most often studied. The goal of this article is to review the recently published literature of targeted nanoparticles to highlight successful designs that improved in vivo tumor therapy, and to discuss the current challenges of designing these nanoparticles for effective in vivo performance.

Targeted polymeric therapeutic nanoparticles: design, development and clinical translation

Polymeric materials have been used in a range of pharmaceutical and biotechnology products for more than 40 years. These materials have evolved from their earlier use as biodegradable products such as resorbable sutures, orthopaedic implants, macroscale and microscale drug delivery systems such as microparticles and wafers used as controlled drug release depots, to multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) capable of targeting, and controlled release of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. These newer generations of targeted and controlled release polymeric NPs are now engineered to navigate the complex in vivo environment, and incorporate functionalities for achieving target specificity, control of drug concentration and exposure kinetics at the tissue, cell, and subcellular levels. Indeed this optimization of drug pharmacology as aided by careful design of multifunctional NPs can lead to improved drug safety and efficacy, and may be complimentary to drug enhancements that are traditionally achieved by medicinal chemistry. In this regard, polymeric NPs have the potential to result in a highly differentiated new class of therapeutics, distinct from the original active drugs used in their composition, and distinct from first generation NPs that largely facilitated drug formulation. A greater flexibility in the design of drug molecules themselves may also be facilitated following their incorporation into NPs, as drug properties (solubility, metabolism, plasma binding, biodistribution, target tissue accumulation) will no longer be constrained to the same extent by drug chemical composition, but also become in-part the function of the physicochemical properties of the NP. The combination of optimally designed drugs with optimally engineered polymeric NPs opens up the possibility of improved clinical outcomes that may not be achievable with the administration of drugs in their conventional form. In this critical review, we aim to provide insights into the design and development of targeted polymeric NPs and to highlight the challenges associated with the engineering of this novel class of therapeutics, including considerations of NP design optimization, development and biophysicochemical properties. Additionally, we highlight some recent examples from the literature, which demonstrate current trends and novel concepts in both the design and utility of targeted polymeric NPs (444 references).

Antitumor efficacy following the intracellular and interstitial release of liposomal doxorubicin

pH-triggered lipid-membranes designed from biophysical principles are evaluated in the form of targeted liposomal doxorubicin with the aim to ultimately better control the growth of vascularized tumors. We compare the antitumor efficacy of anti-HER2/neu pH-triggered lipid vesicles encapsulating doxorubicin to the anti-HER2/neu form of an FDA approved liposomal doxorubicin of DSPC/cholesterol-based vesicles. The HER2/neu receptor is chosen due to its abundance in human breast cancers and its connection to low prognosis. On a subcutaneous murine BT474 xenograft model, superior control of tumor growth is demonstrated by targeted pH-triggered vesicles relative to targeted DSPC/cholesterol-based vesicles (35% vs. 19% decrease in tumor volume after 32 days upon initiation of treatment). Superior tumor control is also confirmed on SKBR3 subcutaneous xenografts of lower HER2/neu expression. The non-targeted form of pH-triggered vesicles encapsulating doxorubicin results also in better tumor control relative to the non-targeted DSPC/cholesterol-based vesicles (34% vs. 41% increase in tumor volume). Studies in BT474 multicellular spheroids suggest that the observed efficacy could be attributed to release of doxorubicin directly into the acidic tumor interstitium from pH-triggered vesicles extravasated into the tumor but not internalized by cancer cells. pH-triggered liposome carriers engineered from gel-phase bilayers that reversibly phase-separate with lowering pH, form transiently defective interfacial boundaries resulting in fast release of encapsulated doxorubicin. Our studies show that pH-triggered liposomes release encapsulated doxorubicin intracellularly and intratumorally, and may improve tumor control at the same or even lower administered doses relative to FDA approved liposomal chemotherapy.