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Pharmaceutics
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Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy and Biomedical-Related Applications
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Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy and Biomedical-Related Applications

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 6217

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sherif Ashraf Fahmy

E-Mail Website1 Website2 Website3
Guest Editor
Chemistry Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, R5 New Garden City, New Administrative Capital, AL109AB, Cairo 11835, Egypt
Interests: drug delivery; controlled release; nanomedicine; herbal medicine; chemotherapeutics; cancer therapy; niomedical applications
Dr. Rana A. Youness

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Biology and Biochemistry Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo 12622, Egypt
Interests: herbal medicine; natural products; nanomedicine; drug design; drug delivery; inorganic and organic synthesis; cancer therapy
Dr. Maria Braoudaki

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Science, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire AL10 9AB, UK
Interests: epigenetics; microarrays; proteomics; RNA-seq; next generation sequencing; transcriptomics; bioinformatics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymeric-based drug delivery systems based on either synthetic polymers (including PLGA, PCL, PVA, dendrimers, and others) or natural polymers (including chitosan, pectin, zein, gelatin, and others) have drawn much attention in cancer therapy and biomedical applications. Polymers are critical players in advancing targeted delivery systems (in the form of nanoparticles, microparticles, fibers, or matrices) that can selectively escort natural compounds or synthetic therapeutic moieties to their intended site of action. This is attributed to their biocompatibility, safety, biodegradability, and ability to be tailored with different functional moieties empowering their active targeting to overexpressed receptors or other surface membrane proteins on intended cells. Moreover,  polymeric-based drug delivery systems can be functionalized with stimuli-responsive groups, enabling the preferential release of their cargo upon exposure to external stimuli (e.g., light, pH, temperature, etc.), resulting in controlled drug release in the target tissue. This improves therapeutic activities while diminishing off-target adverse effects.

We welcome the submission of original research, review, mini-review, and perspective articles that present innovative polymer-based treatment approaches, including but not necessarily limited to their synthesis, formulation, optimization, functionalization, and characterization, and their in vitro and in vivo biomedical applications in the remedy of different diseases and disorders.

Dr. Sherif Ashraf Fahmy
Dr. Rana A. Youness 
Dr. Maria Braoudaki
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • synthetic polymers: (poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid), polycaprolactone, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, dendrimers, etc.)
  • natural polymers: chitosan, alginate, gelatin, zein, pectin, etc.
  • targeted drug delivery
  • natural therapeutic compounds
  • active and passive targeting
  • stimuli-responsive hybrid nanosystems
  • therapeutic nanoparticles, microparticles, and fibers
  • pharmacokinetics
  • molecular docking

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 5557 KiB  
Article
Silver Nanoparticles In Situ Synthesized and Incorporated in Uniaxial and Core–Shell Electrospun Nanofibers to Inhibit Coronavirus
by Camila F. de Freitas, Paulo R. Souza, Gislaine S. Jacinto, Thais L. Braga, Yara S. Ricken, Gredson K. Souza, Wilker Caetano, Eduardo Radovanovic, Clarice W. Arns, Mahendra Rai and Edvani C. Muniz
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(2), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16020268 - 14 Feb 2024
Viewed by 896
Abstract
In the present study, we sought to develop materials applicable to personal and collective protection equipment to mitigate SARS-CoV-2. For this purpose, AgNPs were synthesized and stabilized into electrospinning nanofiber matrices (NMs) consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), chitosan (CHT), and poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL). Uniaxial [...] Read more.
In the present study, we sought to develop materials applicable to personal and collective protection equipment to mitigate SARS-CoV-2. For this purpose, AgNPs were synthesized and stabilized into electrospinning nanofiber matrices (NMs) consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), chitosan (CHT), and poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL). Uniaxial nanofibers of PVA and PVA/CHT were developed, as well as coaxial nanofibers of PCL[PVA/CHT], in which the PCL works as a shell and the blend as a core. A crucial aspect of the present study is the in situ synthesis of AgNPs using PVA as a reducing and stabilizing agent. This process presents few steps, no additional toxic reducing agents, and avoids the postloading of drugs or the posttreatment of NM use. In general, the in situ synthesized AgNPs had an average size of 11.6 nm, and the incorporated nanofibers had a diameter in the range of 300 nm, with high uniformity and low polydispersity. The NM’s spectroscopic, thermal, and mechanical properties were appropriate for the intended application. Uniaxial (PVA/AgNPs and PVA/CHT/AgNPs) and coaxial (PCL[PVA/CHT/AgNPs]) NMs presented virucidal activity (log’s reduction ≥ 5) against mouse hepatitis virus (MHV-3) genus Betacoronavirus strains. In addition to that, the NMs did not present cytotoxicity against fibroblast cells (L929 ATCC® CCL-1TM lineage). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy and Biomedical-Related Applications)
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23 pages, 7307 KiB  
Article
Tamoxifen-Loaded Eudragit Nanoparticles: Quality by Design Approach for Optimization of Nanoparticles as Delivery System
by Muzna Ali Khattak, Zafar Iqbal, Fazli Nasir, Steven H. Neau, Sumaira Irum Khan, Talaya Hidayatullah, Sadia Pervez, Mirina Sakhi, Syeda Rabqa Zainab, Shazma Gohar, Fawaz Alasmari, Altafur Rahman, Gul e Maryam and Arbab Tahir
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(10), 2373; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15102373 - 22 Sep 2023
Viewed by 849
Abstract
Nanoparticles have numerous applications as drug carriers in drug delivery. The aim of the study was to produce tamoxifen nanoparticles with a defined size and higher encapsulation for efficient tissue uptake with controlled drug release. The quality by design approach was utilized to [...] Read more.
Nanoparticles have numerous applications as drug carriers in drug delivery. The aim of the study was to produce tamoxifen nanoparticles with a defined size and higher encapsulation for efficient tissue uptake with controlled drug release. The quality by design approach was utilized to produce tamoxifen-loaded Eudragit nanoparticles by identifying the significant process variables using the nanoprecipitation method. The process variables (amount of drug, polymer, and surfactant) were altered to analyze the influence on particle size (PS), % encapsulation efficiency (EE). The results showed that the drug and polymer individually as well as collectively have an impact on PS, while the surfactant has no impact on the PS. The %EE was influenced by the surfactant individually and in interaction with the drug. The linear regression model was endorsed to fit the data showing high R2 values (PS, 0.9146, %EE, 0.9070) and low p values (PS, 0.0004, EE, 0.0005). The PS and EE were confirmed to be 178 nm and 90%, respectively. The nanoparticles were of spherical shape, as confirmed by SEM and TEM. The FTIR confirmed the absence of any incompatibility among the ingredients. The TGA confirmed that the NPs were thermally stable. The in vitro release predicted that the drug release followed Higuchi model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy and Biomedical-Related Applications)
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22 pages, 4119 KiB  
Article
Nedaplatin/Peganum harmala Alkaloids Co-Loaded Electrospun, Implantable Nanofibers: A Chemopreventive Nano-Delivery System for Treating and Preventing Breast Cancer Recurrence after Tumorectomy
by Nada K. Sedky, Kholoud K. Arafa, Manal M. M. Abdelhady, Marwa Y. Issa, Nour M. Abdel-Kader, Noha Khalil Mahdy, Fatma A. Mokhtar, Mohammad Y. Alfaifi and Sherif Ashraf Fahmy
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(10), 2367; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15102367 - 22 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1237
Abstract
Currently, the main pillars in treating breast cancer involve tumorectomy pursued by hormonal, radio, or chemotherapies. Nonetheless, these approaches exhibit severe adverse effects and might suffer from tumor recurrence. Therefore, there is a considerable demand to fabricate an innovative controlled-release nano-delivery system to [...] Read more.
Currently, the main pillars in treating breast cancer involve tumorectomy pursued by hormonal, radio, or chemotherapies. Nonetheless, these approaches exhibit severe adverse effects and might suffer from tumor recurrence. Therefore, there is a considerable demand to fabricate an innovative controlled-release nano-delivery system to be implanted after tumor surgical removal to guard against cancer recurrence. In addition, combining platinum-based drugs with phytochemicals is a promising approach to improving the anticancer activity of the chemotherapeutics against tumor cells while minimizing their systemic effects. This study designed polycaprolactone (PCL)-based electrospun nanofiber mats encapsulating nedaplatin (N) and Peganum harmala alkaloid-rich fraction (L). In addition to physicochemical characterization, including average diameters, morphological features, degradation study, thermal stability, and release kinetics study, the formulated nanofibers were assessed in terms of cytotoxicity, where they demonstrated potentiated effects and higher selectivity towards breast cancer cells. The dual-loaded nanofiber mats (N + L@PCL) demonstrated the highest antiproliferative effects against MCF-7 cells with a recorded IC50 of 3.21 µg/mL, as well as the topmost achieved selectivity index (20.45) towards cancer cells amongst all the tested agents (N, L, N@PCL, and L@PCL). This indicates that the dual-loaded nanofiber excelled at conserving the normal breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A). The combined therapy, N + L@PCL treatment, resulted in a significantly higher percent cell population in the late apoptosis and necrosis quartiles as compared to all other treatment groups (p-value of ≤0.001). Moreover, this study of cell cycle kinetics revealed potentiated effects of the dual-loaded nanofiber (N + L@PCL) at trapping more than 90% of cells in the sub-G1 phase and reducing the number of cells undergoing DNA synthesis in the S-phase by 15-fold as compared to nontreated cells; hence, causing cessation of the cell cycle and confirming the apoptosis assay results. As such, our findings suggest the potential use of the designed nanofiber mats as perfect implants to prevent tumor recurrence after tumorectomy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy and Biomedical-Related Applications)
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Review

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19 pages, 1416 KiB  
Review
Alginate-Based Encapsulation Fabrication Technique for Drug Delivery: An Updated Review of Particle Type, Formulation Technique, Pharmaceutical Ingredient, and Targeted Delivery System
by Joanne Lai, Abul Kalam Azad, Wan Mohd Azizi Wan Sulaiman, Vinoth Kumarasamy, Vetriselvan Subramaniyan and Salah Abdalrazak Alshehade
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(3), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16030370 - 06 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1207
Abstract
Alginate is a natural biopolymer widely studied for pharmaceutical applications due to its biocompatibility, low toxicity, and mild gelation abilities. This review summarizes recent advances in alginate-based encapsulation systems for targeted drug delivery. Alginate formulations like microparticles, nanoparticles, microgels, and composites fabricated by [...] Read more.
Alginate is a natural biopolymer widely studied for pharmaceutical applications due to its biocompatibility, low toxicity, and mild gelation abilities. This review summarizes recent advances in alginate-based encapsulation systems for targeted drug delivery. Alginate formulations like microparticles, nanoparticles, microgels, and composites fabricated by methods including ionic gelation, emulsification, spray drying, and freeze drying enable tailored drug loading, enhanced stability, and sustained release kinetics. Alginate microspheres prepared by spray drying or ionic gelation provide gastric protection and colon-targeted release of orally delivered drugs. Alginate nanoparticles exhibit enhanced cellular uptake and tumor-targeting capabilities through the enhanced permeation and retention effect. Crosslinked alginate microgels allow high drug loading and controlled release profiles. Composite alginate gels with cellulose, chitosan, or inorganic nanomaterials display improved mechanical properties, mucoadhesion, and tunable release kinetics. Alginate-based wound dressings containing antimicrobial nanoparticles promote healing of burns and chronic wounds through sustained topical delivery. Although alginate is well-established as a pharmaceutical excipient, more extensive in vivo testing is needed to assess clinical safety and efficacy of emerging formulations prior to human trials. Future opportunities include engineered systems combining stimuli-responsiveness, active targeting, and diagnostic capabilities. In summary, this review discusses recent advances in alginate encapsulation techniques for oral, transdermal, and intravenous delivery, with an emphasis on approaches enabling targeted and sustained drug release for enhanced therapeutic outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy and Biomedical-Related Applications)
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25 pages, 1461 KiB  
Review
The Fabrication of Polymer-Based Curcumin-Loaded Formulation as a Drug Delivery System: An Updated Review from 2017 to the Present
by Abul Kalam Azad, Joanne Lai, Wan Mohd Azizi Wan Sulaiman, Hassan Almoustafa, Salah Abdalrazak Alshehade, Vinoth Kumarasamy and Vetriselvan Subramaniyan
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(2), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16020160 - 24 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1177
Abstract
Turmeric contains curcumin, a naturally occurring compound with noted anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help fight cancer. Curcumin is readily available, nontoxic, and inexpensive. At high doses, it has minimal side effects, suggesting it is safe for human use. However, curcumin has [...] Read more.
Turmeric contains curcumin, a naturally occurring compound with noted anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help fight cancer. Curcumin is readily available, nontoxic, and inexpensive. At high doses, it has minimal side effects, suggesting it is safe for human use. However, curcumin has extremely poor bioavailability and biodistribution, which further hamper its clinical applications. It is commonly administered through oral and transdermal routes in different forms, where the particle size is one of the most common barriers that decreases its absorption through biological membranes on the targeted sites and limits its clinical effectiveness. There are many studies ongoing to overcome this problem. All of this motivated us to conduct this review that discusses the fabrication of polymer-based curcumin-loaded formulation as an advanced drug delivery system and addresses different approaches to overcoming the existing barriers and improving its bioavailability and biodistribution to enhance the therapeutic effects against cancer and other diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy and Biomedical-Related Applications)
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