A biodegradable multifunctional nanoplatform based on antimonene nanosheets for synergistic cancer phototherapy and dual imaging

Manganese Dioxide Nanoplatform with a Hollow Rhombic Dodecahedron Morphology for Drug Delivery

Manganese dioxide (MnO2) is considered as a promising drug carrier material suitable for the tumor microenvironment while lacking conducive structures for drug loading. Herein, we construct a MnO2 nanoplatform with a hollow rhombic dodecahedral morphology for drug delivery. In this work, we obtained zeolitic imidazolate framework nanoparticles (ZIF-90 NPs) via a coordination reaction. Furthermore, the drug-loading nanoparticles (ZIF-90/DOX NPs) were obtained by Schiff's base reaction and then selected as a sacrificial template to obtain the hollow nanoplatforms (ZIF-90@MnO2 NPs). Moreover, the photothermal effect and multiresponsive drug release behaviors were revealed by loading the photothermal agent IR-820 and the anticancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX). Our study demonstrates that the ZIF-90@MnO2 NPs loaded with photosensitizers exhibited excellent photothermal conversion performance. Benefiting from the hollow structure and redox activity, remarkable drug loading and release performances of ZIF-90@MnO2 NPs were achieved. It is shown that ZIF-90@MnO2 NPs achieved a satisfactory drug-loading efficiency (up to ca. 69.7%) for DOX. More promisingly, the ZIF-90@MnO2 NPs exhibited significant glutathione (GSH)/pH-responsive drug release and degradation performances. Overall, this work highlights the potential of controlled drug release of nanocarriers and offers unique insights into the design of nanocarriers with hollow structures.

Post-Graphene 2D Materials: Structures, Properties, and Cancer Therapy Applications

Cancer is one of the most serious diseases challenging human health and life span. Cancer has claimed millions of lives worldwide. Early diagnosis and effective treatment of cancer are very important for the survival of patients. In recent years, 2D nanomaterials have shown great potential in the development of anticancer treatment by combining their inherent physicochemical properties after surface modification. 2D nanomaterials have attracted great interest due to their unique nanosheet structure, large surface area, and extraordinary physicochemical properties. This article reviews the advantages and application status of emerging 2D nanomaterials for targeted tumor synergistic therapy compared with traditional therapeutic strategies. In order to investigate novel potential anticancer strategies, this paper focuses on the surface modification, cargo delivery capability, and unique optical properties of emerging 2D nanomaterials. Finally, the current problems and challenges in cancer treatment are summarized and prospected.

Multifunctional nanoparticle for cancer therapy

Cancer is a complex disease associated with a combination of abnormal physiological process and exhibiting dysfunctions in multiple systems. To provide effective treatment and diagnosis for cancer, current treatment strategies simultaneously focus on various tumor targets. Based on the rapid development of nanotechnology, nanocarriers have been shown to exhibit excellent potential for cancer therapy. Compared with nanoparticles with single functions, multifunctional nanoparticles are believed to be more aggressive and potent in the context of tumor targeting. However, the development of multifunctional nanoparticles is not simply an upgraded version of the original function, but involves a sophisticated system with a proper backbone, optimized modification sites, simple preparation method, and efficient function integration. Despite this, many well-designed multifunctional nanoparticles with promising therapeutic potential have emerged recently. Here, to give a detailed understanding and analyzation of the currently developed multifunctional nanoparticles, their platform structures with organic or inorganic backbones were systemically generalized. We emphasized on the functionalization and modification strategies, which provide additional functions to the nanoparticle. We also discussed the application combination strategies that were involved in the development of nanoformulations with functional crosstalk. This review thus provides an overview of the construction strategies and application advances of multifunctional nanoparticles.

Alkannin Inhibits the Development of Ovarian Cancer by Affecting miR-4461

Background

Previous studies have shown that alkannin has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. However, the effect of alkannin in the development of ovarian cancer (OC) remains unknown. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the function of alkannin in OC progression.

Methods

RT-qPCR and western blot analysis were used to measure mRNA and protein expression. Cell viability and metastasis were detected by the CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, and transwell assay.

Results

Alkannin had no cytotoxicity toward normal ovarian cells, but alkannin can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in OC cells. In addition, alkannin inhibited cell migration and invasion and blocked EMT in OC. Besides, upregulation of miR-4461 was found in OC tissues and cells, which was regulated by alkannin. More importantly, miR-4461 can inverse the effects of alkannin on cell viability and metastasis in OC cells.

Conclusion

Alkannin restrains cell viability, metastasis, and EMT in OC by downregulating miR-4461 expression.