Folate‑targeted polymeric micelles loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging of a human tongue cancer cell line

Actively Targeted and Redox Responsive Delivery of Anticancer Drug by Chitosan Nanoparticles

The clinical efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) is limited by its poor water solubility, its low bioavailability, and the development of resistance in cancer cells. Herein, we developed novel folate redox-responsive chitosan (FTC) nanoparticles for intracellular MTX delivery. l-Cysteine and folic acid molecules were selected to be covalently linked to chitosan in order to confer it redox responsiveness and active targeting of folate receptors (FRs). NPs based on these novel polymers could possess tumor specificity and a controlled drug release due to the overexpression of FRs and high concentration of reductive agents in the microenvironment of cancer cells. Nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using an ionotropic gelation technique and characterized in terms of size, morphology, and loading capacity. In vitro drug release profiles exhibited a glutathione (GSH) dependence. In the normal physiological environment, NPs maintained good stability, whereas, in a reducing environment similar to tumor cells, the encapsulated MTX was promptly released. The anticancer activity of MTX-loaded FTC-NPs was also studied by incubating HeLa cells with formulations for various time and concentration intervals. A significant reduction in viability was observed in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In particular, FTC-NPs showed a better inhibition effect on HeLa cancer cell proliferation compared to non-target chitosan-based NPs used as control. The selective cellular uptake of FTC-NPs via FRs was evaluated and confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. Overall, the designed NPs provide an attractive strategy and potential platform for efficient intracellular anticancer drug delivery.

Liposomes in Active, Passive and Acoustically-Triggered Drug Delivery

Cancer has become one of the most deadly noncommunicable diseases globally. Several modalities used to treat cancer patients exist today yet many have failed to prove high efficacy with low side effects. The most common example of such modalities is the use of chemotherapeutic drugs to treat cancerous cells and deter their uncontrolled proliferation. In addition to the destruction of cancerous tissues, chemotherapy destroys healthy tissues as it lacks the specificity to annihilate cancerous cells only and preferentially, which result in adverse side effects including nausea, hair fall and myocardial infarction. To prevent the side effects of non-selective chemotherapy, cancer therapy research has been focused on the implementation of nanocarrier systems that act as vehicles to encapsulate drugs and selectively transport their agent to the tumor site. In this paper, we shed light on liposomes along with three anticancer drug delivery approaches: passive, active and ultrasound-triggered drug delivery.

The Potential of Zebrafish as a Model Organism for Improving the Translation of Genetic Anticancer Nanomedicines

In the last few decades, the field of nanomedicine applied to cancer has revolutionized cancer treatment: several nanoformulations have already reached the market and are routinely being used in the clinical practice. In the case of genetic nanomedicines, i.e., designed to deliver gene therapies to cancer cells for therapeutic purposes, advances have been less impressive. This is because of the many barriers that limit the access of the therapeutic nucleic acids to their target site, and the lack of models that would allow for an improvement in the understanding of how nanocarriers can be tailored to overcome them. Zebrafish has important advantages as a model species for the study of anticancer therapies, and have a lot to offer regarding the rational development of efficient delivery of genetic nanomedicines, and hence increasing the chances of their successful translation. This review aims to provide an overview of the recent advances in the development of genetic anticancer nanomedicines, and of the zebrafish models that stand as promising tools to shed light on their mechanisms of action and overall potential in oncology.