Dacarbazine-Loaded Targeted Polymeric Nanoparticles for Enhancing Malignant Melanoma Therapy

Aptamer-mediated therapeutic strategies provide a potential approach for cancer

The treatment of tumors still faces considerable challenges. While conventional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy provide some curative effects, their side effects and limitations highlight the importance of finding more precise treatment strategies. Aptamers have become an important target molecule in the field of drug delivery systems due to their good affinity and targeting, and they have gradually become an important link from basic research to clinical application. In this paper, we discussed the latest progress of aptamer-mediated nanodrugs, as well as aptamer-mediated photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and immunotherapy strategies for tumor treatment, and explored the possibility of aptamer-mediated therapy for accurate tumor treatment. The purpose of this review is to provide novel insights for treating tumors with aptamer-mediated therapies by summarizing these innovative strategies, thereby ultimately enhancing the therapeutic efficacy for cancer patients.

Aptamer-functionalized triptolide with release controllability as a promising targeted therapy against triple-negative breast cancer

Targeted delivery and precise release of toxins is a prospective strategy for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), yet the flexibility to incorporate both properties simultaneously remains tremendously challenging in the X-drug conjugate fields. As critical components in conjugates, linkers could flourish in achieving optimal functionalities. Here, we pioneered a pH-hypersensitive tumor-targeting aptamer AS1411-triptolide conjugate (AS-TP) to achieve smart release of the toxin and targeted therapy against TNBC. The multifunctional acetal ester linker in the AS-TP site-specifically blocked triptolide toxicity, quantitatively sustained aptamer targeting, and ensured the circulating stability. Furthermore, the aptamer modification endowed triptolide with favorable water solubility and bioavailability and facilitated endocytosis of conjugated triptolide by TNBC cells in a nucleolin-dependent manner. The integrated superiorities of AS-TP promoted the preferential intra-tumor triptolide accumulation in xenografted TNBC mice and triggered the in-situ triptolide release in the weakly acidic tumor microenvironment, manifesting striking anti-TNBC efficacy and virtually eliminated toxic effects beyond clinical drugs. This study illustrated the therapeutic potential of AS-TP against TNBC and proposed a promising concept for the development of nucleic acid-based targeted anticancer drugs.

Enhanced Skin Penetration and Efficacy: First and Second Generation Lipoidal Nanocarriers in Skin Cancer Therapy

Skin carcinoma remains one of the most widespread forms of cancer, and its global impact continues to increase. Basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma are three kinds of cutaneous carcinomas depending upon occurrence and severity. The invasive nature of skin cancer, the limited effectiveness of current therapy techniques, and constraints to efficient systems for drug delivery are difficulties linked with the treatment of skin carcinoma. In the present era, the delivery of drugs has found a new and exciting horizon in the realm of nanotechnology, which presents inventive solutions to the problems posed by traditional therapeutic procedures for skin cancer management. Lipid-based nanocarriers like solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers have attracted a substantial focus in recent years owing to their capability to improve the drug's site-specific delivery, enhancing systemic availability, and thus its effectiveness. Due to their distinct structural and functional characteristics, these nanocarriers can deliver a range of medications, such as peptides, nucleic acids, and chemotherapeutics, via different biological barriers, such as the skin. In this review, an effort was made to present the mechanism of lipid nanocarrier permeation via cancerous skin. In addition, recent research advances in lipid nanocarriers have also been discussed with the help of in vitro cell lines and preclinical studies. Being a nano size, their limitations and toxicity aspects in living systems have also been elaborated.

Quantifying plasma dacarbazine levels in advanced melanoma patients: a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry performance analysis

The aim of this study was to develop a robust liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for quantifying dacarbazine levels in the plasma of advanced melanoma patients, followed by an assessment of its analytical capabilities. The research encompassed the design of a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system, with the quantitative analysis performed using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) techniques and specific ion transition: 181.0 > 152.5 for dacarbazine and 187.1 > 158.6 for the internal standard (IS), dacarbazine-D6. The validation of the method involved an evaluation of parameters including linearity, detection limit, precision, and accuracy. Notably, the linear range extended from 10 to 1,000 µg/L for dacarbazine, and the method exhibited a detection limit of 10 µg/L. The method's precision, indicated by within-run and between-run coefficients of variation (CV), both being ≤4.2% and ≤8.3%, respectively. Furthermore, the accuracy of measurements, ranging from 86.1% to 99.4%, underscored the method's reliability. In clinical application, the dacarbazine levels of healthy control (n = 20) were 0.6 ± 0.02 μg/L; 770.9 ± 203.2 μg/mL in early-stage-melanoma patients (n = 22), and 588.7 ± 153.2 μg/mL in advanced melanoma patients (n = 25). The results serve as clinical evidence showing that long-term dacarbazine treatment affects the metabolism of dacarbazine.

Silencing of Dicer enhances dacarbazine resistance in melanoma cells by inhibiting ADSL expression

Dacarbazine (DTIC) is the primary first-line treatment for advanced-stage metastatic melanoma; thus, DTIC resistance is poses a major challenge. Therefore, investigating the mechanism underlying DTIC resistance must be investigated. Dicer, a type III cytoplasmic endoribonuclease, plays a pivotal role in the maturation of miRNAs. Aberrant Dicer expression may contribute to tumor progression, clinical aggressiveness, and poor prognosis in various tumors. Dicer inhibition led to a reduction in DTIC sensitivity and an augmentation in stemness in melanoma cells. Clinical analyses indicated a low Dicer expression level as a predictor of poor prognosis factor. Metabolic alterations in tumor cells may interfere with drug response. Adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL) is a crucial enzyme in the purine metabolism pathway. An imbalance in ADSL may interfere with the therapeutic efficacy of drugs. We discovered that DTIC treatment enhanced ADSL expression and that Dicer silencing significantly reduced ADSL expression in melanoma cells. Furthermore, ADSL overexpression reversed Dicer silencing induced DTIC resistance and cancer stemness. These findings indicate that Dicer-mediated ADSL regulation influences DTIC sensitivity and stemness in melanoma cells.

Surface-Modified Biobased Polymeric Nanoparticles for Dual Delivery of Doxorubicin and Gefitinib in Glioma Cell Lines

Glioma is a malignant form of brain cancer that is challenging to treat due to the progressive growth of glial cells. To target overexpressed folate receptors in glioma brain tumors, we designed and investigated doxorubicin-gefitinib nanoparticles (Dox-Gefit NPs) and folate conjugated Dox-Gefit NPs (Dox-Gefit NPs-F). Dox-Gefit NPs and Dox-Gefit NPs-F were characterized by multiple techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In vitro release profiles were measured at both physiological and tumor endosomal pH. The cytotoxicity of the Dox-Gefit NP formulations was measured against C6 and U87 glioma cell lines. A hemolysis assay was performed to investigate biocompatibility of the formulations, and distribution of the drugs in different organs was also estimated. The Dox-Gefit NPs and Dox-Gefit NPs-F were 109.45 ± 7.26 and 120.35 ± 3.65 nm in size and had surface charges of -18.0 ± 3.27 and -20.0 ± 8.23 mV, respectively. Dox-Gefit NPs and Dox-Gefit NPs-F significantly reduced the growth of U87 cells, with IC50 values of 9.9 and 3.2 μM. Similarly, growth of the C6 cell line was significantly reduced, with IC50 values of 8.43 and 3.31 μM after a 24 h incubation, in Dox-Gefit NPs and Dox-Gefit NPs-F, respectively. The percentage drug releases of Dox and Gefit from Dox-Gefit NPs at pH 7.4 were 60.87 ± 0.59 and 68.23 ± 0.1%, respectively. Similarly, at pH 5.4, Dox and Gefit releases from NPs were 70.87 ± 0.28 and 69.24 ± 0.12%, respectively. Biodistribution analysis revealed that more Dox and Gefit were present in the brain than in the other organs. The functionalized NPs inhibited the growth of glioma cells due to high drug concentrations in the brain. Folate conjugated NPs of Dox-Gefit could be a treatment option in glioma therapy.

Nanoparticle-Based Treatment Approaches for Skin Cancer: A Systematic Review

Nanoparticles have shown marked promise as both antineoplastic agents and drug carriers. Despite strides made in immunomodulation, low success rates and toxicity remain limitations within the clinical oncology setting. In the present review, we assess advances in drug delivery nanoparticles, for systemic and topical use, in skin cancer treatment. A systematic review of controlled trials, meta-analyses, and Cochrane review articles was conducted. Eligibility criteria included: (1) a primary focus on nanoparticle utility for skin cancer; (2) available metrics on prevention and treatment outcomes; (3) detailed subject population; (4) English language; (5) archived as full-text journal articles. A total of 43 articles were selected for review. Qualitative analysis revealed that nanoscale systems demonstrate significant antineoplastic and anti-metastasis properties: increased drug bioavailability, reduced toxicity, enhanced permeability and retention effect, as well as tumor growth inhibition, among others. Nanoformulations for skin cancers have largely lagged behind those tested in other cancers-several of which have commercialized formulae. However, emerging evidence has indicated a powerful role for these carriers in targeting primary and metastatic skin cancers.

Bilberry Anthocyanins (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Induced Apoptosis of B16-F10 Cells and Diminished the Effect of Dacarbazine

Anthocyanins have been reported to have potential as dietary or pharmaceutical supplements in the application of cancer prevention and adjunctive treatment. However, there are few studies on the effect of anthocyanins on melanoma, which have only been performed in cell lines. The objective of this work was to investigate the anticancer effects and mechanisms of bilberry anthocyanin extract (BAE) on melanoma In Vitro and In Vivo. Moreover, a primary study was done to investigate how BAE influenced C57BL/6 mice bearing subcutaneous B16-F10 tumors treated with dacarbazine (DTIC). BAE-induced apoptosis in B16-F10 cells was associated with activation of the mitochondrial pathway induced by increased reactive oxygen species. More, In Vivo anticancer activity studies indicated that BAE attenuated melanoma growth, as identified by hematoxylin-eosin staining, Ki-67, and TUNEL assays. Further western blot results revealed higher phospho-Akt expression with the combination of BAE and DTIC, indicating no suppression of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In summary, this study demonstrated the anti-melanoma activity of BAE and investigated its mechanism. Notably, it should be careful to use products enriching BAE for those melanoma patients treated with DTIC.

Tumor microenvironment enriches the stemness features: the architectural event of therapy resistance and metastasis

Cancer divergence has many facets other than being considered a genetic term. It is a tremendous challenge to understand the metastasis and therapy response in cancer biology; however, it postulates the opportunity to explore the possible mechanism in the surrounding tumor environment. Most deadly solid malignancies are distinctly characterized by their tumor microenvironment (TME). TME consists of stromal components such as immune, inflammatory, endothelial, adipocytes, and fibroblast cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer stem-like cells are a small sub-set of the population within cancer cells believed to be a responsible player in the self-renewal, metastasis, and therapy response of cancer cells. The correlation between TME and CSCs remains an enigma in understanding the events of metastasis and therapy resistance in cancer biology. Recent evidence suggests that TME dictates the CSCs maintenance to arbitrate cancer progression and metastasis. The immune, inflammatory, endothelial, adipocyte, and fibroblast cells in the TME release growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, microRNAs, and exosomes that provide cues for the gain and maintenance of CSC features. These intricate cross-talks are fueled to evolve into aggressive, invasive, migratory phenotypes for cancer development. In this review, we have abridged the recent developments in the role of the TME factors in CSC maintenance and how these events influence the transition of tumor progression to further translate into metastasis and therapy resistance in cancer.

Options of Therapeutics and Novel Delivery Systems of Drugs for the Treatment of Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the most severe cancerous diseases. The cells employ multiple signaling pathways, such as ERK, HGF/c-MET, WNT, and COX-2 to cause the cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis. Treatment of melanoma, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy, is based on 4 major or 11 substages of the disease. Fourteen drugs, including dacarbazine, interferon α-2b, interleukin-12, ipilimumab, peginterferon α-2b, vemurafenib, trametinib, talimogene laherparepvec, cobimetinib, pembrolizumab, dabrafenib, binimetinib, encorafenib, and nivolumab, have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of melanoma. All of them are in conventional dosage forms of injection solutions, suspensions, oral tablets, or capsules. Major drawbacks of the treatment are side effects of the drugs and patients' incompliance to them. These are consequences of high doses and long-term treatments for the diseases. Currently more than 350 NCI-registered clinical trials are being carried out to treat advanced and/or metastatic melanoma using novel treatment methods, such as immune cell therapy, cancer vaccines, and new therapeutic targets. In addition, novel delivery systems using biomaterials of the approved drugs have been developed attempting to increase the drug delivery, targeting, stability, bioavailability, thus potentially reducing the toxicity and increasing the treatment effectiveness. Nanoparticles and liposomes have been emerging as advanced delivery systems which can improve drug stability and systemic circulation time. In this review, the most recent findings in the options for treatment and development of novel drug delivery systems for the treatment of melanoma are comprehensively discussed.

Formulation, Characterization, Anti-Inflammatory and Cytotoxicity Study of Sesamol-Laden Nanosponges

Sesamol (SES) possesses remarkable chemotherapeutic activity, owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential. However, the activity of SES is mainly hampered by its poor physicochemical properties and stability issues. Hence, to improve the efficacy of this natural anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic agent, it was loaded into β-cyclodextrin nanosponges (NS) prepared using different molar ratios of polymer and crosslinker (diphenyl carbonate). The particle size of SES-laden NS (SES-NS) was shown to be in the nano range (200 to 500 nm), with a low polydispersity index, an adequate charge (-17 to -26 mV), and a high payload. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the bioactive-loaded selected batch (SES-NS6). This batch of nanoformulations showed improved solubilization efficacy (701.88 µg/mL) in comparison to bare SES (244.36 µg/mL), polymer (β-CD) (261.43 µg/mL), and other fabricated batches. The drug release data displayed the controlled release behavior of SES from NS. The findings of the egg albumin denaturation assay revealed the enhanced anti-inflammatory potential of SES-NS as compared to bare SES. Further, the cytotoxicity assay showed that SES-NS was more effective against B16F12 melanoma cell lines than the bioactive alone. The findings of this assay demonstrated a reduction in the IC₅₀ values of SES-NS (67.38 μg/mL) in comparison to SES (106 μg/mL). The present investigation demonstrated the in vitro controlled release pattern and the enhanced anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity of SES-NS, suggesting its potential as a promising drug delivery carrier for topical delivery.

Advances in the Application of Nanomaterials to the Treatment of Melanoma

Melanoma can be divided into cutaneous melanoma, uveal melanoma, mucosal melanoma, etc. It is a very aggressive tumor that is prone to metastasis. Patients with metastatic melanoma have a poor prognosis and shorter survival. Although current melanoma treatments have been dramatically improved, there are still many problems such as systemic toxicity and the off-target effects of drugs. The use of nanoparticles may overcome some inadequacies of current melanoma treatments. In this review, we summarize the limitations of current therapies for cutaneous melanoma, uveal melanoma, and mucosal melanoma, as well as the adjunct role of nanoparticles in different treatment modalities. We suggest that nanomaterials may have an effective intervention in melanoma treatment in the future.

Stealth nanoparticles in oncology: Facing the PEG dilemma

Nanoparticles (Nps) have revolutionized the landscape of many treatments, by modifying not only pharmacokinetic properties of the encapsulated agent, but also providing a significant protection of the drug from non-desired interactions, and reducing side-effects of the enclosed therapeutic, enabling co-encapsulation of possibly synergistic compounds or activities, allowing a controlled release of content and improving the therapeutic effect. Nevertheless, in systemic circulation, Nps suffer a rapid removal by opsonisation and the action of Mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). To overcome this problem, different polymers, in particular Polyethyleneglycol (PEG), have been used to cover the surface of these nanocarriers forming a hydrophilic layer that allows the delay of the removal. These advantages contrast with some drawbacks such as the difficulty to interact with cell membranes and the development of immunological reactions, conforming the known, "PEG dilemma". To address and minimize this phenomenon, different strategies have been applied. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the state of the art of Pegylation strategies, comment in depth on the principal characteristics of PEG and describe the main alternatives, which are the use of cleavable PEG, addition of different polymers or even use other derivatives of cell membranes to camouflage Nps.

Nanoparticle-Based Combination Therapy for Melanoma

Melanoma is a cutaneous carcinoma, and its incidence is rapidly increasing with every year. The treatment options for melanoma have been comprehensively studied. Conventional treatment methods (e.g., radiotherapy, chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy) with surgical removal inevitably cause serious complications; moreover, resistance is common. Nanoparticles (NPs) combined with conventional methods are new and promising options to treat melanoma, and many combinations have been achieving good success. Due to their physical and biological features, NPs can help target intended melanoma cells more efficiently with less damage. This creates new hope for a better treatment strategy for melanoma with minimum damage and maximum efficacy.