Co-delivery of Cisplatin(IV) and Capecitabine as an Effective and Non-toxic Cancer Treatment

Therapeutic applications of nanobiotechnology

Nanobiotechnology, as a novel and more specialized branch of science, has provided a number of nanostructures such as nanoparticles, by utilizing the methods, techniques, and protocols of other branches of science. Due to the unique features and physiobiological characteristics, these nanostructures or nanocarriers have provided vast methods and therapeutic techniques, against microbial infections and cancers and for tissue regeneration, tissue engineering, and immunotherapies, and for gene therapies, through drug delivery systems. However, reduced carrying capacity, abrupt and non-targeted delivery, and solubility of therapeutic agents, can affect the therapeutic applications of these biotechnological products. In this article, we explored and discussed the prominent nanobiotechnological methods and products such as nanocarriers, highlighted the features and challenges associated with these products, and attempted to conclude if available nanostructures offer any scope of improvement or enhancement. We aimed to identify and emphasize the nanobiotechnological methods and products, with greater prospect and capacity for therapeutic improvements and enhancements. We found that novel nanocarriers and nanostructures, such as nanocomposites, micelles, hydrogels, microneedles, and artificial cells, can address the associated challenges and inherited drawbacks, with help of conjugations, sustained and stimuli-responsive release, ligand binding, and targeted delivery. We recommend that nanobiotechnology, despite having few challenges and drawbacks, offers immense opportunities that can be harnessed in delivering quality therapeutics with precision and prediction. We also recommend that, by exploring the branched domains more rigorously, bottlenecks and obstacles can also be addressed and resolved in return.

Knowledge mapping concerning applications of nanocomposite hydrogels for drug delivery: A bibliometric and visualized study (2003-2022)

Background: Nanocomposite Hydrogels (NHs) are 3D molecular networks formed by physically or covalently crosslinking polymer with nanoparticles or nanostructures, which are particularly suitable for serving as carriers for drug delivery systems. Many articles pertaining to the applications of Nanocomposite Hydrogels for drug delivery have been published, however, the use of bibliometric and visualized analysis in this area remains unstudied. The purpose of this bibliometric study intended to comprehensively analyze the knowledge domain, research hotspots and frontiers associated with the applications of Nanocomposite Hydrogels for drug delivery. Methods: We identified and retrieved the publications concerning the applications of NHs for drug delivery between 2003 and 2022 from Web of Science Core Collection Bibliometric and visualized analysis was utilized in this investigative study. Results: 631 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were identified and retrieved from WoSCC. Among those, 2,233 authors worldwide contributed in the studies, accompanied by an average annual article increase of 24.67%. The articles were co-authored by 764 institutions from 52 countries/regions, and China published the most, followed by Iran and the United States. Five institutions published more than 40 papers, namely Univ Tabriz (n = 79), Tabriz Univ Med Sci (n = 70), Islamic Azad Univ (n = 49), Payame Noor Univ (n = 42) and Texas A&M Univ (n = 41). The articles were published in 198 journals, among which the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (n = 53) published the most articles, followed by Carbohydrate Polymers (n = 24) and ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces (n = 22). The top three journals most locally cited were Carbohydrate Polymers, Biomaterials and Advanced materials. The most productive author was Namazi H (29 articles), followed by Bardajee G (15 articles) and Zhang J (11 articles) and the researchers who worked closely with other ones usually published more papers. "Doxorubicin," "antibacterial" and "responsive hydrogels" represent the current research hotspots in this field and "cancer therapy" was a rising research topic in recent years. "(cancer) therapeutics" and "bioadhesive" represent the current research frontiers. Conclusion: This bibliometric and visualized analysis offered an investigative study and comprehensive understanding of publications regarding the applications of Nanocomposite Hydrogels for drug delivery from 2003 to 2022. The outcome of this study would provide insights for researchers in the field of Nanocomposite Hydrogels applications for drug delivery.

Target Nanoparticles against Pancreatic Cancer: Fewer Side Effects in Therapy

Pancreatic cancer is the most common lethal tumor in America. This lethality is related to limited treatment options. Conventional treatments involve the non-specific use of chemotherapeutical agents such as 5-FU, capecitabine, gemcitabine, paclitaxel, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, or irinotecan, which produce several side effects. This review focuses on the use of targeted nanoparticles, such as metallic nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, and carbon nanotubes as an alternative to standard treatment for pancreatic cancer. The principal objective of nanoparticles is reduction of the side effects that conventional treatments produce, mostly because of their non-specificity. Several molecular markers of pancreatic cancer cells have been studied to target nanoparticles and improve current treatment. Therefore, properly functionalized nanoparticles with specific aptamers or antibodies can be used to recognize pancreatic cancer cells. Once cancer is recognized, these nanoparticles can attack the tumor by drug delivery, gene therapy, or hyperthermia.

Drug resistance-free cytotoxic nanodrugs in composites for cancer therapy

Drug resistance is a major cause of treatment failure for small-molecule cancer chemotherapies, despite the advances in combination therapies, drug delivery systems, epigenetic drugs, and proteolysis-targeting chimeras. Herein, we report the use of a drug resistance-free cytotoxic nanodrug as an alternative to small-molecule drugs. The present nanodrugs comprise 2 nm core gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) covered completely with multivalent hydrocarbon chains to a final diameter of ∼10 nm as single drug molecules. This hydrophobic drug-platform was delivered in composite form (∼35 nm) with block-copolymer like other small-molecular drugs. Upon uptake by cells, the nanodrugs enhanced the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species and induced apoptosis, presumably reflecting multivalent interactions between aliphatic chains and intracellular biomolecules. No resistance to our novel nanodrug was observed following multiple treatment passages and the potential for use in cancer therapy was verified in a breast cancer patient-derived xenograft mouse model. These findings provide insight into the use of nano-scaled compounds as agents that evade drug resistance to cancer therapy.