Recent advances in multifunctional dendrimer-based nanoprobes for breast cancer theranostics

Breast cancer (BC) undoubtedly is one of the most common type of cancers amongst women, which causes about 5 million deaths annually. The treatments and diagnostic therapy choices currently available for Breast Cancer is very much limited . Advancements in novel nanocarrier could be a promising strategy for diagnosis and treatments of this deadly disease. Dendrimer nanoformulation could be functionalized and explored for efficient targeting of overexpressed receptors on Breast Cancer cells to achieve targeted drug delivery, for diagnostics and to overcome the resistance of the cells towards particular chemotherapeutic. Additionally, the dendrimer have shown promising potential in the improvement of therapeutic value for Breast Cancer therapy by achieving synergistic co-delivery of chemotherapeutics and genetic materials for multidirectional treatment. In this review, we have highlighted the application of dendrimer as novel multifunctional nanoplatforms for the treatment and diagnosis of Breast Cancer.

Biofunctionalized Chrysin-conjugated gold nanoparticles neutralize Leishmania parasites with high efficacy

Current treatments for leishmaniasis involve various drugs, including miltefosine and amphotericin B, which are associated with several side effects and high costs. Long-term use of these drugs may lead to the development of resistance, thereby reducing their efficiency. Chrysin (CHY) is a well-known, non-toxic flavonoid with antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective properties. Recently we have shown that CHY targets the MAP kinase 3 enzyme of Leishmania and neutralizes the parasite rapidly. However, CHY is associated with low bioavailability, poor absorption, and rapid excretion issues, limiting its usage. In this study, we developed and tested a novel CHY-gold nanoformulation with improved efficacy against the parasites. The reducing power of CHY was utilized to reduce and conjugate with gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles, which are already known for their anti-leishmanial properties, along with conjugated CHY, exhibited a decreased parasite burden in mammalian macrophages. Our findings showed that this biofunctionalized nanoformulation could be used as a potential therapeutic tool against leishmaniasis.

Preparation and Anti-tumor Study of Dextran 70,000-Selenium Nanoparticles and Poloxamer 188-Selenium Nanoparticles

The anti-tumor effect of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) has received more and more attention. However, the clinical application of SeNPs is not optimistic due to the poor stability. To improve the stability of SeNPs, many polymers are used to modify the SeNPs. However, most of the polymers are not approved by FDA. It is significant to develop a SeNPs product with good stability for clinic application. Dextran 70,000 (T70) and poloxamer 188 (P188) are FDA-approved pharmaceutical injection excipients. In this study, we decorate SeNPs with T70 and P188 and assess the physicochemical characterization, storage stability, and anti-tumor activities of T70-SeNPs and P188-SeNPs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that T70-SeNPs and P188-SeNPs are spherical particles with particle sizes of 110 nm and 60 nm respectively. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectra (FT-IR) show that T70 or P188 can interact with SeNPs through hydrogen bonding. Stability study shows that P188-SeNPs freeze-dried powder and T70-SeNPs freeze-dried powder remain stable at 4℃ for 6 months. T70-SeNPs and P188-SeNPs can aggregate in cell matrix and play an anti-tumor role to HepG2 by promoting apoptosis, increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and reducing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). This study can provide reference for industrial production of SeNPs products.

Recent Advances in the Local Drug Delivery Systems for Improvement of Anticancer Therapy

The conventional anticancer chemotherapies not only cause serious toxic effects, but also produce resistance in tumor cells exposed to long-term therapy. Usually, the killing of metastasized cancer cells requires long-term therapy with higher drug doses, because the cancer cells develop resistance due to the induction of poly-glycoproteins (P-gps) that act as a transmembrane efflux pump to transport drugs out of the cells. During the last few decades, scientists have been exploring new anticancer drug delivery systems such as microencapsulation, hydrogels, and nanotubes to improve bioavailability, reduce drug-dose requirement, decrease multiple drug resistance, and to save normal cells as non-specific targets. Hopefully, the development of novel drug delivery vehicles (nanotubes, liposomes, supramolecules, hydrogels, and micelles) will assist to deliver drug molecules at the specific target site and reduce the undesirable side effects of anticancer therapies in humans. Nanoparticles and lipid formulations are also designed to deliver small drug payload at the desired tumor cell sites for their anticancer actions. This review will focus on the recent advances in the drug delivery systems, and their application in treating different cancer types in humans.

PrPC Aptamer Conjugated-Gold Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin to Colorectal Cancer Cells

Anticancer drugs, such as fluorouracil (5-FU), oxaliplatin, and doxorubicin (Dox) are commonly used to treat colorectal cancer (CRC); however, owing to their low response rate and adverse effects, the development of efficient drug delivery systems (DDSs) is required. The cellular prion protein PrP^C, which is a cell surface glycoprotein, has been demonstrated to be overexpressed in CRC, however, there has been no research on the development of PrP^C-targeting DDSs for targeted drug delivery to CRC. In this study, PrP^C aptamer (Apt)-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized for targeted delivery of Dox to CRC. Thiol-terminated PrP^C-Apt was conjugated to AuNPs, followed by hybridization of its complementary DNA for drug loading. Finally, Dox was loaded onto the AuNPs to synthesize PrP^C-Apt-functionalized doxorubicin-oligomer-AuNPs (PrP^C-Apt DOA). The PrP^C-Apt DOA were spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 20 nm. Treatment of CRC cells with PrP^C-Apt DOA induced reactive oxygen species generation by decreasing catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. In addition, treatment with PrP^C-Apt DOA inhibited mitochondrial functions by decreasing the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha, complex 4 activity, and oxygen consumption rates. Compared to free Dox, PrP^C-Apt DOA decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of CRC cells to a greater degree. In this study, we demonstrated that PrP^C-Apt DOA targeting could effectively deliver Dox to CRC cells. PrP^C-Apt DOA can be used as a treatment for CRC, and have the potential to replace existing anticancer drugs, such as 5-FU, oxaliplatin, and Dox.

Aptamer-Based Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Current Potential and Challenges

Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA with 20-100 nucleotides in length that can specifically bind to target molecules via formed three-dimensional structures. These innovative targeting molecules have attracted an increasing interest in the biomedical field. Compared to traditional protein antibodies, aptamers have several advantages, such as small size, high binding affinity, specificity, good biocompatibility, high stability and low immunogenicity, which all contribute to their wide application in the biomedical field. Aptamers can bind to the receptors on the cell membrane and mediate themselves or conjugated nanoparticles to enter into cells. Therefore, aptamers can be served as ideal targeting ligands for drug delivery. Since their excellent properties, different aptamer-mediated drug delivery systems had been developed for cancer therapy. This review provides a brief overview of recent advances in drug delivery systems based on aptamers. The advantages, challenges and future prospectives are also discussed.

New organic/inorganic nanohybrids of targeted pullulan derivative/gold nanoparticles for effective drug delivery systems

This study aimed to develop new organic/inorganic nanohybrids of targeted pullulan derivative/gold nanoparticles (FA-PABA-Q188-PUL@AuNPs) to improve the selectivity and efficacy of drugs. The chemical structure of targeted pullulan derivative, folic acid-decorated para-aminobenzoic acid-quat188-pullulan (FA-PABA-Q188-PUL), was designed for reducing, stabilizing, capping, and functionalizing AuNPs. Here, the key factors, including pH, temperature, and FA-PABA-Q188-PUL concentrations, were systematically optimized to control the morphology, size, and functionalization of multifunctional FA-PABA-Q188-PUL@AuNPs. Spherical FA-PABA-Q188-PUL@AuNPs obtained by a green, simple, and bio-inspired strategy under the optimum conditions were thoroughly characterized and had an average size of 12.6 ± 1.5 nm. The anticancer drug DOX was successfully loaded on monodispersed FA-PABA-Q188-PUL@AuNPs and the system exhibited excellent intracellular uptake, specificity, and physicochemical properties. The pH-responsive DOX release from FA-PABA-Q188-PUL@AuNPs-DOX showed fast release (85% after 72 h) under acidic conditions. Furthermore, FA-PABA-Q188-PUL@AuNPs-DOX enhanced the anticancer activity of DOX toward Chago-k1 cancer cells up to 4.8-fold and showed less cytotoxicity toward normal cells than free DOX. The FA-PABA-Q188-PUL@AuNPs-DOX induced the death of cells by increasing late apoptotic cells (26.4%) and arresting the cell cycle at S-G2/M phases. These results showed that innovative FA-PABA-Q188-PUL@AuNPs should be considered as new candidate platforms for anticancer drug delivery systems.

Gold nanostructures as cancer theranostic probe: promises and hurdles

Gold nanostructures (GNSts) have emerged as substitute for conventional contrast agents in imaging techniques and therapeutic probes due to their tunable surface plasmon resonance and optical properties in near-infrared region. Thus GNSts provide platform for the amalgamation of diagnosis and treatment (theranostics) into a single molecule for a more precise treatment. Hence, the article talks about the application of GNSts in imaging techniques and provide a holistic view on differently shaped GNSts in cancer theranostics. However, with promises GNSts also face various hurdles for their use as theranostic probe which are primarily associated with toxicity. Finally, the article attempts to discuss the challenges faced by GNSts and the way ahead that need to be traversed to place them in nanomedicine.

A multifunctional near-infrared laser-triggered drug delivery system using folic acid conjugated chitosan oligosaccharide encapsulated gold nanorods for targeted chemo-photothermal therapy

FA–COS–TGA–GNRs–DOX have been successfully designed as a drug delivery system for chemo-photothermal combination therapy.

Intracellular Delivery of Gold Nanocolloids Promoted by a Chemically Conjugated Anticancer Peptide

We report on the ability of a chemically synthesized anticancer peptide, SVS-1, to promote the rapid uptake of gold nanorods (AuNRs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by live HeLa cells. For this, AuNPs and AuNRs, surface ligated with a multicoordinating polymer that presents several amine groups per ligand, are simultaneously reacted with SVS-1 and Texas-Red dye; the latter allows fluorescence visualization of the nanocrystals. Using epifluorescence microscopy, we find that incubation of the SVS-1-conjugated AuNPs and AuNRs with a model cancer cell line yields extended staining throughout the cell cytoplasm, even at low conjugate concentrations (∼0.1 nM). Furthermore, uptake is specific to the SVS-1-conjugated nanocrystals. Additional endocytosis inhibition experiments, where cells have been incubated with the conjugates at 4 °C or in the presence of endocytic inhibitors, show that significant levels of conjugate uptake persist. These results combined indicate an uptake mechanism that does not necessarily rely on endocytosis, a promising finding with implications for the use of nanomaterials in the field of biology and nanomedicine.

Enhancing the anti-ovarian cancer activity of quercetin using a self-assembling micelle and thermosensitive hydrogel drug delivery system

Ovarian cancer, as one of the killers that threaten women’s health, has been studied extensively. As a natural bioflavonoid with prospective effects, quercetin is highly recognized for its anti-cancer applications. However, one of the major challenges that quercetin faces is its poor water solubility, instability in physiological media, and subsequent poor bioavailability. Thus, optimizing the ideal drug delivery options is necessary to facilitate the harnessing of the maximum benefits from quercetin. In this study, a quercetin-loaded thermosensitive injectable hydrogel system (Qu-M–hydrogel composites) was constructed based on nanotechnology. Quercetin was encapsulated into MPEG-PCL (with a high drug loading of 7% and minor particle size of 32 nm) and then added into the blank thermosensitive hydrogel Pluronic F-127. The Qu-M–hydrogel composites showed a much slower release than Qu-M in vivo. Moreover, the cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction, and anti-tumor effects of the Qu-M–hydrogel composites on the abdominal SKOV-3 ovarian cancer mouse models were investigated in vivo. Compared with other groups, the Qu-M–hydrogel composites exhibited improved apoptosis induction and cell growth inhibition effects and in vivo trials showed a better balance between the anti-tumor efficacy in the Qu-M–hydrogel composite group than in other groups at an equal drug dose. In conclusion, the prepared Qu-M–hydrogel composites enhanced the anti-tumor activity by providing a high local quercetin concentration, sustained and stable drug release, extended drug retention inside the tumor, and low toxicity to normal tissues. The Qu-M–hydrogel composites might have great potential for clinical application in anti-ovarian cancer activity.

In this study, a quercetin-loaded thermosensitive injectable hydrogel system (Qu-M–hydrogel composites) was constructed based on nanotechnology.

Double-loop hairpin probe and doxorubicin-loaded gold nanoparticles for the ultrasensitive electrochemical sensing of microRNA

An electrochemical microRNA (miRNA) analysis platform by combining double-loop hairpin probe (DHP) and doxorubicin-loaded gold nanoparticles (AuNPs@Dox) for ultrasensitive miRNA detection is proposed. Firstly, we here report a DHP that is simultaneously engineered to incorporate a miRNA recognition sequence, an output segment and output's complementary fragment. The important aspect of this hairpin probe is that it would not be degraded by duplex specific nuclease (DSN) and circumvents elaborately chemical modification disadvantages encountered by classic molecular beacon. For the DHP-based DSN signal amplification system, DHP hybridizes with target miRNA to form DNA-miRNA heteroduplexes, and the DSN can hydrolyze the DNA in the heteroduplexes structure selectively, while released target miRNA strand can initiate another cycle resulting in a significant signal amplification and the accumulated output segments could be responsible for strand displacement on the electrode directly. Furthermore, a great deal of doxorubicin (Dox) are loaded on the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to fabricate the AuNPs@Dox biocomposites that could magnify the electrochemical signal and enable the ultrasensitive analysis of miRNA. As a result, the miRNA was capable of being detected in a limit of 0.17pM and other kinds of miRNA were discriminated facilely by this method. The described DHP as a toolbox and the nano-biocomposites as a novel signal material would not only promote the design of electrochemical biosensors but also open a good way to promote the establishment of test method in malignant tumors.

Seed mediated synthesis of highly mono-dispersed gold nanoparticles in the presence of hydroquinone

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are being studied for several biomedical applications, including drug delivery, biomedical imaging, contrast agents and tumor targeting. The synthesis of nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution is critical for these applications. We report the synthesis of highly mono-dispersed AuNPs by a seed mediated approach, in the presence of tri-sodium citrate and hydroquinone (HQ). AuNPs with an average size of 18 nm were used for the synthesis of highly mono-dispersed nanocrystals of an average size 40 nm, 60 nm, 80 nm and ∼100 nm; but the protocol is not limited to these sizes. The colloidal gold was subjected to UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy, showing a red shift in lambda max wavelength, peaks at 518.47 nm, 526.37 nm, 535.73 nm, 546.03 nm and 556.50 nm for AuNPs seed (18 nm), 40 nm, 60 nm, 80 nm and ∼100 nm respectively. The analysis was consistent with dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. Hydrodynamic diameters measured were 17.6 nm, 40.8 nm, 59.8 nm, 74.1 nm, and 91.4 nm (size by dynamic light scattering-volume %); with an average poly dispersity index value of 0.088, suggesting mono-dispersity in the size distribution, which was also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy analysis. The advantage of a seed mediated approach is a multi-step growth of nanoparticle size that enables us to control the number of nanoparticles in the suspension, for size ranging from 24.5 nm to 95.8 nm. In addition, the HQ-based synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals allowed control of the particle size and size distribution by tailoring either the number of seeds, amount of gold precursor or reducing agent (HQ) in the final reaction mixture.

Injectable hydrogel-based drug delivery systems for local cancer therapy

Common chemotherapy is often associated with adverse effects in normal cells and tissues. As an alternative approach, localized chemotherapy can diminish the toxicity of systemic chemotherapy while providing a sustained release of the chemotherapeutics at the target tumor site. Therefore, injectable biodegradable hydrogels as drug delivery systems for chemotherapeutics have become a matter of importance. Here, we review the application of a variety of injectable hydrogel-based drug delivery systems, including thermosensitive, pH-sensitive, photosensitive, dual-sensitive, as well as active targeting hydrogels, for the treatment of different types of cancer. Generally, injectable hydrogel-based drug delivery systems are found to be more efficacious than the conventional systemic chemotherapy in terms of cancer treatment.

Enhancing the efficiency of bortezomib conjugated to pegylated gold nanoparticles: an in vitro study on human pancreatic cancer cells and adenocarcinoma human lung alveolar basal epithelial cells

OBJECTIVES

Gold nanoparticles have become promising vectors for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The present study investigates the effect of bortezomib (BTZ), a proteasome inhibitor, conjugated with pegylated gold nanoparticles (PEGAuNPs) in pancreatic and lung cancer cells.

METHODS

Synthesized gold nanoparticles (PEGAuNPs) were conjugated with bortezomib antitumor drug. We investigated the cytotoxicity induced by BTZ conjugated with functionalized gold nanoparticles in vitro, in the human pancreatic (S2-013) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines.

RESULTS

We found an efficient of conjugation of BTZ with PEGAuNPs. In vitro assays showed that after 72 h' incubation with PEGAuNPs-BTZ cancer cells revealed alterations in morphology; also for S2-013 and A549 cancer cells, the IC50 value of free BTZ is respectively 1.5 and 4.3 times higher than the IC50 value of PEGAuNPs-BTZ. Furthermore, for TERT-HPNE, the IC50 value is around 63 times lower for free BTZ than the conjugated nanovehicle. Cell growth inhibition results showed a remarkable enhancement in the effect of BTZ when conjugated with AuNPs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed that conjugation with PEGAuNPs enhance the BTZ growth-inhibition effect on human cancer cells (S2-013 and A549) and decreases its toxicity against normal cells (TERT-HPNE).

Design, synthesis and evaluation of a novel π–π stacking nano-intercalator as an anti-tumor agent

A strategy for designing safe and effective π–π stacking nano-intercalators as anti-tumor agents was presented for the first time.

Facile synthesis and evaluation of quercetin reduced and dextran sulphate stabilized gold nanoparticles decorated with folic acid for active targeting against breast cancer

The synthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) exhibited higher potential to induce cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase with better therapeutic activity against cancer cells but also leads to reduction in the toxic effect of cancer drugs on normal cells.

Dietary flavone chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone ChR) functionalized highly-stable metal nanoformulations for improved anticancer applications

A new approach to formulate biofunctionalized metallic silver (ChR–AgNPs) and gold (ChR–AuNPs) nanoparticles using ChR as a direct bioreductant and capping agent as a combinational drug-nano platform for breast cancer therapy.

Rapid and convenient synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles with kiwi juice and its novel application for detecting protease K

Stable AgNPs were synthesized by a facile approach, and further developed as a colorimetric nanoplatform for selectively detecting protease K.

Controlled modification of starch in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles with tunable optical properties and their application in heavy metal sensing

The controlled modification of starch by heating enabled the synthesis of gold nanoparticles with controllable size and stability using starch alone as the reducing agent with a low concentration of alkali as catalyst.

Structural characterization of functionalized gold nanoparticles for drug delivery in cancer therapy: a NMR based approach

Structure of Bortezomib loaded, surface functionalized Au nanoparticles.

Targeting and noninvasive treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in situ by ZnO nanorod-mediated concurrent chemoradiotherapy

TfR Ab/Dox/ZnO nanocomposites, in which transferrin receptor antibody (TfR Ab) functionalized ZnO nanorods, loaded with doxorubicin (Dox), were prepared to mediate concurrent chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.