Non-Oncologic Applications of Nanomedicine-Based Phototherapy

Cross-linker engineered poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel allows photodynamic and photothermal therapies and controlled drug release

Here, we disclose the synthesis of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogels incorporating a squaraine dye (Sq) as a chemical crosslinker, viz. Sq@PHEMA. Photothermal and photodynamic features of Sq@PHEMA hydrogels are evaluated in detail. It is noteworthy that Sq@PHEMA induces hyperthermia upon irradiation with an 808 nm laser. Furthermore, Sq@PHEMA enables the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon irradiation with red light. To our delight, Sq@PHEMA hydrogels can be used as efficient dual photosensitizers pertinent to both PDT and PTT simultaneously. Finally, the hydrogels are loaded with methotrexate (MTX) to investigate controlled drug release behavior. It is noted that Sq@PHEMA hydrogels are promising candidates as drug delivery systems since on-demand MTX release is feasible upon irradiation. In summary, we effectively demonstrate that hydrogel cross-linker engineering allows for synergistic photodynamic and photothermal therapy. Furthermore, drug delivery is also feasible with the Sq@PHEMA core.

Nanoformulations in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications: Green Perspectives

This study provides a brief discussion of the major nanopharmaceuticals formulations as well as the impact of nanotechnology on the future of pharmaceuticals. Effective and eco-friendly strategies of biofabrication are also highlighted. Modern approaches to designing pharmaceutical nanoformulations (e.g., 3D printing, Phyto-Nanotechnology, Biomimetics/Bioinspiration, etc.) are outlined. This paper discusses the need to use natural resources for the "green" design of new nanoformulations with therapeutic efficiency. Nanopharmaceuticals research is still in its early stages, and the preparation of nanomaterials must be carefully considered. Therefore, safety and long-term effects of pharmaceutical nanoformulations must not be overlooked. The testing of nanopharmaceuticals represents an essential point in their further applications. Vegetal scaffolds obtained by decellularizing plant leaves represent a valuable, bioinspired model for nanopharmaceutical testing that avoids using animals. Nanoformulations are critical in various fields, especially in pharmacy, medicine, agriculture, and material science, due to their unique properties and advantages over conventional formulations that allows improved solubility, bioavailability, targeted drug delivery, controlled release, and reduced toxicity. Nanopharmaceuticals have transitioned from experimental stages to being a vital component of clinical practice, significantly improving outcomes in medical fields for cancer treatment, infectious diseases, neurological disorders, personalized medicine, and advanced diagnostics. Here are the key points highlighting their importance. The significant challenges, opportunities, and future directions are mentioned in the final section.

In Vitro Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Inhibition Using a Green Light Source

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been based on using photosensitizers (PS) and applying light of a specific wavelength. When this technique is used for treating infections, it is known as antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). Currently, the use of lighting sources for in vitro studies using aPDT is generally applied in multiwell cell culture plates; however, depending on the lighting arrangement, there are usually errors in the application of the technique because the light from a well can affect the neighboring wells or it may be that not all the wells are used in the same experiment. In addition, one must be awarded high irradiance values, which can cause unwanted photothermal problems in the studies. Thus, this manuscript presents an in vitro antimicrobial photodynamic therapy for a Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) inhibition study using an arrangement of thermally isolated and independently illuminated green light source systems for eight tubes in vitro aPDT, determining the effect of the following factors: (i) irradiance level, (ii) exposure time, and (iii) Rose Bengal (RB) concentration (used as a PS), registering the Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) inhibition rates. The results show that in the dark, RB had a poor antimicrobial rate for P. aeruginosa, finding the maximum inhibition (2.7%) at 30 min with an RB concentration of 3 µg/mL. However, by applying light in a correct dosage (time × irradiance) and the adequate RB concentration, the inhibition rate increased by over 37%. In the case of MRSA, there was no significant inhibition with RB in complete darkness and, in contrast, the rate was 100% for those experiments that were irradiated.

Visible-light photoactivated proanthocyanidin and kappa-carrageenan coating with anti-adhesive properties against clinically relevant bacteria

The increase of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a growing concern worldwide and the search for new therapies could cost billions of dollars and countless lives. Inert surfaces are major sources of contamination due to easier adhesion and formation of bacterial biofilms, hindering the disinfection process. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a photoactivatable and anti-adhesive kappa-carrageenan coating using proanthocyanidin as a photosensitizer. The complete reduction (>5-log10 CFU/cm3) of culturable cells of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogens was achieved after 30 min of exposure to visible light (420 nm; 30 mW/cm2) with 5 % (w/v) of the photosensitizer. Cell membrane damage was confirmed by measuring potassium leakage, epifluorescence microscopy and bacterial motility analysis. Overall, visible light irradiation on coated solid surfaces mediated by proanthocyanidin showed no cytotoxicity and inactivated clinically important pathogens through the generation of reactive oxygen species, inhibiting bacterial initial adhesion. The developed coating is a promising alternative for a wide range of applications related to surface disinfection and food biopreservation.

The Remodulation of Actin Bundles during the Stimulation of Mitochondria in Adult Human Fibroblasts in Response to Light

β-actin belongs to cytoskeletal structures that change dynamically in cells according to various stimuli. Human skin can be considered as an organ that is very frequently exposed to various stress factors, of which light plays an important role. The present study focuses on adult human fibroblasts exposed to two types of light stress. Orange light with a wavelength of 590 nm was used here to stimulate the photosensitizer localized in the cells as a residual dose of photodynamic therapy (PDT). On the other hand, near-infrared light with a wavelength of 808 nm was considered for photobiomodulation (PBM), which is often used in healing processes. Confocal fluorescence microscopy was used to observe changes in intercellular communication, mitochondrial structures, and cytoskeletal dynamics defined by the remodulation of β-actin of fibroblasts. The number of β-actin bundles forming spherical structures was detected after light exposure. These structures as β-actin oligomers were confirmed with super-resolution microscopy. While PDT led to the disintegration of actin oligomers, PBM increased their number. The interaction of β-actin with mitochondria was observed. The combination of PDT and PBM treatments is important to minimize the side effects of cancer treatment with PDT on healthy cells, as shown by the cell metabolism assay in this work. In this work, β-actin is presented as an important parameter that changes and is involved in the response of cells to PDT and PBM.

Targeted treatment of atherosclerosis with protein-polysaccharide nanoemulsion co-loaded with photosensitiser and upconversion nanoparticles

Macrophages are the most abundant cell group in atherosclerosis (AS) lesions and play a vital role in all stages of AS progression. Recent research has shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation from photodynamic therapy (PDT) induces macrophage autophagy to improve abnormal lipid metabolism and inflammatory environment. Especially in macrophage-derived foam cells, which has become a potential strategy for the treatment of AS. In this study, we prepared the conjugate (DB) of dextran (DEX) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). The DB was used as the emulsifier to prepare nanoemulsion loaded with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and chlorin e6 (Ce6) (UCNPs-Ce6@DB). The DEX modified on the surface of the nanoemulsion can recognise and bind to the scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) highly expressed on macrophages and promote the uptake of macrophage-derived foam cells in AS plates through SR-A-mediated endocytosis. In addition, UCNPs-Ce6@DB-mediated PDT enhanced ROS generation and induced autophagy in macrophage-derived foam cells, enhanced the expression of ABCA1, a protein closely related to cholesterol efflux, and inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Ultimately, UCNPs-Ce6@DB was shown to inhibit plaque formation in mouse models of AS. In conclusion, UCNPs-Ce6@DB offers a promising treatment for AS.

Photodynamic therapy: a new approach to the treatment of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial skin and soft tissue infections

Nontuberculous mycobacterial skin and soft tissue infections are rising and are causing social concern due to the growth of cosmetic dermatology and immune-compromised populations. For the treatment of nontuberculous mycobacteria, several novel strategies have been investigated. One of them, photodynamic therapy, is a recently developed therapeutic strategy that has shown promise in managing nontuberculous mycobacterial skin and soft tissue infections. In this review, we first present an overview of the current status of the therapy and then summarize and analyze the cases of photodynamic therapy used to treat nontuberculous mycobacterial skin and soft tissue infections. We also discussed the feasibility of photodynamic therapy for treating nontuberculous mycobacterial skin soft tissue infections and the related mechanisms, providing a potential new option for clinical treatment.

Chlorin e6 (Ce6)-loaded plaque-specific liposome with enhanced photodynamic therapy effect for atherosclerosis treatment

Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been considered as a new strategy for atherosclerosis treatment. Targeted delivery of photosensitizer could significantly reduce its toxicity and enhance its phototherapeutic efficiency. CD68 is an antibody that can be conjugated to nano-drug delivery systems to actively target plaque sites, owing to its specific binding to CD68 receptors that are highly expressed on the surfaces of macrophage-derived foam cells. Liposomes are very popular nanocarriers due to their ability to encapsulate a wide range of therapeutic compounds including drugs, microRNAs and photosensitizers, and their ability to be surface-modified with targeting moieties leading to the development of nanocarriers with an improved targeted ability. Hence, we designed a Ce6-loaded liposomes using the film dispersion method, followed by the conjugation of CD68 antibody on the liposomal surface through a covalent crosslinking reaction, forming CD68-modified Ce6-loaded liposomes (CD68-Ce6-mediated liposomes). Flow cytometry results indicated that Ce6-containing liposomes were more effective in promoting intracellular uptake after laser irradiation. Furthermore, CD68-modified liposomes significantly strengthened the cellular recognization and thus internalization. Different cell lines have been incubated with the liposomes, and the results showed that CD68-Ce6-mediated liposomes had no significant cytotoxicity to coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) under selected conditions. Interestingly, they promoted autophagy in foam cells through the increase in LC3-Ⅰ, LC3-Ⅱ expression and the decrease in p62 expression, and restrained the migration of mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (MOVAS) in vitro. Moreover, the enhancement of atherosclerotic plaque stability and the reduction in the cholesterol content by CD68-Ce6-mediated liposomes were dependent on transient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated under laser irradiation. In summary, we demonstrated that CD68-Ce6-mediated liposomes, as a photosensitizer nano-drug delivery system, have an inhibitory effect on MOVAS migration and a promotion of cholesterol efflux in foam cells, and thereby, represent promising nanocarriers for atherosclerosis photodynamic therapy.

Photomodulation Approaches to Overcome Antimicrobial Resistance

Photopharmacology is an approach that aims to be an alternative to classical chemotherapy. Herein, the different classes of photoswitches and photocleavage compounds and their biological applications are described. Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) containing azobenzene moieties (PHOTACs) and photocleavable protecting groups (photocaged PROTACs) are also mentioned. Furthermore, porphyrins are referenced as successful photoactive compounds in a clinical context, such as in the photodynamic therapy of tumours as well as preventing antimicrobial resistance, namely in bacteria. Porphyrins combining photoswitches and photocleavage systems are highlighted, taking advantage of both photopharmacology and photodynamic action. Finally, porphyrins with antibacterial activity are described, taking advantage of the synergistic effect of photodynamic treatment and antibiotic therapy to overcome bacterial resistance.

The Japanese quail chorioallantoic membrane as a model to study an amphiphilic gradient copoly(2-oxazoline)s- based drug delivery system for photodynamic diagnosis and therapy research

Amphiphilic gradient copoly(2-oxazoline)s are widely researched in the field of drug delivery. They could be used as a transport system for hydrophobic drugs such as hypericin (HYP). We prepared six gradient copolymers (EtOx)-grad-(ROPhOx) by living cationic ring-opening polymerization of a hydrophilic comonomer 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (EtOx) and a hydrophobic comonomer 2-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)-2-oxazoline (ROPhOx), with different composition ratio (88:12 and 85:15) and three different alkyl chain lengths of alkyl (R) substituents. As an experimental model, Japanese quail chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was used. The effect of nanoparticles loaded with HYP was evaluated by the changes of fluorescence intensity during photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) monitored under 405 nm LED light before administration, and 0,1,3 and 24 h after topical administration. The effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) (405 nm, 285 mW/cm²) applied 1h after the administration of HYP-loaded nanoparticles was evaluated using vascular damage score and histological sections. Molecular analysis was done by measuring angiogenesis-related gene expression by qPCR. The application of nanoparticles unloaded or loaded with HYP proved to be biocompatible, non-toxic, and undamaging to the CAM tissue, while they successfully altered the HYP fluorescence. We observed a possible anti-angiogenic potential of prepared nanoparticles, which could present an advantage for PDT used for tumour treatment.

Research trends in biomedical applications of two-dimensional nanomaterials over the last decade - A bibliometric analysis

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials with versatile properties have been widely applied in the field of biomedicine. Despite various studies having reviewed the development of biomedical 2D nanomaterials, there is a lack of a study that objectively summarizes and analyzes the research trend of this important field. Here, we employ a series of bibliometric methods to identify the development of the 2D nanomaterial-related biomedical field during the past 10 years from a holistic point of view. First, the annual publication/citation growth, country/institute/author distribution, referenced sources, and research hotspots are identified. Thereafter, based on the objectively identified research hotspots, the contributions of 2D nanomaterials to the various biomedical subfields, including those of biosensing, imaging/therapy, antibacterial treatment, and tissue engineering are carefully explored, by considering the intrinsic properties of the nanomaterials. Finally, prospects and challenges have been discussed to shed light on the future development and clinical translation of 2D nanomaterials. This review provides a novel perspective to identify and further promote the development of 2D nanomaterials in biomedical research.

Tissue Engineering and Photodynamic Therapy: A New Frontier of Science for Clinical Application -An Up-To-Date Review

Tissue engineering (TE) connects principles of life sciences and engineering to develop biomaterials as alternatives to biological systems and substitutes that can improve and restore tissue function. The principle of TE is the incorporation of cells through a 3D matrix support (scaffold) or using scaffold-free organoid cultures to reproduce the 3D structure. In addition, 3D models developed can be used for different purposes, from studies mimicking healthy tissues and organs as well as to simulate and study different pathologies. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive therapeutic modality when compared to conventional therapies. Therefore, PDT has great acceptance among patients and proves to be quite efficient due to its selectivity, versatility and therapeutic simplicity. The PDT mechanism consists of the use of three components: a molecule with higher molar extinction coefficient at UV-visible spectra denominated photosensitizer (PS), a monochromatic light source (LASER or LED) and molecular oxygen present in the microenvironment. The association of these components leads to a series of photoreactions and production of ultra-reactive singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species (ROS). These species in contact with the pathogenic cell, leads to its target death based on necrotic and apoptosis ways. The initial objective of PDT is the production of high concentrations of ROS in order to provoke cellular damage by necrosis or apoptosis. However, recent studies have shown that by decreasing the energy density and consequently reducing the production of ROS, it enabled a specific cell response to photostimulation, tissues and/or organs. Thus, in the present review we highlight the main 3D models involved in TE and PS most used in PDT, as well as the applications, future perspectives and limitations that accompany the techniques aimed at clinical use.

Drug Delivery Systems for Photodynamic Therapy: The Potentiality and Versatility of Electrospun Nanofibers

Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has become a promising approach for the treatment of a broad range of diseases, including oncological and infectious diseases. This minimally invasive and localized therapy is based on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) able to destroy cancer cells and inactivate pathogens by combining the use of photosensitizers (PSs), light and molecular oxygen. To overcome the drawbacks of drug systemic administration, drug delivery systems (DDS) can be used to carrier the PSs, allowing higher therapeutic efficacy and minimal toxicological effects. Polymeric nanofibers produced by electrospinning emerged as powerful platforms for drug delivery applications. Electrospun nanofibers exhibit outstanding characteristics, such as large surface area to volume ratio associated with high drug loading, high porosity, flexibility, ability to incorporate and release a wide variety of therapeutic agents, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Due to the versatility of this technique, fibers with different morphologies and functionalities, including drug release profile can be produced. The possibility of scalability makes electrospinning even more attractive for the development of DDS. This review aims to explore and show an up to date of the huge potential of electrospun nanofibers as DDS for different PDT applications and discuss the opportunities and challenges in this field. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Recent advances and trends in nanoparticles based photothermal and photodynamic therapy

Light-mediated therapies, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) have been exploited as minimally invasive techniques for ablation of various tumors., Both modalities may eradicate tumors with minimal side effects to normal tissues and organs. Moreover, developments of light-mediated approaches using nanoparticles (NPs) and photosensitizer (PS) as diagnostic and therapeutic agents may have a crucial role in achieving successful cancer treatment. In recent years, novel nanoplatforms and strategies have been investigated to boost the therapeutic effect.. In this regard, gold, iron oxide, graphene oxide nanoparticles and hybrid nanocomposites have attracted attention.. Moreover, the combination of these materials with PS, in the form of hybrid NPs, reduces in vitro and in vivo normal tissue cytotoxicity, improves their solubility property in the biological environment and enhances the therapeutic effects. In this review, we look into the basic principles of PTT and PDT with their strengths and limitations to treat cancers. We also will discuss light-based nanoparticles and their PTT and PDT applications in the preclinical and clinical translation. Also, recent advances and trends in this field will be discussed along with the clinical challenges of PTT and PDT.

Biocompatible Nanocarriers for Enhanced Cancer Photodynamic Therapy Applications

In recent years, the role of nanotechnology in drug delivery has become increasingly important, and this field of research holds many potential benefits for cancer treatment, particularly, in achieving cancer cell targeting and reducing the side effects of anticancer drugs. Biocompatible and biodegradable properties have been essential for using a novel material as a carrier molecule in drug delivery applications. Biocompatible nanocarriers are easy to synthesize, and their surface chemistry often enables them to load different types of photosensitizers (PS) to use targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer treatment. This review article explores recent studies on the use of different biocompatible nanocarriers, their potential applications in PDT, including PS-loaded biocompatible nanocarriers, and the effective targeting therapy of PS-loaded biocompatible nanocarriers in PDT for cancer treatment. Furthermore, the review briefly recaps the global clinical trials of PDT and its applications in cancer treatment.

Photodynamic Therapy Review: Principles, Photosensitizers, Applications, and Future Directions

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive therapeutic modality that has gained great attention in the past years as a new therapy for cancer treatment. PDT uses photosensitizers that, after being excited by light at a specific wavelength, react with the molecular oxygen to create reactive oxygen species in the target tissue, resulting in cell death. Compared to conventional therapeutic modalities, PDT presents greater selectivity against tumor cells, due to the use of photosensitizers that are preferably localized in tumor lesions, and the precise light irradiation of these lesions. This paper presents a review of the principles, mechanisms, photosensitizers, and current applications of PDT. Moreover, the future path on the research of new photosensitizers with enhanced tumor selectivity, featuring the improvement of PDT effectiveness, has also been addressed. Finally, new applications of PDT have been covered.

Photodynamic Therapy-Current Limitations and Novel Approaches

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) mostly relies on the generation of singlet oxygen, via the excitation of a photosensitizer, so that target tumor cells can be destroyed. PDT can be applied in the settings of several malignant diseases. In fact, the earliest preclinical applications date back to 1900’s. Dougherty reported the treatment of skin tumors by PDT in 1978. Several further studies around 1980 demonstrated the effectiveness of PDT. Thus, the technique has attracted the attention of numerous researchers since then. Hematoporphyrin derivative received the FDA approval as a clinical application of PDT in 1995. We have indeed witnessed a considerable progress in the field over the last century. Given the fact that PDT has a favorable adverse event profile and can enhance anti-tumor immune responses as well as demonstrating minimally invasive characteristics, it is disappointing that PDT is not broadly utilized in the clinical setting for the treatment of malignant and/or non-malignant diseases. Several issues still hinder the development of PDT, such as those related with light, tissue oxygenation and inherent properties of the photosensitizers. Various photosensitizers have been designed/synthesized in order to overcome the limitations. In this Review, we provide a general overview of the mechanisms of action in terms of PDT in cancer, including the effects on immune system and vasculature as well as mechanisms related with tumor cell destruction. We will also briefly mention the application of PDT for non-malignant diseases. The current limitations of PDT utilization in cancer will be reviewed, since identifying problems associated with design/synthesis of photosensitizers as well as application of light and tissue oxygenation might pave the way for more effective PDT approaches. Furthermore, novel promising approaches to improve outcome in PDT such as selectivity, bioengineering, subcellular/organelle targeting, etc. will also be discussed in detail, since the potential of pioneering and exceptional approaches that aim to overcome the limitations and reveal the full potential of PDT in terms of clinical translation are undoubtedly exciting. A better understanding of novel concepts in the field (e.g. enhanced, two-stage, fractional PDT) will most likely prove to be very useful for pursuing and improving effective PDT strategies.

Photoinactivation of mycobacteria to combat infection diseases: current state and perspectives

Abstract

The spread of multi-drug-resistant bacterial strains causing serious infectious diseases dictates the development of new approaches to combat these diseases. In addition to drug resistance, the important causative agent of tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)) is able to persist asymptomatically in individuals for many years, causing latent forms of tuberculosis. In such a dormant state, Mtb cells are also resistant to known antibiotics. In this regard, photodynamic inactivation (PDI) could be an effective alternative to antibiotics as its action is based on the generation of active forms of oxygen independently on the presence of specific antibiotic targets, thereby inactivating both drug-resistant and dormant bacteria. In this review, we summarise examples of the application of PDI for the elimination of representatives of the genus Mycobacteria, both in vitro and in vivo. According to published results, including photosensitisers in the PDI regime results in a significantly higher lethal effect. Such experiments were mainly performed using chemically synthesised photosensitisers, which need to be transported to the areas of bacterial infections, limiting PDI usage by surface (skin) diseases. In this regard, endogenous photosensitisers (mainly porphyrins) could be used to solve the problem of transportation. In vitro experiments demonstrate the effective application of PDI for mycobacteria, including Mtb, using endogenous porphyrins; the intracellular contents of these substances can be elevated by administration of 5-aminolevulenic acid, a precursor of porphyrin synthesis. Photodynamic inactivation can also be used for dormant mycobacteria, which are characterised by high levels of endogenous porphyrins. Thus, PDI can effectively eliminate drug-resistant mycobacteria. The exploitation of modern light-transmitting techniques opens new possibilities to use PDI in clinical settings.

Key points

•The potential effects of photodynamic inactivation of mycobacteria are critically reviewed.

•Approaches to photoinactivation of mycobacteria using exogenous and endogenous photosensitisers are described.

•Prospects for the use of photodynamic inactivation in the treatment of tuberculosis are discussed.

Current Prospects for Treatment of Solid Tumors via Photodynamic, Photothermal, or Ionizing Radiation Therapies Combined with Immune Checkpoint Inhibition (A Review)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) causes selective damage to tumor cells and vasculature and also triggers an anti-tumor immune response. The latter fact has prompted the exploration of PDT as an immune-stimulatory adjuvant. PDT is not the only cancer treatment that relies on electromagnetic energy to destroy cancer tissue. Ionizing radiation therapy (RT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) are two other treatment modalities that employ photons (with wavelengths either shorter or longer than PDT, respectively) and also cause tissue damage and immunomodulation. Research on the three modalities has occurred in different “silos”, with minimal interaction between the three topics. This is happening at a time when immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI), another focus of intense research and clinical development, has opened exciting possibilities for combining PDT, PTT, or RT with ICI to achieve improved therapeutic benefits. In this review, we surveyed the literature for studies that describe changes in anti-tumor immunity following the administration of PDT, PTT, and RT, including efforts to combine each modality with ICI. This information, collected all in one place, may make it easier to recognize similarities and differences and help to identify new mechanistic hypotheses toward the goal of achieving optimized combinations and tumor cures.

Different Approaches in Therapy Aiming to Stabilize an Unstable Atherosclerotic Plaque

Atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability is a vital clinical problem as vulnerable plaques tend to rupture, which results in atherosclerosis complications—myocardial infarctions and subsequent cardiovascular deaths. Therefore, methods aiming to stabilize such plaques are in great demand. In this brief review, the idea of atherosclerotic plaque stabilization and five main approaches—towards the regulation of metabolism, macrophages and cellular death, inflammation, reactive oxygen species, and extracellular matrix remodeling have been presented. Moreover, apart from classical approaches (targeted at the general mechanisms of plaque destabilization), there are also alternative approaches targeted either at certain plaques which have just become vulnerable or targeted at the minimization of the consequences of atherosclerotic plaque erosion or rupture. These alternative approaches have also been briefly mentioned in this review.