Folic acid-coupled nano-paclitaxel liposome reverses drug resistance in SKOV3/TAX ovarian cancer cells

Current development of theragnostic nanoparticles for women's cancer treatment

In the biomedical industry, nanoparticles (NPs-exclusively small particles with size ranging from 1-100 nanometres) are recently employed as powerful tools due to their huge potential in sophisticated and enhanced cancer theragnostic (i.e. therapeutics and diagnostics). Cancer is a life-threatening disease caused by carcinogenic agents and mutation in cells, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and harming the body's normal functioning while affecting several factors like low levels of reactive oxygen species, hyperactive antiapoptotic mRNA expression, reduced proapoptotic mRNA expression, damaged DNA repair, and so on. NPs are extensively used in early cancer diagnosis and are functionalized to target receptors overexpressing cancer cells for effective cancer treatment. This review focuses explicitly on how NPs alone and combined with imaging techniques and advanced treatment techniques have been researched against 'women's cancer' such as breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer which are substantially occurring in women. NPs, in combination with numerous imaging techniques (like PET, SPECT, MRI, etc) have been widely explored for cancer imaging and understanding tumor characteristics. Moreover, NPs in combination with various advanced cancer therapeutics (like magnetic hyperthermia, pH responsiveness, photothermal therapy, etc), have been stated to be more targeted and effective therapeutic strategies with negligible side effects. Furthermore, this review will further help to improve treatment outcomes and patient quality of life based on the theragnostic application-based studies of NPs in women's cancer treatment.

Folate receptor targeted nanoparticles containing niraparib and doxorubicin as a potential candidate for the treatment of high grade serous ovarian cancer

Combination chemotherapy is an established approach used to manage toxicities while eliciting an enhanced therapeutic response. Delivery of drug combinations at specific molar ratios has been considered a means to achieve synergistic effects resulting in improvements in efficacy while minimizing dose related adverse drug reactions. The benefits of this approach have been realized with the FDA approval of Vyxeos®, the first liposome formulation to deliver a synergistic drug combination leading to improved overall survival against standard of care. In the current study, we demonstrate the synergistic potential of the PARP inhibitor niraparib and doxorubicin for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Through in vitro screening in a panel of ovarian cancer cell lines, we find that niraparib and doxorubicin demonstrate consistent synergy/additivity at the majority of evaluated molar ratio combinations. Further to these findings, we report formulation of a nanoparticle encapsulating our identified synergistic combination. We describe a rational design process to achieve highly stable liposomes that are targeted with folate to folate-receptor-alpha, which is known to be overexpressed on the surface of ovarian cancer cells. With this approach, we aim to achieve targeted delivery of niraparib and doxorubicin at a pre-determined synergistic molar ratio via increased receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Lipid Nanoparticles and Liposomes for Bone Diseases Treatment

Because of their outstanding biocompatibility, sufficient capacity to control drug release, and passive targeting capability, lipid nanoparticles are one of the world's most widely utilized drug delivery systems. However, numerous disadvantages limit the use of lipid nanoparticles in clinical settings, especially in bone regeneration, such as challenges in transporting, storing, and maintaining drug concentration in the local area. Scaffolds are frequently employed as implants to provide mechanical support to the damaged area or as diagnostic and imaging tools. On the other hand, unmodified scaffolds have limited powers in fostering tissue regeneration and curing illnesses. Liposomes offer a solid foundation for the long-term development of various commercial solutions for the effective drug delivery-assisted treatment of medical conditions. As drug delivery vehicles in medicine, adjuvants in vaccination, signal enhancers/carriers in medical diagnostics and analytical biochemistry, solubilizers for various ingredients as well as support matrices for various ingredients, and penetration enhancers in cosmetics are just a few of the industrial applications for liposomes. This review introduces and discusses the use of lipid nanoparticles and liposomes and the application of lipid nanoparticles and liposome systems based on different active substances in bone diseases.

The role of imaging in targeted delivery of nanomedicine for cancer therapy

Nanomedicines overcome the pharmacokinetic limitations of traditional drug formulations and have promising prospect in cancer treatment. However, nanomedicine delivery in vivo is still facing challenges from the complex physiological environment. For the purpose of effective tumor therapy, they should be designed to guarantee the five features principle, including long blood circulation, efficient tumor accumulation, deep matrix penetration, enhanced cell internalization and accurate drug release. To ensure the excellent performance of the designed nanomedicine, it would be better to monitor the drug delivery process as well as the therapeutic effects by real-time imaging. In this review, we summarize strategies in developing nanomedicines for efficiently meeting the five features of drug delivery, and the role of several imaging modalities (fluorescent imaging (FL), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), photoacoustic imaging (PAI), positron emission tomography (PET), and electron microscopy) in tracing drug delivery and therapeutic effect in vivo based on five features principle.

A Promising Review on Cyclodextrin Conjugated Paclitaxel Nanoparticles for Cancer Treatment

This review presented the unique characteristics of different types of cyclodextrin polymers by non-covalent host–guest interactions to synthesize an inclusion complex. Various cancers are treated with different types of modified cyclodextrins, along with the anticancer drug paclitaxel. PTX acts as a mitotic inhibitor, but due to its low dissolution and permeability in aqueous solutions, it causes considerable challenges for drug delivery system (DDS) designs. To enhance the solubility, it is reformulated with derivatives of cyclodextrins using freeze-drying and co-solvent lyophilization methods. The present supramolecular assemblies involve cyclodextrin as a key mediator, which is encapsulated with paclitaxel and their controlled release at the targeted area is highlighted using different DDS. In addition, the application of cyclodextrins in cancer treatment, which reduces the off-target effects, is briefly demonstrated using various types of cancer cell lines. A new nano-formulation of PTX is used to improve the antitumor activity compared to normal PTX DDS in lungs and breast cancer is well defined in the present review.

Drug Resistance Reversal Potential of Nanoparticles/Nanocomposites via Antibiotic's Potentiation in Multi Drug Resistant P. aeruginosa

Bacteria employ numerous resistance mechanisms against structurally distinct drugs by the process of multidrug resistance. A study was planned to discover the antibacterial potential of a graphene oxide nanosheet (GO), a graphene oxide-zinc oxide nanocomposite (GO/ZnO), a graphene oxide-chitosan nanocomposite (GO-CS), a zinc oxide decorated graphene oxide-chitosan nanocomposite (GO-CS/ZnO), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) alone and in a blend with antibiotics against a PS-2 isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These nanocomposites reduced the MIC of tetracycline (TET) from 16 folds to 64 folds against a multidrug-resistant clinical isolate. Efflux pumps were interfered, as evident by an ethidium bromide synergy study with nanocomposites, as well as inhibiting biofilm synthesis. These nanoparticles/nanocomposites also decreased the mutant prevention concentration (MPC) of TET. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on nanomaterials as a synergistic agent via inhibition of efflux and biofilm synthesis.

An updated review of folate-functionalized nanocarriers: A promising ligand in cancer

The uncontrolled release of drugs in conventional drug delivery systems has led to the introduction of new nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and the use of targeted nanocarriers for cancer treatment. These targeted nanocarriers, which consist of intelligent nanoparticles modified with targeting ligands, can deliver drugs to specified locations at the right time and reduce drug doses to prevent side effects. Folate is a suitable targeting ligand for folate receptors overexpressed on cancer cells and has shown promising results in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this review, we highlight the latest developments on the use of folate-conjugated nanoparticles in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, the toxicity, biocompatibility and efficacy of these nanocarriers are discussed.

Physcion-8-O-β-d-glucoside interferes with the nuclear factor-κB pathway and downregulates P-glycoprotein expression to reduce paclitaxel resistance in ovarian cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed whether physcion-8-O-beta-D-monoglucoside (PG) sensitises paclitaxel (PTX)-resistant ovarian cancer cells and explored the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Ovarian cancer SK-OV-3 cells were used to establish PTX-resistant SK-OV-3 (SK-OV-3/PTX) cells. The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and crystal violet staining were used to determine cell viability. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB expression and cell distributions were detected using immunofluorescence. Cell apoptosis and protein expression changes were detected using flow cytometry and western blotting, respectively. Effect of PG in vivo was evaluated using a xenograft tumour model. P-gp expression in tumour tissues was detected using immunohistochemical staining.

KEY FINDINGS

PG (1-10 μm) did not significantly affect SK-OV-3/PTX cell proliferation but significantly downregulated P-gp expression. PG pretreatment (1-10 μm) enhanced PTX cytotoxicity. PG treatment decreased the quantity of phosphorylated-NF-κB p65 in SK-OV-3/PTX cell total proteins and upregulated IKBα expression. Simultaneously, it decreased NF-κB p65 levels in nuclear proteins. PG (1-10 μm) inhibited NF-κB p65 entry into the nucleus. PTX plus PG significantly inhibited SK-OV-3/PTX xenograft tumour growth. PG (1-10 μm) reduced P-gp expression in transplanted tumour tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

PG can enhance the sensitivity of PTX-resistant ovarian cancer cells SK-OV-3/PTX to PTX, and this effect is related to inhibiting NF-κB from entering the nucleus and down-regulating the expression of P-gp protein.

Recent Development of Copolymeric Nano-Drug Delivery System for Paclitaxel

Background:

Paclitaxel (PTX) has been clinically used for several years due to its good therapeutic effect against cancers. Its poor water-solubility, non-selectivity, high cytotoxicity to normal tissue and worse pharmacokinetic property limit its clinical application.

Objective:

To review the recent progress on the PTX delivery systems.

Methods:

In recent years, the copolymeric nano-drug delivery systems for PTX are broadly studied. It mainly includes micelles, nanoparticles, liposomes, complexes, prodrugs and hydrogels, etc. They were developed or further modified with target molecules to investigate the release behavior, targeting to tissues, pharmacokinetic property, anticancer activities and bio-safety of PTX. In the review, we will describe and discuss the recent progress on the nano-drug delivery system for PTX since 2011.

Results:

The water-solubility, selective delivery to cancers, tissue toxicity, controlled release and pharmacokinetic property of PTX are improved by its encapsulation into the nano-drug delivery systems. In addition, its activities against cancer are also comparable or high when compared with the commercial formulation.

Conclusion:

Encapsulating PTX into nano-drug carriers should be helpful to reduce its toxicity to human, keeping or enhancing its activity and improving its pharmacokinetic property.

Nanoparticle delivery systems to combat drug resistance in ovarian cancer

Due to the lack of early symptoms and difficulty of accurate diagnosis, ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer faced by women. First-line therapy includes a combination of tumor resection surgery and chemotherapy regimen. However, treatment becomes more complex upon recurrence due to development of drug resistance. Drug resistance has been linked to many mechanisms, including efflux transporters, apoptosis dysregulation, autophagy, cancer stem cells, epigenetics, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Thus, developing and choosing effective therapies is exceptionally complex. There is a need for increased specificity and efficacy in therapies for drug-resistant ovarian cancer, and research in targeted nanoparticle delivery systems aims to fulfill this challenge. Although recent research has focused on targeted nanoparticle-based therapies, few of these therapies have been clinically translated. In this review, non-viral nanoparticle delivery systems developed to overcome drug-resistance in ovarian cancer were analyzed, including their structural components, surface modifications, and drug-resistance targeted mechanisms.

Folate-conjugated nanovehicles: Strategies for cancer therapy

Cancer theranostics represents a strategy that aims at combining diagnosis with therapy through the simultaneous imaging and targeted delivery of therapeutics to cancer cells. Recently, the folate receptor alpha has emerged as an attractive theranostic target due to its overexpression in multiple solid tumors and its great functional versatility. In fact, it can be incorporated into folate-conjugated nano-systems for imaging and drug delivery. Hence, it can be used along the line of personalized clinical strategies as both an imaging tool and a delivery method ensuring the selective transport of treatments to tumor cells, thus highlighting its theranostic qualities. In this review, we will explore these theranostic characteristics in detail and assess their clinical potential. We will also discuss the technological advances that have allowed the design of sophisticated folate-based nanocarriers harboring various chemical properties and suited for the transport of various therapeutic agents.

Folate Receptor-Targeted Albumin Nanoparticles Based on Microfluidic Technology to Deliver Cabazitaxel

Microfluidic technology (MF) has improved the formulation of nanoparticles (NPs) by achieving uniform particle size distribution, controllable particle size, and consistency. Moreover, because liquid mixing can be precisely controlled in the pores of the microfluidic chip, maintaining high mixing efficiency, MF exerts higher of NP encapsulation efficiency (EE) than conventional methods. MF-NPs-cabazitaxel (CTX) particles (MF-NPs-CTX) were first prepared by encapsulating CTX according to MF. Folate (FA)- Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-NPs-CTX particles (FA-PEG-NPs-CTX) were formulated by connecting FA to MF-NPs-CTX to endow NPs with targeted delivery capability. Accordingly, the mean particle size of FA-PEG-NPs-CTX increased by approximately 25 nm, as compared with MF-NPs-CTX. Upon morphological observation of FA-PEG-NPs-CTX and MF-NPs-CTX by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), all NPs were spherical and particle size distribution was uniform. Moreover, the increased delivery efficiency of CTX in vitro and its strong tumor inhibition in vivo indicated that FA-PEG-NPs-CTX had a powerful tumor-suppressive effect both in vitro and in vivo. In vivo imaging and pharmacokinetic data confirmed that FA-PEG-NPs-CTX had good drug delivery efficiency. Taken together, FA-PEG-NPs-CTX particles prepared using MF showed high efficient and targeted drug delivery and may have a considerable driving effect on the clinical application of targeting albumin NPs.

Current strategies for different paclitaxel-loaded Nano-delivery Systems towards therapeutic applications for ovarian carcinoma: A review article

Ovarian carcinoma (OC) is one of the leading causes of death among gynecologic malignancies all over the world. It is characterized by high mortality rate because of the lack of early diagnosis. The first-line chemotherapeutic regimen for late stage epithelial ovarian cancer is paclitaxel in combination to carboplatin. However, in most of cases, relapse occurs within six months despite the initial success of this chemotherapeutic combination. A lot of challenges have been encountered with the conventional delivery of paclitaxel in addition to the occurrence of severe off-target toxicity. One major problem is poor paclitaxel solubility which was improved by addition of Cremophor EL that unfortunately resulted in hypersensitivity side effects. Another obstacle is the multi drug resistance which is the main cause of OC recurrence. Accordingly, incorporation of paclitaxel, solely or in combination to other drugs, in nanocarrier systems has grabbed attention of many researchers to circumvent all these hurdles. The current review is the first article that provides a comprehensive overview on multi-faceted implementations of paclitaxel loaded nanoplatforms to solve delivery obstacles of paclitaxel in management of ovarian carcinoma. Moreover, challenges in physicochemical properties, biological activity and targeted delivery of PTX were depicted with corresponding solutions using nanotechnology. Different categories of nanocarriers employed were collected included lipid, protein, polymeric, solid nanoemulsion and hybrid systems. Future perspectives including imperative research considerations in ovarian cancer therapy were proposed as well.

Formulation Strategies for Folate-Targeted Liposomes and Their Biomedical Applications

The folate receptor (FR) is a tumor-associated antigen that can bind with folic acid (FA) and its conjugates with high affinity and ingests the bound molecules inside the cell via the endocytic mechanism. A wide variety of payloads can be delivered to FR-overexpressed cells using folate as the ligand, ranging from small drug molecules to large DNA-containing macromolecules. A broad range of folate attached liposomes have been proven to be highly effective as the targeted delivery system. For the rational design of folate-targeted liposomes, an intense conceptual understanding combining chemical and biomedical points of view is necessary because of the interdisciplinary nature of the field. The fabrication of the folate-conjugated liposomes basically involves the attachment of FA with phospholipids, cholesterol or peptides before liposomal formulation. The present review aims to provide detailed information about the design and fabrication of folate-conjugated liposomes using FA attached uncleavable/cleavable phospholipids, cholesterol or peptides. Advances in the area of folate-targeted liposomes and their biomedical applications have also been discussed.

Folate receptor targeting of radiolabeled liposomes reduces intratumoral liposome accumulation in human KB carcinoma xenografts

Background

Active, ligand-mediated, targeting of functionalized liposomes to folate receptors (FRs) overexpressed on cancer cells could potentially improve drug delivery and specificity. Studies on folate-targeting liposomes (FTLs) have, however, yielded varying results and generally fail to display a clear benefit of FR targeting.

Method

Tumor accumulating potential of FTLs and NTLs were investigated in a FR overex-pressing xenograft model by positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging.

Results

Tumors displayed significantly lower activity of FTLs than NTLs. Furthermore, FTLs displayed worse circulating properties and increased liver-accumulation than NTLs.

Conclusion

This study underlines that long-circulating properties of liposomes must be achieved to take advantage of EPR-dependent tumor accumulation which may be lost by functionalization. FR-functionalization negatively affected both tumor accumulation and circulation properties.

Docetaxel-trastuzumab stealth immunoliposome: development and in vitro proof of concept studies in breast cancer

Background

Trastuzumab plus docetaxel is a mainstay to treat HER2-positive breast cancers. However, developing nanoparticles could help to improve the efficacy/toxicity balance of this doublet by improving drug trafficking and delivery to tumors. This project aimed to develop an immunoliposome in breast cancer, combining docetaxel encapsulated in a stealth liposome engrafted with trastuzumab, and comparing its performances on human breast cancer cell lines with standard combination of docetaxel plus trastuzumab.

Methods

Several strategies to engraft trastuzumab to pegylated liposomes were tested. Immunoliposomes made of natural (antibody nanoconjugate-1 [ANC-1]) and synthetic lipids (ANC-2) were synthesized using standard thin film method and compared in size, morphology, docetaxel encapsulation, trastuzumab engraftment rates and stability. Antiproliferative activity was tested on human breast cancer models ranging from almost negative (MDA-MB-231), positive (MDA-MB-453) to overexpressing (SKBR3) HER2. Finally, cell uptake of ANC-1 was studied by electronic microscopy.

Results

ANC-1 showed a greater docetaxel encapsulation rate (73%±6% vs 53%±4%) and longer stability (up to 1 week) as compared with ANC-2. Both ANC presented particle size ≤150 nm and showed similar or higher in vitro antiproliferative activities than standard treatment, ANC-1 performing better than ANC-2. The IC_50s for docetaxel combined to free trastuzumab were 8.7±4, 2±0.7 and 6±2 nM with MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453 and SKBR3, respectively. The IC_50s for ANC-1 were 2.5±1, 1.8±0.6 and 3.4±0.8 nM and for ANC-2 were 1.8±0.3 nM, 2.8±0.8 nM and 6.8±1.8 nM with MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453 and SKBR3, respectively. Cellular uptake appeared to depend on HER2 expression, the higher the expression, the higher the uptake.

Conclusion

In vitro results suggest that higher antiproliferative efficacy and efficient drug delivery can be achieved in breast cancer models using nanoparticles.

Hypocrellin B-loaded, folate-conjugated polymeric micelle for intraperitoneal targeting of ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is considered an innovative and attractive modality to treat ovarian cancer. In the present study, a biodegradable polymer poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐poly (lactic acid)(PLA)‐folate (FA‐PEG‐PLA) was prepared in order to synthesize an active‐targeting, water‐soluble and pharmacomodulated photosensitizer nanocarrier. Drug‐loading content, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro and in vivo release were characterized, in which hypocrellin B (HB)/FA‐PEG‐PLA micelles had a high encapsulation efficiency and much slower control release for drugs compared to free drugs (P < .05). To evaluate the targeting ability of the HB/FA‐PEG‐PLA micelles, a cellular uptake study in vitro was carried out, which showed significantly enhanced uptake of HB/FA‐PEG‐PLA micelles in SKOV3 (FR+) compared to A2780 cancer cells (FR−). The enhanced uptake of HB/FA‐PEG‐PLA micelles to cancer cells resulted in a more effective post‐PDT killing of SKOV3 cells compared to plain micelles and free drugs. Binding and uptake of HB/FA‐PEG‐PLA micelles by SKOV3 cells were also observed in vivo after ip injection of folate‐targeted micelles in tumor‐bearing ascitic ovarian cancer animals. Drug levels in ascitic tumor tissues were increased 20‐fold (P < .001), which underscored the effect of a regional therapy approach with folate targeting. Furthermore, the HB‐loaded micelles were mainly distributed in kidney and liver (the main clearance organs) in biodistribution. These results showed that our newly developed PDT photosensitizer HB/FA‐PEG‐PLA micelles have a high drug‐loading capacity, good biocompatibility, controlled drug release, and enhanced targeting and antitumor effect, which is a potential approach to future targeting ovarian cancer therapy.

Antiproliferative Activity and VEGF Expression Reduction in MCF7 and PC-3 Cancer Cells by Paclitaxel and Imatinib Co-encapsulation in Folate-Targeted Liposomes

Co-encapsulation of anticancer drugs paclitaxel and imatinib in nanocarriers is a promising strategy to optimize cancer treatment. Aiming to combine the cytotoxic and antiangiogenic properties of the drugs, a liposome formulation targeted to folate receptor co-encapsulating paclitaxel and imatinib was designed in this work. An efficient method was optimized for the synthesis of the lipid anchor DSPE-PEG(2000)-folic acid (FA). The structure of the obtained product was confirmed by RMN, FT-IR, and ESI-MS techniques. A new analytical method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of the drugs by liquid chromatography. Liposomes, composed of phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and DSPE-mPEG(2000), were prepared by extrusion. Their surface was modified by post-insertion of DSPE-PEG(2000)-FA. Reaction yield for DSPE-PEG(2000)-FA synthesis was 87%. Liposomes had a mean diameter of 122.85 ± 1.48 nm and polydispersity index of 0.19 ± 0.01. Lyophilized formulations remained stable for 60 days in terms of size and drug loading. FA-targeted liposomes had a higher effect on MCF7 cell viability reduction (p < 0.05) when compared with non-targeted liposomes and free paclitaxel. On PC-3 cells, viability reduction was greater (p < 0.01) when cells were exposed to targeted vesicles co-encapsulating both drugs, compared with the non-targeted formulation. VEGF gene expression was reduced in MCF7 and PC-3 cells (p < 0.0001), with targeted vesicles exhibiting better performance than non-targeted liposomes. Our results demonstrate that multifunctional liposomes associating molecular targeting and multidrug co-encapsulation are an interesting strategy to achieve enhanced internalization and accumulation of drugs in targeted cells, combining multiple antitumor strategies.

One-pot synthesis of biodegradable polydopamine-doped mesoporous silica nanocomposites (PMSNs) as pH-sensitive targeting drug nanocarriers for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy

Polydopamine-doped mesoporous silica nanocomposites (PMSNs) were controllably synthesized by a one-pot approach. They were demonstrated to be good biodegradability, pH-responsive drug release and targeting synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy.

Nanoparticle as a novel tool in hyperthermic intraperitoneal and pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotheprapy to treat patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis

The treatment of peritoneal surface malignances has changed considerably over the last thirty years. Unfortunately, the palliative is the only current treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). Two primary intraperitoneal chemotherapeutic methods are used. The first is combination of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic IntraPEritoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), which has become the gold standard for many cases of PC. The second is Pressurized IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotheprapy (PIPAC), which is promising direction to minimally invasive as safedrug delivery. These methods were improved through multicenter studies and clinical trials that yield important insights and solutions. Major method development has been made through nanomedicine, specifically nanoparticles. Here, we are presenting the latest advances of nanoparticles and their application to precision diagnostics and improved treatment strategies for PC. These advances will likely develop both HIPEC and PIPAC methods that used for in vitro and in vivo studies. Several benefits of using nanoparticles will be discussed including: 1) Nanoparticles as drug delivery systems; 2) Nanoparticles and Near Infrred (NIR) Irradiation; 3) use of nanoparticles in perioperative diagnostic and individualized treatment planning; 4) use of nanoparticles as anticancer dressing's, hydrogels and as active beeds for optimal reccurence prevention; and 5) finally the curent in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials of nanoparticles. The current review highlighted use of nanoparticles as novel tools in improving drug delivery to be effective for treatment patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Enzymatic synthesis and in vitro evaluation of folate-functionalized liposomes

In this study, folate-poly(ethylene glycol)₃₄₀₀-cholesterol conjugates (FA-PEG-Chol) were enzymatically synthesized in one step and incorporated into liposomes to prepare folate (FA)-functionalized liposomes for targeted drug delivery. The FA-functionalized liposomes loaded with betulinic acid (BA) (FA-L-BA) were prepared by thin lipid film method. The FA-L-BA was characterized by their morphology, particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE), stability, cell cytotoxicity and cellular uptake. The average size of FA-L-BA was 222±8 nm. The spherical particles exhibited a negative electrical charge of -20.12±1.45 mV and high EE of 91.61%±1.16%. The liposomes were taken up selectively by HepG2 cells. FA-L-BA showed enhanced cytotoxicity (50% inhibitory concentration [IC₅₀] =63.07±2.22 μg/mL) compared to nontargeted control normal liposomes loaded with BA (L-BA; IC₅₀ =93.14±2.19 μg/mL) in HepG2 cells in vitro. In addition, FA-functionalized liposomes loaded with Ir-1 (FA-L-Ir-1) showed significantly higher cellular uptake in HepG2 cells compared to nontargeted control normal liposomes loaded with Ir-1 (L-Ir-1). This novel approach for the liposomes surface modified with FA by a one-step enzymatic amidation was expected to provide potential application as a drug carrier for active targeted delivery to tumor cells.

Folate-mediated chemotherapy and diagnostics: An updated review and outlook

Folate receptor (FR) is highly expressed in many types of human cancers, and it has been actively studied for developing targeted chemotherapy and diagnostic agents. Tremendous efforts have been made in developing FR-targeted nanomedicines and nanoprobes and translating them into clinical applications. This article provides a concise review on the latest development of folate-mediated nanomedicines and nanoprobes for chemotherapy and diagnostics with an emphasis on in vivo applications. The cellular uptake mechanisms, pharmacokinetics (PK), administration routes and major challenges in FR-targeted nanoparticles are discussed.

Drug delivery systems for ovarian cancer treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies

Current ovarian cancer treatment involves chemotherapy that has serious limitations, such as rapid clearance, unfavorable biodistribution and severe side effects. To overcome these limitations, drug delivery systems (DDS) have been developed to encapsulate chemotherapeutics for delivery to tumor cells. However, no systematic assessment of the efficacy of chemotherapy by DDS compared to free chemotherapy (not in a DDS) has been performed for animal studies. Here, we assess the efficacy of chemotherapy in DDS on survival and tumor growth inhibition in animal studies. We searched PubMed and EMBASE (via OvidSP) to systematically identify studies evaluating chemotherapeutics encapsulated in DDS for ovarian cancer treatment in animal studies. Studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias. Study characteristics were collected and outcome data (survival/hazard ratio or tumor growth inhibition) were extracted and used for meta-analyses. Meta-analysis was performed to identify and explore which characteristics of DDS influenced treatment efficacy. A total of 44 studies were included after thorough literature screening (2,735 studies found after initial search). The risk of bias was difficult to assess, mainly because of incomplete reporting. A total of 17 studies (377 animals) and 16 studies (259 animals) could be included in the meta-analysis for survival and tumor growth inhibition, respectively. In the majority of the included studies chemotherapeutics entrapped in a DDS significantly improved efficacy over free chemotherapeutics regarding both survival and tumor growth inhibition. Subgroup analyses, however, revealed that cisplatin entrapped in a DDS did not result in additional tumor growth inhibition compared to free cisplatin, although it did result in improved survival. Micelles did not show a significant tumor growth inhibition compared to free chemotherapeutics, which indicates that micelles may not be a suitable DDS for ovarian cancer treatment. Other subgroup analyses, such as targeted versus non-targeted DDS or IV versus IP administration route, did not identify specific characteristics of DDS that affected treatment efficacy. This systematic review shows the potential, but also the limitations of chemotherapy by drug delivery systems for ovarian cancer treatment. For future animal research, we emphasize that data need to be reported with ample attention to detailed reporting.

Inhibition of JAK2 Reverses Paclitaxel Resistance in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

Objective

Resistance to chemotherapy is a major factor that limits the postsurgical survival of ovarian cancer patients. Janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2) has been implicated in cancer cell survival and the development of drug resistance in ovarian cancers. In the present study, we sought to determine whether inhibition of JAK2 reverses drug resistance in OC3/TAX300 cells, a paclitaxel-resistant human ovarian cancer cell line previously established in our laboratory.

Methods

OC3/TAX300 cells were transduced with lentivirus expressing small interference RNA (siRNA) against JAK2 and treated with JAK2 kinase inhibitor AG490.

Results

Treatment with JAK2-siRNA markedly decreased the messenger RNA and protein of JAK2 as determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. OC3/TAX300 cells treated with JAK2-siRNA exhibited stalled growth, increased cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase, and enhanced apoptosis in response to paclitaxel. In keeping with this, JAK2-siRNA also inhibited the expression of multidrug resistance protein 1. To determine whether JAK2 promotes paclitaxel resistance via phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a transcription factor known to be involved in resistance to chemotherapy, we treated OC3/TAX300 cells with JAK2 kinase inhibitor AG490. Of note, AG490 reduced the level of p-STAT3 and inhibited the expression of multidrug resistance protein 1 in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions

Collectively, we conclude that the JAK2-STAT3 pathway promotes the development of paclitaxel resistance via upregulating the expression of prosurvival and antiapoptotic genes. Targeting this pathway may be effective in reversing resistance to chemotherapy in ovarian cancers.

Thermosensitive and mucoadhesive sol-gel composites of paclitaxel/dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin for buccal delivery

The purpose of this study was to develop a buccal paclitaxel delivery system using the thermosensitive polymer Pluronic F127 (PF127) and the mucoadhesive polymer polyethylene oxide (PEO). The anticancer agent paclitaxel is usually used to treat ovarian, breast, and non-small-cell lung cancer. To improve its aqueous solubility, paclitaxel was incorporated into an inclusion complex with (2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DMβCD). The formation of the paclitaxel inclusion complex was evaluated using various techniques, including x-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Hydrogels were prepared using a cold method. Concentrations of 18, 20, and 23% (w/v) PF127 were dissolved in distilled water including paclitaxel and stored overnight in a refrigerator at 4 °C. PEO was added at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1% (w/v). Each formulation included paclitaxel (0.5 mg/mL). The sol-gel transition temperature of the hydrogels was measured using the tube-inverting method. Drug release from the hydrogels was measured using a Franz diffusion cell containing pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) buffer at 37 °C. The cytotoxicity of each formulation was measured using the MTT assay with a human oral cancer cell (KB cell). The sol-gel transition temperature of the hydrogel decreased when PF127 was present and varied according to the presence of mucoadhesive polymers. The in vitro release was sustained and the release rate was slowed by the addition of the mucoadhesive polymer. The cytotoxicity of the blank formulation was low, although the drug-loaded hydrogel showed acceptable cytotoxicity. The results of our study suggest that the combination of a PF 127-based mucoadhesive hydrogel formulation and inclusion complexes improves the in vitro release and cytotoxic effect of paclitaxel.