Undifferentiated destruction of mitochondria by photoacoustic shockwave to overcome chemoresistance and radiation resistance in cancer therapy

Light on Alzheimer's disease: from basic insights to preclinical studies

Alzheimer's disease (AD), referring to a gradual deterioration in cognitive function, including memory loss and impaired thinking skills, has emerged as a substantial worldwide challenge with profound social and economic implications. As the prevalence of AD continues to rise and the population ages, there is an imperative demand for innovative imaging techniques to help improve our understanding of these complex conditions. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging forms a hybrid imaging modality by integrating the high-contrast of optical imaging and deep-penetration of ultrasound imaging. PA imaging enables the visualization and characterization of tissue structures and multifunctional information at high resolution and, has demonstrated promising preliminary results in the study and diagnosis of AD. This review endeavors to offer a thorough overview of the current applications and potential of PA imaging on AD diagnosis and treatment. Firstly, the structural, functional, molecular parameter changes associated with AD-related brain imaging captured by PA imaging will be summarized, shaping the diagnostic standpoint of this review. Then, the therapeutic methods aimed at AD is discussed further. Lastly, the potential solutions and clinical applications to expand the extent of PA imaging into deeper AD scenarios is proposed. While certain aspects might not be fully covered, this mini-review provides valuable insights into AD diagnosis and treatment through the utilization of innovative tissue photothermal effects. We hope that it will spark further exploration in this field, fostering improved and earlier theranostics for AD.

Nanomedicine Combats Drug Resistance in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the second most prevalent cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Surgery, chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy are currently available as treatment methods. However, drug resistance is a significant factor in the failure of lung cancer treatments. Novel therapeutics have been exploited to address complicated resistance mechanisms of lung cancer and the advancement of nanomedicine is extremely promising in terms of overcoming drug resistance. Nanomedicine equipped with multifunctional and tunable physiochemical properties in alignment with tumor genetic profiles can achieve precise, safe, and effective treatment while minimizing or eradicating drug resistance in cancer. Here, this work reviews the discovered resistance mechanisms for lung cancer chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, and outlines novel strategies for the development of nanomedicine against drug resistance. This work focuses on engineering design, customized delivery, current challenges, and clinical translation of nanomedicine in the application of resistant lung cancer.

Mitochondrial-targeted nanoparticles: Delivery and therapeutic agents in cancer

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells and modulate the essential metabolic functions required for cellular survival. Various mitochondrial pathways, such as oxidative phosphorylation or production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are dysregulated during cancer growth and development, rendering them attractive targets against cancer. Thus, the delivery of antitumor agents to mitochondria has emerged as a potential approach for treating cancer. Recent advances in nanotechnology have provided innovative solutions for overcoming the physical barriers posed by the structure of mitochondrial organelles, and have enabled the development of efficient mitochondrial nanoplatforms. In this review, we examine the importance of mitochondria during neoplastic development, explore the most recent smart designs of nano-based systems aimed at targeting mitochondria, and highlight key mitochondrial pathways in cancer cells.

Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Carbon as a Photoacoustic Modulator of Alzheimer's β-Amyloid Aggregate Structure

Photoacoustic materials emit acoustic waves into the surrounding by absorbing photon energy. In an aqueous environment, light-induced acoustic waves form cavitation bubbles by altering the localized pressure to trigger the phase transition of liquid water into vapor. In this study, we report photoacoustic dissociation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) aggregates, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, by metal-organic framework-derived carbon (MOFC). MOFC exhibits a near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive photoacoustic characteristic that possesses defect-rich and entangled graphitic layers that generate intense cavitation bubbles by absorbing tissue-penetrable NIR light. According to our video analysis, the photoacoustic cavitation by MOFC occurs within milliseconds in the water, which was controllable by NIR light dose. The photoacoustic cavitation successfully transforms robust, β-sheet-dominant neurotoxic Aβ aggregates into nontoxic debris by changing the asymmetric distribution of water molecules around the Aβ's amino acid residues. This work unveils the therapeutic potential of NIR-triggered photoacoustic cavitation as a modulator of the Aβ aggregate structure.