Transferrin/α-tocopherol modified poly(amidoamine) dendrimers for improved tumor targeting and anticancer activity of paclitaxel

Nano-based drug delivery systems for active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine: Harnessing the power of nanotechnology

Introduction: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is gaining worldwide popularity as a complementary and alternative medicine. The isolation and characterization of active ingredients from TCM has become optional strategies for drug development. In order to overcome the inherent limitations of these natural products such as poor water solubility and low bioavailability, the combination of nanotechnology with TCM has been explored. Taking advantage of the benefits offered by the nanoscale, various drug delivery systems have been designed to enhance the efficacy of TCM in the treatment and prevention of diseases. Methods: The manuscript aims to present years of research dedicated to the application of nanotechnology in the field of TCM. Results: The manuscript discusses the formulation, characteristics and therapeutic effects of nano-TCM. Additionally, the formation of carrier-free nanomedicines through self-assembly between active ingredients of TCM is summarized. Finally, the paper discusses the safety behind the application of nano-TCM and proposes potential research directions. Discussion: Despite some achievements, the safety of nano-TCM still need special attention. Furthermore, exploring the substance basis of TCM formulas from the perspective of nanotechnology may provide direction for elucidating the scientific intension of TCM formulas.

Cationic nanocarriers: A potential approach for targeting negatively charged cancer cell

Cancer, a widespread and lethal disease, necessitates precise therapeutic interventions to mitigate its devastating impact. While conventional chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of cancer treatment, its lack of specificity towards cancer cells results in collateral damage to healthy tissues, leading to adverse effects. Thus, the quest for targeted strategies has emerged as a critical focus in cancer research. This review explores the development of innovative targeting methods utilizing novel drug delivery systems tailored to recognize and effectively engage cancer cells. Cancer cells exhibit morphological and metabolic traits, including irregular morphology, unchecked proliferation, metabolic shifts, genetic instability, and a higher negative charge, which serve as effective targeting cues. Central to these strategies is the exploitation of the unique negative charge characteristic of cancer cells, attributed to alterations in phospholipid composition and the Warburg effect. Leveraging this distinct feature, researchers have devised cationic carrier systems capable of enhancing the specificity of therapeutic agents towards cancer cells. The review delineates the underlying causes of the negative charge in cancer cells and elucidates various targeting approaches employing cationic compounds for drug delivery systems. Furthermore, it delves into the methods employed for the preparation of these systems. Beyond cancer treatment, the review also underscores the multifaceted applications of cationic carrier systems, encompassing protein and peptide delivery, imaging, photodynamic therapy, gene delivery, and antimicrobial applications. This comprehensive exploration underscores the potential of cationic carrier systems as versatile tools in the fight against cancer and beyond.

Ameliorative anticancer effect of dendrimeric peptide modified liposomes of letrozole: In vitro and in vivo performance evaluations

Letrozole (LTZ) loaded dendrimeric nano-liposomes were prepared for targeted delivery to breast cancer cells. Surface modification with cationic peptide dendrimers (PDs) and a cancer specific ligand, transferrin (Tf), was attempted. Arginine-terminated PD (D-1) and Arginine-terminated, lipidated PD (D-2) were synthesized using Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, purified by preparative HPLC and characterized using 1HNMR, MS and DSC analyses. Surface modification of drug loaded liposomes with Tf and/or PD was carried out. Formulations were characterized using FTIR, DSC, 1HNMR, XRD and TEM. Tf-conjugated LTZ liposomes (LTf) and Tf/D-2-conjugated LTZ liposomes (LTfD-2) showed greater cytotoxic potential (IC50 = 95.03 µg/mL and 23.75 µg/mL respectively) with enhanced cellular uptake in MCF7 cells compared to plain LTZ. Blocking studies of Tf (Tf-receptor mediated internalization) revealed decreased uptake of LTf and LTfD-2 confirming the role of Tf in uptake of Tf-conjugated liposomes. Intravenous treatment with LTfD-2 caused highest reduction in tumor volumes of female BALB/c-nude mice (145 mm3) compared to plain LTZ (605 mm3) and unconjugated LTZ liposomes (LP) (300 mm3). In vivo biodistribution studies revealed higher fluorescence in tumor tissue and liver of LTfD-2 treated mice than LTf or LP treatment. Immunohistochemical studies revealed greater apoptotic potential of LTfD-2 as indicated by TUNEL assay and ROS detection assay. The study reveals the superior therapeutic efficacy of the developed LTZ liposomal nanocarriers using PDs to enhance the transfection efficiency in addition to modifying the surface characteristics by attaching a targeting ligand for active drug targeting to breast cancer cells.

Dendrimers as Nanocarriers for the Delivery of Drugs Obtained from Natural Products

Natural products have proven their value as drugs that can be therapeutically beneficial in the treatment of various diseases. However, most natural products have low solubility and poor bioavailability, which pose significant challenges. To solve these issues, several drug nanocarriers have been developed. Among these methods, dendrimers have emerged as vectors for natural products due to their superior advantages, such as a controlled molecular structure, narrow polydispersity index, and the availability of multiple functional groups. This review summarizes current knowledge on the structures of dendrimer-based nanocarriers for natural compounds, with a particular focus on applications in alkaloids and polyphenols. Additionally, it highlights the challenges and perspectives for future development in clinical therapy.

Potential and Progress of 2D Materials in Photomedicine for Cancer Treatment

Over the last decades, photomedicine has made a significant impact and progress in treating superficial cancer. With tremendous efforts many of the technologies have entered clinical trials. Photothermal agents (PTAs) have been considered as emerging candidates for accelerating the outcome from photomedicine based cancer treatment. Besides various inorganic and organic candidates, 2D materials such as graphene, boron nitride, and molybdenum disulfide have shown significant potential for photothermal therapy (PTT). The properties such as high surface area to volume, biocompatibility, stability in physiological media, ease of synthesis and functionalization, and high photothermal conversion efficiency have made 2D nanomaterials wonderful candidates for PTT to treat cancer. The targeting or localized activation could be achieved when PTT is combined with chemotherapies, immunotherapies, or photodynamic therapy (PDT) to provide better outcomes with fewer side effects. Though significant development has been made in the field of phototherapeutic drugs, several challenges have restricted the use of PTT in clinical use and hence they have not yet been tested in large clinical trials. In this review, we attempted to discuss the progress, properties, applications, and challenges of 2D materials in the field of PTT and their application in photomedicine.

LACTB, a Metabolic Therapeutic Target in Clinical Cancer Application

Serine beta-lactamase-like protein (LACTB) is the only mammalian mitochondrial homolog evolved from penicillin-binding proteins and β-lactamases (PBP-βLs) in bacteria. LACTB, an active-site serine protease, polymerizes into stable filaments, which are localized to the intermembrane space (IMS) of mitochondrion and involved in the submitochondrial organization, modulating mitochondrial lipid metabolism. Cancer pathogenesis and progression are relevant to the alterations in mitochondrial metabolism. Metabolic reprogramming contributes to cancer cell behavior. This article (1) evidences the clinical implications of LACTB on neoplastic cell proliferation and migration and tumor growth and metastasis as well as LACTB’s involvement in chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic responses; (2) sketches the structural basis for LACTB activity and function; and (3) highlights the relevant regulatory mechanisms to LACTB. The abnormal expression of LACTB has been associated with clinicopathological features of cancer tissues and outcomes of anticancer therapies. With the current pioneer researches on the tumor-suppressed function, structural basis, and regulatory mechanism of LACTB, the perspective hints at a great appeal of enzymic property, polymerization, mutation, and epigenetic and post-translational modifications in investigating LACTB’s role in cancer pathogenesis. This perspective provides novel insights for LACTB as a metabolic regulator with potential to develop targeted cancer therapies or neoadjuvant therapeutic interventions.

Cationically modified inhalable nintedanib niosomes: enhancing therapeutic activity against non-small-cell lung cancer

Aim: This study was designed to develop and test nintedanib-loaded niosomes as inhalable carriers for enhancing its therapeutic efficacy via localized drug accumulation and addressing issues such as low bioavailability and severe toxicity. Methods: Niosomes were prepared by thin-film hydration method and were evaluated for in vitro therapeutic effectiveness in lung cancer cells. Results: The optimized niosomal formulation displayed optimized vesicle size, controlled and extended release of drug, and efficient aerodynamic properties indicating its suitability as an aerosolized formulation. In vitro studies revealed significantly superior cytotoxicity of nintedanib-loaded niosomes which was further validated by 3D spheroids. Conclusion: These findings establish the effectiveness of niosomes as inhalable delivery carriers which could serve as a promising strategy for delivery of nintedanib to treat several lung cancers.

Development of Tailor-Made Dendrimer Ternary Complexes for Drug/Gene Co-Delivery in Cancer

Cancer gene therapy, mediated by non-viral systems, remains a major research focus. To contribute to this field, in this work we reported on the development of dendrimer drug/gene ternary complexes. This innovative approach explored the great capacity of both polyamidoamine (PAMAM)-paclitaxel (PTX) conjugate and polyethylenimine (PEI) polymers to complex a p53-encoding plasmid DNA (pDNA), highlighting the utility of considering two compacting agents. The pDNA complexation capacity has been investigated as function of the nitrogen to phosphate groups ratio (N/P), which revealed to be a tailoring parameter. The physicochemical properties of the conceived ternary complexes were revealed and were found to be promising for cellular transfection. Furthermore, the formulated co-delivery systems demonstrated to be biocompatible. The ternary systems were able of cellular internalization and payload intracellular release. Confocal microscopy studies showed the co-localization of stained pDNA with the nucleus of cancer cells, after transfection mediated by these carriers. From this achievement, p53 gene expression occurred with the production of protein. Moreover, the activation of caspase-3 indicated apoptosis of cancer cells. This work represents a great progress on the design of dendrimer drug/gene co-delivery systems towards a more efficient cancer therapy. In this way, it instigates further in vitro studies concerning the evaluation of their therapeutic potential, expectedly supported by the synergistic effect, in tumoral cells.

Vitamin E succinate with multiple functions: A versatile agent in nanomedicine-based cancer therapy and its delivery strategies

Vitamin E succinate (VES), a succinic acid ester of vitamin E, is one of the most effective anticancer compounds of the vitamin E family. VES can inhibit tumor growth by multiple pathways mainly involve tumor proliferation inhibition, apoptosis induction, and metastasis prevention. More importantly, the mitochondrial targeting and damaging property of VES endows it with great potential in exhibiting synergetic effect with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs and overcoming multidrug resistance (MDR). Given the lipophilicity of VES that hinders its bioavailability and therapeutic activity, nanotechnology with multiple advantages has been widely explored to deliver VES and opened up new avenues for its in vivo application. This review aims to introduce the anticancer mechanisms of VES and summarize its delivery strategies using nano-drug delivery systems. Specifically, VES-based combination therapy for synergetic anticancer effect, MDR-reversal, and oral chemotherapy improvement are highlighted. Finally, the challenges and perspectives are discussed.