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Dume B, Licarete E, Banciu M. Advancing cancer treatments: The role of oligonucleotide-based therapies in driving progress. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102256. [PMID: 39045515 PMCID: PMC11264197 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Although recent advancements in cancer immunology have resulted in the approval of numerous immunotherapies, minimal progress has been observed in addressing hard-to-treat cancers. In this context, therapeutic oligonucleotides, including interfering RNAs, antisense oligonucleotides, aptamers, and DNAzymes, have gained a central role in cancer therapeutic approaches due to their capacity to regulate gene expression and protein function with reduced toxicity compared with conventional chemotherapeutics. Nevertheless, systemic administration of naked oligonucleotides faces many extra- and intracellular challenges that can be overcome by using effective delivery systems. Thus, viral and non-viral carriers can improve oligonucleotide stability and intracellular uptake, enhance tumor accumulation, and increase the probability of endosomal escape while minimizing other adverse effects. Therefore, gaining more insight into fundamental mechanisms of actions of various oligonucleotides and the challenges posed by naked oligonucleotide administration, this article provides a comprehensive review of the recent progress on oligonucleotide delivery systems and an overview of completed and ongoing cancer clinical trials that can shape future oncological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Dume
- Doctoral School in Integrative Biology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Emilia Licarete
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Centre of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Manuela Banciu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Centre of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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2
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Hirsch E, Nacsa M, Pantea E, Szabó E, Vass P, Domján J, Farkas A, Nyíri Z, Eke Z, Vigh T, Andersen SK, Verreck G, Marosi GJ, Nagy ZK. Oligonucleotide Formulations Prepared by High-Speed Electrospinning: Maximizing Loading and Exploring Downstream Processability. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030855. [PMID: 36986716 PMCID: PMC10054037 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop antisense oligonucleotide tablet formulations using high-speed electrospinning. Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) was used as a stabilizer and as an electrospinning matrix. In order to optimize the morphology of the fibers, electrospinning of various formulations was carried out using water, methanol/water (1:1), and methanol as solvents. The results showed that using methanol could be advantageous due to the lower viscosity threshold for fiber formation enabling higher potential drug loadings by using less excipient. To increase the productivity of electrospinning, high-speed electrospinning technology was utilized and HPβCD fibers containing 9.1% antisense oligonucleotide were prepared at a rate of ~330 g/h. Furthermore, to increase the drug content of the fibers, a formulation with a 50% drug loading was developed. The fibers had excellent grindability but poor flowability. The ground fibrous powder was mixed with excipients to improve its flowability, which enabled the automatic tableting of the mixture by direct compression. The fibrous HPβCD–antisense oligonucleotide formulations showed no sign of physical or chemical degradation over the 1-year stability study, which also shows the suitability of the HPβCD matrix for the formulation of biopharmaceuticals. The obtained results demonstrate possible solutions for the challenges of electrospinning such as scale-up and downstream processing of the fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edit Hirsch
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
- Correspondence:
| | - Márió Nacsa
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Pantea
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Edina Szabó
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Panna Vass
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Júlia Domján
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Farkas
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Nyíri
- Joint Research and Training Laboratory on Separation Techniques, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter stny. 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Eke
- Joint Research and Training Laboratory on Separation Techniques, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter stny. 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Vigh
- Oral Solids Development, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Sune Klint Andersen
- Oral Solids Development, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Geert Verreck
- Oral Solids Development, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - György János Marosi
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsombor Kristóf Nagy
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
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Guo C, Su Y, Wang H, Cao M, Diao N, Liu Z, Chen D, Kong M. A novel saponin liposomes based on the couplet medicines of Platycodon grandiflorum-Glycyrrhiza uralensis for targeting lung cancer. Drug Deliv 2022; 29:2743-2750. [PMID: 35999702 PMCID: PMC9487977 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2112997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Liposomes have been widely used for targeted drug delivery, but the disadvantages caused by cholesterol limit the application of conventional liposomes in cancer treatment. The compatibility basis of couplet medicines and the compatibility principle of the traditional Chinese medicine principle of ‘monarch, minister, assistant and guide’ are the important theoretical basis of Chinese medicine in the treatment of tumor and the important method to solve the problem of high toxicity. In this study, the active ingredients of the couplet medicines Platycodon grandiflorum and Glycyrrhiza uralensis were innovatively utilized, and glycyrrhizic acid (GA) was encapsulated in liposomes constructed by mixing saponin and lecithin, and cholesterol was replaced by platycodin and ginsenoside to construct saponin liposomes (RP-lipo) for the drug delivery system of Chinese medicine. Compared with conventional liposomes, PR-lipo@GA has no significant difference in morphological characteristics and drug release behavior, and also shows stronger targeting of lung cancer cells and anti-tumor ability in vitro, which may be related to the pharmacological properties of saponins themselves. Thus, PR-lipo@GA not only innovatively challenges the status of cholesterol as a liposome component, but also provides another innovative potential system with multiple functions for the clinical application of TCM couplet medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjing Guo
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao266003, P.R. China
| | - Yanguo Su
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai264005, P.R. China
| | - Hui Wang
- Gynecology Department, Affiliated hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang261053, P.R. China
| | - Min Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai264005, P.R. China
| | - Ningning Diao
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai264005, P.R. China
| | - Zhongxin Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai264005, P.R. China
| | - Daquan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai264005, P.R. China
| | - Ming Kong
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao266003, P.R. China
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Bozzer S, De Maso L, Grimaldi MC, Capolla S, Dal Bo M, Toffoli G, Macor P. Zebrafish: A Useful Animal Model for the Characterization of Drug-Loaded Polymeric NPs. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092252. [PMID: 36140353 PMCID: PMC9496256 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of zebrafish (ZF) embryos as an in vivo model is increasingly attractive thanks to different features that include easy handling, transparency, and the absence of adaptive immunity until 4–6 weeks. These factors allow the development of xenografts that can be easily analyzed through fluorescence techniques. In this work, ZF were exploited to characterize the efficiency of drug-loaded polymeric NPs as a therapeutical approach for B-cell malignancies. Fluorescent probes, fluorescent transgenic lines of ZF, or their combination allowed to deeply examine biodistribution, elimination, and therapeutic efficacy. In particular, the fluorescent signal of nanoparticles (NPs) was exploited to investigate the in vivo distribution, while the colocalization between the fluorescence in macrophages and NPs allows following the elimination pathway of these polymeric NPs. Xenotransplanted human B-cells (Nalm-6) developed a reproducible model useful for demonstrating drug delivery by polymeric NPs loaded with doxorubicin and, as a consequence, the arrest of tumor growth and the reduction in tumor burden. ZF proved to be a versatile model, able to rapidly provide answers in the development of animal models and in the characterization of the activity and the efficacy of drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bozzer
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (P.M.)
| | - Luca De Maso
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Sara Capolla
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Michele Dal Bo
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Toffoli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Paolo Macor
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (P.M.)
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Delivery of Oligonucleotides: Efficiency with Lipid Conjugation and Clinical Outcome. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14020342. [PMID: 35214074 PMCID: PMC8879684 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotides have shifted drug discovery into a new paradigm due to their ability to silence the genes and inhibit protein translation. Importantly, they can drug the un-druggable targets from the conventional small-molecule perspective. Unfortunately, poor cellular permeability and susceptibility to nuclease degradation remain as major hurdles for the development of oligonucleotide therapeutic agents. Studies of safe and effective delivery technique with lipid bioconjugates gains attention to resolve these issues. Our review article summarizes the physicochemical effect of well-studied hydrophobic moieties to enhance the cellular entry of oligonucleotides. The structural impacts of fatty acids, cholesterol, tocopherol, and squalene on cellular internalization and membrane penetration in vitro and in vivo were discussed first. The crucial assays for delivery evaluation within this section were analyzed sequentially. Next, we provided a few successful examples of lipid-conjugated oligonucleotides advanced into clinical studies for treating patients with different medical backgrounds. Finally, we pinpointed current limitations and outlooks in this research field along with opportunities to explore new modifications and efficacy studies.
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Battaglia L, Scomparin A, Dianzani C, Milla P, Muntoni E, Arpicco S, Cavalli R. Nanotechnology Addressing Cutaneous Melanoma: The Italian Landscape. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1617. [PMID: 34683910 PMCID: PMC8540596 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is one of the most aggressive solid tumors, with a low survival for the metastatic stage. Currently, clinical melanoma treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy. Of note, innovative therapeutic regimens concern the administration of multitarget drugs in tandem, in order to improve therapeutic efficacy. However, also, if this drug combination is clinically relevant, the patient's response is not yet optimal. In this scenario, nanotechnology-based delivery systems can play a crucial role in the clinical treatment of advanced melanoma. In fact, their nano-features enable targeted drug delivery at a cellular level by overcoming biological barriers. Various nanomedicines have been proposed for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma, and a relevant number of them are undergoing clinical trials. In Italy, researchers are focusing on the pharmaceutical development of nanoformulations for malignant melanoma therapy. The present review reports an overview of the main melanoma-addressed nanomedicines currently under study in Italy, alongside the state of the art of melanoma therapy. Moreover, the latest Italian advances concerning the pre-clinical evaluation of nanomedicines for melanoma are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Battaglia
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Anna Scomparin
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
- . Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Chiara Dianzani
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Paola Milla
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Elisabetta Muntoni
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Silvia Arpicco
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Roberta Cavalli
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
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