Application of a lipid-coated hollow calcium phosphate nanoparticle in synergistic co-delivery of doxorubicin and paclitaxel for the treatment of human lung cancer A549 cells

Lipid Nanoparticles in Lung Cancer Therapy

This manuscript explores the use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in addressing the pivotal challenges of lung cancer treatment, including drug delivery inefficacy and multi-drug resistance. LNPs have significantly advanced targeted therapy by improving the precision and reducing the systemic toxicity of chemotherapeutics such as doxorubicin and paclitaxel. This manuscript details the design and benefits of various LNP systems, including solid lipid-polymer hybrids, which offer controlled release and enhanced drug encapsulation. Despite achievements in reducing tumor size and enhancing survival, challenges such as manufacturing complexity, biocompatibility, and variable clinical outcomes persist. Future directions are aimed at refining targeting capabilities, expanding combinatorial therapies, and integrating advanced manufacturing techniques to tailor treatments to individual patient profiles, thus promising to transform lung cancer therapy through interdisciplinary collaboration and regulatory innovation.

Inhalable paclitaxel nanoagglomerate dry powders for lung cancer chemotherapy: Design of experiments-guided development, characterization and in vitro evaluation

Conventional intravenous chemotherapy for lung cancer frequently results in inefficient drug penetration into primary lung tumors and severe systemic toxicities. This study reports the development of inhalable paclitaxel (PTX) nanoagglomerate dry powders (PTX-NADP) for enhanced pulmonary delivery of PTX chemotherapy to lung tumors using full factorial Design of Experiments. PTX nanoparticles were fabricated by flash nanoprecipitation with the aid of N-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and curcumin (CUR) as stabilizer and co-stabilizer respectively, and subsequently agglomerated into inhalable dry powders via co-spray drying with methylcellulose. The optimized PTX-NADP formulation exhibited acceptable aqueous redispersibility (redispersibility index = 1.17 ± 0.02) into ∼ 150 nm nanoparticles and superb in vitro aerosol performance [mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) = 1.69 ± 0.05 µm and fine particle fraction (FPF) of 70.89 ± 1.72 %] when dispersed from a Breezhaler® at 90 L/min. Notably, adequate aerosolization (MMAD < 3.5 µm and FPF > 40 %) of the optimized formulation was maintained when dispersed at reduced inspiratory flow rates of 30 - 60 L/min. Redispersed PTX nanoparticles from PTX-NADP demonstrated enhanced in vitro antitumor efficacy and cellular uptake in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells without compromising tolerability of BEAS-2B normal lung epithelial cells towards PTX chemotherapy. These findings highlight the potential of inhaled PTX-NADP therapy to improve therapeutic outcomes for lung cancer patients with varying levels of pulmonary function impairment.

Supramolecular lipid nanoparticles as delivery carriers for non-invasive cancer theranostics

Nanotheranostics is an emerging frontier of personalized medicine research particularly for cancer, which is the second leading cause of death. Supramolecular aspects in theranostics are quite allured to achieve more regulation and controlled features. Supramolecular nanotheranostics architecture is focused on engineering of modular supramolecular assemblies benefitting from their mutable and stimuli-responsive properties which confer an ultimate potential for the fabrication of unified innovative nanomedicines with controlled features. Amalgamation of supramolecular approaches to nano-based features further equip the potential of designing novel approaches to overcome limitations seen by the conventional theranostic strategies, for curing even the lethal diseases and endowing personalized therapeutics with optimistic prognosis, endorsing their clinical translation. Among many potential nanocarriers for theranostics, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have shown various promising advances in theranostics and their formulation can be tailored for several applications. Despite the great advancement in cancer nanotheranostics, there are still many challenges that need to be highlighted to fill the literature gap. For this purpose, herein, we have presented a systematic overview on the subject and proposed LNPs as the potential material to manage cancer via non-invasive approaches by highlighting the use of supramolecular approaches to make them robust for cancer theranostics. We have concluded the review by entailing the future perspectives of lipid nanotheranostics towards clinical translation.

Protein and peptide delivery to lungs by using advanced targeted drug delivery

The challenges and difficulties associated with conventional drug delivery systems have led to the emergence of novel, advanced targeted drug delivery systems. Therapeutic drug delivery of proteins and peptides to the lungs is complicated owing to the large size and polar characteristics of the latter. Nevertheless, the pulmonary route has attracted great interest today among formulation scientists, as it has evolved into one of the important targeted drug delivery platforms for the delivery of peptides, and related compounds effectively to the lungs, primarily for the management and treatment of chronic lung diseases. In this review, we have discussed and summarized the current scenario and recent developments in targeted delivery of proteins and peptide-based drugs to the lungs. Moreover, we have also highlighted the advantages of pulmonary drug delivery over conventional drug delivery approaches for peptide-based drugs, in terms of efficacy, retention time and other important pharmacokinetic parameters. The review also highlights the future perspectives and the impact of targeted drug delivery on peptide-based drugs in the coming decade.

The next generation therapy for lung cancer: taking medicine by inhalation

The inhalation administration method which has been applied to treat respiratory diseases has the characteristics of painlessness high efficiency and non-invasiveness, and the drug can also be targeted at the organ level first to reduce the loss of drug during circulation. Therefore, delivering medicine by inhalation administration has brought a new turnaround for lung cancer treatment. Herein from the perspective of combining traditional drug delivery design strategies with new drug delivery methods how to improve lung targeting efficiency and treatment efficacy is discussed. We also discuss the comparative advantages of inhaled drug delivery and traditional administration in the treatment of lung cancer such as intravenous injection. And the researches are divided into different forms of inhalation administration studied in the treatment of lung cancer in recent years, such as single-component loaded and multi-component loaded systems and their advantages. Finally, the obstacles of the application of carrier materials for inhalation administration and the prospects for improvement of lung cancer treatment methods are presented.

Co-delivery of doxorubicin and paclitaxel by reduction/pH dual responsive nanocarriers for osteosarcoma therapy

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery system offers a promising platform for combination cancer therapy. However, the inefficient drug release in cells reduces the therapeutic efficacy of cancer nanomedicines. Herein, a PEGylated poly(α-lipoic acid) copolymer (mPEG-PαLA) was prepared and used as a reduction/pH dual responsive nanocarrier to simultaneously deliver paclitaxel (PTX) and doxorubicin (DOX) for osteosarcoma therapy. The amphiphilic mPEG-PαLA could efficiently encapsulate both PTX and DOX during its self-assembly into micelles in aqueous solution to generate PTX and DOX co-loaded nanoparticles (NP-PTX-DOX). The as-prepared NP-PTX-DOX showed enhanced PTX and DOX release in response to reductive and acidic stimuli. Moreover, the dual-drug loaded nanoparticles were efficiently internalized by K7 osteosarcoma cells and released drugs intracellularly, as confirmed by flow cytometry analysis and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Consequently, NP-PTX-DOX exhibited synergistic therapeutic effects and induced enhanced cell apoptosis in K7 cells. Furthermore, NP-PTX-DOX presented improved biodistribution and higher tumor growth inhibition efficacy compared to the control groups in a murine osteosarcoma model. Altogether, the results of this work indicate that the proposed strategy is promising for osteosarcoma therapy using mPEG-PαLA copolymer as a dual-responsive nanocarrier to co-deliver anticancer drugs.

Recent Progress in Stimuli-Responsive Intelligent Nano Scale Drug Delivery Systems: A Special Focus Towards pH-Sensitive Systems

Stimuli-responsive nanocarriers are gaining much attention due to their versatile multifunctional activities, including disease diagnosis and treatment. Recently, clinical applications of nano-drug delivery systems for cancer treatment pose a challenge due to their limited cellular uptake, low bioavailability, poor targetability, stability issues, and unfavourable pharmacokinetics. To overcome these issues, researchers are focussing on stimuli-responsive systems. Nanocarriers elicit their role through endogenous (pH, temperature, enzyme, and redox) or exogenous (temperature, light, magnetic field, ultrasound) stimulus. These systems were designed to overcome the shortcomings such as non-specificity and toxicity associated with the conventional drug delivery systems. The pH variation between healthy cells and tumor microenvironment creates a platform for the generation of pH-sensitive nano delivery systems. Herein, we propose to present an overview of various internal and external stimuli-responsive behavior-based drug delivery systems. Herein, the present review will focus specifically on the significance of various pH-responsive nanomaterials such as polymeric nanoparticles, nano micelles, inorganic-based pH-sensitive drug delivery carriers such as calcium phosphate nanoparticles, and carbon dots in cancer treatment. Moreover, this review elaborates the recent findings on pH-based stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems with special emphasis on our reported stimuli-responsive systems for cancer treatment.

Targeted drug therapy in nonsmall cell lung cancer: clinical significance and possible solutions-part II (role of nanocarriers)

INTRODUCTION

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80-85% of the cases of lung cancer. The conventional therapeutic effective dosage forms used to treat NSCLC are associated with rigid administration schedules, adverse effects, and may be associated with acquired resistance to therapy. Nanocarriers may provide a suitable alternative to regular formulations to overcome inherent drawbacks and provide better treatment modalities for the patient.

AREAS COVERED

The article explores the application of drug loaded nanocarriers for lung cancer treatment. Drug-loaded nanocarriers can be modified to achieve controlled delivery at the desired tumor infested site. The type of nanocarriers employed are diverse based on polymers, liposomes, metals and a combination of two or more different base materials (hybrids). These may be designed for systemic delivery or local delivery to the lung compartment (via inhalation).

EXPERT OPINION

Nanocarriers can improve pharmacokinetics of the drug payload by improving its delivery to the desired location and can reduce associated systemic toxicities. Through nanocarriers, a wide variety of therapeutics can be administered and targeted to the cancerous site. Some examples of the utilities of nanocarriers are codelivery of drugs, gene delivery, and delivery of other biologics. Overall, the nanocarriers have promising potential in improving therapeutic efficacy of drugs used in NSCLC.

Sensitizing Triple Negative Breast Cancer to Tamoxifen Chemotherapy via a Redox-Responsive Vorinostat-containing Polymeric Prodrug Nanocarrier

There is an urgent and unmet need to develop effective therapies for triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) which are much more aggressive and have poor prognosis due to lack of receptor targets for Her2-targeted and endocrine therapy. In this study we systematically evaluated the effect of Vorinostat (SAHA, a pan-HDAC inhibitor) in reactivating the expression of functional estrogen receptor α (ERα) and synergizing with tamoxifen (TAM, a selective estrogen-receptor modulator) in antitumor activity. In addition, a SAHA prodrug-based dual functional nanocarrier was developed for codelivery of SAHA and TAM for effective combination therapy.

Methods: A SAHA-containing polymeric nanocarrier, POEG-co-PVDSAHA was developed via reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization with SAHA incorporated into the polymer through a redox-responsive disulfide linkage. The effect of both free SAHA and POEG-co-PVDSAHA on reactivating the expression of functional ERα was investigated in several human and murine TNBC cell lines via examining the mRNA and protein expression of ERα target genes. The cytotoxicity of free SAHA and TAM combination and TAM-loaded POEG-co-PVDSAHA micelles was examined via MTT assay. The in vivo antitumor activity of TAM-loaded POEG-co-PVDSAHA was investigated in a murine breast cancer model (4T1.2).

Results: Both free SAHA and POEG-co-PVDSAHA were effective in inducing the reexpression of functional estrogen receptor α (ERα), which may have helped to sensitize TNBCs to TAM. More importantly, POEG-co-PVDSAHA self-assembled to form small-sized micellar carrier that is effective in formulating and codelivery of TAM. TAM-loaded POEG-co-PVDSAHA micelles exhibited enhanced and synergistic cytotoxicity against TNBC cell lines compared with free SAHA, free TAM and TAM loaded into a pharmacologically inert control carrier (POEG-co-PVMA). In addition, codelivery of TAM via POEG-co-PVDSAHA micelles led to significantly improved antitumor efficacy in 4T1.2 tumor model compared with other groups such as combination of free SAHA and TAM and TAM-loaded POEG-co-PVMA micelles.

Conclusion: Our prodrug-based co-delivery system may provide an effective and simple strategy to re-sensitize TNBCs to TAM-based hormone therapy.

Novel drug delivery systems and significance in respiratory diseases

Pulmonary drug delivery offers targeted therapy for the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. However, this route poses challenges like deposition mechanism, drug instability, and rapid clearance mechanism. Other factors like the type of inhaler device, patient compatibility, consistent delivery by device, and inhaler technique also affect the performance of pulmonary delivery systems. Thus, to overcome these issues, pulmonary delivery systems utilizing particle-based approaches (nano/microparticles) have emerged in the last two decades. This chapter provides insight into various mechanisms of pulmonary drug administration, the ideal requirements of a pulmonary system, and the general devices used for pulmonary delivery. An overview of new pulmonary delivery systems and their relevance in the treatment of respiratory diseases is provided. In the end, novel pulmonary technologies that have been patented and cleared clinical trials have been highlighted along with the advances in the inhaler device.

Donor-Acceptor-Type Conjugated Polymer-Based Multicolored Drug Carriers with Tunable Aggregation-Induced Emission Behavior for Self-Illuminating Cancer Therapy

Nowadays, multicolored drug carriers have exhibited high significance in designing self-illuminating drug delivery systems to adapt different experimental conditions. In this study, we developed an efficient strategy for self-illuminating antitumor therapy using multicolored aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active drug carriers by tuning electron donor moieties in donor-acceptor (D-A) structures. Three amphipathic conjugated polymers, P1 to P3, were successfully synthesized using an AIE-active tetraphenylethylene (TPE) moiety and donor-acceptor (D-A)-type electronic structure. Interestingly, the fluorescence behavior of P1 to P3 could be tuned between aggregation-caused quenching and AIE by changing the electron donor moiety. Their fluorescence color in aqueous solution could be easily adjusted from yellow to red by choosing stronger electron donors. After the anticancer drug paclitaxel was loaded, two AIE-active polymers, P1 and P2, could be engineered into polymer dots (Pdots) and applied in self-illuminating cancer therapy. The Pdots could not only reveal their location by a yellow- or red-colored fluorescence signal but also exhibit almost two times in vivo antitumor efficacy, high biocompatibility, and obvious tumor-targeting behavior compared to the commercially available anticancer drug Taxol. Furthermore, P2dots exhibited similar in vivo antitumor efficacy and biocompatibility compared to nonemission Abraxane, a commercially available drug delivery system. This work demonstrates the significant application of a D-A-type structure in the design of self-illuminating drug delivery systems.

Advances in Therapeutic Implications of Inorganic Drug Delivery Nano-Platforms for Cancer

Numerous nanoparticles drug delivery systems for therapeutic implications in cancer treatment are in preclinical development as conventional chemotherapy has several drawbacks. A chemotherapeutic approach requires high doses of chemotherapeutic agents with low bioavailability, non-specific targeting, and above all, development of multiple drug resistance. In recent years, inorganic nano-drug delivery platforms (NDDPs; with a metal core) have emerged as potential chemotherapeutic systems in oncology. One of the major goals of developing inorganic NDDPs is to effectively address the targeted anti-cancer drug(s) delivery related problems by carrying the therapeutic agents to desired tumors sites. In this current review, we delve into summarizing the recent developments in targeted release of anti-cancer drugs loaded in inorganic NDDPs such as mesoporous silica nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, layered double hydroxides, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and calcium phosphate nanoparticles together with highlighting their therapeutic performance at tumor sites.

Doxorubicin-reinforced supramolecular hydrogels of RGD-derived peptide conjugates for pH-responsive drug delivery

Doxorubicin reinforced the self-assembly of RGD-derived peptide conjugates responsive to mild acidity.

Co-assembled supramolecular hydrogels of doxorubicin and indomethacin-derived peptide conjugates for synergistic inhibition of cancer cell growth

Co-assembly of doxorubicin and a NSAID-based self-assembling peptide conjugate promotes synergistic inhibition of cancer cell growth.

Anthracyclines as Topoisomerase II Poisons: From Early Studies to New Perspectives

Mammalian DNA topoisomerases II are targets of anticancer anthracyclines that act by stabilizing enzyme-DNA complexes wherein DNA strands are cut and covalently linked to the protein. This molecular mechanism is the molecular basis of anthracycline anticancer activity as well as the toxic effects such as cardiomyopathy and induction of secondary cancers. Even though anthracyclines have been used in the clinic for more than 50 years for solid and blood cancers, the search of breakthrough analogs has substantially failed. The recent developments of personalized medicine, availability of individual genomic information, and immune therapy are expected to change significantly human cancer therapy. Here, we discuss the knowledge of anthracyclines as Topoisomerase II poisons, their molecular and cellular effects and toxicity along with current efforts to improve the therapeutic index. Then, we discuss the contribution of the immune system in the anticancer activity of anthracyclines, and the need to increase our knowledge of molecular mechanisms connecting the drug targets to the immune stimulatory pathways in cancer cells. We propose that the complete definition of the molecular interaction of anthracyclines with the immune system may open up more effective and safer ways to treat patients with these drugs.

Preparation, Characterization, and In Vivo Evaluation of an Oral Multiple Nanoemulsive System for Co-Delivery of Pemetrexed and Quercetin

Co-administration of conventional and natural chemotherapeutics offers synergistic anticancer efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. In this study, an oral co-delivery system for pemetrexed (PMX) and quercetin (QCN) was designed based on water-in-oil-in-water nanoemulsion (NE), which is highly absorbable because it enhances the intestinal membrane permeability of PMX and aqueous solubility of QCN. To create this system, an ion-pairing complex of PMX with N^α-deoxycholyl-l-lysyl-methylester (DCK) was formed and further incorporated with QCN into the NE, yielding PMX/DCK-QCN-NE. The results revealed synergistic inhibitory effects on human lung carcinoma (A549) cell proliferation and migration after combined treatment with PMX/DCK and QCN. The intestinal membrane permeability and cellular uptake of PMX/DCK and QCN from the NE were significantly improved via facilitated transport of PMX by the interaction of DCK with bile acid transporters, as well as NE formulation-mediated alterations in the membrane structure and fluidity, which resulted in 4.51- and 23.9-fold greater oral bioavailability of PMX and QCN, respectively, than each free drug. Tumor growth in A549 cell-bearing mice was also maximally suppressed by 62.7% after daily oral administration of PMX/DCK-QCN-NE compared with controls. Thus, PMX/DCK-QCN-NE is a promising oral nanocarrier of PMX and QCN for synergistic anticancer efficacy and long-term chemotherapy.

Quercetin and doxorubicin co-delivery using mesoporous silica nanoparticles enhance the efficacy of gastric carcinoma chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Effective gastric carcinoma (GC) chemotherapy is subject to many in vitro and in vivo barriers, such as tumor microenvironment and multidrug resistance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Herein, we developed a hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified silica nanoparticle (HA-SiLN/QD) co-delivering quercetin and doxorubicin (DOX) to enhance the efficacy of GC therapy (HA-SiLN/QD). The HA modification was done to recognize overexpressed CD44 receptors on GC cells and mediate selective tumor targeting. In parallel, quercetin delivery decreased the expression of Wnt16 and P-glycoprotein, thus remodeling the tumor microenvironment and reversed multidrug resistance to facilitate DOX activity.

RESULTS

Experimental results demonstrated that HA-SiLN/QD was nanoscaled particles with preferable stability and sustained release property. In vitro cell experiments on SGC7901/ADR cells showed selective uptake and increased DOX retention as compared to the DOX mono-delivery system (HA-SiLN/D).

CONCLUSION

In vivo anticancer assays on the SGC7901/ADR tumor-bearing mice model also revealed significantly enhanced efficacy of HA-SiLN/QD than mono-delivery systems (HA-SiLN/Q and HA-SiLN/D).

Lumbrokinase/paclitaxel nanoparticle complex: potential therapeutic applications in bladder cancer

Background

Lumbrokinase (LK) is an enzyme complex with antithrombotic, antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory effects. It has been extensively studied and used in clinical anti-tumor therapy. However, its half-life is short, its bioavailability is low, and its toxicity and side effects are great, which greatly limit its clinical application. Therefore, LK is often combined with other drugs (such as immune agents, hormones, or Chinese herbal medicine) to reduce its dosage and side effects and to improve its anti-tumor effects.

Methods and results

Here, we described an LK/paclitaxel (PTX) nanocarrier based on poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(ethylenediamine l-glutamate)-g-poly(ε-benzyoxycarbonyl-l-lysine)-r-poly(l-lysine)) (PEG-b-(PELG-g-(PZLL-r-PLL))). In the present study, LK and PTX were loaded by electrostatic and/or hydrophobic effects under mild conditions, thereby increasing the half-life and bioavailability of the drugs via the sustained release and enhancement of tumor site enrichment by the LK/PTX/PEG-b-(PELG-g-(PZLL-r-PLL)) complex through passive targeting. In this study, using bladder cancer cells (J82 cells) and rat bladder cancer model as the object, the structure of the nanocarrier, the relationship between drugs composition and antitumor properties were systematically studied.

Conclusion

We propose that the block copolymer PEG-b-(PELG-g-(PZLL-r-PLL)) may function as a potent nanocarrier for augmenting anti-bladder cancer pharmacotherapy, with unprecedented clinical benefits.

Hollow mesoporous hydroxyapatite nanostructures; smart nanocarriers with high drug loading and controlled releasing features

We report the development of effective drug loaded nanocarriers to combat multidrug resistant infection especially in case of osteomyelitis. The hollow mesoporous hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (hmHANPs) and solid/non-hollow hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (sHANPs) were synthesized by core-shell and co-precipitation techniques respectively. High encapsulation of the drug (ciprofloxacin) was observed in hmHANPs as compared to sHANPs, which may be due to the hollow porous structure of hmHANPs. These nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscope (FESEM), N₂ adsorption/desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Approximately 80% of the encapsulated drug was released at pH 4.5 within 5 days in case of hmHANPs while at pH 7.4, a sustained drug release profile was obtained and only 48.73% of the drug was released after 9 days. The results of kinetic drug release revealed that drug loaded hmHANPs showed fickian diffusion and anomalous drug diffusion mechanism at pH 4.5 and 7.4 respectively. Owing to their porous structure and high drug loading capacity, hmHANPs showed enhanced antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (drug resistant strains of osteomyelitis) in comparison to that with sHANPs. In addition, hmHANPs showed a pH sensitive drug release profile, high surface area (105.33 m²/g) with increased pore volume (0.533 cm³/g) and superior antimicrobial activity against osteomyelitis as compared to sHANPs.

Biodegradable Alginate-Chitosan Hollow Nanospheres for Codelivery of Doxorubicin and Paclitaxel for the Effect of Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells

A biodegradable alginate coated chitosan hollow nanosphere (ACHN) was prepared by a hard template method and used for codelivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX) to investigate the effect on human lung cancer A549 cells. PTX was loaded into the nanometer hollow structure of ACHN through adsorption method. DOX was coated on surface of ACHN through electrostatic interaction. Drug release studies exhibited a sustained-release effect. According to X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis, DOX structure in the loading samples (DOX-PTX-ACHN) was of amorphous state while PTX was microcrystalline. Cytotoxicity experiments showed ACHN was nontoxic as carrier material and the combination of DOX and PTX in DOX-PTX-ACHN exhibited a good inhibiting effect on cell proliferation. Cell uptake experiments demonstrated that DOX-PTX-ACHN accumulated in the cytoplasm. Degradation experiments illustrated that ACHN was a biodegradable material. In summary, these results clearly indicate that ACHN can be utilized as a potential biomaterial to transport multiple drugs to be used in combination therapy.

Preparation of porous calcium phosphate microspheres with phosphate-containing molecules at room temperature for drug delivery and osteogenic differentiation

Calcium phosphate (CaP) has similar chemical properties to those of the inorganic component of human bone tissue, for potential application in drug delivery for the chemotherapy of osteosarcoma. In this work, CaP with a porous microsphere structure has been synthesized using fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) as the phosphorus source by a simple wet-chemical strategy at room temperature. The CaP porous microspheres, as an organic–inorganic hybrid nano-platform, exhibit good doxorubicin (Dox) loading capacity, and Dox-loading CaP, enhancing the in vitro chemotherapy of osteosarcoma cells. The CaP porous microspheres show high biocompatibility, and induce the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1. These results indicate that the CaP porous microspheres reported in this study are promising for application as an anti-osteosarcoma drug carrier and osteoinductive material for bone regeneration in the treatment of osteosarcoma.

Porous calcium phosphate microspheres were prepared at room temperature, and displayed potential for application in the chemotherapy of osteosarcoma and osteogenic differentiation.