Theranostic Designed Near-Infrared Fluorescent Poly (Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) Nanoparticles and Preliminary Studies with Functionalized VEGF-Nanoparticles

Synergistic induction of apoptosis in lung cancer cells through co-delivery of PLGA phytol/α-bisabolol nanoparticles

This study explored the potential of poly-(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles to enhance the effectiveness of anticancer treatments through combination therapy with phytol and α-bisabolol. The encapsulation efficiency of the nanoparticles was investigated, highlighting the role of ionic interactions between the drugs and the polymer. Characterization of PLGA-Phy+Bis nanoparticles was carried out using DLS with zeta potential and HR-TEM for size determination. Spectrophotometric measurements evaluated the encapsulation efficiency, loading efficiency, and in vitro drug release. FTIR analysis assessed the chemical interactions between PLGA and the drug actives, ensuring nanoparticle stability. GC-MS was employed to analyze the chemical composition of drug-loaded PLGA nanocarriers. Cytotoxicity was evaluated via the MTT assay, while Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and western blot analysis confirmed apoptotic cell death. Additionally, toxicity tests were performed on L-132 cells and in vivo zebrafish embryos. The study demonstrates high encapsulation efficiency of PLGA-Phy+Bis nanoparticles, which exhibit monodispersity and sizes of 189.3±5nm (DLS) and 268±54 nm (HR-TEM). Spectrophotometric analysis confirmed efficient drug encapsulation and release control. FTIR analysis revealed nanoparticle structural stability without chemical interactions. MTT assay results demonstrated the promising anticancer potential of all the three nanoparticle types (PLGA-Phy, PLGA-Bis, and PLGA-Phy+Bis) against lung cancer cells. Apoptosis was confirmed through Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and western blot analysis, which also revealed changes in Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression. Furthermore, the nanoparticles exhibited non-toxicity in L-132 cells and zebrafish embryo toxicity tests. PLGA-Phy+Bis nanoparticles exhibited efficient encapsulation, controlled release, and low toxicity. Apoptosis induction in A549 cells and non-toxicity in healthy cells highlight their clinical potential.

Three-Dimensional In Vitro Tumor Spheroid Models for Evaluation of Anticancer Therapy: Recent Updates

Advanced tissue engineering processes and regenerative medicine provide modern strategies for fabricating 3D spheroids. Several different 3D cancer models are being developed to study a variety of cancers. Three-dimensional spheroids can correctly replicate some features of solid tumors (such as the secretion of soluble mediators, drug resistance mechanisms, gene expression patterns and physiological responses) better than 2D cell cultures or animal models. Tumor spheroids are also helpful for precisely reproducing the three-dimensional organization and microenvironmental factors of tumors. Because of these unique properties, the potential of 3D cell aggregates has been emphasized, and they have been utilized in in vitro models for the detection of novel anticancer drugs. This review discusses applications of 3D spheroid models in nuclear medicine for diagnosis and therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell and photodynamic therapy and also discusses the establishment of the anticancer activity of nanocarriers.

Localized Therapeutic Approaches Based on Micro/Nanofibers for Cancer Treatment

Cancer remains one of the most challenging health problems worldwide, and localized therapeutic approaches based on micro/nanofibers have shown potential for its treatment. Micro/nanofibers offer several advantages as a drug delivery system, such as high surface area, tunable pore size, and sustained release properties, which can improve drug efficacy and reduce side effects. In addition, functionalization of these fibers with nanoparticles can enhance their targeting and therapeutic capabilities. Localized delivery of drugs and/or other therapeutic agents via micro/nanofibers can also help to overcome the limitations of systemic administration, such as poor bioavailability and off-target effects. Several studies have shown promising results in preclinical models of cancer, including inhibition of tumor growth and improved survival rates. However, more research is needed to overcome technical and regulatory challenges to bring these approaches to clinical use. Localized therapeutic approaches based on micro/nanofibers hold great promise for the future of cancer treatment, providing a targeted, effective, and minimally invasive alternative to traditional treatments. The main focus of this review is to explore the current treatments utilizing micro/nanofibers, as well as localized drug delivery systems that rely on fibrous structures to deliver and release drugs for the treatment of cancer in a specific area.

PLGA-Based Nanomedicine: History of Advancement and Development in Clinical Applications of Multiple Diseases

Research on the use of biodegradable polymers for drug delivery has been ongoing since they were first used as bioresorbable surgical devices in the 1980s. For tissue engineering and drug delivery, biodegradable polymer poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) has shown enormous promise among all biomaterials. PLGA are a family of FDA-approved biodegradable polymers that are physically strong and highly biocompatible and have been extensively studied as delivery vehicles of drugs, proteins, and macromolecules such as DNA and RNA. PLGA has a wide range of erosion times and mechanical properties that can be modified. Many innovative platforms have been widely studied and created for the development of methods for the controlled delivery of PLGA. In this paper, the various manufacturing processes and characteristics that impact their breakdown and drug release are explored in depth. Besides different PLGA-based nanoparticles, preclinical and clinical applications for different diseases and the PLGA platform types and their scale-up issues will be discussed.

Bevacizumab encapsulation into PLGA nanoparticles functionalized with immunouteroglobin-1 as an innovative delivery system for atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis represents one of the main causes of death in the Western world. It is a multifactorial pathology characterized by lesions that reduce the lumen of the vessels causing serious clinical events. The extradomain-B of fibronectin is overexpressed during angiogenesis and in tissues undergoing growth and extensive remodeling, i.e., atherosclerotic plaque. Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that can play a role against the angiogenesis process reducing the risk associated with this process in atherosclerosis. In this work, an innovative drug delivery device for target delivery of bevacizumab to the atherosclerotic lesion is proposed. A production protocol for poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polyethylene glycol nanoparticles loaded with bevacizumab and functionalized with immunouteroglobin-1 was designed. Once immunouteroglobin-functionalized nanoparticles were produced, they were characterized regarding morphology, mean diameter, ζ-potential, association and conjugation efficiencies, bevacizumab release profile both in phosphate buffered saline and in serum, bevacizumab stability after release, cytocompatibility, and hemocompatibility. Nanoparticle mean diameter was in the range of 217-265 nm, their surface charge was between -21 and - 8 mV, and the association and conjugation efficiency of about 76 and 59 %, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the functionalization of their surface with immunouteroglobin-1. In vitro assays showed that the studied nanoparticles were cytocompatible, once in contact with human endothelial and murine macrophages cell line up to 72 h, and hemocompatible, once in contact with red blood cells, at different concentrations of encapsulated BEV (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg_BEV/mL).

Therapeutic approaches targeting molecular signaling pathways common to diabetes, lung diseases and cancer

Diabetes mellitus (DM), is the most common metabolic disease and is characterized by sustained hyperglycemia. Accumulating evidences supports a strong association between DM and numerous lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), fibrosis, and lung cancer (LC). The global incidence of DM-associated lung disorders is rising and several ongoing studies, including clinical trials, aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms linking DM with lung disorders, in particular LC. Several potential mechanisms, including hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, glycation, inflammation, and hypoxia, are cited as plausible links between DM and LC. In addition, studies also propose a connection between the use of anti-diabetic medications and reduction in the incidence of LC. However, the exact cause for DM associated lung diseases especially LC is not clear and is an area under intense investigation. Herein, we review the biological links reported between DM and lung disorders with an emphasis on LC. Furthermore, we report common signaling pathways (eg: TGF-β, IL-6, HIF-1, PDGF) and miRNAs that are dysregulated in DM and LC and serve as molecular targets for therapy. Finally, we propose a nanomedicine based approach for delivering therapeutics (eg: IL-24 plasmid DNA, HuR siRNA) to disrupt signaling pathways common to DM and LC and thus potentially treat DM-associated LC. Finally, we conclude that the effective modulation of commonly regulated signaling pathways would help design novel therapeutic protocols for treating DM patients diagnosed with LC.

Synthesis and Biodistribution of 99mTc-Labeled PLGA Nanoparticles by Microfluidic Technique

The aim of present study was to develop radiolabeled NPs to overcome the limitations of fluorescence with theranostic potential. Synthesis of PLGA-NPs loaded with technetium-99m was based on a Dean-Vortex-Bifurcation Mixer (DVBM) using an innovative microfluidic technique with high batch-to-batch reproducibility and tailored-made size of NPs. Eighteen different formulations were tested and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, labeling efficiency, and in vitro stability. Overall, physical characterization by dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed an increase in particle size after radiolabeling probably due to the incorporation of the isotope into the PLGA-NPs shell. NPs of 60 nm (obtained by 5:1 PVA:PLGA ratio and 15 mL/min TFR with ^99mTc included in PVA) had high labeling efficiency (94.20 ± 5.83%) and >80% stability after 24 h and showed optimal biodistribution in BALB/c mice. In conclusion, we confirmed the possibility of radiolabeling NPs with ^99mTc using the microfluidics and provide best formulation for tumor targeting studies.

An assessment of in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation methods for theranostic nanomaterials

Nanoparticles (NPs) as nanocarriers have emerged as novel and promising theranostic agents. The term theranostics revealed the properties of NPs capable of diagnosing the disease at an early stage and/or treating the disease. Such NPs are usually developed employing a surface engineering approach. The theranostic agents comprise NPs loaded with a drug/diagnostic agent that delivers it precisely to the target site. Theranostics is a field with promising results in enhancing therapeutic efficacy facilitated through higher payload at the targeted tissue, reduced dose, and dose-dependent side effects. However, controversies in terms of toxicity and size-dependent properties have often surfaced for NPs. Thus, a stringent in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation is required to develop safe and non-toxic NPs as theranostic agents. The review also focuses on the various entry points of NPs in the human system and their outcomes, including toxicity. It elaborates the evaluation criteria to ensure the safe use of NPs for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Copper-64 labeled nanoparticles for positron emission tomography imaging: a review of the recent literature

INTRODUCTION

Nuclear medicine plays a crucial role for personalized therapy, mainly in oncology. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy present some disadvantages and research is shifting toward nanotechnology with significant improvements in therapy and diagnosis of several cancers. Indeed, nanoparticles can be tagged with different radioisotopes for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and for therapy. This review describes the current state of the art of ⁶⁴Copper-labeled nanoparticles for PET imaging of cancer.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We performed a systematic analysis of literature using the terms "64CuCl<inf>2</inf>," "64Cu," "Copper" AND "nanoparticle" AND "PET" in online databases: i.e. PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus. The search was limited to English papers and original articles. We excluded articles not in English language, abstracts, case reports, review articles and meeting presentations.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Amongst the 116 articles retrieved, 88 were excluded because reviews, or not in English, or only in-vitro studies or meeting presentations. We considered only 28 original papers. The most used nanoparticles are liposomes and they are mainly used in breast cancer although other animal models of cancer have been also investigated.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that nanoparticles can be considered a promising radiopharmaceutical for PET imaging of different type of cancer.