Application of lipid nanovesicle drug delivery system in cancer immunotherapy

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Nanovesicles Containing H8 Improve Hepatic Glucose and Lipid Metabolism and Exert Ameliorative Effects in Type 2 Diabetes

Purpose

Nanovesicles (NVs) derived from bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) as drug delivery systems are considered an effective therapeutic strategy for diabetes. However, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we evaluated the efficacy and molecular mechanism of BMSC-derived NVs carrying the curcumin analog H8 (H8-BMSCs-NVs) on hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Subjects and Methods

Mouse BMSCs were isolated by collagenase digestion and H8-BMSCs-NVs were prepared by microvesicle extrusion. The effects of H8-BMSCs-NVs on hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism were observed in a T2D mouse model and a HepG2 cell insulin resistance model. To evaluate changes in potential signaling pathways, the PI3K/AKT/AMPK signaling pathway and expression levels of G6P and PEPCK were assessed by Western blotting.

Results

H8-BMSCs-NVs effectively improved lipid accumulation in liver tissues and restored liver dysfunction in T2D mice. Meanwhile, H8-BMSCs-NVs effectively inhibited intracellular lipid accumulation in the insulin resistance models of HepG2 cells. Mechanistic studies showed that H8-BMSCs-NVs activated the PI3K/AKT/AMPK signaling pathway and decreased the expression levels of G6P and PEPCK.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that H8-BMSCs-NVs improved hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism in T2D mice by activating the PI3K/AKT/AMPK signaling pathway, which provides novel evidence suggesting the potential of H8-BMSCs-NVs in the clinically treatment of T2D patients.

Extracellular vesicles-powered immunotherapy: Unleashing the potential for safer and more effective cancer treatment

Cancer treatment has seen significant advancements with the introduction of Onco-immunotherapies (OIMTs). Although some of these therapies have received approval for use, others are either undergoing testing or are still in the early stages of development. Challenges persist in making immunotherapy widely applicable to cancer treatment. To maximize the benefits of immunotherapy and minimize potential side effects, it's essential to improve response rates across different immunotherapy methods. A promising development in this area is the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as novel delivery systems. These small vesicles can effectively deliver immunotherapies, enhancing their effectiveness and reducing harmful side effects. This article discusses the importance of integrating nanomedicines into OIMTs, highlighting the challenges with current anti-OIMT methods. It also explores key considerations for designing nanomedicines tailored for OIMTs, aiming to improve upon existing immunotherapy techniques. Additionally, the article looks into innovative approaches like biomimicry and the use of natural biomaterial-based nanocarriers (NCs). These advancements have the potential to transform the delivery of immunotherapy. Lastly, the article addresses the challenges of moving OIMTs from theory to clinical practice, providing insights into the future of using advanced nanotechnology in cancer treatment.

Current Advancements in Anti-Cancer Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Immunotherapy and How Nanotechnology May Change the Game

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell immunotherapy represents a cutting-edge advancement in the landscape of cancer treatment. This innovative therapy has shown exceptional promise in targeting and eradicating malignant tumors, specifically leukemias and lymphomas. However, despite its groundbreaking successes, (CAR)-T cell therapy is not without its challenges. These challenges, particularly pronounced in the treatment of solid tumors, include but are not limited to, the selection of appropriate tumor antigens, managing therapy-related toxicity, overcoming T-cell exhaustion, and addressing the substantial financial costs associated with treatment. Nanomedicine, an interdisciplinary field that merges nanotechnology with medical science, offers novel strategies that could potentially address these limitations. Its application in cancer treatment has already led to significant advancements, including improved specificity in drug targeting, advancements in cancer diagnostics, enhanced imaging techniques, and strategies for long-term cancer prevention. The integration of nanomedicine with (CAR)-T cell therapy could revolutionize the treatment landscape by enhancing the delivery of genes in (CAR)-T cell engineering, reducing systemic toxicity, and alleviating the immunosuppressive effects within the tumor microenvironment. This review aims to explore how far (CAR)-T cell immunotherapy has come alone, and how nanomedicine could strengthen it into the future. Additionally, the review will examine strategies to limit the off-target effects and systemic toxicity associated with (CAR)-T cell therapy, potentially enhancing patient tolerance and treatment outcomes.

Exploring nanocarriers as innovative materials for advanced drug delivery strategies in onco-immunotherapies

In recent years, Onco-immunotherapies (OIMTs) have been shown to be a potential therapy option for cancer. Several immunotherapies have received regulatory approval, while many others are now undergoing clinical testing or are in the early stages of development. Despite this progress, a large number of challenges to the broad use of immunotherapies to treat cancer persists. To make immunotherapy more useful as a treatment while reducing its potentially harmful side effects, we need to know more about how to improve response rates to different types of immunotherapies. Nanocarriers (NCs) have the potential to harness immunotherapies efficiently, enhance the efficiency of these treatments, and reduce the severe adverse reactions that are associated with them. This article discusses the necessity to incorporate nanomedicines in OIMTs and the challenges we confront with current anti-OIMT approaches. In addition, it examines the most important considerations for building nanomedicines for OIMT, which may improve upon current immunotherapy methods. Finally, it highlights the applications and future scenarios of using nanotechnology.

Heating tumors with tumor cell-derived nanoparticles to enhance chemoimmunotherapy for colorectal cancer

Aim: To investigate the mechanism of doxorubicin (DOX)-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) and to improve immunotherapy efficacy. Materials & methods: In this study, hybrid vesicles containing DOX (HV-DOX) were prepared by thin-film hydration with extrusion, and the formulated nanoparticles were characterized physically. Furthermore, in vitro experiments and animal models were used to investigate the efficacy and new mechanisms of chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy. Results: DOX improved tumor immunogenicity by alkalinizing lysosomes, inhibiting tumor cell autophagy and inducing ICD. HVs could activate dendritic cell maturation, synergistically enhancing chemotherapeutic immunity. Conclusion: The mechanism of DOX-induced ICD was explored, and antitumor immunity was synergistically activated by HV-DOX to improve chemotherapeutic drug loading and provide relevant antigenic information.

Paeoniflorin increases the anti-tumor efficacy of sorafenib in tumor-bearing mice with liver cancer via suppressing the NF-κb/PD-l1 axis

Background

Sorafenib (Sor) represents a first-line therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, its efficacy is constrained by secondary failure, which limits its clinical use. Recent studies have indicated that the suppression of Programmed cell death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) may potentiate Sor's anti-liver cancer effects; furthermore, PD-L1 expression is known to be regulated by NF-κB. Previous research has demonstrated that paeoniflorin (PF) downregulates the NF-κB axis, nevertheless, current research has not yet determined whether PF can synergistically enhance the efficacy of Sor against HCC by modulating the NF-κB/PD-L1 pathway.

Methods

The study employed a H22 hepatoma-bearing mouse model, which was treated with PF, Sor, and their combination over a period of 12 days. The impact of PF and Sor on tumor growth, proliferation, apoptosis, T-cell subsets, IL-2 and IFN-γ production, and NF-κB and PD-L1 expression was assessed. Moreover, Splenic lymphocyte from normal mice and tumor cells from model mice were co-cultured in vitro, and the tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity was analyzed. In the final phase of the study, Huh-7 cells were stimulated with PF in combination with an NF-κB activator or inhibitor, and the subsequent production of NF-κB and PD-L1 was investigated.

Results

PF and Sor exhibit a synergistic anti-tumor effect, compared to the use of Sor alone, the combined use of PF and Sor significantly increased the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in tumor tissue, markedly enhanced the cytotoxic activity of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and reversed the depletion of interleukin-2 and the increase in PD-L1 expression following Sor intervention. This combination also further reduced the level of IFN-γ in peripheral blood and the expression of NF-κB and PD-L1 in tumor tissue. Additionally, in vitro experiments confirmed that PF reduces the expression of PD-L1 in Huh-7 liver cancer cells by inhibiting NF-κB.

Conclusions

PF plays a synergistic role of Sor inhibiting HCC progression by regulating the NF-κB/PD-L1 pathway.

PRODAN Photophysics as a Tool to Determine the Bilayer Properties of Different Unilamellar Vesicles Composed of Phospholipids

Vesicles formed by phospholipids are promising candidates for drug delivery. It is known that the lipid composition affects properties such as the rigidity-fluidity of the membrane and that it influences the bilayer permeability, but sometimes sophisticated techniques are selected to monitor them. In this work, we study the bilayer of different unilamellar vesicles composed of different lipids (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, DOPC, and lecithin) and diverse techniques such as extruder and electrospun templates and using 6-propionyl-2-(N,N-dimethyl) aminonaphthalene (PRODAN) and its photophysics. Moreover, we were able to monitor the influence of cholesterol on the bilayers. We demonstrate that the bilayer properties can be evaluated using the emission feature of the molecular probe PRODAN. This fluorescent probe gives relevant information on the polarity and fluidity of the microenvironment for unilamellar vesicles formed by two different methods. The PRODAN emission at 434 nm suggests that the bilayer properties significantly change if DOPC or lecithin is used in the vesicle preparation especially in their fluidity. Moreover, cholesterol induces alterations in the bilayer's structural and microenvironmental properties to a greater or lesser degree in both vesicles. Thus, we propose an easy and elegant way to evaluate physicochemical properties, which is fundamental for manufacturing vesicles as a drug delivery system, simply by monitoring the molecular probe emission band centered at 434 nm, which corresponds to the PRODAN species deep inside the bilayer.

Engineered Nanovesicles Expressing Bispecific Single Chain Variable Fragments to Protect against SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Although the epidemic has been controlled in many areas and numerous patients have been successfully treated, the risk of reinfection persists due to the low neutralizing antibody titers and weak immune response. To provide long-term immune protection for infected patients, novel bispecific CB6/dendritic cell (DC)-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin (SIGN) nanovesicles (NVs) were constructed to target both the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) and the DC receptors for virus neutralization and immune activation. Herein, we designed NVs expressing both CB6 and DC-SIGN single chain variable fragments (scFvs) on the surface to block SARS-CoV-2 invasion and activate DC function. Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) was loaded into the CB6/DC-SIGN NVs as an adjuvant to promote this process. The CB6/DC-SIGN NVs prevented a pseudovirus expressing the S protein from infecting the target cells expressing high levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in vitro. Additionally, CB6/DC-SIGN NVs admixed with S-expressing pseudoviruses activated the DCs, which was promoted by the adjuvant MPLA loaded in the NVs. Using a mouse model, we also confirmed that the CB6/DC-SIGN NVs effectively improved the neutralizing antibody titer and inhibited the growth of tumors expressing the S protein after 3 weeks of treatment. This potential NV-based treatment not only exerts a blocking effect by binding the S protein in the short term but may also provide patients with long-term protection against secondary infections.

Bacteria and Bacterial Components as Natural Bio-Nanocarriers for Drug and Gene Delivery Systems in Cancer Therapy

Bacteria and bacterial components possess multifunctional properties, making them attractive natural bio-nanocarriers for cancer diagnosis and targeted treatment. The inherent tropic and motile nature of bacteria allows them to grow and colonize in hypoxic tumor microenvironments more readily than conventional therapeutic agents and other nanomedicines. However, concerns over biosafety, limited antitumor efficiency, and unclear tumor-targeting mechanisms have restricted the clinical translation and application of natural bio-nanocarriers based on bacteria and bacterial components. Fortunately, bacterial therapies combined with engineering strategies and nanotechnology may be able to reverse a number of challenges for bacterial/bacterial component-based cancer biotherapies. Meanwhile, the combined strategies tend to enhance the versatility of bionanoplasmic nanoplatforms to improve biosafety and inhibit tumorigenesis and metastasis. This review summarizes the advantages and challenges of bacteria and bacterial components in cancer therapy, outlines combinatorial strategies for nanocarriers and bacterial/bacterial components, and discusses their clinical applications.

Bacterial outer membrane vesicles as drug delivery carrier for photodynamic anticancer therapy

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an effective tumor treatment strategy that not only induces photocytotoxicity to kill tumor cells directly but also activates the immune system in the body to generate tumor-specific immunity, preventing cancer metastasis and recurrence. However, some limitations of PDT limit the therapeutic efficacy in deep tumors. Previous studies have used different types of nanoparticles (NPs) as drug carriers of photosensitizers (PSs) to overcome the shortcomings of PDT and improve therapeutic efficacy. Among them, bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) have natural advantages as carriers for PS delivery. In addition to the targeted delivery of PSs into tumor cells, their unique immunogenicity helps them to serve as immune adjuvants to enhance the PDT-induced immune effect, providing new ideas for photodynamic anticancer therapy. Therefore, in this review, we will introduce the biogenesis and anticancer functions of OMVs and the research on them as drug delivery carriers in PDT. Finally, we also discuss the challenges and prospects of OMVs as a versatile drug delivery carrier for photodynamic anticancer therapy.

Lipid-hybrid cell-derived biomimetic functional materials: A state-of-the-art multifunctional weapon against tumors

Tumors are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Cell-derived biomimetic functional materials have shown great promise in the treatment of tumors. These materials are derived from cell membranes, extracellular vesicles and bacterial outer membrane vesicles and may evade immune recognition, improve drug targeting and activate antitumor immunity. However, their use is limited owing to their low drug-loading capacity and complex preparation methods. Liposomes are artificial bionic membranes that have high drug-loading capacity and can be prepared and modified easily. Although they can overcome the disadvantages of cell-derived biomimetic functional materials, they lack natural active targeting ability. Lipids can be hybridized with cell membranes, extracellular vesicles or bacterial outer membrane vesicles to form lipid-hybrid cell-derived biomimetic functional materials. These materials negate the disadvantages of both liposomes and cell-derived components and represent a promising delivery platform in the treatment of tumors. This review focuses on the design strategies, applications and mechanisms of action of lipid-hybrid cell-derived biomimetic functional materials and summarizes the prospects of their further development and the challenges associated with it.

Photosensitive Small Extracellular Vesicles Regulate the Immune Microenvironment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Currently, the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is limited by the special pathological characteristics of this disease. In recent years, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has created new hope for the treatment of TNBC. Moreover, PDT can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) and improve tumor immunogenicity. However, even though PDT can improve the immunogenicity of TNBC, the inhibitory immune microenvironment of TNBC still weakens the antitumor immune response. Therefore, we used the neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor GW4869 to inhibit the secretion of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) by TNBC cells to improve the tumor immune microenvironment and enhance antitumor immunity. In addition, bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived sEVs have good biological safety and a strong drug loading capacity, which can effectively improve the efficiency of drug delivery. In this study, we first obtained primary BMSCs and sEVs, and then the photosensitizers Ce6 and GW4869 were loaded into the sEVs by electroporation to produce immunomodulatory photosensitive nanovesicles (Ce6-GW4869/sEVs). When administered to TNBC cells or orthotopic TNBC models, these photosensitive sEVs could specifically target TNBC and improve the tumor immune microenvironment. Moreover, PDT combined with GW4869-based therapy showed a potent synergistic antitumor effect mediated by direct killing of TNBC and activation of antitumor immunity. Here, we designed photosensitive sEVs that could target TNBC and regulate the tumor immune microenvironment, providing a potential approach for improving the effectiveness of TNBC treatment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We designed an immunomodulatory photosensitive nanovesicle (Ce6-GW4869/sEVs) with the photosensitizer Ce6 to achieve photodynamic therapy and the neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor GW4869 to inhibit the secretion of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) by triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells to improve the tumor immune microenvironment and enhance antitumor immunity. In this study, the immunomodulatory photosensitive nanovesicle could target TNBC cells and regulate the tumor immune microenvironment, thus providing a potential approach for improving the treatment effect in TNBC. We found that the reduction in tumor sEVs secretion induced by GW4869 improved the tumor-suppressive immune microenvironment. Moreover, similar therapeutic strategies can also be applied in other kinds of tumors, especially immunosuppressive tumors, which is of great value for the clinical translation of tumor immunotherapy.

Lipid-based nanoparticles for cancer immunotherapy

As the fourth most important cancer management strategy except surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, cancer immunotherapy has been confirmed to elicit durable antitumor effects in the clinic by leveraging the patient's own immune system to eradicate the cancer cells. However, the limited population of patients who benefit from the current immunotherapies and the immune related adverse events hinder its development. The immunosuppressive microenvironment is the main cause of the failure, which leads to cancer immune evasion and immunity cycle blockade. Encouragingly, nanotechnology has been engineered to enhance the efficacy and reduce off-target toxicity of their therapeutic cargos by spatiotemporally controlling the biodistribution and release kinetics. Among them, lipid-based nanoparticles are the first nanomedicines to make clinical translation, which are now established platforms for diverse areas. In this perspective, we discuss the available lipid-based nanoparticles in research and market here, then describe their application in cancer immunotherapy, with special emphasis on the T cells-activated and macrophages-targeted delivery system. Through perpetuating each step of cancer immunity cycle, lipid-based nanoparticles can reduce immunosuppression and promote drug delivery to trigger robust antitumor response.

Intelligent delivery system targeting PD-1/PD-L1 pathway for cancer immunotherapy

The drugs targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have gained abundant clinical applications for cancer immunotherapy. However, only a part of patients benefit from such immunotherapy. Thus, brilliant novel tactic to increase the response rate of patients is on the agenda. Nanocarriers, particularly the rationally designed intelligent delivery systems with controllable therapeutic agent release ability and improved tumor targeting capacity, are firmly recommended. In light of this, state-of-the-art nanocarriers that are responsive to tumor-specific microenvironments (internal stimuli, including tumor acidic microenvironment, high level of GSH and ROS, specifically upregulated enzymes) or external stimuli (e.g., light, ultrasound, radiation) and release the target immunomodulators at tumor sites feature the advantages of increased anti-tumor potency but decreased off-target toxicity. Given the fantastic past achievements and the rapid developments in this field, the future is promising. In this review, intelligent delivery platforms targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis are attentively appraised. Specifically, mechanisms of the action of these stimuli-responsive drug release platforms are summarized to raise some guidelines for prior PD-1/PD-L1-based nanocarrier designs. Finally, the conclusion and outlook in intelligent delivery system targeting PD-1/PD-L1 pathway for cancer immunotherapy are outlined.

Liposomal celecoxib combined with dendritic cell therapy enhances antitumor efficacy in melanoma

Cancer vaccine efficacy is limited by the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment created by inflammation, immune inhibitory factors, and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Inspired by the role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in inflammation in the tumor site, we proposed that normalization of the tumor microenvironment by celecoxib as a COX-2 inhibitor might improve the efficacy of Dendritic Cell (DC) therapy in a melanoma model. In the present study, liposomal celecoxib (Lip-CLX) was combined with ex vivo generated DC vaccines pulsed with gp100 peptide (in liposomal and non-liposomal forms) for prophylactic and therapeutic evaluation in the B16F10 melanoma model. Tumor site analysis by flow cytometry demonstrated that intravenous administration of Lip-CLX at a dose of 1 mg/kg in four doses effectively normalized the tumor microenvironment by reducing Tregs and IL-10 production. Furthermore, in combination with DC vaccination (DC + Lip-peptide+Lip-CLX), it significantly increased tumor-infiltrating CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells and secretion of IFN-γ. This combinatorial strategy produced an effective prophylactic and therapeutic antitumor response, which reduced tumor growth and prolonged the overall survival. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the liposomal celecoxib targets the inhibitory mechanisms of the tumor microenvironment and broadens the impact of DC therapy to improve the outcome of immunotherapy in solid tumors.

Angiopep-2 Modified Exosomes Load Rifampicin with Potential for Treating Central Nervous System Tuberculosis

Background

Central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS-TB) is the most devastating form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Rifampin (RIF) is a first-line antimicrobial agent with potent bactericidal action. Nonetheless, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits the therapeutic effects on CNS-TB. Exosomes, however, can facilitate drug movements across the BBB. In addition, exosomes show high biocompatibility and drug-loading capacity. They can also be modified to increase drug delivery efficacy. In this study, we loaded RIF into exosomes and modified the exosomes with a brain-targeting peptide to improve BBB permeability of RIF; we named these exosomes ANG-Exo-RIF.

Methods

Exosomes were isolated from the culture medium of BMSCs by differential ultracentrifugation and loaded RIF by electroporation and modified ANG by chemical reaction. To characterize ANG-Exo-RIF, Western blot (WB), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed. Bend.3 cells were incubated with DiI labeled ANG-Exo-RIF and then fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the targeting ability of ANG-Exo-RIF in vitro. Fluorescence imaging and frozen section were used to evaluate the targeting ability of ANG-Exo-RIF in vivo. MIC and MBC were determined through microplate alamar blue assay (MABA).

Results

A novel exosome-based nanoparticle was developed. Compared with untargeted exosomes, the targeted exosomes exhibited high targeting capacity and permeability in vitro and in vivo. The MIC and MBC of ANG-Exo-RIF were 0.25 μg/mL, which were sufficient to meet the clinical needs.

Conclusion

In summary, excellent targeting ability, high antitubercular activity and biocompatibility endow ANG-Exo-RIF with potential for use in future translation-aimed research and provide hope for an effective CNS-TB treatment.

Multifunctional Drug-Loaded Phase-Change Nanoparticles Inhibit the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Affecting the Activity of Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells

Objectives. Preparation of a multifunctional drug-loaded phase-change nanoparticle (NP), pirfenidone perfluoropentane liposome NPs (PPL NPs), and combined with low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) to influence epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by inhibiting the activity of activated Hepatic Stellate Cells (a-HSCs). Methods. PPL NPs were prepared by the thin film dispersion method. The appearance, particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading rate, drug release in vitro, and stability of PPL NPs were tested. The role of a-HSCs in HCC metastasis was studied by CCK-8, colony formation assay, apoptosis, cellular uptake assay, wound healing assay, and Transwell assay. Western blot was used to detect the related protein expression levels. In vitro and vivo, the acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) of PPL NPs was tested at different times and LIFU intensities. Biosafety of the PPL NPs was assessed by measuring nude mouse body weight and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results. The results showed that the PPL NPs had good biosafety, with an average particle size of 346.6 ± 62.21 nm and an average zeta potential of -15.23 mV. When the LIFU power is 2.4 W/cm2, it can improve the permeability of cells, further promote the uptake of drugs by cells, and improve the toxicity of drugs. In vitro experiments showed that PPL NPs could inhibit the proliferation of a-HSCs cells, thereby affecting the metastasis of HCC, and were related to the TGFβ-Smad2/3-Snail signaling pathway. Both in vivo and in vitro PPL NPs enhanced ultrasound imaging by LIFU-triggered ADV. Conclusion. The PPL NPs designed and prepared in this study combined with LIFU irradiation could significantly alter the EMT of HCC by inhibiting LX2. Clinically, PPL NPs will also be considered a promising contrast agent due to their ultrasound imaging capabilities.

Molecular Docking and Intracellular Translocation of Extracellular Vesicles for Efficient Drug Delivery

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, mediate intercellular communication by delivering their contents, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, to distant target cells. EVs play a role in the progression of several diseases. In particular, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) levels in exosomes are associated with cancer progression. Furthermore, exosomes are being used for new drug-delivery systems by modifying their membrane peptides to promote their intracellular transduction via micropinocytosis. In this review, we aim to show that an efficient drug-delivery system and a useful therapeutic strategy can be established by controlling the molecular docking and intracellular translocation of exosomes. We summarise the mechanisms of molecular docking of exosomes, the biological effects of exosomes transmitted into target cells, and the current state of exosomes as drug delivery systems.

Immunotherapy-based novel nanoparticles in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer: Trends and challenges

Gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) is the most common cancer with a poor prognosis. Currently, surgery is the main treatment for GIC. However, the high rate of postoperative recurrence leads to a low five-year survival rate. In recent years, immunotherapy has received much attention. As the only immunotherapy drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) drugs have great potential in cancer therapy. Nevertheless, the efficacy of ICB treatment is greatly limited by the low immunogenicity and immunosuppressive microenvironment of GIC. Therefore, the targets of immunotherapy have expanded from ICB to increasing tumor immunogenicity, increasing the recruitment and maturation of immune cells and reducing the proportion of inhibitory immune cells, such as M2-like macrophages, regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Moreover, with the development of nanotechnology, a variety of nanoparticles have been approved by the FDA for clinical therapy, so novel nanodrug delivery systems have become a research focus for anticancer therapy. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the application of immunotherapy-based nanoparticles in GICs, such as gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer, and described the existing challenges and future trends.