Comparison of Anticancer Drug Toxicities: Paradigm Shift in Adverse Effect Profile

Surface engineered multifunctional nano-systems for localised drug delivery against thyroid cancer: A review of current practices

Thyroid cancer, the most prevalent cancer of the endocrine system and cervical region, has experienced a significant increase in incidence over recent decades. Nanomedicine has fundamentally revolutionized cancer treatment, particularly through the development of multifunctional nano-therapeutics. The progress in this field has been facilitated by the distinctive properties of nanomaterials, such as their capacity to perform several functions, be modified, and offer various detection methods. These features allow for non-invasive and practical diagnostic techniques through versatile imaging. Surface engineering plays a pivotal role in the design of multifunctional nano-systems for localized drug delivery against thyroid cancer. Nano-systems can be customized via surface modification techniques, such as functionalization with targeting ligands and inclusion of therapeutic drugs. This customization allows the nano-systems to specifically target cancer cells while reducing the impact on non-target cells. As a result, bovine serum albumin-coated nanostructures have emerged as powerful diagnostic and targeting nanosystems for thyroid cancer. This targeted strategy enhances the effectiveness of cancer treatment while reducing overall body toxicity. This comprehensive review aims to provide an extensive overview of the latest advancements in surface-engineered nanoparticle-based approaches for both diagnosing and treating thyroid cancer. It highlights the promising research endeavors aimed at creating novel and effective multifunctional nanomedicine for localized delivery to thyroid cancer sites. The review examines different nanomedicines that have been developed for cancer treatment and diagnosis. It also analyzes the current trends, future possibilities, and obstacles in this rapidly advancing sector. By synthesizing the current state of knowledge on surface-engineered multifunctional nano-systems, this review contributes to a better understanding of their potential applications in thyroid cancer treatment and paves the way for future research directions in this promising field of nanomedicine.

Application of Scaffold-Based Drug Delivery in Oral Cancer Treatment: A Novel Approach

This comprehensive review consolidates insights from two sources to emphasize the transformative impact of scaffold-based drug delivery systems in revolutionizing oral cancer therapy. By focusing on their core abilities to facilitate targeted and localized drug administration, these systems enhance therapeutic outcomes significantly. Scaffolds, notably those coated with anti-cancer agents such as cisplatin and paclitaxel, have proven effective in inhibiting oral cancer cell proliferation, establishing a promising avenue for site-specific drug delivery. The application of synthetic scaffolds, including Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and natural materials, like collagen or silk, in 3D systems has been pivotal for controlled release of therapeutic agents, executing diverse anti-cancer strategies. A key advancement in this field is the advent of smart scaffolds designed for sequential cancer therapy, which strive to refine drug delivery systems, minimizing surgical interventions, accentuating the significance of 3D scaffolds in oral cancer management. These systems, encompassing local drug-coated scaffolds and other scaffold-based platforms, hold the potential to transform oral cancer treatment through precise interventions, yielding improved patient outcomes. Local drug delivery via scaffolds can mitigate systemic side effects typically associated with chemotherapy, such as nausea, alopecia, infections, and gastrointestinal issues. Post-drug release, scaffolds foster a conducive environment for non-cancerous cell growth, adhering and proliferation, demonstrating restorative potential. Strategies for controlled and targeted drug delivery in oral cancer therapy span injectable self-assembling peptide hydrogels, nanocarriers, and dual drug-loaded nanofibrous scaffolds. These systems ensure prolonged release, synergistic effects, and tunable targeting, enhancing drug delivery efficiency while reducing systemic exposure. Smart scaffolds, capable of sequential drug release, transitioning to cell-friendly surfaces, and enabling combinatorial therapy, hold the promise to revolutionize treatment by delivering precise interventions and optimized outcomes. In essence, scaffold-based drug delivery systems, through their varied forms and functionalities, are reshaping oral cancer therapy. They target drug delivery efficiency, diminish side effects, and present avenues for personalization. Challenges like fabrication intricacy, biocompatibility, and scalability call for additional research. Nonetheless, the perspective on scaffold-based systems in oral cancer treatment is optimistic, as ongoing advancements aim to surmount current limitations and fully leverage their potential in cancer therapy.

The Emerging Role of Natural Products in Cancer Treatment

The exploration of natural products as potential agents for cancer treatment has garnered significant attention in recent years. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the diverse array of natural compounds, including alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, lignans, polyketides, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids, highlighting their emerging roles in cancer therapy. These compounds, derived from various botanical sources, exhibit a wide range of mechanisms of action, targeting critical pathways involved in cancer progression such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Through a meticulous examination of preclinical and clinical studies, we provide insights into the therapeutic potential of these natural products across different cancer types. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and challenges associated with their use in cancer treatment, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize their efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and delivery methods. Overall, this review underscores the importance of natural products in advancing cancer therapeutics and paves the way for future investigations into their clinical applications.

PEGylated mesoporous silica core-shell redox-responsive nanoparticles for delivering paclitaxel to breast cancer cells

Controlling the drug release and restricting its presence in healthy organs is extremely valuable. In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) as the core, loaded with paclitaxel (PTX), were coated with a non-porous silica shell functionalized with disulfide bonds. The nanoparticles were further coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) via disulfide linkages. We analyzed the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles, including hydrodynamic size via Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), zeta potential, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) patterns, Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra, and imaging through Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The drug release profile in two distinct glutathione (GSH) concentrations of 2 µM and 10 µM was measured. The cellular uptake of nanoparticles by MCF-7 cell line was determined using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) images and flow cytometry. Furthermore, the cell viability and the capability of nanoparticles to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cell line were studied using the MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Our investigations revealed that the release of PTX from the drug delivery system was redox-responsive. Also, results indicated an elevated level of cellular uptake and efficient induction of apoptosis, underscoring the promising potential of this redox-responsive drug delivery system for breast cancer therapy.

Guarding the heart: How SGLT-2 inhibitors protect against chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity: SGLT-2 inhibitors and chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity

The introduction of chemotherapy agents has significantly transformed cancer treatment, with anthracyclines being one of the most commonly used drugs. While these agents have proven to be highly effective against various types of cancers, they come with complications, including neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity. Among these side effects, cardiotoxicity is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with anthracyclines being the primary culprit. Chemotherapy medications have various mechanisms that can lead to cardiac injury. Hence, numerous studies have been conducted to decrease the cardiotoxicity of these treatments. Combination therapy with beta-blockers, Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers have effectively reduced such outcomes. However, a definitive preventive strategy is yet to be established. Meanwhile, sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors lower blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes by reducing its re-absorption in the kidneys. They are thus considered potent drugs for glycemic control and reduction of cardiovascular risks. Recent studies have shown that SGLT-2 inhibitors are crucial in preventing chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. They enhance heart cell viability, prevent degenerative changes, stimulate autophagy, and reduce cell death. This drug class also reduces inflammation by inhibiting reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokine production. Moreover, it can not only reverse the harmful effects of anticancer agents on the heart structure but also enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy by minimizing potential consequences on the heart. In conclusion, SGLT-2 inhibitors hold promise as a therapeutic strategy for protecting cancer patients from chemotherapy-induced heart damage and improving cardiovascular outcomes.

Bortezomib in Combination with Physachenolide C Reduces the Tumorigenic Properties of KRASmut/P53mut Lung Cancer Cells by Inhibiting c-FLIP

BACKGROUND

Defects in apoptosis regulation are one of the classical features of cancer cells, often associated with more aggressiveness and failure to therapeutic options. We investigated the combinatorial antitumor effects of a natural product, physachenolide C (PCC) and bortezomib, in KRASmut/P53mut lung cancer cells and xenograft mice models.

METHODS

The in vitro anticancer effects of the bortezomib and PCC combination were investigated using cell viability, migration, and invasion assays in 344SQ, H23, and H358 cell lines. Furthermore, the effects of combination treatment on the critical parameters of cellular metabolism, including extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation based on the oxygen consumption rate of cancer cells were assessed using Seahorse assay. Finally, the antitumor effect of the bortezomib (1 mg/kg) and PCC (10 mg/kg) combination was evaluated using xenograft mice models.

RESULTS

Our data showed that the bortezomib-PCC combination was more effective in reducing the viability of lung cancer cells in comparison with the individual treatments. Similarly, the combination treatment showed a significant inhibition of cell migration and invasion of cancer cells. Additionally, the key anti-apoptotic protein c-FLIP was significantly inhibited along with a substantial reduction in the key parameters of cellular metabolism in cancer cells. Notably, the bortezomib or PCC inhibited the tumor growth compared to the control group, the tumor growth inhibition was much more effective when bortezomib was combined with PCC in tumor xenograft mice models.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that PCC sensitizes cancer cells to bortezomib, potentially improving the antitumor effects against KRASmut/P53mut lung cancer cells, with an enhanced efficacy of combination treatments without causing significant side effects.

Analysing potent biomarkers along phytochemicals for breast cancer therapy: an in silico approach

PURPOSE

This research focused on the identification of herbal compounds as potential anti-cancer drugs, especially for breast cancer, that involved the recognition of Notch downstream targets NOTCH proteins (1-4) specifically expressed in breast tumours as biomarkers for prognosis, along with P53 tumour antigens, that were used as comparisons to check the sensitivity of the herbal bio-compounds.

METHODS

After investigating phytochemical candidates, we employed an approach for computer-aided drug design and analysis to find strong breast cancer inhibitors. The present study utilized in silico analyses and protein docking techniques to characterize and rank selected bio-compounds for their efficiency in oncogenic inhibition for use in precise carcinomic cell growth control.

RESULTS

Several of the identified phytocompounds found in herbs followed Lipinski's Rule of Five and could be further investigated as potential medicinal molecules. Based on the Vina score obtained after the docking process, the active compound Epigallocatechin gallate in green tea with NOTCH (1-4) and P53 proteins showed promising results for future drug repurposing. The stiffness and binding stability of green tea pharmacological complexes were further elucidated by the molecular dynamic simulations carried out for the highest scoring phytochemical ligand complex.

CONCLUSION

The target-ligand complex of green tea active compound Epigallocatechin gallate with NOTCH (1-4) had the potential to become potent anti-breast cancer therapeutic candidates following further research involving wet-lab experiments.

Bioresponsive drug delivery systems

In this review, we highlight the potential of stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems (DDSs) to revolutionize healthcare. Through examining pH, temperature, enzyme, and redox responsiveness, the presented case studies highlight the precision and enhanced therapeutic outcomes achievable with these innovative systems. Challenges, such as complex design and bio-based material optimization, underscore the complete journey from bench to bedside. Clinical strides in magnetically and temperature-responsive systems hint at a promising future for healthcare. However, overcoming issues of stability, durability, penetration depth, sensitivity, and active targeting is crucial. The future envisions theranostic systems, amalgamating targeted therapy and diagnosis, for personalized healthcare. Bio-based materials emerge as pivotal, offering a nuanced approach to complex diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, reshaping the healthcare landscape.

Semisynthesis of 5-O-ester derivatives of renieramycin T and their cytotoxicity against non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines

The semisynthesis of 5-O-ester derivatives of renieramycin T was accomplished through the photoredox reaction of renieramycin M (1), a bistetrahydroisoquinolinequinone alkaloid isolated from the Thai blue sponge Xestospongia sp. This process led to the conversion of compound 1 to renieramycin T (2), which was subsequently subjected to Steglich esterification with appropriate acylating agents containing linear alkyl, N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-L-amino, and heterocyclic aromatic substituent. Notably, the one-pot transformation, combining the photoredox reaction and esterification led to the formation of 7-O-ester derivatives of renieramycin S due to hydrolysis. Subsequently, the in vitro cytotoxicity of the 17 semisynthesized derivatives against human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells in parallel with normal cell lines was evaluated. Among the tested compounds, 5-O-(3-propanoyl) ester of renieramycin T (3b) exhibited potent cytotoxic activity with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values at 33.44 and 33.88 nM against H292 and H460 cell lines, respectively. These values were within the same range as compound 1 (IC50 = 34.43 and 35.63 nM) and displayed twofold higher cytotoxicity compared to compound 2 (IC50 = 72.85 and 83.95 nM). The steric characteristics and aromatic orientation of the 5-O-ester substituents played significant roles in their cytotoxicity. Notably, derivative 3b induced apoptosis with minimal necrosis, in contrast to the parental compound 1. Hence, the relationship between the structure and cytotoxicity of renieramycin-ecteinascidin hybrid alkaloids was investigated. This study emphasizes the potential of the series of 5-O-ester derivatives of renieramycin T as promising leads for the further development of potential anti-NSCLC agents.

Conformational Analysis of 1,5-Diaryl-3-Oxo-1,4-Pentadiene Derivatives: A Nuclear Overhauser Effect Spectroscopy Investigation

1,5-Diaryl-3-Oxo-1,4-Pentadiene derivatives are intriguing organic compounds with a unique structure featuring a pentadiene core, aryl groups, and a ketone group. This study investigates the influence of fluorine atoms on the conformational features of these derivatives in deuterated chloroform (CDCl3) solution. Through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations, we discerned variations in interatomic distances and established predominant conformer proportions. The findings suggest that the non-fluorinated entity exhibits a uniform distribution across various conformer groups. The introduction of a fluorine atom induces substantial alterations, resulting in the predominance of a specific conformer group. This structural insight may hold the key to their diverse anticancer activities, previously reported in the literature.

Characterization of P-glycoprotein orthologs from human, sheep, pig, dog, and cat

The ATP-binding cassette transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) limits the oral bioavailability of many drugs. Although P-gp has been well studied in humans and mice, little is known about the substrate specificities of many of its species orthologs. To address this, we performed in vitro analysis of P-gp transporter function using HEK293 cells stably expressing human, ovine, porcine, canine, and feline P-gp. We also employed a human physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to assess variations in digoxin exposure resulting from altered P-gp function. Compared to human P-gp, sheep P-gp had significantly less digoxin efflux (2.3-fold ±0.04 vs. 1.8-fold ±0.03, p < .0001) and all species orthologs had significantly less quinidine efflux compared with human P-gp (p < .05). Human P-gp also had significantly greater efflux of talinolol compared to sheep and dog P-gp (1.9-fold ±0.04 vs. 1.6-fold ±0.06, p = .003 and 1.6-fold ±0.05, p = .0002, respectively). P-gp expression protected all lines against paclitaxel-induced toxicity, with sheep P-gp being significantly less protective. The inhibitor verapamil demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of all P-gp orthologs. Finally, a PBPK model showed digoxin exposure was sensitive to altered P-gp activity. Overall, our study found that species differences in this major drug transporter exist and that the appropriate species ortholog of P-gp should be evaluated during veterinary drug development.

Atorvastatin protects against cyclophosphamide-induced thyroid injury in rats via modulation of JNK/ ERK/ p38 MAPK signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Cancer chemotherapy is associated with various tissue toxicities that limit its use. Cyclophosphamide (CYC) is one of the most commonly used antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agent. Thyroid dysfunction is a critical side effect of anticancer drugs. Atorvastatin (ATV) is antihyperlipedemic drug with different tissue protective activities. The aim of this study was to determine the potential protective effect of ATV against CYC-induced thyroid injury in rats.

METHODS

ATV was administered in the presence and absence of CYC. Thirty-two adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, ATV group (20 mg/kg/day, p.o. for 14 day), CYC group (200 mg/kg, i.p. on day 9) and ATV/CYC group. Triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), total nitrite/nitrate (NOx), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) were measured. In addition, thyroid histopathology and caspase 3 immunohistochemistry were performed.

RESULTS

CYC significantly increased thyroid MDA, NOx, P38MAPK, ERK and JNK with decrease in GSH, T3 and T4 levels. Histopathological features of thyroid lesions and increased caspase 3 immune expression were appeared. ATV significantly normalized distributed oxidative, inflammatory and apoptotic indicators, resulting in an improvement of histopathological features and reduction of caspase 3 immunoexpression.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that ATV protects against CYC-induced thyroid injury by regulating the JNK/ERK/p38-MAPK signaling pathway.

Anticancer drug delivery by focused ultrasound-mediated blood-brain/tumor barrier disruption for glioma therapy: From benchside to bedside

The therapeutic management of gliomas remains particularly challenging. Brain tumors present multiple obstacles that make therapeutic innovation complex, mainly due to the presence of blood-tumor and blood-brain barriers (BTB and BBB, respectively) which prevent penetration of anticancer agents into the brain parenchyma. Focused ultrasound-mediated BBB disruption (FUS-BBBD) provides a physical method for non-invasive, local, and reversible BBB disruption. The safety of this technique has been demonstrated in small and large animal models. This approach promises to enhance drug delivery into the brain tumor and therefore to improve survival outcomes by repurposing existing drugs. Several clinical trials continue to be initiated in the last decade. In this review, we provide an overview of the rationale behind the use of FUS-BBBD in gliomas and summarize the preclinical studies investigating different approaches (free drugs, drug-loaded microbubbles and drug-loaded nanocarriers) in combination with this technology in in vivo glioma models. Furthermore, we discuss the current state of clinical trials and devices developed and review the challenges to overcome for clinical use of FUS-BBBD in glioma therapy.

Revolutionizing anti-cancer drug discovery against breast cancer and lung cancer by modification of natural genistein: an advanced computational and drug design approach

Breast and lung cancer are two of the most lethal forms of cancer, responsible for a disproportionately high number of deaths worldwide. Both doctors and cancer patients express alarm about the rising incidence of the disease globally. Although targeted treatment has achieved enormous advancements, it is not without its drawbacks. Numerous medicines and chemotherapeutic drugs have been authorized by the FDA; nevertheless, they can be quite costly and often fall short of completely curing the condition. Therefore, this investigation has been conducted to identify a potential medication against breast and lung cancer through structural modification of genistein. Genistein is the active compound in Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), and it exhibits solid anticancer efficiency against various cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and brain cancer. Hence, the design of its analogs with the interchange of five functional groups-COOH, NH2 and OCH3, Benzene, and NH-CH2-CH2-OH-have been employed to enhance affinities compared to primary genistein. Additionally, advanced computational studies such as PASS prediction, molecular docking, ADMET, and molecular dynamics simulation were conducted. Firstly, the PASS prediction spectrum was analyzed, revealing that the designed genistein analogs exhibit improved antineoplastic activity. In the prediction data, breast and lung cancer were selected as primary targets. Subsequently, other computational investigations were gradually conducted. The mentioned compounds have shown acceptable results for in silico ADME, AMES toxicity, and hepatotoxicity estimations, which are fundamental for their oral medication. It is noteworthy that the initial binding affinity was only -8.7 kcal/mol against the breast cancer targeted protein (PDB ID: 3HB5). However, after the modification of the functional group, when calculating the binding affinities, it becomes apparent that the binding affinities increase gradually, reaching a maximum of -11.0 and -10.0 kcal/mol. Similarly, the initial binding affinity was only -8.0 kcal/mol against lung cancer (PDB ID: 2P85), but after the addition of binding affinity, it reached -9.5 kcal/mol. Finally, a molecular dynamics simulation was conducted to study the molecular models over 100 ns and examine the stability of the docked complexes. The results indicate that the selected complexes remain highly stable throughout the 100-ns molecular dynamics simulation runs, displaying strong correlations with the binding of targeted ligands within the active site of the selected protein. It is important to further investigate and proceed to clinical or wet lab experiments to determine the practical value of the proposed compounds.

Halogen substituted aurones as potential apoptotic agents: synthesis, anticancer evaluation, molecular docking, ADMET and DFT study

A series of halogen-substituted aurone derivatives (2a-k) were synthesized and evaluated for an anti-proliferative study against NCI 60 cancer cell line panel and showed that most of the compounds predominantly exhibited promising activity against MCF-7. Compound 2e exhibited promising anticancer activity against the MCF-7 cancer cell line with 84.98% percentage growth inhibition in a single dose assay of 10 μM with an IC₅₀ value of 8.157 ± 0.713 μM. In apoptotic assay, the effect of compound 2e on the cell cycle progression indicated that exposure of MCF-7 cells to compound 2e induced a significant disruption in the cell cycle profile including a time-dependent decrease in the cell population at G0/G1 and G2/M phase and arrests the cell cycle at the S phase. In silico, molecular docking ADME and toxicity studies of all compounds were also carried out. The docking study revealed that all the aurone derivatives displayed good docking scores ranging from -7.066 to -8.573. The results of Molecular Electrostatic Potential Mapping (MESP) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies of the most active compound 2e and least active compound 2k also favoured the experimental results.

A Robust Machine Learning Framework Built Upon Molecular Representations Predicts CYP450 Inhibition: Toward Precision in Drug Repurposing

Human cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes play a crucial role in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. CYP450 inhibition can lead to toxicity, in particular when drugs are co-administered with other drugs and xenobiotics or in the case of polypharmacy. Predicting CYP450 inhibition is also important for rational drug discovery and development, and precision in drug repurposing. In this overarching context, digital transformation of drug discovery and development, for example, using machine and deep learning approaches, offers prospects for prediction of CYP450 inhibition through computational models. We report here the development of a majority-voting machine learning framework to classify inhibitors and noninhibitors for seven major human liver CYP450 isoforms (CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4). For the machine learning models reported herein, we employed interaction fingerprints that were derived from molecular docking simulations, thus adding an additional layer of information for protein-ligand interactions. The proposed machine learning framework is based on the structure of the binding site of isoforms to produce predictions beyond previously reported approaches. Also, we carried out a comparative analysis so as to identify which representation of test compounds (molecular descriptors, molecular fingerprints, or protein-ligand interaction fingerprints) affects the predictive performance of the models. This work underlines the ways in which the structure of the enzyme catalytic site influences machine learning predictions and the need for robust frameworks toward better-informed predictions.

Potential anticancer properties of calotropis procera: An investigation on breast and colon cancer cells

Calotropis procera is a perennial flowering plant of the Apocynaceae family, traditionally used in medicine to treat various ailments. Recent investigations have revealed its potential therapeutic activities such as anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, analgesic, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetic properties. RP-HPLC qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated the phenolic acids and flavonoids in the ethanolic extract at two different wavelengths, 280 and 330 nm. In addition, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured via spectrophotometric determination in addition to the antioxidant activity. The antiproliferative effects of C. procera were investigated on two cancer cell lines: human colon (HCT-116) and breast (MCF-7) cancer. Several methods were utilised to analyse the effectiveness of the plant extract on the cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, genes involved in the cell cycle, and protein expression profiles of HCT-116 and MCF-7 cells. These included the MTT assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI, analysis of the cell cycle, and Western blot. Results indicated that ferulic and caffeic acids were the major compounds at λ_max 280 nm (1.374% and 0.561%, respectively), while the major compounds at λ_max 325 nm were kaempferol and luteolin (1.036% and 0.512%, respectively). The ethanolic extract had significantly higher antioxidant activity (80 ± 2.3%) compared to ascorbic acid (90 ± 3.1%). C. procera extract exhibited dose-dependent cell growth inhibition, with an estimated IC₅₀ of 50 μg/mL for MCF-7 and 55 μg/mL for HCT-116 cells at 24 h. Annexin V-FITC/PI confirmed the induction of apoptosis. Remarkably, cell cycle arrest occurred at the sub-G1 phase in MCF-7 cells, while in HCT-116 cells, it was observed at the G2-M phase. The sub-G1 arrest was associated with dysregulation of Akt, p-AKT, mTOR, and p-mTOR proteins, as confirmed by the Western blot analysis, while downregulation of CDK1, cyclin B1, and survivin caused G2-M arrest.

Hydrophobic Modification of Poly(γ-glutamic acid) by Grafting 4-Phenyl-butyl Side Groups for the Encapsulation and Release of Doxorubicin

The delivery of drugs is a great challenge, since most of active pharmaceutical ingredients developed today are hydrophobic and poorly water soluble. From this perspective, drug encapsulation on biodegradable and biocompatible polymers can surpass this problem. Poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGGA), a bioedible and biocompatible polymer has been chosen for this purpose. Carboxylic side groups of PGGA have been partially esterified with 4-phenyl-butyl bromide, producing a series of aliphatic-aromatic ester derivatives with different hydrophilic-lipophilic balances. Using nanoprecipitation or emulsion/evaporation methods, these copolymers were self-assembled in a water solution, forming nanoparticles with average diameters between 89 and 374 nm and zeta potential values between -13.1 and -49.5 mV. The hydrophobic core containing 4-phenyl-butyl side groups was used for the encapsulation of an anticancer drug, such as Doxorubicin (DOX). The highest encapsulation efficiency was reached for a copolymer derived from PGGA, with a 46 mol% degree of esterification. Drug release studies carried out for 5 days at different pHs (4.2 and 7.4) indicated that DOX was released faster at pH 4.2, revealing the potential of these nanoparticles as chemotherapy agents.

Ligand fishing as a tool to screen natural products with anticancer potential

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world and its incidence is expected to increase with the aging of the world's population and globalization of risk factors. Natural products and their derivatives have provided a significant number of approved anticancer drugs and the development of robust and selective screening assays for the identification of lead anticancer natural products are essential in the challenge of developing personalized targeted therapies tailored to the genetic and molecular characteristics of tumors. To this end, a ligand fishing assay is a remarkable tool to rapidly and rigorously screen complex matrices, such as plant extracts, for the isolation and identification of specific ligands that bind to relevant pharmacological targets. In this paper, we review the application of ligand fishing with cancer-related targets to screen natural product extracts for the isolation and identification of selective ligands. We provide critical analysis of the system configurations, targets, and key phytochemical classes related to the field of anticancer research. Based on the data collected, ligand fishing emerges as a robust and powerful screening system for the rapid discovery of new anticancer drugs from natural resources. It is currently an underexplored strategy according to its considerable potential.

Theranostic Activity of Ceria-Based Nanoparticles toward Parental and Metastatic Melanoma: 2D vs 3D Models

The time interval between the diagnosis of tumor in a patient and the initiation of treatment plays a key role in determining the survival rates. Consequently, theranostics, which is a combination of diagnosis and treatment, can be expected to improve survival rates. Early detection and immediate treatment initiation are particularly important in the management of melanoma, where survival rates decrease considerably after metastasis. The present work reports for the first time the application of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-tagged epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-functionalized ceria nanoparticles, which exhibit intrinsic reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated anticancer effects, for the EGFR-targeted diagnosis and treatment of melanoma. The theranostic activity was demonstrated using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models of parental and metastatic melanoma. Confocal imaging studies confirm the diagnostic activity of the system. The therapeutic efficiency was evaluated using cell viability studies and ROS measurements. The ROS elevation levels are compared across the 2D and 3D models. Significant enhancement in the generation of cellular ROS and absence in mitochondrial ROS are observed in the 2D models. In contrast, significant elevations in both ROS types are observed for the 3D models, which are significantly higher for the metastatic spheroids than the parental spheroids, thus indicating the suitability of this nanoformulation for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.

The Role of Silver Nanoparticles in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer: Are There Any Perspectives for the Future?

Cancer is a fatal disease with a complex pathophysiology. Lack of specificity and cytotoxicity, as well as the multidrug resistance of traditional cancer chemotherapy, are the most common limitations that often cause treatment failure. Thus, in recent years, significant efforts have concentrated on the development of a modernistic field called nano-oncology, which provides the possibility of using nanoparticles (NPs) with the aim to detect, target, and treat cancer diseases. In comparison with conventional anticancer strategies, NPs provide a targeted approach, preventing undesirable side effects. What is more, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have shown good pharmacokinetics and precise targeting, as well as reduced multidrug resistance. It has been documented that, in cancer cells, NPs promote reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, activate ER (endoplasmic reticulum) stress, modulate various signaling pathways, etc. Furthermore, their ability to inhibit tumor growth in vivo has also been documented. In this paper, we have reviewed the role of silver NPs (AgNPs) in cancer nanomedicine, discussing numerous mechanisms by which they render anticancer properties under both in vitro and in vivo conditions, as well as their potential in the diagnosis of cancer.

In situ synthesis of polythiophene encapsulated 2D hexagonal boron nitride nanocomposite based electrochemical transducer for detection of 5-fluorouracil with high selectivity

It is difficult for the scientific community to develop a nonenzymatic sensing platform for extremely sensitive and selective detection of specific biomolecules, antibiotics, food adulterants, heavy metals, etc. One of the most significant chemotherapy drugs, 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu), which is used to treat solid malignancies, has a fluorine atom in the fifth position of the uracil molecule. Recognizing the secure and effective dosing of drugs for chemotherapy continues to be a critical concern in cancer disease management. The maintenance of the optimal 5-Fu concentration is dependent on the presence of 5-Fu in biofluids. Herein we reported a conducting polymer encapsulated 2D material, PTh/h-BN for the efficient electrochemical detection of anticancer drug 5-Fu. Furthermore, the synthesized PTh/h-BN nanocomposite was confirmed by the High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HR-TEM), High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (HR-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The electrical resistance of PTh/h-BN modified GCE and its sensing performance towards 5-Fu were tested using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) studies respectively. The analytical performance of our proposed catalyst was tested using Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV), and the amperometry (i-t curve) method. From the results, our proposed PTh/h-BN nanocomposite-modified GCE shows enhanced sensing performance due to higher redox peak currents, large active surface area, and high electrical conductivity. Moreover, the nanohybrid shows enhanced sensing performances with quick response time, wide linear range, the lowest limit of detection, high sensitivity, and high selectivity in the presence of various interferents. Finally, the practical applicability of the proposed sensor was tested with real-world samples with very good recovery percentages.

Therapeutic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in cyclophosphamide-induced infertility

Cancer is a deadly disease characterized by abnormal cell proliferation. Chemotherapy is one technique of cancer treatment. Cyclophosphamide (CYP) is the most powerful chemotherapy medication, yet it has serious adverse effects. It is an antimitotic medicine that regulates cell proliferation and primarily targets quickly dividing cells, and it has been related to varying levels of infertility in humans. In the current study, we assessed the biochemical, histological, and microscopic evaluations of testicular damage following cyclophosphamide administration. Further, we have explored the potential protective impact of mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) transplantation. The biochemical results revealed that administration of cyclophosphamide increased serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), while it decreased serum concentrations of free testosterone hormone (TH), testicular follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and free testosterone hormone concentrations, testicular total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and testicular activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme. The histology and sperm examinations revealed that cyclophosphamide induced destruction to the architectures of several tissues in the testes, which drastically reduced the Johnsen score as well as the spermatogenesis process. Surprisingly, transplantation of mesenchymal stem cell after cyclophosphamide administration altered the deterioration effect of cyclophosphamide injury on the testicular tissues, as demonstrated by biochemical and histological analysis. Our results indicated alleviation of serum and testicular sex hormones, as well as testicular oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity), and nearly restored the normal appearance of the testicular tissues, Johnsen score, and spermatogenesis process. In conclusion, our work emphasizes the protective pharmacological use of mesenchymal stem cell to mitigate the effects of cyclophosphamide on testicular tissues that impair the spermatogenesis process following chemotherapy. These findings indicate that transferring mesenchymal stem cell to chemotherapy patients could significantly improve spermatogenesis.

Polysaccharide-Based Nanomedicines Targeting Lung Cancer

A primary illness that accounts for a significant portion of fatalities worldwide is cancer. Among the main malignancies, lung cancer is recognised as the most chronic kind of cancer around the globe. Radiation treatment, surgery, and chemotherapy are some medical procedures used in the traditional care of lung cancer. However, these methods lack selectivity and damage nearby healthy cells. Several polysaccharide-based nanomaterials have been created to transport chemotherapeutics to reduce harmful and adverse side effects and improve response during anti-tumour reactions. To address these drawbacks, a class of naturally occurring polymers called polysaccharides have special physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. They can interact with the immune system to induce a better immunological response. Furthermore, because of the flexibility of their structures, it is possible to create multifunctional nanocomposites with excellent stability and bioavailability for the delivery of medicines to tumour tissues. This study seeks to present new views on the use of polysaccharide-based chemotherapeutics and to highlight current developments in polysaccharide-based nanomedicines for lung cancer.

Synthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of Small-Molecule Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen-Targeted Abiraterone Conjugate

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men. The main method of its treatment is androgen deprivation therapy, which has a wide range of side effects. One of the solutions to this challenge is the targeted delivery of drugs to prostate cancer cells. In this study, we performed the synthesis of a novel small-molecule PSMA-targeted conjugate based on abiraterone. Cytotoxicity, the induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species, and P450-cytochrome species inhibition were investigated for this conjugate PSMA-abiraterone. The conjugate demonstrated a preferential effect on prostate tumor cells, remaining inactive at up to 100 µM in human fibroblast cells. In addition, it revealed preferential efficacy, specifically on PSMA-expressing lines with a 65% tumor growth inhibition level on 22Rv1 (PSMA+) xenografts after 14-fold oral administration of PSMA-Abi at a single dose of 500 mg/kg (7.0 g/kg total dose) was observed. This compound showed significantly reduced acute toxicity with comparable efficacy compared to AbiAc.

Next-Generation 3D Scaffolds for Nano-Based Chemotherapeutics Delivery and Cancer Treatment

Cancer is the leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. Despite significant advances in cancer research over the past few decades, it is almost impossible to cure end-stage cancer patients and bring them to remission. Adverse effects of chemotherapy are mainly caused by the accumulation of chemotherapeutic agents in normal tissues, and drug resistance hinders the potential therapeutic effects and curing of this disease. New drug formulations need to be developed to overcome these problems and increase the therapeutic index of chemotherapeutics. As a chemotherapeutic delivery platform, three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds are an up-and-coming option because they can respond to biological factors, modify their properties accordingly, and promote site-specific chemotherapeutic deliveries in a sustainable and controlled release manner. This review paper focuses on the features and applications of the variety of 3D scaffold-based nano-delivery systems that could be used to improve local cancer therapy by selectively delivering chemotherapeutics to the target sites in future.

Insights into Lipid-Based Delivery Nanosystems of Protein-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy

According to the WHO, cancer caused almost 10 million deaths worldwide in 2020, i.e., almost one in six deaths. Among the most common are breast, lung, colon and rectal and prostate cancers. Although the diagnosis is more perfect and spectrum of available drugs is large, there is a clear trend of an increase in cancer that ends fatally. A major advance in treatment was the introduction of gentler antineoplastics for targeted therapy-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Although they have undoubtedly revolutionized oncology and hematology, they have significant side effects and limited efficacy. In addition to the design of new TKIs with improved pharmacokinetic and safety profiles, and being more resistant to the development of drug resistance, high expectations are placed on the reformulation of TKIs into various drug delivery lipid-based nanosystems. This review provides an insight into the history of chemotherapy, a brief overview of the development of TKIs for the treatment of cancer and their mechanism of action and summarizes the results of the applications of self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems, nanoemulsions, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers used as drug delivery systems of TKIs obtained in vitro and in vivo.

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles: Recent advancements and current challenges on their use for biomedical applications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a diverse class of lipid bilayer membrane vesicles released by both animal and plant cells. These ubiquitous vesicles are involved in intercellular communication and transport of various biological cargos, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. In recent years, interest in plant-derived EVs has increased tremendously, as they serve as a scalable and sustainable alternative to EVs derived from mammalian sources. In vitro and in vivo findings have demonstrated that these plant-derived vesicles (PDVs) possess intrinsic therapeutic activities that can potentially treat diseases and improve human health. In addition, PDVs can also act as efficient and biocompatible drug carriers. While preclinical studies have shown promising results, there are still several challenges and knowledge gaps that have to be addressed for the successful translation of PDVs into clinical applications, especially in view of the lack of standardised protocols for material handling and PDV isolation from various plant sources. This review provides the readers with a quick overview of the current understanding and research on PDVs, critically analysing the current challenges and highlighting the immense potential of PDVs as a novel class of therapeutics to treat human diseases. It is expected that this work will guide scientists to address the knowledge gaps currently associated with PDVs and promote new advances in plant-based therapeutic solutions.

Hydrophilic Natural Polylysine as Drug Nanocarrier for Preparation of Helical Delivery System

Polypeptide materials have clear secondary structure and biodegradability, which can be further modified and functionalized, so that they can be employed as therapeutic agents in clinical applications. PEGylation of polylysine (PEG-PLL) is a kind of safe and effective nanocarrier that is utilized for gene and drug delivery. However, PEG-PLL needs to be produced through chemical synthesis, which is expensive and difficult to obtain. We hope to simplify the nanocarrier and use hydrophilic natural polylysine (PLL) to develop a high-efficacy delivery system. To evaluate the possibility of PLL as nanocarriers, methotrexate (MTX) is selected as a model drug and PEG-PLL is utilized as control nanocarriers. The experimental results showed that PLL is an ideal polypeptide to prepare MTX-loaded PLL nanoparticles (PLL/MTX NPs). Compared with PEG-PLL as nanocarriers, PLL/MTX NPs showed higher drug-loading content (58.9%) and smaller particle sizes (113.7 nm). Moreover, the shape of PLL/MTX NPs was a unique helical nanorod. The PLL/MTX NPs had good storage stability, media stability, and sustained release effect. Animal research demonstrated that PLL/MTX NPs could improve the anti-tumor activity of MTX, the antitumor efficacy is enhanced 1.9-fold and 1.2-fold compared with MTX injection and PEG-PLL/MTX NPs, respectively. To sum up, natural polymer PLL is an ideal nano drug delivery carrier which has potential clinical applications.

Regioselective Synthesis of 6-O-Acetyl Dieckol and Its Selective Cytotoxicity against Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Dieckol, a phlorotannin from Ecklonia cava, has shown potential for use as an anticancer agent that selectively kills cancer cells. However, it is necessary to amplify its potency without damaging its inherent safety in order to develop it as a competitive chemotherapeutic. Here, we explored the controlled O-acylations of dieckol. Acyl groups could be consistently introduced to the 6-O position of dieckol with a high regioselectivity, which was confirmed by NOESY, HMBC and HSQC spectroscopies. In cytotoxicity studies on the newly synthesized 6-O-acetyl, 6-O-benzoyl dieckols and previously synthesized 6-O-alkyl dieckols against A549 vs. normal cells, all of the derivatives showed low cytotoxicity in normal cells with an IC50 of 481-719 μM, and highly structure-dependent cytotoxicity in A549 cells with an IC50 of 7.02 (acetyl)-842.26 (benzyl) μM. The selectivity index also showed a large structure dependency in the range of 0.67 (benzyl)-68.58 (acetyl). An analysis of the structure-activity relationship indicated that the activity was dramatically reduced in the presence of a benzene ring and was highly increased in the presence of small polar substituents. Conclusions: Controlled mono-O-modifications of dieckol could be a powerful tool to enhance the anticancer activity of dieckol, thus contributing to the development strategy for dieckol-based chemotherapeutics.

Bioanalysis by LC-MS/MS and preclinical pharmacokinetic interaction study of ribociclib and oleanolic acid

Background: Ribociclib (RIBO), approved in 2017 for HR-positive and HER-2-negative metastatic breast cancer treatment is reported to have the potential to induce hepatobiliary toxicity in patients. Oleanolic acid (OLA) has hepatoprotective potential that can be beneficial if coadministered with RIBO. Methodology & results: The primary scope of this study was to develop quantitative bioanalytical methods for RIBO and OLA. Two methods (for +ve electrospray ionization [ESI] and -ve ESI) were developed and validated according to USFDA bioanalytical guidelines. Discussion/conclusion: A single and simple sample preparation method was developed with >75% recovery. The accuracy and precision for RIBO and OLA were within acceptable limits over the calibration range of 5-500 ng/ml. This work reports, for the first time, the drug-drug interaction potential between RIBO and OLA.

In Silico Pharmacokinetic Profiling of the Identified Bioactive Metabolites of Pergularia tomentosa L. Latex Extract and In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity via the Induction of Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis with S-Phase Arrest

The in vitro cytotoxic efficacy of plant latex from Pergularia tomentosa L. was studied using five human cancer cell lines: HeLa cells (cervical carcinoma cells), A-549 (lung carcinoma), Panc-1 (pancreatic carcinoma cells), MDA-MB-231 (metastatic mammary adenocarcinoma), and MRC-5 (lung fibroblast cell line) cells. The phytonutrient content of plant latex was identified using the liquid chromatography/mass spectra-quadrupole time of flight (LC/MS-QTOF) technique. In silico studies of polyphenols were carried out to clarify the potential mode of action of the plant latex’s constituents. The treatment of different tumor cell lines with different concentrations of plant latex revealed a potent efficacy on the human lung carcinoma cell line (A-549) (IC₅₀ = 3.89 µg/mL) compared with that with vinblastine as a positive control (IC₅₀ = 7.12 µg/mL). The effect of the potent concentration of plant latex on the A-549 cell line induced cell arrest, upregulated the expression of pre-apoptotic markers, and downregulated the expression of antiapoptotic markers. Seven identified polyphenols were selected for the in silico study. A docking assessment using the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase (EGFRk) and eltronib as a positive control showed a higher affinity for the enzyme receptor of the selected polyphenols, except for methyl orsellinate and ginkgotoxin. The ADMET assessment demonstrated the inhibitory effect of the polyphenols on CYP450, except for ouabagenin and xanthyletine. The selected polyphenols obey Lipinski’s drug-likeness with no significant toxicity effect. In conclusion, the plant latex of P. tomentosa L. showed cytotoxic activity on the A-549 cell line, and the selected polyphenols showed a promising prodrug agent with a low profile of toxicity in the study.

Polymeric Micelles for Breast Cancer Therapy: Recent Updates, Clinical Translation and Regulatory Considerations

With the growing burden of cancer, parallel advancements in anticancer nanotechnological solutions have been witnessed. Among the different types of cancers, breast cancer accounts for approximately 25% and leads to 15% of deaths. Nanomedicine and its allied fields of material science have revolutionized the science of medicine in the 21st century. Novel treatments have paved the way for improved drug delivery systems that have better efficacy and reduced adverse effects. A variety of nanoformulations using lipids, polymers, inorganic, and peptide-based nanomedicines with various functionalities are being synthesized. Thus, elaborate knowledge of these intelligent nanomedicines for highly promising drug delivery systems is of prime importance. Polymeric micelles (PMs) are generally easy to prepare with good solubilization properties; hence, they appear to be an attractive alternative over the other nanosystems. Although an overall perspective of PM systems has been presented in recent reviews, a brief discussion has been provided on PMs for breast cancer. This review provides a discussion of the state-of-the-art PMs together with the most recent advances in this field. Furthermore, special emphasis is placed on regulatory guidelines, clinical translation potential, and future aspects of the use of PMs in breast cancer treatment. The recent developments in micelle formulations look promising, with regulatory guidelines that are now more clearly defined; hence, we anticipate early clinical translation in the near future.

Augmented Efficacy of Uttroside B over Sorafenib in a Murine Model of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

We previously reported the remarkable potency of uttroside B (Utt-B), saponin-isolated and characterized in our lab from Solanum nigrum Linn, against HCC. Recently, the U.S. FDA approved Utt-B as an ‘orphan drug’ against HCC. The current study validates the superior anti-HCC efficacy of Utt-B over sorafenib, the first-line treatment option against HCC. The therapeutic efficacies of Utt-B vs. sorafenib against HCC were compared in vitro, using various liver cancer cell lines and in vivo, utilizing NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid/J mice bearing human HCC xenografts. Our data indicate that Utt-B holds an augmented anti-HCC efficacy over sorafenib. Our previous report demonstrated the pharmacological safety of Utt-B in Chang Liver, the normal immortalized hepatocytes, and in the acute and chronic toxicity murine models even at elevated Utt-B concentrations. Here, we show that higher concentrations of sorafenib induce severe toxicity, in Chang Liver, as well as in acute and chronic in vivo models, indicating that, apart from the superior therapeutic benefit over sorafenib, Utt-B is a pharmacologically safer molecule, and the drug-induced undesirable effects can, thus, be substantially alleviated in the context of HCC chemotherapy. Clinical studies in HCC patients utilizing Utt-B, is a contiguous key step to promote this drug to the clinic.

Bispecific Antibody-Based Immune-Cell Engagers and Their Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Cancer Immunotherapy

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide after cardiovascular diseases. Harnessing the power of immune cells is a promising strategy to improve the antitumor effect of cancer immunotherapy. Recent progress in recombinant DNA technology and antibody engineering has ushered in a new era of bispecific antibody (bsAb)-based immune-cell engagers (ICEs), including T- and natural-killer-cell engagers. Since the first approval of blinatumomab by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), various bsAb-based ICEs have been developed for the effective treatment of patients with cancer. Simultaneously, several potential therapeutic targets of bsAb-based ICEs have been identified in various cancers. Therefore, this review focused on not only highlighting the action mechanism, design and structure, and status of bsAb-based ICEs in clinical development and their approval by the US FDA for human malignancy treatment, but also on summarizing the currently known and emerging therapeutic targets in cancer. This review provides insights into practical considerations for developing next-generation ICEs.

Rational Design and Synthesis of HSF1-PROTACs for Anticancer Drug Development

PROTACs employ the proteosome-mediated proteolysis via E3 ligase and recruit the natural protein degradation machinery to selectively degrade the cancerous proteins. Herein, we have designed and synthesized heterobifunctional small molecules that consist of different linkers tethering KRIBB11, a HSF1 inhibitor, with pomalidomide, a commonly used E3 ligase ligand for anticancer drug development.