Mathematical modeling of the Phoenix Rising pathway

Magnetite-based Janus nanoparticles, their synthesis and biomedical applications

The advent of Janus nanoparticles has been a great breakthrough in the emerging field of nanomaterials. Janus nanoparticles refer to a single structure with two distinct chemical functions on either side. Owing to their asymmetric structures, they can be utilized in a variety of applications where monomorphic particles are insufficient. In the last decade, a wide variety of materials have been employed to fabricate Janus nanoparticles, and due to the great advantages of magnetite (Iron-oxide) NPs, they have been considered as one of the best candidates. With the main benefit of magnetic controlling, magnetite Janus nanoparticles fulfill great promises, especially in biomedical areas such as bioimaging, cancer therapies, theranostics, and biosensing. The intrinsic characteristics of magnetite Janus nanoparticles (MJNPs) even hold great potential in magnetite Janus forms of micro-/nanomotors. Despite the great interest and potential in magnetic Janus NPs, the need for a comprehensive review on MJNPs with a concentration on magnetite NPs has been overlooked. Herein, we present recent advancements in the magnetite-based Janus nanoparticles in the flourishing field of biomedicine. First, the synthesis and fabrication methods of Janus nanoparticles are discussed. Then we will delve into their intriguing biomedical applications, with a separate section for magnetite Janus micro-/nanomotors in biomedicine. And finally, the challenges and future outlook are provided. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices Diagnostic Tools > In Vitro Nanoparticle-Based Sensing.

Dual-Drug Delivery by Anisotropic and Uniform Hybrid Nanostructures: A Comparative Study of the Function and Substrate-Drug Interaction Properties

By utilizing nanoparticles to upload and interact with several pharmaceuticals in varying methods, the primary obstacles associated with loading two or more medications or cargos with different characteristics may be addressed. Therefore, it is feasible to evaluate the benefits provided by co-delivery systems utilizing nanoparticles by investigating the properties and functions of the commonly used structures, such as multi- or simultaneous-stage controlled release, synergic effect, enhanced targetability, and internalization. However, due to the unique surface or core features of each hybrid design, the eventual drug-carrier interactions, release, and penetration processes may vary. Our review article focused on the drug's loading, binding interactions, release, physiochemical, and surface functionalization features, as well as the varying internalization and cytotoxicity of each structure that may aid in the selection of an appropriate design. This was achieved by comparing the actions of uniform-surfaced hybrid particles (such as core-shell particles) to those of anisotropic, asymmetrical hybrid particles (such as Janus, multicompartment, or patchy particles). Information is provided on the use of homogeneous or heterogeneous particles with specified characteristics for the simultaneous delivery of various cargos, possibly enhancing the efficacy of treatment techniques for illnesses such as cancer.

Metabolic Reprogramming of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells as a Response to Chemotherapy

Prostate cancer at the castration-resistant stage (CRPC) is a leading cause of death among men due to resistance to anticancer treatments, including chemotherapy. We set up an in vitro model of therapy-induced cancer repopulation and acquired cell resistance (CRAC) on etoposide-treated CRPC PC3 cells, witnessing therapy-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) and chemoresistance among repopulating cells. Here, we explore the metabolic changes leading to chemo-induced CRAC, measuring the exchange rates cell/culture medium of 36 metabolites via Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. We studied the evolution of PC3 metabolism throughout recovery from etoposide, encompassing the degenerative, quiescent, and repopulating phases. We found that glycolysis is immediately shut off by etoposide, gradually recovering together with induction of EMT and repopulation. Instead, OXPHOS, already high in untreated PC3, is boosted by etoposide to decline afterward, though stably maintaining values higher than control. Notably, high levels of EMT, crucial in the acquisition of chemoresistance, coincide with a strong acceleration of metabolism, especially in the exchange of principal nutrients and their end products. These results provide novel information on the energy metabolism of cancer cells repopulating from cytotoxic drug treatment, paving the way for uncovering metabolic vulnerabilities to be possibly pharmacologically targeted and providing novel clinical options for CRPC.

Anakoinosis: Correcting Aberrant Homeostasis of Cancer Tissue-Going Beyond Apoptosis Induction

The current approach to systemic therapy for metastatic cancer is aimed predominantly at inducing apoptosis of cancer cells by blocking tumor-promoting signaling pathways or by eradicating cell compartments within the tumor. In contrast, a systems view of therapy primarily considers the communication protocols that exist at multiple levels within the tumor complex, and the role of key regulators of such systems. Such regulators may have far-reaching influence on tumor response to therapy and therefore patient survival. This implies that neoplasia may be considered as a cell non-autonomous disease. The multi-scale activity ranges from intra-tumor cell compartments, to the tumor, to the tumor-harboring organ to the organism. In contrast to molecularly targeted therapies, a systems approach that identifies the complex communications networks driving tumor growth offers the prospect of disrupting or "normalizing" such aberrant communicative behaviors and therefore attenuating tumor growth. Communicative reprogramming, a treatment strategy referred to as anakoinosis, requires novel therapeutic instruments, so-called master modifiers to deliver concerted tumor growth-attenuating action. The diversity of biological outcomes following pro-anakoinotic tumor therapy, such as differentiation, trans-differentiation, control of tumor-associated inflammation, etc. demonstrates that long-term tumor control may occur in multiple forms, inducing even continuous complete remission. Accordingly, pro-anakoinotic therapies dramatically extend the repertoire for achieving tumor control and may activate apoptosis pathways for controlling resistant metastatic tumor disease and hematologic neoplasia.

Janus nanocarrier-based co-delivery of doxorubicin and berberine weakens chemotherapy-exacerbated hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence

Despite the rapid progress which has been made in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) chemotherapeutics, recurrence of liver cancer still remains a barrier to achieve satisfying prognosis. Herein, we aimed to decipher the role of berberine (BER) in chemotherapy-exacerbated HCC repopulation via developing a nanocarrier co-deliveries doxorubicin (DOX) and BER to achieve a synergic effect in HCC treatment. The underlying fact of chemotherapy that promotes HCC repopulation was firstly examined and corroborated by clinical samples and murine repopulation model. Then, hyaluronic acid (HA)-conjugated Janus nanocarrier (HA-MSN@DB) was developed to load DOX and BER simultaneously. The HCC targeting efficiency, pH-controlled drug-release and anti-cancer property of HA-MSN@DB were assessed in CD44-overexpressed HCCs and normal liver cells. Magnet resonance imaging, bio-distribution, biocompatibility, tumor and recurrence inhibition studies were performed in H22 tumor-bearing mice. BER significantly reduced doxorubicin (DOX)-triggered HCC repopulation in vitro and in vivo through inhibiting Caspase-3-iPLA2-COX-2 pathway. The delivery of HA-MSN@DB into HCCs through CD44 receptor-mediated targeting effect was demonstrated. The controlled release of DOX and BER in response to acidic tumor microenvironment was validated. Importantly, HA-MSN@DB drastically enhanced the antitumor activity of DOX and suppressed DOX-exacerbated HCC repopulation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, HA-MSN@DB exhibited enhanced tumor accumulation and biocompatibility. Our findings revealed the pivotal role of BER in overcoming chemotherapy-exacerbated HCC repopulation through Caspase-3-iPLA2-COX-2 pathway, thereby providing a promising and stable nanocarrier integrating DOX and BER for effective HCC chemotherapy without repopulation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this work, we have first demonstrated the fact that berberine (Ber) reduces chemotherapy-exacerbated HCC recurrence and studied its mechanism by the aid of a doxorubicin-induced mice HCC relapse model. We then developed a promising strategy that simultaneously inhibits HCC and its recurrence with an HCC-targeted co-delivery nanocarrier HA-MSN@DB and revealed that such an inhibition was related with the suppression of Caspase-3-iPLA2-COX-2 pathway by berberine.

Mechanistic Modelling of Radiation Responses

Radiobiological modelling has been a key part of radiation biology and therapy for many decades, and many aspects of clinical practice are guided by tools such as the linear-quadratic model. However, most of the models in regular clinical use are abstract and empirical, and do not provide significant scope for mechanistic interpretation or making predictions in novel cell lines or therapies. In this review, we will discuss the key areas of ongoing mechanistic research in radiation biology, including physical, chemical, and biological steps, and review a range of mechanistic modelling approaches which are being applied in each area, highlighting the possible opportunities and challenges presented by these techniques.

Therapeutic resistance and cancer recurrence mechanisms: Unfolding the story of tumour coming back

Cancer recurrence is believed to be one of the major reasons for the failure of cancer treatment strategies. This biological phenomenon could arise from the incomplete eradication of tumour cells after chemo- and radiotherapy. Recent developments in the design of models reflecting cancer recurrence and in vivo imaging techniques have led researchers to gain a deeper and more detailed insight into the mechanisms underlying tumour relapse. Here, we provide an overview of three important drivers of recurrence including cancer stem cells (CSCs), neosis, and phoenix rising. The survival of cancer stem cells is well recognized as one of the primary causes of therapeutic resistance in malignant cells. CSCs have a relatively latent metabolism and show resistance to therapeutic agents through a variety of routes. Neosis has proven to be as an important mechanism behind tumour self-proliferation after treatment which gives rise to the expansion of tumour cells in the injured site via production of Raju cells. Phoenix rising is a prorecurrence pathway through which apoptotic cancer cells send strong signals to the neighbouring diseased cells leading to their multiplication. The mechanisms involved in therapeutic resistance and tumour recurrence have not yet been fully understood and mostly remain unexplained. Without doubt, an improved understanding of the cellular machinery contributing to recurrence will pave the way for the development of novel, sophisticated and effective antitumour therapeutic strategies which can eradicate tumour without the threat of relapse.

Mechanistic Modelling of DNA Repair and Cellular Survival Following Radiation-Induced DNA Damage

Characterising and predicting the effects of ionising radiation on cells remains challenging, with the lack of robust models of the underlying mechanism of radiation responses providing a significant limitation to the development of personalised radiotherapy. In this paper we present a mechanistic model of cellular response to radiation that incorporates the kinetics of different DNA repair processes, the spatial distribution of double strand breaks and the resulting probability and severity of misrepair. This model enables predictions to be made of a range of key biological endpoints (DNA repair kinetics, chromosome aberration and mutation formation, survival) across a range of cell types based on a set of 11 mechanistic fitting parameters that are common across all cells. Applying this model to cellular survival showed its capacity to stratify the radiosensitivity of cells based on aspects of their phenotype and experimental conditions such as cell cycle phase and plating delay (correlation between modelled and observed Mean Inactivation Doses R(2) > 0.9). By explicitly incorporating underlying mechanistic factors, this model can integrate knowledge from a wide range of biological studies to provide robust predictions and may act as a foundation for future calculations of individualised radiosensitivity.