Galactose-grafted chylomicron-mimicking emulsion: evaluation of specificity against HepG-2 and MCF-7 cell lines

All-in-One Microfluidic Chip for Online Labeling, Separating, and Focusing Rare Circulating Tumor Cells from Blood Samples Followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Detection

Circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection is essential for early cancer diagnosis and evaluating treatment efficacy. Despite the growing interest in isolating CTCs and further quantifying surface biomarkers at the single-cell level, highly efficient separation of rare CTCs from massive blood cells is still a big challenge. Here, we developed an all-in-one microfluidic chip system for the immunolabeling, magnetic separation, and focusing of HepG2 cells (as a CTC model) and online combined it with single cell-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SC-ICP-MS) for quantitative analysis of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) on single HepG2 cells. Lanthanide-labeled anti-ASGPR monoclonal antibody and antiepithelial cell adhesion molecule-modified magnetic beads were prepared as signal and magnetic probes, respectively. Target cells were highly efficiently labeled with signal and magnetic probes in the mixing zone of the microfluidic chip and then focused and sorted in the separation zone by specific magnetic separation techniques to avoid matrix contamination. The average cell recovery of HepG2 cells was derived to be 94.1 ± 5.7% with high separation efficiency and purity. The sorted cells with signal probes were detected for enumeration and quantification of ASGPR on their surface by SC-ICP-MS. The developed method showed good specificity and high sensitivity, detecting an average of (1.0 ± 0.2) × 105 ASGPR molecules per cell surface. This method can be used for absolute quantitative analysis of ASGPR on the surface of single hepatocellular carcinoma cells in real-world samples, providing a highly efficient analytical platform for studying targeted drug delivery in cancer therapy.

Helwah MK, Noureldin MH, Abbas H. Dual-effects of caffeinated hyalurosomes as a nano-cosmeceutical gel counteracting UV-induced skin ageing

Caffeine (CAF) is a challenging natural bioactive compound with proven antiaging efficacy. However, being hydrophilic hampers its permeation through the skin. Our aim is to develop a novel CAF-loaded nano-cosmeceutical tool counteracting skin photoaging via improving CAF skin permeation using a bioactive nanocarrier. Caffeinated hyalurosomes are novel biocompatible antiaging nanoplatforms designed by immobilization of phospholipid vesicles with a hyaluronan polymer. Physicochemical properties of the selected hyalurosomes formulation showed nano-sized vesicles (210.10 ± 1.87 nm), with high zeta potential (-31.30 ± 1.19 mv), and high encapsulation efficiency (84.60 ± 1.05%). In vitro release results showed outstanding sustained release profile from caffeinated hyalurosomes compared to the CAF-loaded in conventional gel over 24 h. The in-vivo study revealed a photoprotective effect of caffeinated hyalurosomes, reflected from the intact and wrinkling-free skin. Results of biochemical analyses of oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory mediators, and anti-wrinkling markers further confirmed the efficacy of the prepared hyalurosomes compared to the CAF conventional gel. Finally, histopathological examination demonstrated normal histological structures of epidermal layers with minimal inflammatory cell infiltrates in the caffeinated hyalurosomes group compared to the positive control group. Conclusively, caffeinated hyalurosomes successfully achieved enhanced CAF loading and penetration into the skin besides the hydration effect of hyaluronan. Consequently, the developed delivery system presents a promising skin protection nano-platforms via the double effects of both hyaluronan and CAF, hence it guards against skin photodamage.

Nanoemulsomes for Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of the Anticancer Phytochemical Andrographolide: Characterization and Pharmacokinetics

Andrographolide (AG) is an antitumor phytochemical that acts against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, AG shows low oral bioavailability due to extensive first-pass metabolism and P-glycoprotein efflux. Novel biocompatible lipoprotein-simulating nanosystems, emulsomes (EMLs), have gained significant attention due to their composition of natural components, in addition to being lymphotropic. Loading AG on EMLs is believed to mitigate the disadvantage of AG and enhance its lymphatic transport. This study developed a chylomicron-simulating system (EMLs) as a novel tool to overcome the AG oral delivery obstacles. Optimized EML-AG had a promising vesicular size of 281.62 ± 1.73 nm, a zeta potential of - 22.73 ± 0.06 mV, and a high entrapment efficiency of 96.55% ± 0.25%, which favors lymphatic targeting. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies of EML-AG showed significant enhancement (> sixfold increase) in the rate and extent of AG absorption compared with free AG. However, intraperitoneal injection of a cycloheximide inhibitor caused a significant decrease in AG absorption (~ 52%), confirming the lymphatic targeting potential of EMLs. Therefore, EMLs can be a promising novel nanoplatform for circumventing AG oral delivery obstacles and provide targeted delivery to the lymphatic system at a lower dose with fewer side effects.

Novel bioemulsomes for baicalin oral lymphatic targeting: development, optimization and pharmacokinetics

Aim: The aim of this study was to elaborate on 'bioemulsomes,' novel biocompatible lipoprotein analogs for effective lymphatic transport of baicalin (BCL). Methods: BCL bioemulsomes were developed and optimized and in vitro physicochemical characterization performed. The bioavailability of BCL bioemulsomes compared with free BCL was investigated using in vivo pharmacokinetics studies. Finally, BCL lymphatic transport was assessed via cycloheximide blockade assay. Results: Optimized BCL-loaded nanoemulsomes showed promising in vitro characteristics that favor lymphatic targeting. In vivo pharmacokinetics showed a significant improvement in bioavailability over free BCL. A significant decrease in BCL emulsome absorption (33%) was exhibited after chemical blockage of the lymphatic pathway, confirming the lymphatic transport potential. Conclusion: Bioemulsomes could be a promising tool for bypassing BCL oral delivery hurdles as well as lymphatic transport, paving the way for potential treatment of lymphoma.

Higher oral efficacy of ravuconazole in self-nanoemulsifying systems in shorter treatment in experimental chagas disease

We investigated the in vitro activity and selectivity, and in vivo efficacy of ravuconazole (RAV) in self-nanoemulsifying delivery system (SNEDDS) against Trypanosoma cruzi. Novel formulations of this poorly soluble C14-α-demethylase inhibitor may improve its efficacy in the experimental treatment. In vitro activity was determined in infected cardiomyocytes and efficacy in vivo evaluated in terms of parasitological cure induced in Y and Colombian strains of T. cruzi-infected mice. In vitro RAV-SNEDDS exhibited significantly higher potency of 1.9-fold at the IC₅₀ level and 2-fold at IC₉₀ level than free-RAV. No difference in activity with Colombian strain was observed in vitro. Oral treatment with a daily dose of 20 mg/kg for 30 days resulted in 70% of cure for RAV-SNEDDS versus 40% for free-RAV and 50% for 100 mg/kg benznidazole in acute infection (T. cruzi Y strain). Long-term treatment efficacy (40 days) was able to cure 100% of Y strain-infected animals with both RAV preparations. Longer treatment time was also efficient to increase the cure rate with benznidazole (Y and Colombian strains). RAV-SNEDDS shows greater efficacy in a shorter time treatment regimen, it is safe and could be a promising formulation to be evaluated in other pre-clinical models to treat T. cruzi and fungi infections.

Therapeutic potential of functionalized siRNA nanoparticles on regression of liver cancer in experimental mice

Short interfering RNA (siRNA) possesses special ability of silencing specific gene. To increase siRNA stability, transportation and its uptake by tumor cells, effective delivery to the appropriate target cells is a major challenge of siRNA-based therapy. In the present study, an effective, safe and biocompatible survivin siRNA encapsulated, GalNAc decorated PEGylated PLGA nanoconjugates (NCs) viz., GalNAc@PEG@siRNA-PLGA were engineered and their synergistic antitumor efficacy was evaluated for targeted delivery in HCC bearing experimental mice. GalNAc@PEG@siRNA-PLGA NCs were characterized for size, bioavailability, toxicity and biocompatibility. Their antitumor potential was evaluated considering gene silencing, apoptosis, histopathology and survival of treated mice. Exceptional accumulation of hepatocytes, reduction in survivin expression and prominent regression in tumor size confirmed the ASGPR-mediated uptake of ligand-anchored NCs and silencing of survivin gene in a targeted manner. Increased DNA fragmentation and potential modulation of caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 factors specified the induction of apoptosis that helped in significant inhibition of HCC progression. The potential synchronous and tumor selective delivery of versatile NCs indicated the effective payloads towards the target site, increased apoptosis in cancer cells and improved survival of treated animals.

Phytochylomicron as a dual nanocarrier for liver cancer targeting of luteolin: in vitro appraisal and pharmacodynamics

Aim: A novel luteolin (LUT) loaded dual bionanocarrier ‘phytochylomicron’ was elaborated to allow LUT injectable delivery and liver cancer targeting. Methods: LUT–phospholipid complex was prepared and loaded into chylomicron nanocarrier. Then phytochylomicron underwent physicochemical characterization, cell culture and pharmacodynamics studies on a new liver-tumor model. Results: Phytochylomicron showed sustained release pattern with minimum drug leakage until reaching the liver. Cell culture studies showed high growth inhibition of Hep G2 cells with 2.6-fold enhancement in cellular uptake. Pharmacodynamics demonstrated enhanced tumor growth inhibition (sixfold) with a significant tumor size reduction. Finally, cell culture results demonstrated an excellent correlation with pharmacodynamics confirming the obtained findings. Conclusion: A novel phytochylomicron nanosystem was successfully elaborated with promising characteristics that promoted injectable LUT delivery and liver cancer targeting.

[Formula: see text]

Galactosylated manganese ferrite nanoparticles for targeted MR imaging of asialoglycoprotein receptor

Cancer cells can express specific biomarkers, such as cell membrane proteins and signaling factors. Thus, finding biomarkers and delivering diagnostic agents are important in the diagnosis of cancer. In this study, we investigated a biomarker imaging agent for the diagnosis of hepatic cancers. The asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPr) was selected as a biomarker for hepatoma cells and the ASGPr-targetable imaging agent bearing a galactosyl group was prepared using manganese ferrite nanoparticles (MFNP) and galactosylgluconic acid. The utility of the ASGPr-targetable imaging agent, galactosylated MFNP (G-MFNP) was assessed by several methods in ASGPr-expressing HepG2 cells as target cells and ASGPr-deficient MCF7 cells. Physical and chemical properties of G-MFNP were examined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. No significant cytotoxicity was observed in either cell line. Targeting ability was assessed using flow cytometry, magnetic resonance imaging, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, absorbance analysis, dark-field microscopy, Prussian blue staining, and transmission electron microscopy. We demonstrated that G-MFNP target successfully and bind to ASGPr-expressing HepG2 cells specifically. We suggest that these results will be useful in strategies for cancer diagnoses based on magnetic resonance imaging.

Detection of circulating tumor cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma using an improved asialoglycoprotein receptor-based separation method

AIM: To introduce a novel magnetic cell separation system which allows for immunomorphological identification and enumeration of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS: The asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) is a transmembrane protein expressed exclusively on the surface of hepatocytes. We have recently developed a sensitive and specific system mediated by the interaction of the ASGPR with its ligand to magnetically separate CTCs in HCC patients. In the system, HCC cells were bound by biotinylated asialofetuin, an ASGPR ligand, and subsequently labeled by anti-biotin antibody-coated magnetic beads, followed by magnetic separation. The separated HCC cells were then identified by immunofluorescence staining using the hepatocyte-specific antibody Hep Par 1. In this study, we used EDTA instead of heparin for anticoagulation because heparin could cause the presence of gels in cell suspension, which affected the passage of cells through the separation column and reduced the separation efficiency. The recovery, specificity and sensitivity of the HCC CTC separation and detection system were determined by performing Hep3B cell spiking experiments.

RESULTS: Calcium chelating agent EDTA was used for anticoagulation instead of heparin in some steps of the original method and gel phenomenon no longer appeared in the cell suspension. The cell spiking experiments showed that when there were 10, 30, 90, 270 and 810 Hep3B cells spiked into five milliliters of peripheral blood from healthy volunteers, the average recovery was ≥ 70% at each spiking level and the recovery of the modified method was higher than that of the original method (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: We have developed a new tool that allows for highly sensitive and specific separation and detection of CTCs in HCC patients. It may be clinically useful for diagnosis and monitoring of HCC. The cell spiking experiments showed that the recovery of the modified method was higher than that of the original method.

Monitoring of the generation of circulating tumor cells in central venous blood of patients undergoing right hepatectomy using anterior liver hanging maneuver

AIM: To monitor the generation of circulating tumor cells in central venous blood of patients undergoing right hepatectomy using anterior liver hanging (ALH) maneuver.

METHODS: From January 2008 to June 2011, 40 patients undergoing right hepatectomy were randomly allocated to ALH and conventional approach (CA) groups. Blood samples were collected from all patients through a central venous catheter, just before skin incision, just before parenchymal transection (after hilar dissection in the ALH group and after mobilization of the liver in the CA group), and after delivery of the tumor. All samples were detected for CTCs using an asialoglycoprotein receptor-based isolation strategy. The proportions of CTC-positive patients at various stages of surgery were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: The proportion of CTC-positive patients showed no significant difference before surgery between the two groups (2/18 vs 1/19, P > 0.05) but was significantly lower in the ALH group than in the CA group before parenchymal transection and at the end of surgery after delivery of the tumor (20% vs 55%, 40% vs 80%, P = 0.022, 0.010).

CONCLUSION: Right hepatectomy using anterior liver hanging maneuver can reduce intraoperative blood-borne spread of tumor cells compared with the conventional method.

Isolation of circulating tumor cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma using a novel cell separation strategy

PURPOSE

To establish a sensitive and specific isolation and enumeration system for circulating tumor cells (CTC) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

HCC cells were bound by biotinylated asialofetuin, a ligand of asialoglycoprotein receptor, and subsequently magnetically labeled by antibiotin antibody-coated magnetic beads, followed by magnetic separation. Isolated HCC cells were identified by immunofluorescence staining using Hep Par 1 antibody. The system was used to detect CTCs in 5 mL blood. Blood samples spiked with Hep3B cells (ranging from 10 to 810 cells) were used to determine recovery and sensitivity. Prevalence of CTCs was examined in samples from HCC patients, healthy volunteers, and patients with benign liver diseases or non-HCC cancers. CTC samples were also analyzed by FISH.

RESULTS

The average recovery was 61% or more at each spiking level. No healthy, benign liver disease or non-HCC cancer subjects had CTCs detected. CTCs were identified in 69 of 85 (81%) HCC patients, with an average of 19 ± 24 CTCs per 5 mL. Both the positivity rate and the number of CTCs were significantly correlated with tumor size, portal vein tumor thrombus, differentiation status, and the disease extent as classified by the TNM (tumor-node-metastasis) classification and the Milan criteria. HER-2 gene amplification and TP53 gene deletion were detected in CTCs.

CONCLUSION

Our system provides a new tool allowing for highly sensitive and specific detection and genetic analysis of CTCs in HCC patients. It is likely clinically useful in diagnosis and monitoring of HCC and may have a role in clinical decision making.

Advances in novel drug delivery strategies for breast cancer therapy

Breast cancer remains one of the world's most devastating diseases. However, better understanding of tumor biology and improved diagnostic devices could lead to improved therapeutic outcomes. Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and therapy. Various nanocarriers have been introduced to improve the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs, including liposomes, polymeric micelles, quantum dots, nanoparticles, and dendrimers. Recently, targeted drug delivery systems for anti-tumor drugs have demonstrated great potential to lower cytotoxicity and increase therapeutic effects. Various ligands/approaches have been explored for targeting breast cancer. This paper provides an overview of breast cancer, conventional therapy, potential of nanotechnology in management of breast cancer, and rational approaches for targeting breast cancer.

N-acetylgalactosamine-functionalized dendrimers as hepatic cancer cell-targeted carriers

There is an urgent need for novel polymeric carriers that can selectively deliver a large dose of chemotherapeutic agents into hepatic cancer cells to achieve high therapeutic activity with minimal systemic side effects. PAMAM dendrimers are characterized by a unique branching architecture and a large number of chemical surface groups suitable for coupling of chemotherapeutic agents. In this article, we report the coupling of N-acetylgalactosamine (NAcGal) to generation 5 (G5) of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM-NH₂) dendrimers via peptide and thiourea linkages to prepare NAcGal-targeted carriers used for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents into hepatic cancer cells. We describe the uptake of NAcGal-targeted and non-targeted G5 dendrimers into hepatic cancer cells (HepG2) as a function of G5 concentration and incubation time. We examine the contribution of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) to the internalization of NAcGal-targeted dendrimers into hepatic cancer cells through a competitive inhibition assay. Our results show that uptake of NAcGal-targeted G5 dendrimers into hepatic cancer cells occurs via ASGPR-mediated endocytosis. Internalization of these targeted carriers increased with the increase in G5 concentration and incubation time following Michaelis-Menten kinetics characteristic of receptor-mediated endocytosis. These results collectively indicate that G5-NAcGal conjugates function as targeted carriers for selective delivery of chemotherapeutic agents into hepatic cancer cells.

Investigations on cellular interaction of polyelectrolyte based nano-walled reservoir using MCF-7 cell lines: a novel chemotherapeutic approach

Objectives

A polyelectrolyte (PE) based nano-walled reservoir (NwR) was developed using alternate deposition of natural polyions on a decomposable core (CaCO3). The system was charged with paclitaxel (PTX) using the trigger property of an organic solvent (NwR-PTX). In addition, the surface of the nano-walled reservoir was modified with PE-PEG2000 (NwR-PTX-PEG)) in order to investigate any changes in the interaction of surface-modified polyelectrolyte shells with breast cancer cells, since surface chemistry greatly influences the performance of microcapsules in the biological environment.

Methods

The surface modification was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry studies, which showed a shifting of the endothermic peak after pegylation. Layer-by-layer (LBL) growth of the system was confirmed by the sequential change in the ζ-potential. The release of paclitaxel from the formulations followed first order kinetics (r2 = 0.9), indicating matrix diffusion. The interaction of NwR-PTX with MCF-7 cell lines was investigated by coating the system with FITC-dextran (NwR-PTX-FITC) and quantitated using flow cytometry.

Key findings

Cellular uptake of positively charged NwR reached 56% after 4 h and 76% after 24 h. This was reduced significantly after pegylation. The negatively charged NwR reached only 49% after 24 h.

Conclusions

This study opens the possibility of specific targeting of tumour cells that can control the release of chemotherapeutic agent either by means of a physiological or chemical trigger. This suggests potential application of this system as a novel approach for the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents.