Hyaluronic Acid Modified Metal Nanoparticles and Their Derived Substituents for Cancer Therapy: A Review

Green synthesis of metal nanocarriers: A perspective for targeting glioblastoma

Glioblastoma, the most aggressive brain cancer, is challenging to treat owing to the difficulty of crossing the blood-brain barrier, high recurrence rates and significant mortality. This review highlights the potential of green synthesis methods in developing metal nanoparticles (MNPs) as a sustainable solution for drug delivery systems targeting glioblastoma. We explore the unique properties and modes of action of MNPs that are synthesised through eco-friendly processes by focusing on their bioavailability and precision in brain targeting, and discuss the potential of MNPs to target glioblastoma at the molecular level. Integrating green synthesis into cancer therapeutics represents a novel paradigm shift towards treatments with higher efficacy and lower environmental impact, offering hope in the fight against glioblastoma.

Tumor versus Tumor Cell Targeting in Metal-Based Nanoparticles for Cancer Theranostics

The application of metal-based nanoparticles (mNPs) in cancer therapy and diagnostics (theranostics) has been a hot research topic since the early days of nanotechnology, becoming even more relevant in recent years. However, the clinical translation of this technology has been notably poor, with one of the main reasons being a lack of understanding of the disease and conceptual errors in the design of mNPs. Strikingly, throughout the reported studies to date on in vivo experiments, the concepts of "tumor targeting" and "tumor cell targeting" are often intertwined, particularly in the context of active targeting. These misconceptions may lead to design flaws, resulting in failed theranostic strategies. In the context of mNPs, tumor targeting can be described as the process by which mNPs reach the tumor mass (as a tissue), while tumor cell targeting refers to the specific interaction of mNPs with tumor cells once they have reached the tumor tissue. In this review, we conduct a critical analysis of key challenges that must be addressed for the successful targeting of either tumor tissue or cancer cells within the tumor tissue. Additionally, we explore essential features necessary for the smart design of theranostic mNPs, where 'smart design' refers to the process involving advanced consideration of the physicochemical features of the mNPs, targeting motifs, and physiological barriers that must be overcome for successful tumor targeting and/or tumor cell targeting.

A polymeric nanocarrier that eradicates breast cancer stem cells and delivers chemotherapeutic drugs

BACKGROUND

Drug nanocarriers can markedly reduce the toxicities and side effects of encapsulated chemotherapeutic drugs in the clinic. However, these drug nanocarriers have little effect on eradicating breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Although compounds that can inhibit BCSCs have been reported, these compounds are difficult to use as carriers for the widespread delivery of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs.

METHODS

Herein, we synthesize a polymeric nanocarrier, hyaluronic acid-block-poly (curcumin-dithiodipropionic acid) (HA-b-PCDA), and explore the use of HA-b-PCDA to simultaneously deliver chemotherapeutic drugs and eradicate BCSCs.

RESULTS

Based on molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies, HA-b-PCDA delivers 35 clinical chemotherapeutic drugs. To further verify the drug deliver ability of HA-b-PCDA, doxorubicin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, gemcitabine and camptothecin are employed as model drugs to prepare nanoparticles. These drug-loaded HA-b-PCDA nanoparticles significantly inhibit the proliferation and stemness of BCSC-enriched 4T1 mammospheres. Moreover, doxorubicin-loaded HA-b-PCDA nanoparticles efficiently inhibit tumor growth and eradicate approximately 95% of BCSCs fraction in vivo. Finally, HA-b-PCDA eradicates BCSCs by activating Hippo and inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

CONCLUSION

HA-b-PCDA is a polymeric nanocarrier that eradicates BCSCs and potentially delivers numerous clinical chemotherapeutic drugs.

Recent Advances in Micro- and Nano-Drug Delivery Systems Based on Natural and Synthetic Biomaterials

Polymeric drug delivery technology, which allows for medicinal ingredients to enter a cell more easily, has advanced considerably in recent decades. Innovative medication delivery strategies use biodegradable and bio-reducible polymers, and progress in the field has been accelerated by future possible research applications. Natural polymers utilized in polymeric drug delivery systems include arginine, chitosan, dextrin, polysaccharides, poly(glycolic acid), poly(lactic acid), and hyaluronic acid. Additionally, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide), poly(ethylenimine), dendritic polymers, biodegradable polymers, and bioabsorbable polymers as well as biomimetic and bio-related polymeric systems and drug-free macromolecular therapies have been employed in polymeric drug delivery. Different synthetic and natural biomaterials are in the clinical phase to mitigate different diseases. Drug delivery methods using natural and synthetic polymers are becoming increasingly common in the pharmaceutical industry, with biocompatible and bio-related copolymers and dendrimers having helped cure cancer as drug delivery systems. This review discusses all the above components and how, by combining synthetic and biological approaches, micro- and nano-drug delivery systems can result in revolutionary polymeric drug and gene delivery devices.

Hyaluronic acid-empowered nanotheranostics in breast and lung cancers therapy

Nanomedicine application in cancer therapy is an urgency because of inability of current biological therapies for complete removal of tumor cells. The development of smart and novel nanoplatforms for treatment of cancer can provide new insight in tumor suppression. Hyaluronic acid is a biopolymer that can be employed for synthesis of smart nanostructures capable of selective targeting CD44-overexpressing tumor cells. The breast and lung cancers are among the most malignant and common tumors in both females and males that environmental factors, lifestyle and genomic alterations are among the risk factors for their pathogenesis and development. Since etiology of breast and lung tumors is not certain and multiple factors participate in their development, preventative measures have not been completely successful and studies have focused on developing new treatment strategies for them. The aim of current review is to provide a comprehensive discussion about application of hyaluronic acid-based nanostructures for treatment of breast and lung cancers. The main reason of using hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles is their ability in targeting breast and lung cancers in a selective way due to upregulation of CD44 receptor on their surface. Moreover, nanocarriers developed from hyaluronic acid or functionalized with hyaluronic acid have high biocompatibility and their safety is appreciated. The drugs and genes used for treatment of breast and lung cancers lack specific accumulation at cancer site and their cytotoxicity is low, but hyaluronic acid-based nanostructures provide their targeted delivery to tumor site and by increasing internalization of drugs and genes in breast and lung tumor cells, they improve their therapeutic index. Furthermore, hyaluronic acid-based nanostructures can be used for phototherapy-mediated breast and lung cancers ablation. The stimuli-responsive and smart kinds of hyaluronic acid-based nanostructures such as pH- and light-responsive can increase selective targeting of breast and lung cancers.

Mesoporous Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles-Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogel Prepared by Electron Beam Irradiation Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

An urgently needed approach for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the development of novel drug delivery systems that offer targeted specificity and minimal toxic side effects. In this study, we developed an injectable and temperature-sensitive composite hydrogel by combining mesoporous titanium dioxide nanoparticles (MTNs) with Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) hydrogel to serve as carriers for the model drug Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) using electron beam irradiation. The characteristics of MTNs, including specific surface area and pore size distribution, were analyzed, and the characteristics of MTNs-APS@Hyaluronic acid (HA), such as microscopic morphology, molecular structure, crystal structure, and loading efficiency, were examined. Additionally, the swelling ratio, gel fraction, and microscopic morphology of the composite hydrogel were observed. The in vitro cumulative release curve was plotted to investigate the sustained release of APS in the composite hydrogels. The effects on the proliferation, migration, and mitochondrial membrane potential of CAL-27 cells were evaluated using MTT assay, scratch test, and JC-1 staining. The results indicated successful preparation of MTNs with a specific surface area of 147.059 m2/g and an average pore diameter of 3.256 nm. The composite hydrogel displayed temperature-sensitive and porous characteristics, allowing for slow release of APS. Furthermore, it effectively suppressed CAL-27 cells proliferation, migration, and induced changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. The addition of autophagy inhibitors chloroquine (CQ) and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) attenuated the migration inhibition (p < 0.05).