Spatiotemporally controlled Pseudomonas exotoxin transgene system combined with multifunctional nanoparticles for breast cancer antimetastatic therapy

The tumor microenvironment is a barrier to breast cancer therapy. Cancer-associated fibroblast cells (CAFs) can support tumor proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance by secreting various cytokines and growth factors. Abnormal angiogenesis provides sufficient nutrients for tumor proliferation. Considering that CAFs express the sigma receptor (which recognizes anisamide, AA), we developed a CAFs and breast cancer cells dual-targeting nano drug delivery system to transport the LightOn gene express system, a spatiotemporal controlled gene expression consisting of a light-sensitive transcription factor and a specific minimal promoter. We adopted RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) to selectively bind to the αvβ3 integrin on activated vascular endothelial cells and tumor cells. After the LightOn system has reached the tumor site, LightOn gene express system can spatiotemporal controllably express toxic Pseudomonas exotoxin An under blue light irradiation. The LightOn gene express system, combined with multifunctional nanoparticles, achieved high targeting delivery efficiency both in vitro and in vivo. It also displayed strong tumor and CAFs inhibition, anti-angiogenesis ability and anti-metastasis ability, with good safety. Moreover, it improved survival rate, survival time, and lung metastasis rate in a mouse breast cancer model. This study proves the efficacy of combining the LightOn system with targeted multifunctional nanoparticles in tumor and anti-metastatic therapy and provides new insights into tumor microenvironment regulation.

Preparation and anti-tumor effects of mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with trifluoperazine

We have developed a targeted nano-drug delivery system that effectively harnesses the anti-tumor properties of trifluoperazine (TFP), while concurrently mitigating its side effects on the central nervous system. The manufacturing process entailed the preparation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN-NH2), followed by the loading of trifluoperazine into the pores of MSN-NH2 and then surface modification with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and anisamide (AA), resulting in the formation of TFP@MSN@PEG-AA (abbreviated as TMPA) nanoparticles. In vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity and hemolysis experiments showed that TMPA had an excellent safety profile and a good anti-tumor effect. Importantly, the drug content of the TMPA nanoparticle group was found to be significantly lower than that of the TFP group in the mouse brain tissue as determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) detection. Therefore, the developed drug delivery system achieved the goal of maintaining TFP's anti-tumor action while avoiding its negative effects on the central nervous system.

Polydopamine-coated ferric oxide nanoparticles for R848 delivery for photothermal immunotherapy in breast cancer

Breast cancer, which requires comprehensive multifunctional treatment strategies, is a major threat to the health of women. To develop multifunctional treatment strategies, we combined photothermal therapy (PTT) with immunotherapy in multifunctional nanoparticles for enhancing the anti-tumor efficacy. Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated with the polydopamine shell modified with polyethylene glycol and cyclic arginine-glycyl-aspartic peptide/anisamide (tNP) for loading the immune adjuvant resiquimod (R848) (R848@tNP) were developed in this research. R848@tNP had a round-like morphology with a mean diameter of 174.7 ± 3.8 nm, the zeta potential of -20.9 ± 0.9 mV, the drug loading rate of 9.2 ± 1.1 %, the encapsulation efficiency of 81.7 ± 3.2 %, high photothermal conversion efficiency and excellent magnetic properties in vitro. Furthermore, this research also explored the anticancer efficacy of nanoparticles against the breast cancer under the near-infrared (NIR) light (808 nm) in vitro and in vivo. R848@tNP-based NIR therapy effectively inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells. Moreover, R848@tNP mediated PTT significantly enhanced the maturation of dendritic cells in vitro. Additionally, R848@tNP enhances the anti-tumor effect and evoked an immune response under NIR in vivo. Furthermore, the biosafety of R848@tNP was fully investigated in this study. Collectively, these results clearly demonstrate that R848@tNP, with magnetic resonance imaging characteristics, is a potential therapeutic for breast cancer that combines PTT with the immunotherapy.

Tyrosine-Derived Polymers as Potential Biomaterials: Synthesis Strategies, Properties, and Applications

Peptide-based polymers are evolving as promising materials for various biomedical applications. Among peptide-based polymers, polytyrosine (PTyr)-based and l-tyrosine (Tyr)-derived polymers are unique, due to their excellent biocompatibility, degradability, and functional as well as engineering properties. To date, different polymerization techniques (ring-opening polymerization, enzymatic polymerization, condensation polymerization, solution-interfacial polymerization, and electropolymerization) have been used to synthesize various PTyr-based and Tyr-derived polymers. Even though the synthesis starts from Tyr, different synthesis routes yield different polymers (polypeptides, polyarylates, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, polyiminocarbonate, and polyphosphates) with unique functional characteristics, and these polymers have been successfully used for various biomedical applications in the past decades. This Review comprehensively describes the synthesis approaches, classification, and properties of various PTyr-based and Tyr-derived polymers employed in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensing applications.

A pH-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticle-based drug delivery system for targeted breast cancer therapy

In order to make the drug specifically aggregate at the tumor site, we had developed a targeted drug delivery system based on pH responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN-COOH) were prepared and doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded into the pores of MSN-COOH, and then polyethyleneimine (PEI) and anisamide (AA) were modified on the surface of mesoporous silica, named DOX@MSN-PEI-AA(DMPA). DMPA specifically entered tumor cells through AA-mediated receptor endocytosis; PEI dissociated from the surface of the MSN in the acidic environment of cellular lysosomes/endosomes due to protonation of PEI, resulting in steady release of the encapsulated DOX from the pores of MSN in the cytoplasm of the target cells. In vitro and in vivo anti-tumor experiments and hemolytic experiments indicated that DMPA can accurately target breast cancer cells and show excellent safety at the same time, showing great potential for tumor therapy.

Nanoparticulation of Prodrug into Medicines for Cancer Therapy

This article provides a broad spectrum about the nanoprodrug fabrication advances co-driven by prodrug and nanotechnology development to potentiate cancer treatment. The nanoprodrug inherits the features of both prodrug concept and nanomedicine know-how, attempts to solve underexploited challenge in cancer treatment cooperatively. Prodrugs can release bioactive drugs on-demand at specific sites to reduce systemic toxicity, this is done by using the special properties of the tumor microenvironment, such as pH value, glutathione concentration, and specific overexpressed enzymes; or by using exogenous stimulation, such as light, heat, and ultrasound. The nanotechnology, manipulating the matter within nanoscale, has high relevance to certain biological conditions, and has been widely utilized in cancer therapy. Together, the marriage of prodrug strategy which shield the side effects of parent drug and nanotechnology with pinpoint delivery capability has conceived highly camouflaged Trojan horse to maneuver cancerous threats.

Bone-seeking nanoplatform co-delivering cisplatin and zoledronate for synergistic therapy of breast cancer bone metastasis and bone resorption

The "vicious cycle" established between tumor growth and osteolysis aggravates the process of breast cancer bone metastasis, leading to life-threatening skeletal-related events that severely reduce survival and quality of life. To effectively interrupt the "vicious cycle", innovative therapeutic strategies that not only reduce osteolysis but also relieve tumor burden are urgently needed. Herein, a bone-seeking moiety, alendronate (ALN), functionalized coordination polymer nanoparticles (DZ@ALN) co-delivering cisplatin prodrug (DSP) and antiresorptive agent zoledronate (ZOL) via Zn²⁺ crosslinking for combination therapy was reported. The versatile DZ@ALN with a diameter of about 40 nm can cross the fissure in the bone marrow sinus capillaries, and possesses an excellent bone-seeking ability both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, DZ@ALN could synergistically inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, suppress the formation of osteoclast-like cells and induce the apoptosis of osteoclasts in vitro. Importantly, it could preferentially accumulate in bone affected site, remarkably inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells, relieving bone pain, and significantly inhibit the activation of osteoclasts, protecting the bone from destruction in vivo, eventually leading to the breakdown of "vicious cycle" without inducing obvious systemic toxicity. This innovative nanoagent combines chemotherapy and osteolysis inhibition, exhibiting an inspiring strategy for effective treatment of bone metastasis.

Ring opening polymerization of α-amino acids: advances in synthesis, architecture and applications of polypeptides and their hybrids

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in the synthesis, architectural design and biomedical applications of polypeptides and their hybrids.