Polydopamine Modified Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Multifunctional Nanocarrier for Targeted Prostate Cancer Treatment

177Lu-Labeled Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Functionalized with Doxorubicin and Bevacizumab as Nanobrachytherapy Agents against Breast Cancer

The use of conventional methods for the treatment of cancer, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and approaches such as brachytherapy in conjunction with the unique properties of nanoparticles could enable the development of novel theranostic agents. The aim of our current study was to evaluate the potential of iron oxide nanoparticles, coated with alginic acid and polyethylene glycol, functionalized with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin and the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab, to serve as a nanoradiopharmaceutical agent against breast cancer. Direct radiolabeling with the therapeutic isotope Lutetium-177 (177Lu) resulted in an additional therapeutic effect. Functionalization was accomplished at high percentages and radiolabeling was robust. The high cytotoxic effect of our radiolabeled and non-radiolabeled nanostructures was proven in vitro against five different breast cancer cell lines. The ex vivo biodistribution in tumor-bearing mice was investigated with three different ways of administration. The intratumoral administration of our functionalized radionanoconjugates showed high tumor accumulation and retention at the tumor site. Finally, our therapeutic efficacy study performed over a 50-day period against an aggressive triple-negative breast cancer cell line (4T1) demonstrated enhanced tumor growth retention, thus identifying the developed nanoparticles as a promising nanobrachytherapy agent against breast cancer.

Polydopamine Blending Increases Human Cell Proliferation in Gelatin-Xanthan Gum 3D-Printed Hydrogel

BACKGROUND

Gelatin-xanthan gum (Gel-Xnt) hydrogel has been previously modified to improve its printability; now, to increase its ability for use as cell-laden 3D scaffolds (bioink), polydopamine (PDA), a biocompatible, antibacterial, adhesive, and antioxidant mussel-inspired biopolymer, has been added (1-3% v/v) to hydrogel.

METHODS

Control (CT) and PDA-blended hydrogels were used to print 1 cm2 grids. The hydrogels' printability, moisture, swelling, hydrolysis, and porosity were tested after glutaraldehyde (GTA) crosslinking, while biocompatibility was tested using primary human-derived skin fibroblasts and spontaneously immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT). Keratinocyte or fibroblast suspension (100 µL, 2.5 × 105 cells) was combined with an uncrosslinked CT and PDA blended hydrogel to fabricate cylinders (0.5 cm high, 1 cm wide). These cylinders were then cross-linked and incubated for 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days. The presence of cells within various hydrogels was assessed using optical microscopy.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

PDA blending did not modify the hydrogel printability or physiochemical characteristics, suggesting that PDA did not interfere with GTA crosslinking. On the other hand, PDA presence strongly accelerated and increased both fibroblast and keratinocyte growth inside. This effect seemed to be linked to the adhesive abilities of PDA, which improve cell adhesion and, in turn, proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

The simple PDA blending method described could help in obtaining a new bioink for the development of innovative 3D-printed wound dressings.

Emerging frontiers in nanomedicine targeted therapy for prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a prevalent cancer in men, often treated with chemotherapy. However, it tumor cells are clinically grows slowly and is heterogeneous, leading to treatment resistance and recurrence. Nanomedicines, through targeted delivery using nanocarriers, can enhance drug accumulation at the tumor site, sustain drug release, and counteract drug resistance. In addition, combination therapy using nanomedicines can target multiple cancer pathways, improving effectiveness and addressing tumor heterogeneity. The application of nanomedicine in prostate cancer treatment would be an important strategy in controlling tumor dynamic process as well as improve survival. Thus, this review highlights therapeutic nanoparticles as a solution for prostate cancer chemotherapy, exploring targeting strategies and approaches to combat drug resistance.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Cancer Treatment: Cell Responses and the Potency to Improve Radiosensitivity

The main concept of radiosensitization is making the tumor tissue more responsive to ionizing radiation, which leads to an increase in the potency of radiation therapy and allows for decreasing radiation dose and the concomitant side effects. Radiosensitization by metal oxide nanoparticles is widely discussed, but the range of mechanisms studied is not sufficiently codified and often does not reflect the ability of nanocarriers to have a specific impact on cells. This review is focused on the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles while they occupied a special niche among the prospective radiosensitizers due to unique physicochemical characteristics and reactivity. We collected data about the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the radiosensitizing effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and the main approaches to increase their therapeutic efficacy by variable modifications.

In situ preparation of MOF-199 into the carrageenan-grafted-polyacrylamide@Fe3O4 matrix for enhanced adsorption of levofloxacin and cefixime antibiotics from water

In this research study, a novel method, an in-situ growth approach, to incorporate metal-organic framework (MOF) into carrageenan-grafted- polyacrylamide-Fe3O4 substrate was introduced. Carrageenan-grafted-polyacrylamide-Fe3O4/MOF nanocomposite (kC-g-PAAm@Fe3O4-MOF-199) was fabricated utilizing three stages. In this way, the polyacrylamide (PAAm) was grafted onto the carrageenan (kC) backbone via free radical polymerization in the presence of methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) as cross-linker and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles. Next, the kC-g-PAAm@Fe3O4 was modified by MOF-199 via an in-situ solvothermal approach. Several analyses such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) demonstrated the successful synthesis of kC-g-PAAm@Fe3O4-MOF-199 magnetic hydrogel nanocomposite. The XRD pattern of magnetic hydrogel nanocomposite illustrated characteristic peaks of Fe3O4, neat kC, and MOF-199 with enhanced crystallinity in comparison with kC-g-PAAm@Fe3O4. TGA showed it has a char yield of 24 wt% at 800 °C. VSM confirmed its superparamagnetic behavior (with Ms of 8.04 emu g-1), and the BET surface area of kC-g-PAAm@Fe3O4-MOF-199 was measured at 64.864 m2 g-1, which was higher than that of kC-g-PAAm@Fe3O4 due to the highly porous MOF-199 incorporation with a BET surface area of 905.12 m2 g-1). The adsorption effectiveness of kC-g-PAAm@Fe3O4-MOF-199 for eliminating cephalosporin and quinolones antibiotics, i.e., Cefixime (CFX) and Levofloxacin (LEV) from the aquatic area was considered. Several experimental setups were used to evaluate the efficacy of adsorption, such as solution pH, amount of adsorbent, contact duration, and initial concentration. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) of the prepared magnetic hydrogel nanocomposite was found to be 2000 and 1666.667 mg-1 for LEV and CFX using employing 0.0025 g of adsorbent. The Freundlich isotherm model well described the experimental adsorption data with R2CFX = 0.9986, and R2LEV = 0.9939. And the adsorption kinetic data were successfully represented by the pseudo-second-order model with R2LEV = 0.9949 and R2CFX = 0.9906. Hydrogen bonding, π-π interaction, diffusion, and entrapment in the hydrogel network all contributed to the successful adsorption of both antibiotics onto the kC-g-PAAm@Fe3O4-MOF-199 adsorbent. Other notable physicochemical properties include the three-dimensional structure and availability of the reactive adsorption sites. Moreover, the adsorption/desorption efficacy of magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites was not significantly diminished after four cycles of recovery.

Biomolecule-functionalized nanoformulations for prostate cancer theranostics

BACKGROUND

Even with the advancement in the areas of cancer nanotechnology, prostate cancer still poses a major threat to men's health. Nanomaterials and nanomaterial-derived theranostic systems have been explored for diagnosis, imaging, and therapy for different types of cancer still, for prostate cancer they have not delivered at full potential because of the limitations like in vivo biocompatibility, immune responses, precise targetability, and therapeutic outcome associated with the nanostructured system.

AIM OF REVIEW

Functionalizing nanomaterials with different biomolecules and bioactive agents provides advantages like specificity towards cancerous tumors, improved circulation time, and modulation of the immune response leading to early diagnosis and targeted delivery of cargo at the site of action.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

In this review, we have emphasized the classification and comparison of various nanomaterials based on biofunctionalization strategy and source of biomolecules such that it can be used for possible translation in clinical settings and future developments. This review highlighted the opportunities for embedding highly specific biological targeting moieties (antibody, aptamer, oligonucleotides, biopolymer, peptides, etc.) on nanoparticles which can improve the detection of prostate cancer-associated biomarkers at a very low limit of detection, direct visualization of prostate tumors and lastly for its therapy. Lastly, special emphasis was given to biomimetic nanomaterials which include functionalization with extracellular vesicles, exosomes and viral particles and their application for prostate cancer early detection and drug delivery. The present review paves a new pathway for next-generation biofunctionalized nanomaterials for prostate cancer theranostic application and their possibility in clinical translation.

Poly(levodopa)-Functionalized Polysaccharide Hydrogel Enriched in Fe3O4 Particles for Multiple-Purpose Biomedical Applications

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in interest in the use of curdlan, a naturally derived polymer, for medical applications. However, it is relatively inactive, and additives increasing its biomedical potential are required; for example, antibacterial compounds, magnetic particles, or hemostatic agents. The stability of such complex constructs may be increased by additional functional networks, for instance, polycatecholamines. The article presents the production and characterization of functional hydrogels based on curdlan enriched with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) or Fe₃O₄-based heterostructures and poly(L-DOPA) (PLD). Some of the prepared modified hydrogels were nontoxic, relatively hemocompatible, and showed high antibacterial potential and the ability to convert energy with heat generation. Therefore, the proposed hydrogels may have potential applications in temperature-controlled regenerative processes as well as in oncology therapies as a matrix of increased functionality for multiple medical purposes. The presence of PLD in the curdlan hydrogel network reduced the release of the NPs but slightly increased the hydrogel's hemolytic properties. This should be taken into account during the selection of the final hydrogel application.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Biocompatible Nanoplatform Based on Silica-Embedded SPIONs Functionalized with Polydopamine

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have gained increasing interest in nanomedicine, but most of those that have entered the clinical trials have been withdrawn due to toxicity concerns. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design low-risk and biocompatible SPION formulations. In this work, we present an original safe-by-design nanoplatform made of silica nanoparticles loaded with SPIONs and decorated with polydopamine (SPIONs@SiO2-PDA) and the study of its biocompatibility performance by an ad hoc thorough in vitro to in vivo nanotoxicological methodology. The results indicate that the SPIONs@SiO₂-PDA have excellent colloidal stability in serum-supplemented culture media, even after long-term (24 h) exposure, showing no cytotoxic or genotoxic effects in vitro and ex vivo. Physiological responses, evaluated in vivo using Caenorhabditis elegans as the animal model, showed no impact on fertility and embryonic viability, induction of an oxidative stress response, and a mild impact on animal locomotion. These tests indicate that the synergistic combination of the silica matrix and PDA coating we developed effectively protects the SPIONs, providing enhanced colloidal stability and excellent biocompatibility.

SPIONs Conjugate Supported Anticancer Drug Doxorubicin's Delivery: Current Status, Challenges, and Prospects

Considerable efforts have been directed towards development of nano-structured carriers to overcome the limitations of anticancer drug, doxorubicin's, delivery to various cancer sites. The drug's severe toxicity to cardio and hepatic systems, low therapeutic outcomes, inappropriate dose-demands, metastatic and general resistance, together with non-selectivity of the drug have led to the development of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs)-based drug delivery modules. Nano-scale polymeric co-encapsulation of the drug, doxorubicin, with SPIONs, the SPIONs surface end-groups' cappings with small molecular entities, as well as structural modifications of the SPIONs' surface-located functional end-groups, to attach the doxorubicin, have been achieved through chemical bonding by conjugation and cross-linking of natural and synthetic polymers, attachments of SPIONs made directly to the non-polymeric entities, and attachments made through mediation of molecular-spacer as well as non-spacer mediated attachments of several types of chemical entities, together with the physico-chemical bondings of the moieties, e.g., peptides, proteins, antibodies, antigens, aptamers, glycoproteins, and enzymes, etc. to the SPIONs which are capable of targeting multiple kinds of cancerous sites, have provided stable and functional SPIONs-based nano-carriers suitable for the systemic, and in vitro deliveries, together with being suitable for other biomedical/biotechnical applications. Together with the SPIONs inherent properties, and ability to respond to magnetic resonance, fluorescence-directed, dual-module, and molecular-level tumor imaging; as well as multi-modular cancer cell targeting; magnetic-field-inducible drug-elution capacity, and the SPIONs' magnetometry-led feasibility to reach cancer action sites have made sensing, imaging, and drug and other payloads deliveries to cancerous sites for cancer treatment a viable option. Innovations in the preparation of SPIONs-based delivery modules, as biocompatible carriers; development of delivery route modalities; approaches to enhancing their drug delivery-cum-bioavailability have explicitly established the SPIONs' versatility for oncological theranostics and imaging. The current review outlines the development of various SPIONs-based nano-carriers for targeted doxorubicin delivery to different cancer sites through multiple methods, modalities, and materials, wherein high-potential nano-structured platforms have been conceptualized, developed, and tested for, both, in vivo and in vitro conditions. The current state of the knowledge in this arena have provided definite dose-control, site-specificity, stability, transport feasibility, and effective onsite drug de-loading, however, with certain limitations, and these shortcomings have opened the field for further advancements by identifying the bottlenecks, suggestive and plausible remediation, as well as more clear directions for future development.

Fluorescent Single-Core and Multi-Core Nanoprobes as Cell Trackers and Magnetic Nanoheaters

Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been widely studied due to their versatility for diagnosis, tracking (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) and therapeutic (magnetic hyperthermia and drug delivery) applications. In this work, iron oxide MNPs with different single-core (8–40 nm) and multi-core (140–200 nm) structures were synthesized and functionalized by organic and inorganic coating materials, highlighting their ability as magnetic nanotools to boost cell biotechnological procedures. Single core Fe3O4@PDA, Fe3O4@SiO2-FITC-SiO2 and Fe3O4@SiO2-RITC-SiO2 MNPs were functionalized with fluorescent components with emission at different wavelengths, 424 nm (polydopamine), 515 (fluorescein) and 583 nm (rhodamine), and their ability as transfection and imaging agents was explored with HeLa cells. Moreover, different multi-core iron oxide MNPs (Fe3O4@CS, Fe3O4@SiO2 and Fe3O4@Citrate) coated with organic (citrate and chitosan, CS) and inorganic (silica, SiO2) shells were tested as efficient nanoheaters for magnetic hyperthermia applications for mild thermal heating procedures as an alternative to simple structures based on single-core MNPs. This work highlights the multiple abilities offered by the synergy of the use of external magnetic fields applied on MNPs and their application in different biomedical approaches.

Iron oxide nanoparticles coated with polydopamine as a potential nano-photothermal agent for treatment of melanoma cancer: an in vivo study

Melanoma is a metastatic cancer resistant to a wide range of therapies, including standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and cannot be treated with existing treatments owing to its intrinsic drug resistance. In terms of convenience and cheap cost of fabrication, one of the novel treatments is using polydopamine-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs@PDA). Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) were synthesized (7.36 nm) and coated with polydopamine (15-20 nm). To examine the effect of photothermal ablation in melanoma cells (B16-F10), a Q-switched ruby laser (λ = 694 nm, spot size = 4 mm, output power = 5 J/s) was used. The prepared nanoprobe was applied to mice, and their survival after treatment was evaluated. Then histopathological studies were done on the livers and skins of the treated mice. The nanoparticles absorb the laser, raising the temperature and initiating photothermal treatment, with significant apoptosis (74%) after the 4th time of treatment. Photothermal therapy (PTT) by using IONs@PDA proved to be effective in the treatment of melanoma cells (tumor size of < 2 mm) without side effects. The lifespan of mice was significantly increased in a group of mice post-administered IONs@PDA and laser ablation. The fabricated nanoprobe (IONs@PDA) enhanced the melanoma cell apoptosis in the mice model, and it has promise for the treatment of melanoma (B16-F10) cells using photothermal therapy.

Facile Synthesis of Fe3O4@Au/PPy-DOX Nanoplatform with Enhanced Glutathione Depletion and Controllable Drug Delivery for Enhanced Cancer Therapeutic Efficacy

The complex physiological environment and inherent self-healing function of tumors make it difficult to eliminate malignant tumors by single therapy. In order to enhance the efficacy of antitumor therapy, it is significant and challenging to realize multi-mode combination therapy by utilizing/improving the adverse factors of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, a novel Fe₃O₄@Au/PPy nanoplatform loaded with a chemotherapy drug (DOX) and responsive to TME, near-infrared (NIR) laser and magnetic field was designed for the combination enhancement of eliminating the tumor. The Fe²⁺ released at the low pH in TME can react with endogenous H₂O₂ to induce toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH) for chemodynamic therapy (CDT). At the same time, the generated Fe³⁺ could deplete overexpressed glutathione (GSH) at the tumor site to prevent reactive oxygen species (ROS) from being restored while producing Fe²⁺ for CDT. The designed Fe₃O₄@Au/PPy nanoplatform had high photothermal (PT) conversion efficiency and photodynamic therapy (PDT) performance under NIR light excitation, which can promote CDT efficiency and produce more toxic ROS. To maximize the cancer-killing efficiency, the nanoplatform can be successfully loaded with the chemotherapeutic drug DOX, which can be efficiently released under NIR excitation and induction of slight acidity at the tumor site. In addition, the nanoplatform also possessed high saturation magnetization (20 emu/g), indicating a potential magnetic targeting function. In vivo and in vitro results identified that the Fe₃O₄@Au/PPy-DOX nanoplatform had good biocompatibility and magnetic-targeted synergetic CDT/PDT/PTT/chemotherapy antitumor effects, which were much better than those of the corresponding mono/bi/tri-therapies. This work provides a new approach for designing intelligent TME-mediated nanoplatforms for synergistically enhancing tumor therapy.

High Drug Capacity Doxorubicin-Loaded Iron Oxide Nanocomposites for Cancer Therapy

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have great potential in the drug delivery area. Iron oxide (Fe3O4) MNPs have demonstrated a promising effect due to their ferrimagnetic properties, large surface area, stability, low cost, easy synthesis, and functionalization. Some coating procedures are required to improve stability, biocompatibility, and decrease toxicity for medical applications. Herein, the co-precipitation synthesis of iron oxide MNPs coated with four types of primary surfactants, polyethylene glycol 2000 (PEG 2000), oleic acid (OA), Tween 20 (Tw20), and Tween 80 (Tw80), were investigated. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), ζ-potential, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques were used for morphology, size, charge, and stability analysis. Methylene blue reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection assay and the toxicity experiment on the lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line were conducted. Two loading conditions for anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) on MNPs were proposed. The first one provides high loading efficiency (~90%) with up to 870 μg/mg (DOX/MNPs) drug capacity. The second is perspective for extremely high capacity 1757 μg/mg with drug wasting (DOX loading efficiency ~24%). For the most perspective MNP_OA and MNP_OA_DOX in cell media, pH 7.4, 5, and 3, the stability experiments are also presented. MNP_OA_DOX shows DOX pH-dependent release in the acidic pH and effective inhibition of A549 cancer cell growth. The IC50 values were calculated as 1.13 ± 0.02 mM in terms of doxorubicin and 0.4 ± 0.03 µg/mL in terms of the amount of the nanoparticles. Considering this, the MNP_OA_DOX nano theranostics agent is a highly potential candidate for cancer treatment.

Polydopamine-Coated Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: From Design to Applications

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have been extensively investigated due to their applications in various fields such as biomedicine, sensing, and environmental remediation. However, they need to be coated with a suitable material in order to make them biocompatible and to add new functionalities on their surface. This review is intended to give a comprehensive overview of recent advantages and applications of iron oxide nanoparticles coated by polydopamine film. The synthesis method of magnetic nanoparticles, their functionalization with bioinspired materials and (in particular) with polydopamine are discussed. Finally, some interesting applications of polydopamine-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles will be pointed out.

Combined Photothermotherapy and Chemotherapy of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Guided by Multifunctional Nanomaterials Enhanced Photoacoustic Tomography

Background

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with 40% occurring in the oral cavity. Although the level of early diagnosis and treatment of OSCC has improved significantly, the five-year survival rate of advanced patients remains unsatisfactory. However, the main challenges before us are how to get an early and accurate diagnosis and how to formulate effective treatment. Nanoparticle-based chemo-photothermal therapy has proven to be a promising non-invasive approach to treating oral squamous cell carcinoma treatment.

Methods

In this study, we tried to design and synthesize multifunctional hyaluronic acid (HA) modified gold nanorods/mesoporous silica-based nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) for photoacoustic imaging (PAI) guided cooperative chemo-photothermal therapy.

Results

The resultant nanocomposite shows favorable biocompatibility, relatively low cytotoxicity, ideal drug loading capability and strong PAI signals. In addition, they showed an excellent photothermal conversion efficiency of 49.02% for photothermal therapy (PTT). Moreover, in vivo and in vitro experiments have shown that synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy has better therapeutic effects than chemotherapy alone or PTT (P < 0.05). After being injected into the CAL-27 tumor-bearing mice, the DOX-AuNRs@mSiO₂-HA nanoparticles could accumulate rapidly at the tumor sites and achieve complete ablation of tumors when combined with near-infrared laser irradiation, without obvious side effects on normal tissues.

Conclusion

Our research provides a solid demonstration of the potential of DOX-AuNRs@mSiO₂-HA as a multifunctional platform in PAI-guided photothermal chemotherapy for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Cascade Release Nanocarriers for the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Near-Infrared Imaging and Photothermal-Chemo Synergistic Therapy

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has inadequate treatment approaches and a poor prognosis. It is urgent to develop new treatment approaches for TNBC. The combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemotherapy is a very effective potential therapy for TNBC. However, asynchronous accumulation, unclear efficacy, and toxic side effects hinder the further promotion of this method. Therefore, we designed and constructed a new type of nanocarriers, the cascade release near-infrared imaging (NIFI) & thermal-chemo combination nanoparticles (CNC NPs), that can release drugs through the cascade of ultrasound triggering and pH responding to achieve the synchronous tumor accumulation, monitoring and synergistic treatment of two functional molecules. The key material of CNC NPs is the polydopamine (PDA), which, through self-assembling, forms a rigid shell that contains doxorubicin (DOX) and NIF fluorescent dye IR780 on the surface of the perfluorohexane (PFH) microbubbles. The results show that CNC NPs have a hollow core-shell structure with an average particle size of 97.3 ± 27.2 nm and have exceptional colloidal stability and photothermal conversion efficiency. The NPs can effectively perform cascade drug release through ultrasound triggering and pH responding. CNC NPs have good in vivo biological safety and excellent fluorescence imaging, drug delivery, and therapeutic abilities in the TNBC models. These results provide an experimental basis for the development of new clinical treatment methods for TNBC.

Dextran-Curcumin Nanosystems Inhibit Cell Growth and Migration Regulating the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer Cells

Functional nanocarriers which are able to simultaneously vectorize drugs to the site of interest and exert their own cytotoxic activity represent a significant breakthrough in the search for effective anticancer strategies with fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapeutics. Here, we propose previously developed, self-assembling dextran-curcumin nanoparticles for the treatment of prostate cancer in combination therapy with Doxorubicin (DOXO). Biological effectiveness was investigated by evaluating the cell viability in either cancer and normal cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptotic effect, interference with the cell cycle, and the ability to inhibit cell migration and reverse the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). The results proved a significant enhancement of curcumin efficiency upon immobilization in nanoparticles: IC50 reduced by a half, induction of apoptotic effect, and improved ROS production (from 67 to 134%) at low concentrations. Nanoparticles guaranteed a pH-dependent DOXO release, with a more efficient release in acidic environments. Finally, a synergistic effect between nanoparticles and Doxorubicin was demonstrated, with the free curcumin showing additive activity. Although in vivo studies are required to support the findings of this study, these preliminary in vitro data can be considered a proof of principle for the design of an effective therapy for prostate cancer treatment.

Biopolymer and Biomaterial Conjugated Iron Oxide Nanomaterials as Prostate Cancer Theranostic Agents: A Comprehensive Review

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy in men and the leading cause of death for men all over the world. Early diagnosis is the key to start treatment at an early stage of PCa and to reduce the death toll. Generally, PCa expresses characteristic morphologic features and serum biomarkers; however, early diagnosis is challenging due to its heterogeneity and long-term indolent phase in the early stage. Following positive diagnosis, PCa patients receive conventional treatments including surgery, radiation therapy, androgen deprivation therapy, focal therapy, and chemotherapy to enhance survival time and alleviate PCa-related complications. However, these treatment strategies have both short and long-term side effects, notably impotence, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunctions, and recurrence of cancer. These limitations warrant the quest for novel PCa theranostic agents with robust diagnostic and therapeutic potentials to lessen the burden of PCa-related suffering. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have recently drawn attention for their symmetrical usage in the diagnosis and treatment of several cancer types. Here, we performed a systematic search in four popular online databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science) for the articles regarding PCa and IONPs. Published literature confirmed that the surface modification of IONPs with biopolymers and diagnostic biomarkers improved the early diagnosis of PCa, even in the metastatic stage with reliable accuracy and sensitivity. Furthermore, fine-tuning of IONPs with biopolymers, nucleic acids, anticancer drugs, and bioactive compounds can improve the therapeutic efficacy of these anticancer agents against PCa. This review covers the symmetrical use of IONPs in the diagnosis and treatment of PCa, investigates their biocompatibility, and examines their potential as PCa theranostic agents.

Parameterization of the optical constants of polydopamine films for spectroscopic ellipsometry studies

Bio-inspired polydopamine coatings offer vast possibilities for surface modification of materials. The thickness of such nanometric coatings is usually estimated based on ellipsometry measurements. However, the complex light-absorbing nature of polydopamine is often overlooked when analyzing such data, which can result in inaccurate estimations of the coating thickness as well as the optical properties. In this study, we prepared and characterized three polydopamine coatings where the film thickness and surface roughness are systematically varied. For each case, we developed suitable optical models and showed how an inappropriate optical model can provide inaccurate estimates of the coating properties. AFM height profiles were obtained from scratched areas of each sample to verify the thickness values estimated by ellipsometry. The results confirm that polydopamine coatings, depending on the oxidation conditions, can possess different structural and optical properties, and thus require unique optical models for the ellipsometry analysis.

Development of MnO2 hollow nanoparticles for potential drug delivery applications

This study reports the development of hollow nanoparticles, formed from manganese dioxide (δ-MnO₂) sheets, that are coated with polydopamine for potential immobilization of chemical agents. The biodegradability and colloidal stability of the uncoated hollow MnO₂ nanoparticles were investigated in comparison to commercially synthesized solid MnO₂ nanoparticles and graphene oxide sheets. The MnO₂ hollow nanoparticles degraded at a faster rate and seem to have a higher surface area and better colloidal dispersion than solid MnO₂ nanoparticles. Xanthan gum (as a dispersant) was proven to improve colloidal dispersion of these hollow nanoparticles and were used for further cell studies. In this study, cancer and healthy cells were treated with coated hollow nanoparticles, and the studies indicate that this novel nanoparticle can internalize cells. Particle aggregation has shown to inhibit cell growth. Further studies with this novel hollow nanoparticle may lead to a groundbreaking solution to new drug delivery systems for cancers or other applications.

Anti-Platelet Effect Induced by Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Correlation with Conformational Change in Fibrinogen

Iron oxide nanoparticles are developed for various biomedical applications, however, there is limited understanding regarding their effects and toxicity on blood components. The particles traveling in circulation inevitably interact with blood cells and plasma proteins and may interfere with hemostasis. Specifically, this study focuses on the influence of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with a biocompatible polymer, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), on platelet function. Here, engineered SPIONs that are functionalized with various PVA coatings to provide these particles with different surface charges and polymer packing are described. These formulations are assessed for any interference with human platelet functions and coagulation, ex vivo. Positively charged SPIONs induce a significant change in platelet GPIIb-IIIa conformation, indicative of platelet activation at the dose of 500 µg mL^-1 . Remarkably, engineered PVA(polyvinyl alcohol)-SPIONs all display a robust dose-dependent anti-platelet effect on platelet aggregation, regardless of the PVA charge and molecular weight. After assessing hypotheses involving SPION-induced steric hindrance in platelet-platelet bridging, as well as protein corona involvement in the antiplatelet effect, the study concludes that the presence of PVA-SPIONs induces fibrinogen conformational change, which correlates with the observed dose-dependent anti-platelet effect.

In vitro/in vivo evaluation of pH-sensitive Gambogenic acid loaded Zein nanoparticles with polydopamine coating

As one of the active pharmaceutical ingredients in Gamboge, Gambogenic acid (GNA) has shown diverse anti-tumor activities. To reduce the vascular irritation of GNA and improve its water solubility, tumor targeting, and bioavailability, GNA loaded Zein nanoparticles (GNA@Zein NPs) was further coated by polydopamine (PDA) to develop GNA@Zein-PDA NPs by anti-solvent precipitation and surface modification. The results showed that particle size and Zeta potential of GNA@Zein-PDA NPs were about 310 nm and -40.8 mV with core-shell morphology confirmed by TEM. GNA@Zein-PDA NPs increased the water solubility of GNA by more than 700 times and showed pH-sensitive release behavior in PBS with pH 6.86. In vitro cytotoxicity tests showed that GNA@Zein-PDA NPs had higher inhibitory activity on HepG2 cells than free GNA, and their IC₅₀ were 1.59 μg/mL and 9.89 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the hemolysis and vascular irritation assay showed that GNA@Zein-PDA NPs had good cytocompatibility and reduced the irritation of GNA to blood vessels. Moreover, the in vivo pharmacokinetic experiments exhibited that the C_max and AUC_0-t of GNA@Zein-PDA NPs were significantly improved approximately by 2.09-fold and 3.48-fold over that of GNA, respectively. In conclusion, GNA@Zein-PDA NPs solve many defects of GNA and provide a tumor-targeting drug delivery for GNA.

Advances in Methods for Recovery of Ferrous, Alumina, and Silica Nanoparticles from Fly Ash Waste

Fly ash or coal fly ash causes major global pollution in the form of solid waste and is classified as a “hazardous waste”, which is a by-product of thermal power plants produced during electricity production. Si, Al, Fe Ca, and Mg alone form more than 85% of the chemical compounds and glasses of most fly ashes. Fly ash has a chemical composition of 70–90%, as well as glasses of ferrous, alumina, silica, and CaO. Therefore, fly ash could act as a reliable and alternative source for ferrous, alumina, and silica. The ferrous fractions can be recovered by a simple magnetic separation method, while alumina and silica can be extracted by chemical or biological approaches. Alumina extraction is possible using both alkali- and acid-based methods, while silica is extracted by strong alkali, such as NaOH. Chemical extraction has a higher yield than the biological approaches, but the bio-based approaches are more environmentally friendly. Fly ash can also be used for the synthesis of zeolites by NaOH treatment of variable types, as fly ash is rich in alumino-silicates. The present review work deals with the recent advances in the field of the recovery and synthesis of ferrous, alumina, and silica micro and nanoparticles from fly ash.

Surface-functionalised hybrid nanoparticles for targeted treatment of cancer

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Despite the great advancement in understanding the pharmacology and biology of cancer, it still signifies one of the most serious human-health related problems. The current treatments for cancer may include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, but these procedures have several limitations. Current studies have shown that nanoparticles (NPs) can be used as a novel strategy for cancer treatment. Developing nanosystems that allow lower doses of therapeutic agents, as well as their selective release in tumour cells, may resolve the challenges of targeted cancer therapy. In this review, the authors discuss the role of the size, shape, and surface modifications of NPs in cancer treatment. They also address the challenges associated with cancer therapies based on NPs. The overall purpose of this review is to summarise the recent developments in designing different hybrid NPs with promising therapeutic properties for different types of cancer.

A Study on the Behavior of a Polyurethane Drug Carrier in Various pH Media

Polyurethane nano- and micro-structures have been studied intensively in the last decade as drug delivery systems for various herbal extracts as well as pure active biological substances. Their biocompatibility, haemocompatibility, safe degradation, and low-cost production are just a few advantages of these materials that were already used in numerous medical applications (catheters, surgical drapes, wound dressing). The primary purposes of this study include obtaining empty polyurethane microstructures and the assessment of their modifications in media with different pH values. A mixture of two aliphatic diisocyanates and an aqueous phase based on a polyether were used during the synthesis process. The size, homogeneity, and surface charge were studied using a Cordouan Technol. Zetasizer, while the pH measurements were conducted with a portable pH Meter Checker®, Hanna Instruments. The results showed the obtaining of an almost homogeneous sample containing microstructures with sizes ranging between 139 and 151 nm, with a pH value of approximately 6.78 and a Zeta potential of 24.6. Expected decreases in microparticles’ sizes were observed in all types of media during a 15-days experiment, but the process was accelerated by a low pH when an increase of the Zeta potential value was noticed as well. Our data provide new information about the degradation process of the polyurethane microstructures on the one hand and the drug release rate of these materials when used as drug carriers, on the other hand.

Taurine-Conjugated Mussel-Inspired Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with an Elongated Shape for Effective Delivery of Doxorubicin into the Tumor Cells

Multifunctional iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles, among them nanorods, were prepared with a mussel-inspired polydopamine (pDA) surface coating agent for cancer therapeutics. Taurine, a free sulfur-containing ß amino acid, was grafted on the pDA at the iron oxide nanoparticle surface to enhance its biocompatibility and targeted delivery action. Doxorubicin (DOX), an anticancer drug, was loaded on the prepared nanovehicles with an entrapment efficiency of 70.1%. Drug release kinetics were then analyzed using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies, suggesting the pH-responsive behavior of the developed nanovehicle. The developed system was then tested on PC-3 cell lines to check its cellular response. Confocal microscopy observations and (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) and Annexin V-FITC assays used to evaluate cell toxicity and apoptosis reveal a dose-dependent nature of nanorods and can overcome the side effects of using free DOX with a targeted action.

The evolving landscape for cellular nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide delivery systems: A new era of customized medications

Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are industrial toxins or pollutants; however, both are produced endogenously and have important biological roles in most mammalian tissues. The recognition that these gasotransmitters have a role in physiological and pathophysiological processes has presented opportunities to harness their intracellular effects either through inhibition of their production; or more commonly, through inducing their levels and or delivering them by various modalities. In this review article, we have focused on an array of NO and H2S donors, their hybrids with other established classes of drugs, and the various engineered delivery platforms such a fibers, polymers, nanoparticles, hydrogels, and others. In each case, we have reviewed the rationale for their development.

Potential anticancer activity of protocatechuic acid loaded in montmorillonite/Fe3O4 nanocomposites stabilized by seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii

Superparamagnetic magnetite nanocomposites (Fe₃O₄-NCs) were successfully synthesized, which comprised of montmorillonite (MMT) as matrix support, Kappaphycus alvarezii (SW) as bio-stabilizer and Fe₃O₄ as filler in the composites to form MMT/SW/Fe₃O₄-NCs. Nanocomposite with 0.5 g Fe₃O₄ (MMT/SW/0.5Fe₃O₄) was selected for anticancer activity study because it revealed high crystallinity, particle size of 7.2 ± 1.7 nm with majority of spherical shape, and M_s = 5.85 emu/g with negligible coercivity. Drug loading and release studies were carried out using protocatechuic acid (PCA) as the model for anticancer drug, which showed 19% and 87% of PCA release in pH 7.4 and 4.8, respectively. Monolayer anticancer assay showed that PCA-loaded MMT/SW/Fe₃O₄ (MMT/SW/Fe₃O₄-PCA) had selectivity towards HCT116 (colorectal cancer cell line). Although MMT/SW/Fe₃O₄-PCA (0.64 mg/mL) showed higher IC₅₀ than PCA (0.148 mg/mL) and MMT/SW/Fe₃O₄ (0.306 mg/mL, MMT/SW/Fe₃O₄-PCA showed more effective killing towards tumour spheroid model generated from HCT116. The IC₅₀ for MMT/SW/Fe₃O₄-PCA, MMT/SW/Fe₃O₄ and PCA were 0.132, 0.23 and 0.55 mg/mL, respectively. This suggests the improved penetration efficiency and drug release of MMT/SW/Fe₃O₄-PCA towards HCT116 spheroids. Moreover, concentration that lower than 2 mg/mL MMT/SW/Fe₃O₄-PCA did not result any hemolysis in human blood, which suggests them to be ideal for intravenous injection. This study highlights the potential of MMT/SW/Fe₃O₄-NCs as drug delivery agent.