New Approaches in Breast Cancer Therapy Through Green Nanotechnology and Nano-Ayurvedic Medicine - Pre-Clinical and Pilot Human Clinical Investigations

Multifunctional gold nanoparticles for cancer theranostics

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer can often be challenging requiring more attractive options. Some types of cancers are more aggressive than others and symptoms for many cancers are subtle, especially in the early stages. Nanotechnology provides high sensitivity, specificity and multimodal capability for cancer detection, treatment and monitoring. In particular, metal nanoparticles (NPs) such as gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are attractive nanosystems for researchers interested in bioimaging and therapy. The size, shape and surface of AuNPs can be modified for improving targeting and accumulation in cancer cells, for example through introduction of ligands and surface charge. The interactions of AuNPs with electromagnetic radiation (e.g., visible-near-infrared, X-rays) can be used for photothermal therapy and radiation therapy, through heat generated from light absorption and emission of Auger electrons, respectively. The subsequent expansion and high X-ray attenuation from AuNPs can be used for enhancing contrast for tumor detection (e.g., using photoacoustic, computed tomography imaging). Multi-functionality can be further extended through covalent/non-covalent functionalization, for loading additional imaging/therapeutic molecules for combination therapy and multimodal imaging. In order to cover the important aspects for designing and using AuNPs for cancer theranostics, this review focuses on the synthesis, functionalization and characterization methods that are important for AuNPs, and presents their unique properties and different applications in cancer theranostics.

Anticarcinogenic Effects of Gold Nanoparticles and Metformin Against MCF-7 and A549 Cells

Metformin is commonly prescribed to people with diabetes. Metformin has been shown in previous studies to be able to prevent the growth of cancer cells. This study aims to investigate the effects of metformin and gold nanoparticles in MCF7 breast cancer and A549 lung cell lines. The effects of metformin and gold nanoparticles on MCF7 breast cancer and A549 lung cells were determined on cells grown in 24 h cell culture. MCF-7 and A549 cells were incubated for 24 h with the treatment of escalating molar concentrations of ifosfamide. The MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of metformin toward MCF7 and A549 cell lines. The expression of Bax, BCL2, PI3K, Akt3, mTOR, Hsp60, Hsp70, and TNF-α was measured by RT-PCR. Metformin and gold nanoparticles inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 and A549 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 5 µM and 10 µg/mL. RT-PCR assays showed ifosfamide + metformin + gold nanoparticles significantly reduced the expression of BCL2, PI3K, Akt3, mTOR, Hsp60 and Hsp70 and increased the expression of TNF-α and Bax. The findings obtained in this study suggest that further studies should be conducted, and metformin and gold nanoparticles can be used in breast cancer and lung cancer treatments.

Gliotoxin triggers cell death through multifaceted targeting of cancer-inducing genes in breast cancer therapy

Fungal secondary metabolites have a long history of contributing to pharmaceuticals, notably in the development of antibiotics and immunosuppressants. Harnessing their potent bioactivities, these compounds are now being explored for cancer therapy, by targeting and disrupting the genes that induce cancer progression. The current study explores the anticancer potential of gliotoxin, a fungal secondary metabolite, which encompasses a multi-faceted approach integrating computational predictions, molecular dynamics simulations, and comprehensive experimental validations. In-silico studies have identified potential gliotoxin targets, including MAPK1, NFKB1, HIF1A, TDP1, TRIM24, and CTSD which are involved in critical pathways in cancer such as the NF-κB signaling pathway, MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, hypoxia signaling pathway, Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and other essential cellular processes. The gene expression analysis results indicated all the identified targets are overexpressed in various breast cancer subtypes. Subsequent molecular docking and dynamics simulations have revealed stable binding of gliotoxin with TDP1 and HIF1A. Cell viability assays exhibited a dose-dependent decreasing pattern with its remarkable IC50 values of 0.32, 0.14, and 0.53 μM for MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Likewise, in 3D tumor spheroids, gliotoxin exhibited a notable decrease in viability indicating its effectiveness against solid tumors. Furthermore, gene expression studies using Real-time PCR revealed a reduction of expression of cancer-inducing genes, MAPK1, HIF1A, TDP1, and TRIM24 upon gliotoxin treatment. These findings collectively underscore the promising anticancer potential of gliotoxin through multi-targeting cancer-promoting genes, positioning it as a promising therapeutic option for breast cancer.

Green Nanotechnology Through Papain Nanoparticles: Preclinical in vitro and in vivo Evaluation of Imaging Triple-Negative Breast Tumors

Background

Recent advancements in nanomedicine and nanotechnology have expanded the scope of multifunctional nanostructures, offering innovative solutions for targeted drug delivery and diagnostic agents in oncology and nuclear medicine. Nanoparticles, particularly those derived from natural sources, hold immense potential in overcoming biological barriers to enhance therapeutic efficacy and diagnostic accuracy. Papain, a natural plant protease derived from Carica papaya, emerges as a promising candidate for green nanotechnology-based applications due to its diverse medicinal properties, including anticancer properties.

Purpose

This study presents a novel approach in nanomedicine and oncology, exploring the potential of green nanotechnology by developing and evaluating technetium-99m radiolabeled papain nanoparticles (99mTc-P-NPs) for imaging breast tumors. The study aimed to investigate the efficacy and specificity of these nanoparticles in breast cancer models through preclinical in vitro and in vivo assessments.

Methods

Papain nanoparticles (P-NPs) were synthesized using a radiation-driven method and underwent thorough characterization, including size, surface morphology, surface charge, and cytotoxicity assessment. Subsequently, P-NPs were radiolabeled with technetium-99m (99mTc), and in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to evaluate cellular uptake at tumor sites, along with biodistribution, SPECT/CT imaging, autoradiography, and immunohistochemistry assays, using breast cancer models.

Results

The synthesized P-NPs exhibited a size mean diameter of 9.3 ± 1.9 nm and a spherical shape. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of native papain and P-NPs showed low cytotoxicity in HUVEC, MDA-MB231, and 4T1 cells. The achieved radiochemical yield was 94.2 ± 3.1% that were sufficiently stable (≥90%) for 6 h. The tumor uptake achieved in the 4T1 model was 2.49 ± 0.32% IA/g at 2 h and 1.51 ± 0.20% IA/g at 6 h. In the spontaneous breast cancer model, 1.19 ± 0.20% IA/g at 2 h and 0.86 ± 0.31% IA/g at 6 h. SPECT/CT imaging has shown substantial tumor uptake of the new nanoradiopharmaceutical and clear tumor visualization. 99mTc-P-NPs exhibited a high affinity to tumoral cells confirmed by ex vivo autoradiography and immunohistochemistry assays.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the potential of green nanotechnology-driven papain nanoparticles as promising agents for molecular imaging of breast and other tumors through SPECT/CT imaging. The results represent a substantial step forward in the application of papain nanoparticles as carriers of diagnostic and therapeutic radionuclides to deliver diagnostic/therapeutic payloads site-specifically to tumor sites for the development of a new generation of nanoradiopharmaceuticals.

Nano-Ayurvedic Medicine Approaches Using Ginkgo biloba-Phytochemicals Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles Against Breast Cancer

Purpose

Breast cancer is a significant global health issue, contributing to 15% of cancer-related deaths. Our laboratory has pioneered a novel approach, combining Ayurvedic principles with green nanotechnology, to develop a scientifically rigorous medical modality referred to as Nano-Ayurvedic Medicine, recently approved by the US Patents and Trademarks Office. Here in we report a new Nano-Ayurvedic medicine agent derived from gold nanoparticles encapsulated with phytochemicals from Ginkgo biloba plant (GB-AuNPs).

Methods

We have developed biocompatible gold nanoparticles using electron-rich phytochemicals from Ginkgo biloba as reducing agent cocktail. Ginkgo biloba phytochemical-encapsulated gold nanoparticles (GB-AuNPs) were fully characterized, and their anticancer activity, including immunomodulatory profiles, were evaluated against breast (MDAMB-231) cancer cell lines.

Results

Characterization revealed spherical morphology for GB-AuNPs and possessed optimum in vitro stability through high zeta potential of -34 mV for optimum in vivo stability. The core size of GB-AuNPs of 19 nm allows for penetration into tumor cells through both EPR effects as well as through the receptor-mediated endocytosis. The Antitumor efficacy of this nano-ayurvedic medicine agent revealed strong antitumor effects of GB-AuNPs towards MDAMB-231. Our investigations reveal that GB-AuNPs enhance anti-tumor cytokines (IL-12, TNF-α, IFN-γ) and reduce pro-tumor cytokines (IL-10, IL-6), promoting the conversion of protumor M2 macrophages into M1-like macrophage antitumor phenotype. Cellular studies show that GB-AuNPs offer superior anti-tumor efficacy and a better safety profile against breast tumors compared to cisplatin.

Conclusion

Our investigations have demonstrated that the nano-ayurvedic medicine agent, GB-AuNPs, treats cancers through an immunomodulatory mechanism facilitated by elevated levels of anti-tumor cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-12) with concomitant downregulation of pro-tumor cytokines expression (IL-6 and IL-10). The green nanotechnology approach for the development of nano-ayurvedic medicine agent (GB-AuNPs), as described in this paper, presents new and attractive opportunities for treating human cancers and other debilitating diseases and disorders.

Application of Nanotechnology and Phytochemicals in Anticancer Therapy

Cancer is well recognized as a leading cause of mortality. Although surgery tends to be the primary treatment option for many solid cancers, cancer surgery is still a risk factor for metastatic diseases and recurrence. For this reason, a variety of medications has been adopted for the postsurgical care of patients with cancer. However, conventional medicines have shown major challenges such as drug resistance, a high level of drug toxicity, and different drug responses, due to tumor heterogeneity. Nanotechnology-based therapeutic formulations could effectively overcome the challenges faced by conventional treatment methods. In particular, the combined use of nanomedicine with natural phytochemicals can enhance tumor targeting and increase the efficacy of anticancer agents with better solubility and bioavailability and reduced side effects. However, there is limited evidence in relation to the application of phytochemicals in cancer treatment, particularly focusing on nanotechnology. Therefore, in this review, first, we introduce the drug carriers used in advanced nanotechnology and their strengths and limitations. Second, we provide an update on well-studied nanotechnology-based anticancer therapies related to the carcinogenesis process, including signaling pathways related to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), Wnt, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Notch, and Hedgehog (HH). Third, we introduce approved nanomedicines currently available for anticancer therapy. Fourth, we discuss the potential roles of natural phytochemicals as anticancer drugs. Fifth, we also discuss the synergistic effect of nanocarriers and phytochemicals in anticancer therapy.

Integrative Approaches for Cancer Pain Management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The goal of this review is to summarize updates to the broad array of complementary therapies available for cancer pain. This paper will serve as a reference for clinicians managing pain in cancer patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Patients are embracing integrative therapies in growing numbers; clinicians must be prepared to incorporate these therapies into patients' existing treatment regimens. This requires knowledge regarding risks, benefits, and potential interactions with existing cancer therapies. Integrative cancer pain management strategies have shown promise, with several proven effective for the management of cancer pain. Energy therapies, including acupuncture, and biologicals and nutraceuticals including overall diet and vitamin D, have the highest level of evidence for efficacy. The remaining therapies discussed in this chapter may be beneficial for patients on a case-by-case basis; risks and benefits of each individual therapy as described in the text must be further assessed in future rigorous trials to further clarify the role of these complementary therapies in cancer pain management.

Tackling breast cancer with gold nanoparticles: twinning synthesis and particle engineering with efficacy

The World Health Organization identifies breast cancer as the most prevalent cancer despite predominantly affecting women. Surgery, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the current treatment modalities. Site-directed nanotherapeutics, engineered with multidimensional functionality are now the frontrunners in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Gold nanoparticles with their unique colloidal, optical, quantum, magnetic, mechanical, and electrical properties have become the most valuable weapon in this arsenal. Their advantages include facile modulation of shape and size, a high degree of reproducibility and stability, biocompatibility, and ease of particle engineering to induce multifunctionality. Additionally, the surface plasmon oscillation and high atomic number of gold provide distinct advantages for tailor-made diagnosis, therapy or theranostic applications in breast cancer such as photothermal therapy, radiotherapy, molecular labeling, imaging, and sensing. Although pre-clinical and clinical data are promising for nano-dimensional gold, their clinical translation is hampered by toxicity signs in major organs like the liver, kidneys and spleen. This has instigated global scientific brainstorming to explore feasible particle synthesis and engineering techniques to simultaneously improve the efficacy and versatility and widen the safety window of gold nanoparticles. The present work marks the first study on gold nanoparticle design and maneuvering techniques, elucidating their impact on the pharmacodynamics character and providing a clear-cut scientific roadmap for their fast-track entry into clinical practice.

Phytonanotherapy for the Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is a steatotic liver disease associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), especially obesity, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. MASLD in 43-44% of patients can progress to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and 7-30% of these cases will progress to liver scarring (cirrhosis). To date, the mechanism of MASLD and its progression is not completely understood and there were no therapeutic strategies specifically tailored for MASLD/MASH until March 2024. The conventional antiobesity and antidiabetic pharmacological approaches used to reduce the progression of MASLD demonstrated favorable peripheral outcomes but insignificant effects on liver histology. Alternatively, phyto-synthesized metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs) are now being explored in the treatment of various liver diseases due to their unique bioactivities and reduced bystander effects. Although phytonanotherapy has not been explored in the clinical treatment of MASLD/MASH, MNPs such as gold NPs (AuNPs) and silver NPs (AgNPs) have been reported to improve metabolic processes by reducing blood glucose levels, body fat, and inflammation. Therefore, these actions suggest that MNPs can potentially be used in the treatment of MASLD/MASH and related metabolic diseases. Further studies are warranted to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of phytonanomedicine before clinical application.

Recent advances in nanoformulation-based delivery for cancer immunotherapy

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and its treatment faces several challenges. Phytoconstituents derived from recently discovered medicinal plants through nanotechnology potentially target cancer cells via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways and exert their effects selectively through the generation of reactive oxygen species through β-catenin inhibition, DNA damage, and increasing caspase 3/9 and p53 expression. These nanocarriers act specifically against different cancer cell lines such as HT-29, MOLT-4 human leukemia cancer and MCF-7 cell lines SKOV-3, Caov-3, SW-626, HepG2, A-549, HeLa, and MCF-7. This review comprehensively elaborates on the cellular and molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic prospects of various plant-mediated nanoformulations to attain a revolutionary shift in cancer immunotherapy.

Impact assessment of integrated-pathy on cancer-related fatigue in cancer patients: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Integrated-pathy aims to integrate modern medicine with traditional systems via applying the holistic approach of Ayurveda, Yoga, and natural medicine. This is important for addressing the challenges surrounding the delivery of long-term palliative care for chronic ailments including cancer. The prime intent of this study was to substantiate the underlying hypothesis behind the differential and integrative approach having a positive impact on Quality of Life of cancer patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional Observational study.

METHODS

A standardized questionnaire was developed and used, after obtaining written informed consent from patients to assess the impact of Integrated-pathy on patients (n = 103) diagnosed with cancer receiving care at Patanjali Yoggram. The research was carried out over 8 months. All participants received a uniform treatment protocol as prescribed by Patanjali. For the sample size determination and validation, α and 1-β was calculated and for the significance of the pre- and post-treatment QoL ratings, Shapiro wilk test and other descriptive statistics techniques were explored.

RESULTS

A total of 103 patients seeking cancer special-healthcare were interviewed, out of which 39 (37.86%) remained finally based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria with age (25-65 years), types of cancers (Carcinoma and Sarcoma), chemotherapy/radiotherapy received or not, before opting Integrated-pathy. Follow-ups revealed a significant increase in the QoL (17.91%) after receiving the integrated therapy over a course of at least 1 month. Further, a significant reduction in cancer-related pain followed by an increase in QoL index was reported in the patients. Shapiro-wilk test revealed significant pairing (p < 0.001) with validation of the model using test.

CONCLUSIONS

To bolster evidence-based backing for Integrated-pathy, there is a need for clearly delineated clinical indicators that are measurable and trackable over time. Clinical investigators are encouraged to incorporate Integrated-pathy into their proposed interventions and conduct analogous studies to yield sustained advantages in the long run.

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in breast cancer: Review of clinical trials and latest advances

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality in women. As the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is involved in a wide range of physiological functions of cells including growth, proliferation, motility, and angiogenesis, any alteration in this axis could induce oncogenic features; therefore, numerous preclinical and clinical studies assessed agents able to inhibit the components of this pathway in BC patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that analyzed all the registered clinical trials investigating safety and efficacy of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis inhibitors in BC. Of note, we found that the trends of PI3K inhibitors in recent years were superior as compared with the inhibitors of either AKT or mTOR. However, most of the trials entering phase III and IV used mTOR inhibitors (majorly Everolimus) followed by PI3K inhibitors (majorly Alpelisib) leading to the FDA approval of these drugs in the BC context. Despite favorable efficacies, our analysis shows that the majority of trials are utilizing PI3K pathway inhibitors in combination with hormone therapy and chemotherapy; implying monotherapy cannot yield huge clinical benefits, at least partly, due to the activation of compensatory mechanisms. To emphasize the beneficial effects of these inhibitors in combined-modal strategies, we also reviewed recent studies which investigated the conjugation of nanocarriers with PI3K inhibitors to reduce harmful toxicities, increase the local concentration, and improve their efficacies in the context of BC therapy.

Nanomedicine for cancer targeted therapy with autophagy regulation

Nanoparticles have unique physical and chemical properties and are currently widely used in disease diagnosis, drug delivery, and new drug development in biomedicine. In recent years, the role of nanomedical technology in cancer treatment has become increasingly obvious. Autophagy is a multi-step degradation process in cells and an important pathway for material and energy recovery. It is closely related to the occurrence and development of cancer. Because nanomaterials are highly targeted and biosafe, they can be used as carriers to deliver autophagy regulators; in addition to their favorable physicochemical properties, nanomaterials can be employed to carry autophagy inhibitors, reducing the breakdown of chemotherapy drugs by cancer cells and thereby enhancing the drug's efficacy. Furthermore, certain nanomaterials can induce autophagy, triggering oxidative stress-mediated autophagy enhancement and cell apoptosis, thus constraining the progression of cancer cells.There are various types of nanoparticles, including liposomes, micelles, polymers, metal-based materials, and carbon-based materials. The majority of clinically applicable drugs are liposomes, though other materials are currently undergoing continuous optimization. This review begins with the roles of autophagy in tumor treatment, and then focuses on the application of nanomaterials with autophagy-regulating functions in tumor treatment.

Analysing potent biomarkers along phytochemicals for breast cancer therapy: an in silico approach

PURPOSE

This research focused on the identification of herbal compounds as potential anti-cancer drugs, especially for breast cancer, that involved the recognition of Notch downstream targets NOTCH proteins (1-4) specifically expressed in breast tumours as biomarkers for prognosis, along with P53 tumour antigens, that were used as comparisons to check the sensitivity of the herbal bio-compounds.

METHODS

After investigating phytochemical candidates, we employed an approach for computer-aided drug design and analysis to find strong breast cancer inhibitors. The present study utilized in silico analyses and protein docking techniques to characterize and rank selected bio-compounds for their efficiency in oncogenic inhibition for use in precise carcinomic cell growth control.

RESULTS

Several of the identified phytocompounds found in herbs followed Lipinski's Rule of Five and could be further investigated as potential medicinal molecules. Based on the Vina score obtained after the docking process, the active compound Epigallocatechin gallate in green tea with NOTCH (1-4) and P53 proteins showed promising results for future drug repurposing. The stiffness and binding stability of green tea pharmacological complexes were further elucidated by the molecular dynamic simulations carried out for the highest scoring phytochemical ligand complex.

CONCLUSION

The target-ligand complex of green tea active compound Epigallocatechin gallate with NOTCH (1-4) had the potential to become potent anti-breast cancer therapeutic candidates following further research involving wet-lab experiments.

Successful Treatment of Sperm DNA Fragmentation Through Ayurveda Rasayana Therapy: A Case Study

Background

Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) can affect fertilization rate and embryo development, making it a useful measure for assessing male fertility. Available evidence supports the association between high sperm DNA fragmentation and poor outcomes, with regard to natural conception. Several treatment options are being adopted with varying degrees of success. Some of the commonly used treatment options are the intake of oral antioxidants, varicocele repair, and techniques like micro-manipulation-based sperm selection and use of testicular sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Case Presentation

Studies have shown that around 29% of couples depend on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modality for the treatment of infertility. However, there is a lack of substantial evidence regarding its efficacy in treating various aspects of infertility in couples. The current case report is about a 44 year-old male patient with infertility, who has a known diagnosis of sex chromosome abnormalities. Meanwhile, the SDF study reports indicated the presence of chromosomal abnormalities. This patient was treated exclusively with Ayurveda therapy aimed towards qualitative improvement in reproductive tissues (Shukra Dhatu as per Ayurveda). Patient was assessed periodically for changes in chromosomal abnormality. After four months of treatment, the evaluations demonstrated the presence of completely normal chromosomes.

Conclusion

This case study indicates the potential of Ayurveda therapy in treating cases of male infertility caused by DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, observations and systematically designed clinical trials are warranted to establish a stronger level of evidence before making further clinical recommendations.

Biomacromolecule-based nanocarrier strategies to deliver plant-derived bioactive components for cancer treatment: A recent review

The quest for safe chemotherapy has attracted researchers to explore anticancer potential of herbal medicines. Owing to upsurging evidence of herbal drug's beneficial effects, hopes are restored for augmenting survival rates in cancer patients. However, phytoconstituents confronted severe limitations in terms of poor absorption, low-stability, and low bioavailability. Along with toxicity issues associated with phytoconstituents, quality control and limited regulatory guidance also hinder the prevalence of herbal medicines for cancer therapy. Attempts are underway to exploit nanocarriers to circumvent the limitations of existing and new herbal drugs, where biological macromolecules (e.g., chitosan, hyaluronic acid, etc.) are established highly effective in fabricating nanocarriers and cancer targeting. Among the discussed nanocarriers, liposomes and micelles possess properties to cargo hydro- and lipophilic herbal constituents with surface modification for targeted delivery. Majorly, PEG, transferrin and folate are utilized for surface modification to improve bioavailability, circulation time and targetability. The dendrimer and carbon nanotubes responded in high-loading efficiency of phytoconstituent; whereas, SLN and nanoemulsions are suited carriers for lipophilic extracts. This review emphasized unveiling the latent potential of herbal drugs along with discussing on extended benefits of nanocarriers-based delivery of phytoconstituents for safe cancer therapy owing to enhanced clinical and preclinical outcomes without compromising safety.

Green Nanotechnology of Yucca filamentosa- Phytochemicals-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles-Antitumor Efficacy Against Prostate and Breast Cancers

Purpose

We report an innovative green nanotechnology utilizing an electron-rich cocktail of phytochemicals from Yucca filamentosa L. to synthesize biocompatible gold nanoparticles without the use of any external chemical reducing agents and evaluate their anti-cancer activity.

Methods

Yucca filamentosa L. extract, containing a cocktail of phytochemicals, was prepared, and used to transform gold salt into Y. filamentosa phytochemicals encapsulated gold nanoparticles (YF-AuNPs). Additionally, gum arabic stabilized YF-AuNPs (GAYF-AuNPs) were also prepared to enhance the in vitro/in vivo stability. Anticancer activity was evaluated against prostate (PC-3) and breast (MDAMB-231) cancer cell lines. Targeting abilities of gold nanoparticles were tested using pro-tumor macrophage cell lines.

Results

Comprehensive characterization of new nanomedicine agents YF-AuNPs and GAYF-AuNPs revealed spherical, and monodisperse AuNPs with moderate zeta potentials (-19 and -20 mV, respectively), indicating in vitro/in vivo stability. The core size of YF-AuNPs (14 ± 5 nm) and GAYF-AuNPs (10 ± 5 nm) is suitable for optimal penetration into tumor cells through both enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect as well as through the receptor mediated endocytosis. Notably, YF-AuNPs exhibited potent anticancer activity against prostate (PC-3) and breast tumors (MDAMB-231) by inducing early and late apoptotic stages. Moreover, YF-AuNPs resulted in elevated levels of anti-tumor cytokines (TNF-α and IL-12) and reduced levels of pro-tumor cytokines (IL-6 and IL-10), provide compelling evidence on the immunomodulatory property of YF-AuNPs.

Conclusion

Overall, these Y. filamentosa phytochemicals functionalized nano-Ayurvedic medicine agents demonstrated selective toxicity to cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Most notably, to our knowledge, this is the first study that shows YF-AuNP's targeting efficacy toward pro-tumor macrophage cell lines, suggesting an immunomodulatory pathway for cancer treatment. This work introduces a novel avenue for herbal and nano-Ayurvedic approaches to human cancer treatment, mediated through selective efficacy and immunomodulatory potential.

A Journey to Reach the Ovary Using Next-Generation Technologies

Although effective in terms of the chances of future live birth, the current methods for fertility preservation, such as oocyte, embryo, or ovarian tissue cryopreservation, cannot be offered to all cancer patients in all clinical contexts. Expanding options for fertility preservation is crucial to addressing the need to encompass all situations. One emerging strategy is pharmacoprotection, a non-invasive approach that has the potential to fill existing gaps in fertility preservation. In addition to the identification of the most effective therapeutic agents, the potential for off-target effects remains one of the main limitations of this strategy for clinical application, particularly when healthy ovarian tissue is targeted. This review focuses on the advances in pharmacoprotective approaches and the challenge of targeting the ovaries to deliver these agents. The unique properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) make them an attractive candidate for this purpose. We discuss how AuNPs meet many of the requirements for an ideal drug delivery system, as well as the existing limitations that have hindered the progression of AuNP research into more clinical trials. Additionally, the review highlights microRNA (miRNA) therapy as a next-generation approach to address the issues of fertility preservation and discusses the obstacles that currently impede its clinical availability.

Critical parameters to translate gold nanoparticles as radiosensitizing agents into the clinic

Radiotherapy is an inevitable choice for cancer treatment that is applied as combinatorial therapy along with surgery and chemotherapy. Nevertheless, radiotherapy at high doses kills normal and tumor cells at the same time. In addition, some tumor cells are resistant to radiotherapy. Recently, many researchers have focused on high-Z nanomaterials as radiosensitizers for radiotherapy. Among them, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have shown remarkable potential due to their promising physical, chemical, and biological properties. Although few clinical trial studies have been performed on drug delivery and photosensitization with lasers, GNPs have not yet received Food and Drug Administration approval for use in radiotherapy. The sensitization effects of GNPs are dependent on their concentration in cells and x-ray energy deposition during radiotherapy. Notably, some limitations related to the properties of the GNPs, including their size, shape, surface charge, and ligands, and the radiation source energy should be resolved. At the first, this review focuses on some of the challenges of using GNPs as radiosensitizers and some biases among in vitro/in vivo, Monte Carlo, and clinical studies. Then, we discuss the challenges in the clinical translation of GNPs as radiosensitizers for radiotherapy and proposes feasible solutions. And finally, we suggest that certain areas be considered in future research. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > NA.

Combined oncolytic virotherapy gold nanoparticles as synergistic immunotherapy agent in breast cancer control

Combining viruses and nanoparticles may be a way to successfully treat cancer and minimize adverse effects. The current work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a specific combination of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) to enhance the antitumor effect of breast cancer in both in vitro and in vivo models. Two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and AMJ-13) and a normal epithelial cell line (HBL-100) were used and treated with NDV and/or GNPs. The MTT assay was used to study the anticancer potentials of NDV and GNP. The colony formation assay and apoptosis markers were used to confirm the killing mechanisms of NDV and GNP against breast cancer cell lines. p53 and caspase-9 expression tested by the qRT-PCR technique. Our results showed that combination therapy had a significant killing effect against breast cancer cells. The findings demonstrated that NDV and GNPs induced apoptosis in cancer cells by activating caspase-9, the p53 protein, and other proteins related to apoptosis, which holds promise as a combination therapy for breast cancer.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of the silver nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous extracts of coconut meat (Cocos nucifera L)

Human pathogenic fungi and bacteria pose a huge threat to human life, accounting for high rates of mortality every year. Unfortunately, the past few years have seen an upsurge in multidrug resistance pathogens. Consequently, finding an effective alternative antimicrobial agent is of utmost importance. Hence, this study aimed to phytofabricate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous extracts of the solid endosperm of Cocos nucifera L, also known as coconut meat (Cm). Green synthesis is a facile, cost-effective and eco-friendly methods which has several benefits over other physical and chemical methods. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The Cm-AgNPs showed a UV-Vis peak at 435 nm and were crystalline and quasi-spherical, with an average size of 15 nm. The FTIR spectrum displayed functional groups of phenols, alkaloids, sugars, amines, and carbonyl compounds, which are vital in the reduction and capping of NPs. The antibacterial and anticandidal efficacy of the Cm-AgNPs was assessed by the agar-well diffusion method and expressed as a zone of inhibition (ZOI). Amongst all the test isolates, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Candida auris, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis were more susceptible to the NPs with a ZOI of 26.33 ± 0.57 mm, 19.33 ± 0.57 mm, and 18 ± 0.76 mm. The MIC and MFC values for Candida spp. were higher than the bacterial test isolates. Scanning electron microscopic studies of all the test isolates at their MIC concentrations showed drastically altered cell morphology, indicating that the NPs could successfully cross the cell barrier and damage the cell integrity, causing cell death. This study reports the efficacy of Cm-AgNPs against several Candida and bacterial strains, which had not been reported in earlier studies. Furthermore, the synthesized AgNPs exhibited significant antioxidant activity. Thus, the findings of this study strongly imply that the Cm-AgNPs can serve as promising candidates for therapeutic applications, especially against multidrug-resistant isolates of Candida and bacteria. However, further investigation is needed to understand the mode of action and biosafety.

Applications and safety of gold nanoparticles as therapeutic devices in clinical trials

Use of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in medicine is an emerging field of translational research with vast clinical implications and exciting therapeutic potential. However, the safety of using GNPs in human subjects is an important question that remains unanswered. This study reviews over 20 clinical trials focused on GNP safety and aims to summarize all the clinical studies, completed and ongoing, to identify whether GNPs are safe to use in humans as a therapeutic platform. In these studies, GNPs were implemented as drug delivery devices, for photothermal therapy, and utilized for their intrinsic therapeutic effects by various routes of delivery. These studies revealed no major safety concerns with the use of GNPs; however, the number of trials and total patient number remains limited. Multi-dose, multi-center blinded trials are required to deepen our understanding of the use of GNPs in clinical settings to facilitate translation of this novel, multifaceted therapeutic device. Expanding clinical trials will require collaboration between clinicians, scientists, and biotechnology companies.

Impact Assessment of Integrated-pathy on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Cancer Patients: An Observational study.. [DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3201641/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

Background: Integrated-pathy aims to integrate modern medicine with traditional systems via applying the holistic approach of Ayurveda, Yoga, Yagya, Panchkarma and natural medicine. This is important for addressing the challenges surrounding the delivery of long-term palliative care for chronic ailments including cancer. The prime intent of this study was to substantiate the underlying hypothesis behind the differential and integrative approach having a positive impact on Quality of Life of cancer patients. Study Design: Observational study Methods: A standardized questionnaire was developed and used, after obtaining written informed consent from patients to assess the impact of Integrated-pathy on patients (n=103) diagnosed with cancer receiving care at Patanjali Yoggram. The research was carried out over an eight-month period (December-2021 to July-2022). For the significance of the pre- and post-treatment QoL ratings, Wilcoxon signed-rank pair test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and other descriptive statistics techniques were explored. Results: A total of 103 patients seeking cancer special-healthcare were interviewed, out of which 39 (37.86%) were selected based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria with age (25-65 years), period of Integrated-pathy received (≥1 months), allopathic treatment received prior to opting for Integrated-pathy. Results revealed a significant increase in the QoL (17.91%) after receiving the integrated therapy over a course of at least one month. Further, a significant reduction in cancer related pain followed by an increase in QoL index was reported in the patients. Wilcoxon rank test revealed significant pairing (p<0.0001) with validation of the model using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Conclusions: In order to enhance evidence-based support to the Integrated-pathy, well-defined clinical indicators that can be assessed and monitored over time are required. Clinical researchers should add Integrated-pathy into their proposed interventions and undertake similar studies to provide long-term benefits.

Exploring anticancer properties of novel Nano-Formulation of BODIPY Compound, Photophysicochemical, in vitro and in silico evaluations

A new BODIPY complex (C4) composed of meso- thienyl-pyridine substituted core unit diiodinated from 2- and 6- positions and distyryl moieties at 3- and 5- positions is synthesized. Nano-sized formulation of C4 is prepared by single emulsion method using poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL) polymer. Encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity values of C4 loaded PCL nanoparticles (C4@PCL-NPs) are calculated and in vitro release profile of C4 is determined. The cytotoxicity and anti-cancer activity are conducted on the L929 and MCF-7 cell lines. Cellular uptake study is performed and interaction between C4@PCL-NPs and MCF-7 cell line is investigated. Anti-cancer activity of C4 is predicted with molecular docking studies and the inhibition property on EGFR, ERα, PR and mTOR are investigated for its anticancer properties. Molecular interactions, binding positions and docking score energies between C4 and EGFR, ERα, PR and mTOR targets are revealed using in silico methods. The druglikeness and pharmacokinetic properties of C4 are evaluated using the SwissADME and its bioavailability and toxicity profiles are assessed using the SwissADME, preADMET and pkCSM servers. In conclusion, the potential use of C4 as an anti-cancer agent is evaluated in vitro and in silico methods. Also, photophysicochemical properties are studied to investigate the potential of using Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). In photochemical studies, the calculated singlet oxygen quantum yield (Φ_Δ) value was 0.73 for C4 and in photopysical studies, the calculated fluorescence quantum yield Φ_F value was 0.19 for C4.

Updates on Biogenic Metallic and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: Therapy, Drug Delivery and Cytotoxicity

The ambition to combat the issues affecting the environment and human health triggers the development of biosynthesis that incorporates the production of natural compounds by living organisms via eco-friendly nano assembly. Biosynthesized nanoparticles (NPs) have various pharmaceutical applications, such as tumoricidal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobials, antiviral, etc. When combined, bio-nanotechnology and drug delivery give rise to the development of various pharmaceutics with site-specific biomedical applications. In this review, we have attempted to summarize in brief the types of renewable biological systems used for the biosynthesis of metallic and metal oxide NPs and the vital contribution of biogenic NPs as pharmaceutics and drug carriers simultaneously. The biosystem used for nano assembly further affects the morphology, size, shape, and structure of the produced nanomaterial. The toxicity of the biogenic NPs, because of their pharmacokinetic behavior in vitro and in vivo, is also discussed, together with some recent achievements towards enhanced biocompatibility, bioavailability, and reduced side effects. Because of the large biodiversity, the potential biomedical application of metal NPs produced via natural extracts in biogenic nanomedicine is yet to be explored.

A review of nanomaterials from synthetic and natural molecules for prospective breast cancer nanotherapy

Breast cancer being one of the most frequent cancers in women accounts for almost a quarter of all cancer cases. Early and late-stage breast cancer outcomes have improved dramatically, with considerable gains in overall survival rate and disease-free state. However, the current therapy of breast cancer suffers from drug resistance leading to relapse and recurrence of the disease. Also, the currently used synthetic and natural agents have bioavailability issues which limit their use. Recently, nanocarriers-assisted delivery of synthetic and natural anticancer drugs has been introduced to the breast cancer therapy which alienates the limitations associated with the current therapy to a great extent. Significant progress has lately been made in the realm of nanotechnology, which proved to be vital in the fight against drug resistance. Nanotechnology has been successfully applied in the effective and improved therapy of different forms of breast cancer including invasive, non-invasive as well as triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), etc. This review presents a comprehensive overview of various nanoformulations prepared for the improved delivery of synthetic and natural anticancer drugs alone or in combination showing better efficacy and pharmacokinetics. In addition to this, various ongoing and completed clinical studies and patents granted on nanotechnology-based breast cancer drug delivery are also reviewed.

Gold nanostructure-mediated delivery of anticancer agents: Biomedical applications, reversing drug resistance, and stimuli-responsive nanocarriers

The application of nanoarchitectures in cancer therapy seems to be beneficial for the delivery of antitumor drugs. In recent years, attempts have been made to reverse drug resistance, one of the factors threatening the lives of cancer patients worldwide. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are metal nanostructures with a variety of advantageous properties, such as tunable size and shape, continuous release of chemicals, and simple surface modification. This review focuses on the application of GNPs for the delivery of chemotherapy agents in cancer therapy. Utilizing GNPs results in targeted delivery and increased intracellular accumulation. Besides, GNPs can provide a platform for the co-delivery of anticancer agents and genetic tools with chemotherapeutic compounds to exert a synergistic impact. Furthermore, GNPs can promote oxidative damage and apoptosis by triggering chemosensitivity. Due to their capacity for providing photothermal therapy, GNPs can enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents against tumor cells. The pH-, redox-, and light-responsive GNPs are beneficial for drug release at the tumor site. For the selective targeting of cancer cells, surface modification of GNPs with ligands has been performed. In addition to improving cytotoxicity, GNPs can prevent the development of drug resistance in tumor cells by facilitating prolonged release and loading low concentrations of chemotherapeutics while maintaining their high antitumor activity. As described in this study, the clinical use of chemotherapeutic drug-loaded GNPs is contingent on enhancing their biocompatibility.

Reactive oxygen species in biological media are they friend or foe? Major In vivo and In vitro sensing challenges

The role of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) on biological media has been shifting over the years, as the knowledge on the complex mechanism that lies in underneath their production and overall results has been growing. It has been known for some time that these species are associated with a number of health conditions. However, they also participate in the immunoactivation cascade process, and can have an active role in theranostics. Macrophages, for example, react to the presence of pathogens through ROS production, potentially allowing the development of new therapeutic strategies. However, their short lifetime and limited spatial distribution of ROS have been limiting factors to the development and understanding of this phenomenon. Even though, ROS have shown successful theranostic applications, e.g., photodynamic therapy, their wide applicability has been hampered by the lack of effective tools for monitoring these processes in real time. Thus the development of innovative sensing strategies for in vivo monitoring of the balance between ROS concentration and the resultant immune response is of the utmost relevance. Such knowledge could lead to major breakthroughs towards the development of more effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Within this review we will present the current understanding on the interaction mechanisms of ROS with biological systems and their overall effect. Additionally, the most promising sensing tools developed so far, for both in vivo and in vitro tracking will be presented along with their main limitations and advantages. This review focuses on the four main ROS that have been studied these are: singlet oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion.

Phytochemical-based nanodrugs going beyond the state-of-the-art in cancer management-Targeting cancer stem cells in the framework of predictive, preventive, personalized medicine

Cancer causes many deaths worldwide each year, especially due to tumor heterogeneity leading to disease progression and treatment failure. Targeted treatment of heterogeneous population of cells - cancer stem cells is still an issue in protecting affected individuals against associated multidrug resistance and disease progression. Nanotherapeutic agents have the potential to go beyond state-of-the-art approaches in overall cancer management. Specially assembled nanoparticles act as carriers for targeted drug delivery. Several nanodrugs have already been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating different cancer types. Phytochemicals isolated from plants demonstrate considerable potential for nanomedical applications in oncology thanks to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and other health benefits. Phytochemical-based NPs can enhance anticancer therapeutic effects, improve cellular uptake of therapeutic agents, and mitigate the side effects of toxic anticancer treatments. Per evidence, phytochemical-based NPs can specifically target CSCs decreasing risks of tumor relapse and metastatic disease manifestation. Therefore, this review focuses on current outlook of phytochemical-based NPs and their potential targeting CSCs in cancer research studies and their consideration in the framework of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (3PM).

Gold nanoparticles enhance proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells by PINK1-mediated mitophagy

OBJECTIVE

Evidence suggests that gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) improve osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) dependent mitophagy modulates inter-clonal communication among PDLSCs with osteogenic heterogeneity, but the mechanism remains vague. Therefore, the current research assessed the influence of AuNPs on proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mitophagy of PDLSCs and the potential mechanism was analyzed.

METHODS

Gold nanospheres with a diameter of 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 nm were synthesized and characterized through transmission electron microscopy, and rat PDLSCs were isolated using flow sorting. Next, PDLSCs were treated with AuNPs or PINK1 lentivirus to obtain its overexpression or suppression. Proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were evaluated by CCK-8, ALP staining, ARS staining, and immunoblotting of OCN, OPN, RUNX2, ALP, BMP2, and COL1. Mitochondrial quality, homeostasis and quantity were assessed though JC-1 staining, immunoblotting of Tom20, Tim23 and HSP60 and mitochondrial ROS detection. PINK1, Parkin, Beclin1 and LC3 expression was quantified to investigate mitophagy, using RT-qPCR and immunoblotting and the formation of RFP-GFP-LC3-labeled autophagosomes were also measured.

RESULTS

The proliferation ability of PDLSCs almost reached the maximum under 20 nm AuNPs for 24 h. AuNPs enhanced the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs, improved mitochondrial quality and homeostasis as well as attenuated mitochondrial quantity. Additionally, mitophagy was enhanced by PDLSCs. Activation of PINK1 synergistically enhanced AuNPs-mediated mitophagy, mitochondrial quality, homeostasis and osteogenic differentiation in PDLSCs, obtaining opposite effects when PINK1 was suppressed.

CONCLUSION

AuNPs enhance proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs through PINK1-mediated mitophagy.

Gold Nanoparticles in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Therapeutics

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type of breast cancer with enhanced metastasis and poor survival. Though chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and gene delivery are used to treat TNBC, various side effects limit these therapeutics against TNBC. In this review article, we have focused on the mechanism of action of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to enhance the efficacy of therapeutics with targeted delivery on TNBC cells.

METHODS

Research data were accumulated from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using searching criteria "gold nanoparticles and triple-negative breast cancer" and "gold nanoparticles and cancer". Though we reviewed many old papers, the most cited papers were from the last ten years.

RESULTS

Various studies indicate that AuNPs can enhance bioavailability, site-specific drug delivery, and efficacy of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, PTT, and PDT as well as modulate gene expression. The role of AuNPs in the modulation of TNBC therapeutics through the inhibition of cell proliferation, progression, and metastasis has been proved in vitro and in vivo studies. As these mechanistic actions of AuNPs are most desirable to develop drugs with enhanced therapeutic efficacy against TNBC, it might be a promising approach to apply AuNPs for TNBC therapeutics.

CONCLUSION

This article reviewed the mechanism of action of AuNPs and their application in the enhancement of therapeutics against TNBC. Much more attention is required for studying the role of AuNPs in developing them either as a single or synergistic anticancer agent against TNBC.

New advances in pharmaceutical strategies for sensitizing anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and clinical research

Attempts have been made continuously to use nano-drug delivery system (NDDS) to improve the effect of antitumor therapy. In recent years, especially in the application of immunotherapy represented by antiprogrammed death receptor 1 (anti-PD-1), it has been vigorously developed. Nanodelivery systems are significantly superior in a number of aspects including increasing the solubility of insoluble drugs, enhancing their targeting ability, prolonging their half-life, and reducing side effects. It can not only directly improve the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, but also indirectly enhance the antineoplastic efficacy of immunotherapy by boosting the effectiveness of therapeutic modalities such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photothermal, and photodynamic therapy (PTT/PDT). Here, we summarize the studies published in recent years on the use of nanotechnology in pharmaceutics to improve the efficacy of anti-PD-1 antibodies, analyze their characteristics and shortcomings, and combine with the current clinical research on anti-PD-1 antibodies to provide a reference for the design of future nanocarriers, so as to further expand the clinical application prospects of NDDSs. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease.

Nano-ayurvedic medicine and its potential in cancer treatment

Nano-ayurvedic medicine is an emerging field in which nanoparticles are functionalized with active principles of potent ayurvedic herbs to enhance their efficacy and target-specific delivery. Scientific advances in the past couple of decades have revealed the molecular mechanisms behind the anticancer potential of several ayurvedic herbs, attributed chiefly to their secondary metabolites including polyphenols and other active substances. With the advancement of nanotechnology, it has been established that size-, shape-, and surface-chemistry-optimized nanoparticles can be utilized as synergizing carriers for these phytochemicals. Nano-ayurvedic medicine utilizes herbs that are commonly used in Ayurveda to functionalize different nanoparticles and thereby enhance their potency and target specificity. Studies have shown that the active phytochemicals of such herbs can be coated onto the nanoparticles of different metals, such as gold, and that they work more efficiently than the free herbal extract, for example, in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. Recently, an Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH)-based clinical trial in humans indicated the anticancer potential of such formulations. Nano-ayurvedic medicine is emerging as a potential treatment option for hyperproliferative diseases.

Antiproliferative Activity of Buddleja saligna (Willd.) against Melanoma and In Vivo Modulation of Angiogenesis

Melanoma cells secrete pro-angiogenic factors, which stimulates growth, proliferation and metastasis, and therefore are key therapeutic targets. Buddleja saligna (BS), and an isolated triterpenoid mixture (DT-BS-01) showed a fifty percent inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 33.80 ± 1.02 and 5.45 ± 0.19 µg/mL, respectively, against melanoma cells (UCT-MEL-1) with selectivity index (SI) values of 1.64 and 5.06 compared to keratinocytes (HaCat). Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition was observed with IC₅₀ values of 35.06 ± 2.96 (BS) and 26.40 ± 4.19 µg/mL (DT-BS-01). BS (30 µg/mL) significantly inhibited interleukin (IL)-6 (83.26 ± 17.60%) and IL-8 (100 ± 0.2%) production, whereas DT-BS-01 (5 µg/mL) showed 51.07 ± 2.83 (IL-6) and 0 ± 6.7% (IL-8) inhibition. Significant vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition, by 15.84 ± 4.54 and 12.21 ± 3.48%, respectively, was observed. In the ex ovo chick embryo yolk sac membrane assay (YSM), BS (15 µg/egg) significantly reduced new blood vessel formation, with 53.34 ± 11.64% newly formed vessels. Silver and palladium BS nanoparticles displayed noteworthy SI values. This is the first report on the significant anti-angiogenic activity of BS and DT-BS-01 and should be considered for preclinical trials as there are currently no US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs to inhibit angiogenesis in melanoma.

Research Progress on Nanoparticles-Based CRISPR/Cas9 System for Targeted Therapy of Tumors

Cancer is a genetic mutation disease that seriously endangers the health and life of all human beings. As one of the most amazing academic achievements in the past decade, CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been sought after by many researchers due to its powerful gene editing capability. CRISPR/Cas9 technology shows great potential in oncology, and has become one of the most promising technologies for cancer genome-editing therapeutics. However, its efficiency and the safety issues of in vivo gene editing severely limit its widespread application. Therefore, developing a suitable delivery method for the CRISPR/Cas9 system is an urgent problem to be solved at present. Rapid advances in nanomedicine suggest nanoparticles could be a viable option. In this review, we summarize the latest research on the potential use of nanoparticle-based CRISPR/Cas9 systems in cancer therapeutics, in order to further their clinical application. We hope that this review will provide a novel insight into the CRISPR/Cas9 system and offer guidance for nanocarrier designs that will enable its use in cancer clinical applications.

Nano-Based Theranostic Platforms for Breast Cancer: A Review of Latest Advancements

Breast cancer (BC) is a highly metastatic multifactorial disease with various histological and molecular subtypes. Due to recent advancements, the mortality rate in BC has improved over the past five decades. Detection and treatment of many cancers are now possible due to the application of nanomedicine in clinical practice. Nanomedicine products such as Doxil^® and Abraxane^® have already been extensively used for BC adjuvant therapy with favorable clinical outcomes. However, these products were designed initially for generic anticancer purposes and not specifically for BC treatment. With a better understanding of the molecular biology of BC, several novel and promising nanotherapeutic strategies and devices have been developed in recent years. In this context, multi-functionalized nanostructures are becoming potential carriers for enhanced chemotherapy in BC patients. To design these nanostructures, a wide range of materials, such as proteins, lipids, polymers, and hybrid materials, can be used and tailored for specific purposes against BC. Selective targeting of BC cells results in the activation of programmed cell death in BC cells and can be considered a promising strategy for managing triple-negative BC. Currently, conventional BC screening methods such as mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are either costly or expose the user to hazardous radiation that could harm them. Therefore, there is a need for such analytical techniques for detecting BC that are highly selective and sensitive, have a very low detection limit, are durable, biocompatible, and reproducible. In detecting BC biomarkers, nanostructures are used alone or in conjunction with numerous molecules. This review intends to highlight the recent advances in nanomedicine in BC treatment and diagnosis, emphasizing the targeting of BC cells that overexpress receptors of epidermal growth factors. Researchers may gain insight from these strategies to design and develop more tailored nanomedicine for BC to achieve further improvements in cancer specificity, antitumorigenic effects, anti-metastasis effects, and drug resistance reversal effects.

Next-generation engineered nanogold for multimodal cancer therapy and imaging: a clinical perspectives

Cancer is one of the significant threats to human life. Although various latest technologies are currently available to treat cancer, it still accounts for millions of death each year worldwide. Thus, creating a need for more developed and novel technologies to combat this deadly condition. Nanoparticles-based cancer therapeutics have offered a promising approach to treat cancer effectively while minimizing adverse events. Among various nanoparticles, nanogold (AuNPs) are biocompatible and have proved their efficiency in treating cancer because they can reach tumors via enhanced permeability and retention effect. The size and shape of the AuNPs are responsible for their diverse therapeutic behavior. Thus, to modulate their therapeutic values, the AuNPs can be synthesized in various shapes, such as spheres, cages, flowers, shells, prisms, rods, clusters, etc. Also, attaching AuNPs with single or multiple targeting agents can facilitate the active targeting of AuNPs to the tumor tissue. The AuNPs have been much explored for photothermal therapy (PTT) to treat cancer. In addition to PTT, AuNPs-based nanoplatforms have been investigated for combinational multimodal therapies in the last few years, including photodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, etc., to ablate cancer cells. Thus, the present review focuses on the recent advancements in the functionalization of AuNPs-based nanoconstructs for cancer imaging and therapy using combinatorial multimodal approaches to treat various cancers.

IAEA Contribution to Nanosized Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals for Drug Delivery

The rapidly growing interest in the application of nanoscience in the future design of radiopharmaceuticals and the development of nanosized radiopharmaceuticals in the late 2000′s, resulted in the creation of a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2014. This CRP entitled ‘Nanosized delivery systems for radiopharmaceuticals’ involved a team of expert scientist from various member states. This team of scientists worked on a number of cutting-edge areas of nanoscience with a focus on developing well-defined, highly effective and site-specific delivery systems of radiopharmaceuticals. Specifically, focus areas of various teams of scientists comprised of the development of nanoparticles (NPs) based on metals, polymers, and gels, and their conjugation/encapsulation or decoration with various tumor avid ligands such as peptides, folates, and small molecule phytochemicals. The research and development efforts also comprised of developing optimum radiolabeling methods of various nano vectors using diagnostic and therapeutic radionuclides including Tc-99m, Ga-68, Lu-177 and Au-198. Concerted efforts of teams of scientists within this CRP has resulted in the development of various protocols and guidelines on delivery systems of nanoradiopharmaceuticals, training of numerous graduate students/post-doctoral fellows and publications in peer reviewed journals while establishing numerous productive scientific networks in various participating member states. Some of the innovative nanoconstructs were chosen for further preclinical applications—all aimed at ultimate clinical translation for treating human cancer patients. This review article summarizes outcomes of this major international scientific endeavor.

Multifunctional Gold Nanoparticles in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world, behind only cardiovascular diseases, and is one of the most serious diseases threatening human health nowadays. Cancer patients’ lives are being extended by the use of contemporary medical technologies, such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, these treatments are not always effective in extending cancer patients’ lives. Simultaneously, these approaches are often accompanied with a series of negative consequences, such as the occurrence of adverse effects and an increased risk of relapse. As a result, the development of a novel cancer-eradication strategy is still required. The emergence of nanomedicine as a promising technology brings a new avenue for the circumvention of limitations of conventional cancer therapies. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), in particular, have garnered extensive attention due to their many specific advantages, including customizable size and shape, multiple and useful physicochemical properties, and ease of functionalization. Based on these characteristics, many therapeutic and diagnostic applications of AuNPs have been exploited, particularly for malignant tumors, such as drug and nucleic acid delivery, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and X-ray-based computed tomography imaging. To leverage the potential of AuNPs, these applications demand a comprehensive and in-depth overview. As a result, we discussed current achievements in AuNPs in anticancer applications in a more methodical manner in this review. Also addressed in depth are the present status of clinical trials, as well as the difficulties that may be encountered when translating some basic findings into the clinic, in order to serve as a reference for future studies.

Anti-breast cancer effects of phytochemicals: primary, secondary, and tertiary care

Breast cancer incidence is actually the highest one among all cancers. Overall breast cancer management is associated with challenges considering risk assessment and predictive diagnostics, targeted prevention of metastatic disease, appropriate treatment options, and cost-effectiveness of approaches applied. Accumulated research evidence indicates promising anti-cancer effects of phytochemicals protecting cells against malignant transformation, inhibiting carcinogenesis and metastatic spread, supporting immune system and increasing effectiveness of conventional anti-cancer therapies, among others. Molecular and sub-/cellular mechanisms are highly complex affecting several pathways considered potent targets for advanced diagnostics and cost-effective treatments. Demonstrated anti-cancer affects, therefore, are clinically relevant for improving individual outcomes and might be applicable to the primary (protection against initial cancer development), secondary (protection against potential metastatic disease development), and tertiary (towards cascading complications) care. However, a detailed data analysis is essential to adapt treatment algorithms to individuals’ and patients’ needs. Consequently, advanced concepts of patient stratification, predictive diagnostics, targeted prevention, and treatments tailored to the individualized patient profile are instrumental for the cost-effective application of natural anti-cancer substances to improve overall breast cancer management benefiting affected individuals and the society at large.

Mitochondria-Targeted Mesoporous Titanium Dioxide Nanoplatform for Synergistic Nitric Oxide Gas-Sonodynamic Therapy of Breast Cancer

Background

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has rapidly advanced as a promising alternative to conventional photodynamic therapy owing to its preferable therapeutic depth. However, single-modal SDT exhibits limited efficacy due to the long-term hypoxia in tumors.

Method and Results

To address these issues, we proposed a synergistic SDT strategy that integrates mitochondrial targeting with nitric oxide (NO) gas therapy by using multifunctional nanoplatforms. The nanoplatform, which was named as T-mTNPs@L-Arg, was composed of mesoporous titanium dioxide loaded with the NO donor precursor L-arginine (L-Arg) and modified with triphenyl phosphonium (TPP), a mitochondria-targeting ligand. Therefore, T-mTNPs@L-Arg could efficiently concentrate into mitochondria and release NO gas as well as generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) with ultrasound stimulus. Importantly, the released NO gas exerted multiple synergies with SDT, including inducing NO poisoning, generating more lethal reactive nitrogen species (RNS) by reaction with ROS, and alleviating hypoxia through NO-mediated mitochondrial respiration inhibition. On account of the synergistic effects, T-mTNPs@L-Arg showed an outstanding SDT efficacy and a reduced side effect.

Conclusion

This work designed a nanoplatform to integrate mitochondria targeting, SDT and NO gas therapy, providing a new strategy for highly efficient breast cancer therapy.

Natural products in suppressing glioma progression: A focus on the role of microRNAs

Glioma is one of the most common malignancies of the central nervous system. Due to inadequate response to the current treatments available, glioma has been at the center of recent cancer studies searching for novel treatment strategies. This has prompted an intensive search using linkage studies and preliminary evidence to gain efficient insight into the mechanisms involved in the alleviation of the pathogenesis of glioma mediated by miRNAs, a group of noncoding RNAs that affect gene expression posttranscriptionally. Dysregulated expression of miRNAs can exacerbate the malignant features of tumor cells in glioma and other cancers. Natural products can exert anticancer effects on glioma cells by stimulating the expression levels of tumor suppressor miRNAs and repressing the expression levels of oncogenic miRNAs. In this review, we aimed to collect and analyze the literature addressing the roles of natural products in the treatment of glioma, with an emphasis on their involvement in the regulation of miRNAs.