Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticle-enhanced radiotherapy for lung adenocarcinoma via delivery of siBIRC5 and AS-ODN

Nano-Assisted Radiotherapy Strategies: New Opportunities for Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related death, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being the most prevalent type. Over 70% of lung cancer patients require radiotherapy (RT), which operates through direct and indirect mechanisms to treat cancer. However, RT can damage healthy tissues and encounter radiological resistance, making it crucial to enhance its precision to optimize treatment outcomes, minimize side effects, and overcome radioresistance. Integrating nanotechnology into RT presents a promising method to increase its efficacy. This review explores various nano-assisted RT strategies aimed at achieving precision treatment. These include using nanomaterials as radiosensitizers, applying nanotechnology to modify the tumor microenvironment, and employing nano-based radioprotectors and radiation-treated cell products for indirect cancer RT. We also explore recent advancements in nano-assisted RT for NSCLC, such as biomimetic targeting that alters mesenchymal stromal cells, magnetic targeting strategies, and nanosensitization with high-atomic number nanomaterials. Finally, we address the existing challenges and future directions of precision RT using nanotechnology, highlighting its potential clinical applications.

Magnetic nanosystem a tool for targeted delivery and diagnostic application: Current challenges and recent advancement

Over the last two decades, researchers have paid more attention to magnetic nanosystems due to their wide application in diverse fields. The metal nanomaterials' antimicrobial and biocidal properties make them an essential nanosystem for biomedical applications. Moreover, the magnetic nanosystems could have also been used for diagnosis and treatment because of their magnetic, optical, and fluorescence properties. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and quantum dots (QDs) are the most widely used magnetic nanosystems prepared by a simple process. By surface modification, researchers have recently been working on conjugating metals like silica, copper, and gold with magnetic nanosystems. This hybridization of the nanosystems modifies the structural characteristics of the nanomaterials and helps to improve their efficacy for targeted drug and gene delivery. The hybridization of metals with various nanomaterials like micelles, cubosomes, liposomes, and polymeric nanomaterials is gaining more interest due to their nanometer size range and nontoxic, biocompatible nature. Moreover, they have good injectability and higher targeting ability by accumulation at the target site by application of an external magnetic field. The present article discussed the magnetic nanosystem in more detail regarding their structure, properties, interaction with the biological system, and diagnostic applications.

Application of nano-radiosensitizers in non-small cell lung cancer

Radiotherapy stands as a cornerstone in the treatment of numerous malignant tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer. However, the critical challenge of amplifying the tumoricidal effectiveness of radiotherapy while minimizing collateral damage to healthy tissues remains an area of significant research interest. Radiosensitizers, by methods such as amplifying DNA damage and fostering the creation of free radicals, play a pivotal role in enhancing the destructive impact of radiotherapy on tumors. Over recent decades, nano-dimensional radiosensitizers have emerged as a notable advancement. Their mechanisms include cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, combating tumor hypoxia, and others, thereby enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy. This review delves into the evolving landscape of nanomaterials used for radiosensitization in non-small cell lung cancer. It provides insights into the current research progress and critically examines the challenges and future prospects within this burgeoning field.

153Sm-labeled Fe3O4@lapatinib nanoparticles as a potential therapeutic agent for breast cancer: synthesis, quality control, and in vivo evaluation

The present study introduces Fe3O4-coated lapatinib-labeled 153Sm nanoparticles (denoted as Fe3O4@lapatinib-153Sm) as a promising avenue for advancing breast cancer treatment. The radiolabeled nanoparticles combine various attributes, offering enhanced therapeutic precision. The integration of lapatinib confers therapeutic effects and targeted delivery. The inherent magnetic characteristics of Fe3O4 nanoparticles contribute to improved imaging contrast and targeted localization. Incorporating the gamma-emitting 153Sm isotope permits single-photon emission computed tomography imaging and radiation dose evaluation, while its beta-emitting nature ensures targeted cancer cell eradication. The synthesis of Fe3O4@lapatinib-153Sm was meticulously optimized by investigating the effects of parameters on radiolabeling efficiency. Physicochemical attributes were scrutinized using several analytical techniques. In-depth in vivo assessment evaluated the biocompatibility, toxicity, and biodistribution in a murine model, illuminating clinical utility. Optimal conditions (153SmCl3 concentration of 10 mCi mL-1, pH 7.4, a reaction time of 30 min, and a temperature of 25 °C) achieved >99% labeling efficiency and radiochemical purity. The TEM analysis indicated that the diameter of Fe3O4@lapatinib-153Sm nanoparticles ranged from 10 to 40 nm. Vibrating-sample magnetometry verified their superparamagnetic behaviour with a saturation magnetization of 41.4 emu g-1. The synthesized radiopharmaceutical exhibited high sterility and in vitro stability. Acute toxicity studies showed the mild effects of Fe3O4@lapatinib-153Sm at a dose of 20 mCi kg-1, with no observed mortality. Notably, lesions from Fe3O4@lapatinib-153Sm use recovered naturally over time. Radiation doses below 20 mCi kg-1 were recommended for clinical trials. The biodistribution study in BT474 xenograft mice revealed rapid clearance of Fe3O4@lapatinib-153Sm within 48 h. Significant accumulation occurred in the liver, spleen, and tumor tissue, while minimal accumulation was found in other tissues. Future steps involve studying biocorona formation and therapeutic efficacy on tumour models, refining its clinical potential.

A review of chitosan in gene therapy: Developments and challenges

Gene therapy, as a revolutionary treatment, has been gaining more and more attention. The key to gene therapy is the selection of suitable vectors for protection of exogenous nucleic acid molecules and enabling their specific release in target cells. While viral vectors have been widely used in researches, non-viral vectors are receiving more attention due to its advantages. Chitosan (CS) has been widely used as non-viral organic gene carrier because of its good biocompatibility and its ability to load large amounts of nucleic acids. This paper summarizes and evaluates the potential of chitosan and its derivatives as gene delivery vector materials, along with factors influencing transfection efficiency, performance evaluation, ways to optimize infectious efficiency, and the current main research development directions. Additionally, it provides an outlook on its future prospects.

Establishing a prognostic model based on immune-related genes and identification of BIRC5 as a potential biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma patients

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is an extraordinarily malignant tumor, with rapidly increasing morbidity and poor prognosis. Immunotherapy has emerged as a hopeful therapeutic modality for lung adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, a prognostic model (based on immune genes) can fulfill the purpose of early diagnosis and accurate prognostic prediction.

METHODS

Immune-related mRNAs (IRmRNAs) were utilized to construct a prognostic model that sorted patients into high- and low-risk groups. Then, the prediction efficacy of our model was evaluated using a nomogram. The differences in overall survival (OS), the tumor mutation landscape, and the tumor microenvironment were further explored between different risk groups. In addition, the immune genes comprising the prognostic model were subjected to single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate the expression of these immune genes in different cells. Finally, the functions of BIRC5 were validated through in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

Patients in different risk groups exhibited sharply significant variations in OS, pathway activity, immune cell infiltration, mutation patterns, and immune response. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that the expression level of BIRC5 was significantly high in T cells. Cell experiments further revealed that BIRC5 knockdown markedly reduced LUAD cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

This model can function as an instrumental variable in the prognostic, molecular, and therapeutic prediction of LUAD, shedding new light on the optimal clinical practice guidelines for LUAD patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Nanoadministration in the Treatment of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Is Good to Some Extent: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a nanodrug delivery regimen compared with conventional drug administration for the treatment of lung cancer. Materials and Methods. Studies were retrieved through PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. Primary and secondary outcome measures, including overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events, were extracted from the retrieved literature and systematically evaluated. Results. Six trials, including 4806 advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients, were included in this study. Compared with conventional drug administration in the treatment of lung cancer, the nanodrug delivery regimen improved the ORR (risk ratio = 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.25–1.63, $p\le 0.001$ ), prolonged PFS (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.76–0.92, $p\le 0.001$ ), and obtained superior OS (HR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.83–0.99, $p\le 0.001$ ). Regarding safety, the incidence of neutropenia, alopecia, sensory neuropathy, myalgia, and arthralgia was lower in the nanoadministration group, but the risk of thrombocytopenia, anaemia, and nausea was increased. Conclusion. Nanodrug administration is safe and effective in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer to some extent.

Magnetic Fields and Cancer: Epidemiology, Cellular Biology, and Theranostics

Humans are exposed to a complex mix of man-made electric and magnetic fields (MFs) at many different frequencies, at home and at work. Epidemiological studies indicate that there is a positive relationship between residential/domestic and occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and some types of cancer, although some other studies indicate no relationship. In this review, after an introduction on the MF definition and a description of natural/anthropogenic sources, the epidemiology of residential/domestic and occupational exposure to MFs and cancer is reviewed, with reference to leukemia, brain, and breast cancer. The in vivo and in vitro effects of MFs on cancer are reviewed considering both human and animal cells, with particular reference to the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS). MF application on cancer diagnostic and therapy (theranostic) are also reviewed by describing the use of different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications for the detection of several cancers. Finally, the use of magnetic nanoparticles is described in terms of treatment of cancer by nanomedical applications for the precise delivery of anticancer drugs, nanosurgery by magnetomechanic methods, and selective killing of cancer cells by magnetic hyperthermia. The supplementary tables provide quantitative data and methodologies in epidemiological and cell biology studies. Although scientists do not generally agree that there is a cause-effect relationship between exposure to MF and cancer, MFs might not be the direct cause of cancer but may contribute to produce ROS and generate oxidative stress, which could trigger or enhance the expression of oncogenes.