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Gatto MS, Johnson MP, Najahi-Missaoui W. Targeted Liposomal Drug Delivery: Overview of the Current Applications and Challenges. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:672. [PMID: 38929656 PMCID: PMC11204409 DOI: 10.3390/life14060672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In drug development, it is not uncommon that an active substance exhibits efficacy in vitro but lacks the ability to specifically reach its target in vivo. As a result, targeted drug delivery has become a primary focus in the pharmaceutical sciences. Since the approval of Doxil® in 1995, liposomes have emerged as a leading nanoparticle in targeted drug delivery. Their low immunogenicity, high versatility, and well-documented efficacy have led to their clinical use against a wide variety of diseases. That being said, every disease is accompanied by a unique set of physiological conditions, and each liposomal product must be formulated with this consideration. There are a multitude of different targeting techniques for liposomes that can be employed depending on the application. Passive techniques such as PEGylation or the enhanced permeation and retention effect can improve general pharmacokinetics, while active techniques such as conjugating targeting molecules to the liposome surface may bring even further specificity. This review aims to summarize the current strategies for targeted liposomes in the treatment of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wided Najahi-Missaoui
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (M.S.G.); (M.P.J.)
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2
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Kichina JV, Maslov A, Kandel ES. PAK1 and Therapy Resistance in Melanoma. Cells 2023; 12:2373. [PMID: 37830586 PMCID: PMC10572217 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma claims more lives than any other skin malignancy. While primary melanomas are usually cured via surgical excision, the metastatic form of the disease portents a poor prognosis. Decades of intense research has yielded an extensive armamentarium of anti-melanoma therapies, ranging from genotoxic chemo- and radiotherapies to targeted interventions in specific signaling pathways and immune functions. Unfortunately, even the most up-to-date embodiments of these therapies are not curative for the majority of metastatic melanoma patients, and the need to improve their efficacy is widely recognized. Here, we review the reports that implicate p21-regulated kinase 1 (PAK1) and PAK1-related pathways in the response of melanoma to various therapeutic modalities. Ample data suggest that PAK1 may decrease cell sensitivity to programmed cell death, provide additional stimulation to growth-promoting molecular pathways, and contribute to the creation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Accordingly, there is mounting evidence that the concomitant inhibition of PAK1 enhances the potency of various anti-melanoma regimens. Overall, the available information suggests that a safe and effective inhibition of PAK1-dependent molecular processes would enhance the potency of the currently available anti-melanoma treatments, although considerable challenges in implementing such strategies still exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia V. Kichina
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton St., Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Alexei Maslov
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton St., Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Eugene S. Kandel
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton St., Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
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3
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Mu Y, Lan M, Li Y, Zhang Z, Guan Y. Effects of florfenicol on the antioxidant and immune systems of Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 140:108991. [PMID: 37562587 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Florfenicol is a commonly used antibiotic for the treatment of bacterial diseases of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). The study investigated the effects of florfenicol on the antioxidant and immune system of P. sinensis. Results showed that the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly increased in the 10 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg florfenicol treatment groups compared with the control group. Besides, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly increased, and the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was significantly decreased with 40 mg/kg florfenicol treatment. In addition, florfenicol has effects on the immune system, 10 mg/kg of florfenicol significantly promoted the activities of acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP), whereas 40 mg/kg of florfenicol significantly inhibited their activities. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms, a comparative transcriptome analysis was conducted. A total of 59 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 12 significantly enriched KEGG pathways were identified in the 10 mg/kg group; 150 DEGs and 10 significantly enriched KEGG pathways were identified in the 40 mg/kg group. Among them, the complement and coagulation cascade pathways were the most significant which may play an important regulatory role in the immune response. The MADCAM1, STAT3, and IL4I1 genes may be the key genes of florfenicol affecting the immune response. The APOA1, APOA4, SPLA2, FADS1, and FADS2 genes may play a key role in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects through redox-related pathways. The study lays the foundation for a deeper understanding of the mechanism of the florfenicol effect on P. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Mu
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Mengyan Lan
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Yali Li
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China.
| | - Yueqiang Guan
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China; Innovation Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology of Hebei Province, Baoding, 071002, China.
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4
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Somanath PR, Chernoff J, Cummings BS, Prasad SM, Homan HD. Targeting P21-Activated Kinase-1 for Metastatic Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082236. [PMID: 37190165 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) has limited therapeutic options and a high mortality rate. The p21-activated kinase (PAK) family of proteins is important in cell survival, proliferation, and motility in physiology, and pathologies such as infectious, inflammatory, vascular, and neurological diseases as well as cancers. Group-I PAKs (PAK1, PAK2, and PAK3) are involved in the regulation of actin dynamics and thus are integral for cell morphology, adhesion to the extracellular matrix, and cell motility. They also play prominent roles in cell survival and proliferation. These properties make group-I PAKs a potentially important target for cancer therapy. In contrast to normal prostate and prostatic epithelial cells, group-I PAKs are highly expressed in mPCA and PCa tissue. Importantly, the expression of group-I PAKs is proportional to the Gleason score of the patients. While several compounds have been identified that target group-I PAKs and these are active in cells and mice, and while some inhibitors have entered human trials, as of yet, none have been FDA-approved. Probable reasons for this lack of translation include issues related to selectivity, specificity, stability, and efficacy resulting in side effects and/or lack of efficacy. In the current review, we describe the pathophysiology and current treatment guidelines of PCa, present group-I PAKs as a potential druggable target to treat mPCa patients, and discuss the various ATP-competitive and allosteric inhibitors of PAKs. We also discuss the development and testing of a nanotechnology-based therapeutic formulation of group-I PAK inhibitors and its significant potential advantages as a novel, selective, stable, and efficacious mPCa therapeutic over other PCa therapeutics in the pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payaningal R Somanath
- Department of Clinical & Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- MetasTx LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
| | - Jonathan Chernoff
- MetasTx LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Brian S Cummings
- MetasTx LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Sandip M Prasad
- Morristown Medical Center, Atlantic Health System, Morristown, NJ 07960, USA
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5
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Fulton MD, Najahi-Missaoui W. Liposomes in Cancer Therapy: How Did We Start and Where Are We Now. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076615. [PMID: 37047585 PMCID: PMC10095497 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Since their first discovery in the 1960s by Alec Bangham, liposomes have been shown to be effective drug delivery systems for treating various cancers. Several liposome-based formulations received approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA), with many others in clinical trials. Liposomes have several advantages, including improved pharmacokinetic properties of the encapsulated drug, reduced systemic toxicity, extended circulation time, and targeted disposition in tumor sites due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) mechanism. However, it is worth noting that despite their efficacy in treating various cancers, liposomes still have some potential toxicity and lack specific targeting and disposition. This explains, in part, why their translation into the clinic has progressed only incrementally, which poses the need for more research to focus on addressing such translational limitations. This review summarizes the main properties of liposomes, their current status in cancer therapy, and their limitations and challenges to achieving maximal therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody D. Fulton
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Wided Najahi-Missaoui
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Saldivar-Cerón HI, Villamar-Cruz O, Wells CM, Oguz I, Spaggiari F, Chernoff J, Patiño-López G, Huerta-Yepez S, Montecillo-Aguado M, Rivera-Pazos CM, Loza-Mejía MA, Vivar-Sierra A, Briseño-Díaz P, Zentella-Dehesa A, Leon-Del-Rio A, López-Saavedra A, Padierna-Mota L, Ibarra-Sánchez MDJ, Esparza-López J, Hernández-Rivas R, Arias-Romero LE. p21-Activated Kinase 1 Promotes Breast Tumorigenesis via Phosphorylation and Activation of the Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:759259. [PMID: 35111748 PMCID: PMC8802317 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.759259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
p21-Activated kinase-1 (Pak1) is frequently overexpressed and/or amplified in human breast cancer and is necessary for transformation of mammary epithelial cells. Here, we show that Pak1 interacts with and phosphorylates the Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII), and that pharmacological inhibition or depletion of Pak1 leads to diminished activity of CaMKII. We found a strong correlation between Pak1 and CaMKII expression in human breast cancer samples, and combined inhibition of Pak1 and CaMKII with small-molecule inhibitors was synergistic and induced apoptosis more potently in Her2 positive and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Co-adminstration of Pak and CaMKII small-molecule inhibitors resulted in a dramatic reduction of proliferation and an increase in apoptosis in a 3D cell culture setting, as well as an impairment in migration and invasion of TNBC cells. Finally, mice bearing xenografts of TNBC cells showed a significant delay in tumor growth when treated with small-molecule inhibitors of Pak and CaMKII. These data delineate a signaling pathway from Pak1 to CaMKII that is required for efficient proliferation, migration and invasion of mammary epithelial cells, and suggest new therapeutic strategies in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor I Saldivar-Cerón
- UBIMED, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, UNAM, Tlalnepantla, Mexico.,Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Olga Villamar-Cruz
- UBIMED, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, UNAM, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Claire M Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ibrahim Oguz
- Division of Cancer Studies, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Federica Spaggiari
- Division of Cancer Studies, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Chernoff
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Genaro Patiño-López
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Inmunología y Proteómica, Hospital Infantil de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sara Huerta-Yepez
- Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Hemato-Oncológicas, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mayra Montecillo-Aguado
- Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Hemato-Oncológicas, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Clara M Rivera-Pazos
- Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Hemato-Oncológicas, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Marco A Loza-Mejía
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad La Salle-México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alonso Vivar-Sierra
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad La Salle-México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Paola Briseño-Díaz
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Zentella-Dehesa
- Programa de Investigación en Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico.,Unidad de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alfonso Leon-Del-Rio
- Programa de Investigación en Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandro López-Saavedra
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura Padierna-Mota
- UNe Aplicaciones Biológicas, Laboratorios de Especialidades Inmunologicas, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - María de Jesús Ibarra-Sánchez
- Unidad de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - José Esparza-López
- Unidad de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosaura Hernández-Rivas
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis E Arias-Romero
- UBIMED, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, UNAM, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
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7
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The Use of Nanomedicine to Target Signaling by the PAK Kinases for Disease Treatment. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123565. [PMID: 34944073 PMCID: PMC8700304 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine kinases involved in the regulation of cell survival, proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, and the regulation of cell morphology. Some members of the PAK family are highly expressed in several types of cancer, and they have also been implicated in several other medical disorders. They are thus considered to be good targets for treatment of cancer and other diseases. Although there are several inhibitors of the PAKs, the utility of some of these inhibitors is reduced for several reasons, including limited metabolic stability. One way to overcome this problem is the use of nanoparticles, which have the potential to increase drug delivery. The overall goals of this review are to describe the roles for PAK kinases in cell signaling and disease, and to describe how the use of nanomedicine is a promising new method for administering PAK inhibitors for the purpose of disease treatment and research. We discuss some of the basic mechanisms behind nanomedicine technology, and we then describe how these techniques are being used to package and deliver PAK inhibitors.
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Huang J, Wang J, He H, Huang Z, Wu S, Chen C, Liu W, Xie L, Tao Y, Cong L, Jiang Y. Close interactions between lncRNAs, lipid metabolism and ferroptosis in cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:4493-4513. [PMID: 34803512 PMCID: PMC8579446 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.66181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal lipid metabolism including synthesis, uptake, modification, degradation and transport has been considered a hallmark of malignant tumors and contributes to the supply of substances and energy for rapid cell growth. Meanwhile, abnormal lipid metabolism is also associated with lipid peroxidation, which plays an important role in a newly discovered type of regulated cell death termed ferroptosis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proven to be associated with the occurrence and progression of cancer. Growing evidence indicates that lncRNAs are key regulators of abnormal lipid metabolism and ferroptosis in cancer. In this review, we mainly summarized the mechanism by which lncRNAs regulate aberrant lipid metabolism in cancer, illustrated that lipid metabolism can also influence the expression of lncRNAs, and discussed the mechanism by which lncRNAs affect ferroptosis. A comprehensive understanding of the interactions between lncRNAs, lipid metabolism and ferroptosis could help us to develop novel strategies for precise cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China.,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China
| | - Jin Wang
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210013 Jiangsu, China
| | - Hua He
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China.,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China
| | - Zichen Huang
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210013 Jiangsu, China
| | - Sufang Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China.,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China
| | - Chao Chen
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210013 Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenbing Liu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Li Xie
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Yongguang Tao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 Hunan, China
| | - Li Cong
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China.,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China
| | - Yiqun Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China.,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China
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