GE11 peptide-decorated acidity-responsive micelles for improved drug delivery and enhanced combination therapy of metastatic breast cancer

Engineered extracellular vesicles with polypeptide for targeted delivery of doxorubicin against EGFR‑positive tumors

Lack of effective tumor‑specific delivery systems remains an unmet clinical challenge for the employment of chemotherapy using cytotoxic drugs. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently been investigated for their potential as an efficient drug‑delivery platform, due to their good biodistribution, biocompatibility and low immunogenicity. In the present study, the formulation of GE11 peptide‑modified EVs (GE11‑EVs) loaded with doxorubicin (Dox‑GE11‑EVs), was developed to target epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‑positive tumor cells. The results obtained demonstrated that GE11‑EVs exhibited highly efficient targeting and drug delivery to EGFR‑positive tumor cells compared with non‑modified EVs. Furthermore, treatment with Dox‑GE11‑EVs led to a significantly inhibition of cell proliferation and increased apoptosis of EGFR‑positive tumor cells compared with Dox‑EVs and free Dox treatments. In addition, it was observed that treatment with either free Dox or Dox‑EVs exhibited a high level of cytotoxicity to normal cells, whereas treatment with Dox‑GE11‑EVs had only a limited effect on cell viability of normal cells. Taken together, the findings of the present study demonstrated that the engineered Dox‑GE11‑EVs can treat EGFR‑positive tumors more accurately and have higher safety than traditional tumor therapies.

Targeted nanoliposomes of oncogenic protein degraders: Significant inhibition of tumor in lung-cancer bearing mice

With 60 % of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) expressing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), it has been explored as an important therapeutic target for lung tumors. However, even the well-established EGFR inhibitors tend to promptly develop resistance over time. Moreover, strategies that could impede resistance development and be advantageous for both EGFR-Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-sensitive and mutant NSCLC patients are constrained. Based on the critical relationship between EGFR, c-MYC, and Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (K-Ras), simultaneous degradation of EGFR and Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) using "Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs)" could be a promising approach. PROTACs are emerging class of oncoprotein degraders but very challanging to deliver in vivo. Compared to individual IC50s, strong synergism was observed at 1:1 ratio of BPRO and EPRO in NSCLC cell lines with diverse mutation. Significant inhibition of cell growth with higher cellular apoptosis was observed in 2D and 3D-based cell assays in nanomolar concentrations. EGFR activation assay revealed 47.60 % EGFR non-expressing cells confirming EGFR-degrading potential of EPRO. A lung cancer specific nanoliposomal formulation of EGFR and BRD4-degrading PROTACs (EPRO and BPRO) was prepared and characetrized. Successful encapsulation of the two highly lipophilic molecules was achieved in EGFR-targeting nanoliposomal carriers (T-BEPRO) using a modified hydration technique. T-BEPRO revealed a particle size of 109.22 ± 0.266 nm with enhanced cellular uptake and activity. Remarkably, parenterally delivered T-BEPRO in tumor-bearing mice showed a substantially higher % tumor growth inhibition (TGI) of 77.6 % with long-lasting tumor inhibitory potential as opposed to individual drugs.

Advancements in therapeutic peptides: Shaping the future of cancer treatment

In the evolving landscape of cancer treatment, therapeutic peptides are assuming to play an increasingly vital role. Although the number of peptide drugs available for clinical cancer treatment is currently limited, extensive preclinical research is underway, presenting a promising trajectory for the future. The collaborative efforts of natural anti-cancer peptides (ACPs) and synthetic ACPs, propelled by advancements in molecular biology and peptide chemistry, are steering remarkable progress in this domain. We explores the intricate mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effects of these peptides. The exploration of innovative strategies, including cancer immunotherapy and advanced drug delivery systems, is likely to contribute to the increasing presenceuse of peptide drugs in clinical cancer care. Furthermore, we delve into the potential implications and challenges associated with this anticipated shift, emphasizing the need for continued research and development to unlock the full therapeutic potential of peptide drugs in cancer treatment.

Advances, limitations and perspectives in the use of celecoxib-loaded nanocarriers in therapeutics of cancer

Cancer is highlighted as a major global health challenge in the XXI century. The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme rises as a widespread tumor progression marker. Celecoxib (CXB) is a selective COX-2 inhibitor used in adjuvant cancer therapy, but high concentrations are required in humans. In this sense, the development of nanocarriers has been proposed once they can improve the biopharmaceutical, pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties of drugs. In this context, this article reviews the progress in the development of CXB-loaded nanocarriers over the past decade and their prospects. Recent advances in the field of CXB-loaded nanocarriers demonstrate the use of complex formulations and the increasing importance of in vivo studies. The types of CXB-loaded nanocarriers that have been developed are heterogeneous and based on polymers and lipids together or separately. It was found that the work on CXB-loaded nanocarriers is carried out using established techniques and raw materials, such as poly (lactic-co-glicolic acid), cholesterol, phospholipids and poly(ethyleneglycol). The main improvements that have been achieved are the use of cell surface ligands, the simultaneous delivery of different synergistic agents, and the presence of materials that can provide imaging properties and other advanced features. The combination of CXB with other anti-inflammatory drugs and/or apoptosis inducers appears to hold effective pharmacological promise. The greatest advance to date from a clinical perspective is the ability of CXB to enhance the cytotoxic effects of established chemotherapeutic agents.

Advances in active targeting of ligand-directed polymeric nanomicelles via exploiting overexpressed cellular receptors for precise nanomedicine

Many of the utilized drugs which already exist in the pharmaceutical sector are hydrophobic in nature. These drugs are characterized by being poorly absorbed and difficult to formulate in aqueous environments with low bioavailability, which could result in consuming high and frequent doses in order to fulfil the required therapeutic effect. As a result, there is a decisive demand to find modern alternatives to overcome all these drawbacks. Self-assembling polymeric nanomicelles (PMs) with their unique structure appear to be a fascinating choice as a pharmaceutical carrier system for improving the solubility & bioavailability of many drugs. PMs as drug carriers have many advantages including suitable size, high stability, prolonged circulation time, elevated cargo capacity and controlled therapeutic release. Otherwise, the pathological features of some diseased cells, like cancer, allow PMs with particle size <200 nm to be passively uptaken via enhanced permeability and retention phenomenon (EPR). However, the passive targeting approach was proven to be insufficient in many cases. Consequently, the therapeutic efficiency of these PMs can be further reinforced by enhancing their cellular internalization via incorporating targeting ligands. These targeting ligands can enhance the assemblage of loaded cargos in the intended tissues via receptor-mediated endocytosis through exploiting receptors robustly expressed on the exterior of the intended tissue while minimizing their toxic effects. In this review, the up-to-date approaches of harnessing active targeting ligands to exploit certain overexpressed receptors will be summarized concerning the functionalization of the exterior of PMs for ameliorating their targeting potential in the scope of nanomedicine.

Effect of zwitterionic sulfobetaine incorporation on blood behaviours, phagocytosis, and in vivo biodistribution of pH-responsive micelles with positive charges

pH-responsive micelles with positive charges are challenged by their significant effect on the cells/proteins and compromise their final fate due to electrostatic interactions. As one of the promising strategies, zwitterion incorporation in micelles has attracted considerable attention and displayed improved protein adsorption and blood circulation performances. However, previous reports in this field have been mostly limited in hemolysis for studying blood behaviour and lack a comprehensive understanding of their interactions with blood components. Herein, we present a prelimilary study on the effect of zwitterionic sulfobetaine incorporation on blood behaviour, phagocytosis, and in vivo biodistribution of pH-responsive micelles with positive charges. Amphiphilic triblock copolymers, namely poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-(N-(3-sulfopropyl-N-methacryloxyethy-N,N-diethylammonium betaine)) (PCL-PDEAPSx, x = 2, 6, 10), containing different numbers of sulfobetaine groups were synthesized through four steps to prepare the pH-responsive micelles with positive charges. The effect of the sulfobetaine incorporation displayed different profiles, e.g., the micelles had no effect on RBC aggregation, thrombin time (TT), and platelet aggregation, while the cytotoxicity, hemolysis, RBC deformability, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), platelet activation, protein (albumin, fibrinogen, plasma) adsorption, phagocytosis, and in vivo biodistribution decreased with the increase in the sulfobetaine number, in which the transition mainly occurred at a sulfobetaine/tertiary amine group ratio of 3/7-1/1 compared to that of the mPEG control. In addition, the micelles displayed a strong inhibitory effect on the intrinsic coagulation pathway, which was associated with a significant decrease in the coagulation factor activity. Based on these findings, the related mechanism is discussed and proposed, which can aid the rational design of pH-responsive micelles for improved therapeutics.

Near-infrared-responsive GE11-CuS@Gal nanoparticles as an intelligent drug release system for targeting therapy against oral squamous cell carcinoma

Galangin (Gal) is a natural plant flavonoid. More and more evidence shows that Gal can achieve anti-tumor effects by regulating various mechanisms. However, its poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and insufficient lesion targeting limit its clinical application. To overcome these shortcomings, we designed and developed a mesoporous nanosystem (GE11-CuS) that actively located the target area and photo-controlled drug release, which promoted the rapid accumulation of drugs in tumor tissues under NIR irradiation, thus achieving positive effects against cancer. In this study, we explored the application of the Gal-loaded nanometer system (GE11-CuS@Gal) in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) both in vitro and in vivo. The results exhibited that GE11-CuS@Gal had excellent targeting ability and could accumulate efficiently in tumor cells (HSC-3). Meanwhile, the temperature of GE11-CuS@Gal increasing rapidly under NIR illumination damaged the integrity of the carrier and allowed Gal molecules to escape from the pores of the nanoparticles. When the accumulation of Gal in the nidus reached a certain level, the intracellular ROS level could be significantly increased and the antioxidative stress pathway mediated by Nrf2/OH-1 was effectively blocked, to inhibit the growth and migration of tumors. In conclusion, the GE11-CuS improved the antitumor activity of Gal in the body, which laid a foundation for the treatment of OSCC with traditional Chinese medicine ingredients.

Glycol chitosan stabilized nanomedicine of lapatinib and doxorubicin for the management of metastatic breast tumor

Advanced breast cancer is known to be highly evasive to conventional therapeutic regimes with a 5-year survival rate of less than 30% compared to over 90% for early stages. Although several new approaches are being explored to improve the survival outcome, there is still some room for equipping existing drugs such as lapatinib (LAPA) and doxorubicin (DOX) to fight the systemic disease. LAPA is associated with poorer clinical outcomes in HER2-negative patients. However its ability to also target EGFR has warranted its use in recent clinical trials. Nevertheless, the drug is poorly absorbed post oral administration and possess low aqueous solubility. DOX on the other hand is avoided in vulnerable patients in advanced stages due to its pronounced off-target toxicity. To overcome the pitfalls of the drugs, we have fabricated a nanomedicine co-loaded with LAPA & DOX and stabilized with glycol chitosan, a biocompatible polyelectrolyte. With a loading content of ~ 11.5% and ~ 15% respectively, LAPA and DOX in a single nanomedicine showed synergistic action against triple-negative breast cancer cells in comparison to physically mixed free drugs. The nanomedicine showed a time-dependent association with cancer cells thereon inducing apoptosis leading to ~ 80% cell death. The nanomedicine was found to be acutely safe in healthy Balb/c mice and could negate DOX-induced cardio toxicity. The combination nanomedicine significantly inhibited both the primary 4T1 breast tumor and its spread to the lung, liver, heart, and kidney compared to pristine drug controls. These preliminary data indicate bright prospects for the nanomedicine to be effective against metastatic breast cancer.