Coacervate-mediated novel pancreatic cancer drug Aleuria Aurantia lectin delivery for augmented anticancer therapy

Fungal lectins show differential antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines

Glycosylation patterns represent an important signature of cancer cells that can be decoded by glycan-binding proteins, i.e., lectins. Fungal lectins have unique properties and diverse structural and glycan-recognition features. In this study, the bioactivities of 22 fungal proteins against nine cancer cell lines were analyzed, and cell phenotypes were assessed with live cell imaging providing mechanistic insights. Eight fungal lectins showed antiproliferative activity, which depended on glycan binding and led to different downstream effects. The β-galactoside-binding chimerolectins Marasmius oreades agglutinin (MOA) and Laetiporus sulphureus lectin (LSL) showed indiscriminate antiproliferative activities with different modes of action, whereas the non-chimeric β-galactoside-binding lectin Agrocybe aegerita galectin (AAG) showed differential antiproliferative activity. Other β-galactoside-binding lectins exerted no effects. Fucose-binding lectins showed differential and strong antiproliferative activities, of which Aleuria aurantia lectin (AAL) exerted the strongest effects. Weaker and differential antiproliferative activities were observed with the Galβ1-3GalNAc-binding actinoporin-like lectins Xerocomus chrysenteron lectin (XCL), Sordaria macrospora transcript associated with perithecial development (TAP1), and Agaricus bisporus lectin (ABL). The different downstream effects of lectins, likely influenced by the targeted glycoligands, show that fungal lectins are valuable tools for identifying new therapeutic targets that can induce cancer cell death or growth arrest via different mechanisms.

Delivery of piperlongumine via hyaluronic acid/phenylboronic acid-mediated dual targetable polymersome for enhanced anticancer functionality against pancreatic tumor

Pancreatic cancer cells highly resistance to conventional chemo drugs, resulting low survival rates. The aim of the study was to design and develop dual targeting polymersomes (DTPS) loaded with phyto alkaloid agent i.e., piperlongumine (PL) for effective pancreatic cancer treatment. Here, hyaluronic acid (HA) was functionalized with 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[amino(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (DSPEPEG-NH2), poly(ethylene glycol) bis (amine) (PEG), and phenylboronic acid (PBA) moieties. The designed DTPS could selectively recognize CD44/sialic acid (SA) and deliver PL to MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells, facilitated via HA-CD44 and PBA-SA interactions. Drug release and stability results implied sustained PL release profile and pH sensitivity. DTPS could be more efficiently bound with SA than other sugars based on fluorescence spectroscopy. The anticancer efficacy of designed polymersomes was tested with H6C7 normal pancreas cells and SA/CD44-overexpressed MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells. DTPS showed both SA and CD44-mediated higher cellular uptake while single-targeted polymersomes showed CD44-mediated cellular uptake. The PL-loaded DTPS efficiently uptake by MIA PaCa-2 cancer cells, causing up to 80 % cell growth inhibition, reduced cell spheroids volume and increased dead cells by 58.3 %. These results indicate that the newly developed DTPS can effectively serve as a pH-responsive drug delivery system for efficient treatment of cancer.

Exploring the astonishing beneficial effects of round gourd (Praecitrullus fistulosus) and plant lectins towards cancer: A comprehensive review

Praecitrullus fistulosus, commonly known as round gourd or tinda, is a remarkable source of bioactive substances like polyphenols, antioxidants, carotene, magnesium, and vitamin C. It is considered one of the Cucurbitaceae family due to its medicinal features. Plant lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that can bind and identify the carbohydrate moieties upon cancerous cells demonstrated some anticancer potentials. Several plant lectins are helpful as cancer biomarkers because they can find cancer cells and contribute to cell death initiation via apoptosis and autophagy, suggesting the possible role of cancer-inhibiting pathways. Therefore, round gourd and lectins might be useful in the controlling of cancer. This study compiled the most recent scientific literature regarding the round gourd and numerous plant lectins, and the clinical trials of lectins exploring their effects on cancer were examined. Research according to the literature, round gourd, and lectins demonstrated pharmacological alterations not only in cancer but in many other disorders as well. Thus, clinical investigations proved the beneficial impacts of round gourd and lectins on cancer due to their antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties. Further studies are required to fully comprehend the potential applications of these plant-derived compounds against cancer, as well as to identify the round gourd components and clarify their mode of action.

Aberrant Glycosylation in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma 3D Organoids Is Mediated by KRAS Mutations

Aberrant glycosylation in tumor cells is a hallmark during carcinogenesis. KRAS gene mutations are the most well-known oncogenic abnormalities but their association with glycan alterations in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is largely unknown. We employed patient-derived 3D organoids to culture pure live PDAC cells, excluding contamination by fibroblasts and immune cells, to gasp the comprehensive cancer cell surface glycan expression profile using lectin microarray and transcriptomic analyses. Surgical specimens from 24 PDAC patients were digested and embedded into a 3D culture system. Surface-bound glycans of 3D organoids were analyzed by high-density, 96-lectin microarrays. KRAS mutation status and expression of various glycosyltransferases were analyzed by RNA-seq. We successfully established 16 3D organoids: 14 PDAC, 1 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), and 1 normal pancreatic duct. KRAS was mutated in 13 (7 G12V, 5 G12D, 1 Q61L) and wild in 3 organoids (1 normal duct, 1 IPMN, 1 PDAC). Lectin reactivity of AAL (Aleuria aurantia) and AOL (Aspergillus oryzae) with binding activity to α1-3 fucose was higher in organoids with KRAS mutants than those with KRAS wild-type. FUT6 (α1-3fucosyltransferase 6) and FUT3 (α1-3/4 fucosyltransferase 3) expression was also higher in KRAS mutants than wild-type. Meanwhile, mannose-binding lectin (rRSL [Ralstonia solanacearum] and rBC2LA [Burkholderia cenocepacia]) signals were higher while those of galactose-binding lectins (rGal3C and rCGL2) were lower in the KRAS mutants. We demonstrated here that PDAC 3D-cultured organoids with KRAS mutations were dominantly covered in increased fucosylated glycans, pointing towards novel treatment targets and/or tumor markers.

Dual Stimuli-Responsive Micelles for Imaging-Guided Mitochondrion-Targeted Photothermal/Photodynamic/Chemo Combination Therapy-Induced Immunogenic Cell Death

Introduction

As the special modality of cell death, immunogenic cell death (ICD) could activate immune response. Phototherapy in combination with chemotherapy (CT) is a particularly efficient tumor ICD inducing method that could overcome the defects of monotherapies.

Methods

In this study, new dual stimuli-responsive micelles were designed and prepared for imaging-guided mitochondrion-targeted photothermal/photodynamic/CT combination therapy through inducing ICD. A dual-sensitive methoxy-polyethylene glycol-SS-poly(L-γ-glutamylglutamine)-SS-IR780 (mPEG-SS-PGG-SS-IR780) polymer was synthesized by grafting IR780 with biodegradable di-carboxyl PGG as the backbone, and mPEG-SS-PGG-SS-IR780/paclitaxel micelles (mPEG-SS-PGG-SS-IR780/PTXL MCs) were synthesized by encapsulating PTXL in the hydrophobic core.

Results

In-vivo and -vitro results demonstrated that the three-mode combination micelles inhibited tumor growth and enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy. The dual stimuli-responsive mPEG-SS-PGG-SS-IR780/PTXL MCs were able to facilitate tumor cell endocytosis of nanoparticles. They were also capable of promoting micelles disintegration and accelerating PTXL release. The mPEG-SS-PGG-SS-IR780/PTXL MCs induced mitochondrial dysfunction by directly targeting the mitochondria, considering the thermo- and reactive oxygen species (ROS) sensitivity of the mitochondria. Furthermore, the mPEG-SS-PGG-SS-IR780/PTXL MCs could play the diagnostic and therapeutic roles via imaging capabilities.

Conclusion

In summary, this study formulated a high-efficiency nanoscale platform with great potential in combined therapy for tumors through ICD.

Tumor Microenvironment-Responsive 6-Mercaptopurine-Releasing Injectable Hydrogel for Colon Cancer Treatment

Colon cancer is a significant health concern. The development of effective drug delivery systems is critical for improving treatment outcomes. In this study, we developed a drug delivery system for colon cancer treatment by embedding 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), an anticancer drug, in a thiolated gelatin/polyethylene glycol diacrylate hydrogel (6MP-GPGel). The 6MP-GPGel continuously released 6-MP, the anticancer drug. The release rate of 6-MP was further accelerated in an acidic or glutathione environment that mimicked a tumor microenvironment. In addition, when pure 6-MP was used for treatment, cancer cells proliferated again from day 5, whereas a continuous supply of 6-MP from the 6MP-GPGel continuously suppressed the survival rate of cancer cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that embedding 6-MP in a hydrogel formulation can improve the efficacy of colon cancer treatment and may serve as a promising minimally invasive and localized drug delivery system for future development.

Enhanced anticancer efficacy of primed natural killer cells via coacervate-mediated exogenous interleukin-15 delivery

Effective exogenous delivery of interleukin (IL)-15 to natural killer (NK) cells with subsequent anticancer efficacy could be a promising immune cell-based cancer immunotherapy. For the protection of encapsulated cargo IL-15 while maintaining its bioactivity under physiological conditions, we utilized a coacervate (Coa) consisting of a cationic methoxy polyethylene glycol-poly(ethylene arginyl aspartate diglyceride) (mPEG-PEAD) polymer, anionic counterpart heparin, and cargo IL-15. mPEGylation into the backbone cation effectively preserved the colloidal stability of Coa in harsh environments and enhanced the protection of cargo IL-15 than normal Coa without mPEGylation. Proliferation and anticancer efficacy of primed NK cells through co-culture with multiple cancer cell lines were enhanced in the mPEG-Coa group due to the maintained bioactivity of cargo IL-15 during the ex vivo expansion of NK cells. These facilitated functions of NK cells were also supported by the increased expression of mRNAs related to anticancer effects of NK cells, including cytotoxic granules, death ligands, anti-apoptotic proteins, and activation receptors. In summary, our Coa-mediated exogenous IL-15 delivery could be an effective ex vivo priming technique for NK cells with sustained immune activation that can effectively facilitate its usage for cancer immunotherapy.