Targeted Drug Delivery Systems for Curcumin in Breast Cancer Therapy

Thermotropic liquid crystals in drug delivery: A versatile carrier for controlled release

Responsive and adaptive soft-matter systems represent an advanced category of materials with potential applications in drug delivery. Among these, liquid crystals (LCs) emerge as multifunctional anisotropic scaffolds capable of reacting to temperature, light, electric or magnetic fields. Specifically, the ordering and physical characteristics of thermotropic LCs are primarily contingent on temperature as an external stimulus. This comprehensive review aims to bridge a notable gap in the biomedical application of thermotropic mesogens by exclusively focusing on drug delivery. Anticipated to inspire diverse ideas, the review intends to facilitate the elegant exploitation of controllable and temperature-induced characteristics of LCs to enhance drug permeation. Here, we delineate recent advancements in thermally-driven LCs with a substantial emphasis on LC monomer mixtures, elastomers, polymers, microcapsules and membranes. Moreover, special emphasis is placed on the biocompatibility and toxicity of LCs as the foremost prerequisite for their application in healthcare. Given the promising prospect of thermotropic LC formulations in a clinical context, a special section is devoted to skin drug delivery. The review covers content from multiple disciplines, primarily targeting researchers interested in innovative strategies in drug delivery. It also appeals to those enthusiastic about firsthand exploration of the feasible biomedical applications of thermotropic LCs. To the best of our knowledge, this marks the first review addressing thermotropic LCs as tunable soft-matter systems for drug delivery.

Targeted delivery of SN38 to breast cancer using amphiphilic diblock copolymers PHPMA-b-PBAEM as micellar carriers with AS1411 aptamer

Breast cancer treatment can be challenging, but a targeted drug delivery system (DDS) has the potential to make it more effective and reduce side effects. This study presents a novel nanotherapeutic targeted DDS developed through the self-assembly of an amphiphilic di-block copolymer to deliver the chemotherapy drug SN38 specifically to breast cancer cells. The vehicle was constructed from the PHPMA-b-PEAMA diblock copolymer synthesized via RAFT polymerization. A single emulsion method was then used to encapsulate SN38 within nanoparticles (NPs) formed from the PHPMA-b-PEAMA copolymer. The AS1411 DNA aptamer was covalently bonded to the surface of the micellar NPs, producing a targeted DDS. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies were also performed on the di block polymeric system, demonstrating that SN38 interacted well with the di block. The in vitro results demonstrated that AS1411- decorated SN38-loaded HPMA NPs were highly toxic to breast cancer cells while having a minimal effect on non-cancerous cells. Remarkably, in vivo studies elucidated the ability of the targeted DDS to enhance the antitumor effect of SN38, suppressing tumor growth and improving survival rates compared to free SN38.

Synergic Role of Dietary Bioactive Compounds in Breast Cancer Chemoprevention and Combination Therapies

Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women. Chemotherapy is the gold standard for cancer treatment; however, severe side effects and tumor resistance are the major obstacles to chemotherapy success. Numerous dietary components and phytochemicals have been found to inhibit the molecular and signaling pathways associated with different stages of breast cancer development. In particular, this review is focused on the antitumor effects of PUFAs, dietary enzymes, and glucosinolates against breast cancer. The major databases were consulted to search in vitro and preclinical studies; only those with solid scientific evidence and reporting protective effects on breast cancer treatment were included. A consistent number of studies highlighted that dietary components and phytochemicals can have remarkable therapeutic effects as single agents or in combination with other anticancer agents, administered at different concentrations and via different routes of administration. These provide a natural strategy for chemoprevention, reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence, impair cell proliferation and viability, and induce apoptosis. Some of these bioactive compounds of dietary origin, however, show poor solubility and low bioavailability; hence, encapsulation in nanoformulations are promising tools able to increase clinical efficiency.

Radiofrequency enhances drug release from responsive nanoflowers for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignant tumor and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and systemic chemotherapy is the preferred treatment modality for advanced HCC. Curcumin (CUR) is a polyphenolic antineoplastic drug with low toxicity obtained from plants. However, its low bioavailability and poor solubility limit its functionality. In this study, radiofrequency- (RF) enhanced responsive nanoflowers (NFs), containing superparamagnetic ferric oxide nanoclusters (Fe3O4 NCs), - CUR layer, - and MnO2 (CUR-Fe@MnO2 NFs), were verified to have a thermal therapeutic effect. Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the CUR-Fe@MnO2 NFs, which appeared flower-like with a size of 96.27 nm. The in vitro experimental data showed that RF enhanced the degradation of CUR-Fe@MnO2 NFs to release Mn2+ and CUR. The cytotoxicity test results indicated that after RF heating, the CUR-Fe@MnO2 NFs significantly suppressed HCC cell proliferation. Moreover, CUR-Fe@MnO2 NFs were effective T 1/T 2 contrast agents for molecular magnetic resonance imaging due to the release of Mn2+ and Fe3O4 NCs.

Targeting Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Gouty Arthritis: Insights into Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Potential

Gouty arthritis (GA) is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by severe inflammation due to the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joints. The pathophysiological mechanisms of GA are not yet fully understood, and therefore, the identification of effective therapeutic targets is of paramount importance. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), an intricate structure of DNA scaffold, encompassing myeloperoxidase, histones, and elastases - have gained significant attention as a prospective therapeutic target for gouty arthritis, due to their innate antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. Hence, exploring the therapeutic potential of NETs in gouty arthritis remains an enticing avenue for further investigation. During the process of gouty arthritis, the formation of NETs triggers the release of inflammatory cytokines, thereby contributing to the inflammatory response, while MSU crystals and cytokines are sequestered and degraded by the aggregation of NETs. Here, we provide a concise summary of the inflammatory processes underlying the initiation and resolution of gouty arthritis mediated by NETs. Furthermore, this review presents an overview of the current pharmacological approaches for treating gouty arthritis and summarizes the potential of natural and synthetic product-based inhibitors that target NET formation as novel therapeutic options, alongside elucidating the intrinsic challenges of these inhibitors in NETs research. Lastly, the limitations of HL-60 cell as a suitable substitute of neutrophils in NETs research are summarized and discussed. Series of recommendations are provided, strategically oriented towards guiding future investigations to effectively address these concerns. These findings will contribute to an enhanced comprehension of the interplay between NETs and GA, facilitating the proposition of innovative therapeutic strategies and novel approaches for the management of GA.

Biomimetic Lung-Targeting Nanoparticles with Antioxidative and Nrf2 Activating Properties for Treating Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Acute Lung Injury

Ischemia/reperfusion (IR)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) has a high mortality rate. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in causing cellular damage and death in IR-induced ALI. In this work, we developed a biomimetic lung-targeting nanoparticle (PC@MB) as an antioxidative lung protector for treating IR-induced ALI. PC@MBs showed excellent ROS scavenging and Nrf2 activation properties, along with a lung-targeting function through autologous cell membrane coating. The PC@MBs exhibited an impressive antioxidative and pulmonary protective role via redox homeostasis recovery through Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 activation. PC@MBs could maintain cell viability by effectively scavenging the intracellular ROS and restoring the redox equilibrium in the lesion. In the IR mouse model, the PC@MBs preferentially accumulated in the lung and distinctly repaired the pneumonic damage. Our strategy has the potential to offer a promising therapeutic paradigm for treating IR-induced ALI through the incorporation of different therapeutic mechanisms.

Organic and Biogenic Nanocarriers as Bio-Friendly Systems for Bioactive Compounds' Delivery: State-of-the Art and Challenges

"Green" strategies to build up novel organic nanocarriers with bioperformance are modern trends in nanotechnology. In this way, the valorization of bio-wastes and the use of living systems to develop multifunctional organic and biogenic nanocarriers (OBNs) have revolutionized the nanotechnological and biomedical fields. This paper is a comprehensive review related to OBNs for bioactives' delivery, providing an overview of the reports on the past two decades. In the first part, several classes of bioactive compounds and their therapeutic role are briefly presented. A broad section is dedicated to the main categories of organic and biogenic nanocarriers. The major challenges regarding the eco-design and the fate of OBNs are suggested to overcome some toxicity-related drawbacks. Future directions and opportunities, and finding "green" solutions for solving the problems related to nanocarriers, are outlined in the final of this paper. We believe that through this review, we will capture the attention of the readers and will open new perspectives for new solutions/ideas for the discovery of more efficient and "green" ways in developing novel bioperformant nanocarriers for transporting bioactive agents.