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Pharmaceutics
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Recent Advances in Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapy
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Recent Advances in Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapy

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2024 | Viewed by 13258

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Batakrishna Jana

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea
Interests: nanomedicine; cancer therapy; chemical biology; drug delivery; peptide supramolecular chemistry
Dr. Kibeom Kim

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Convergence Research Center, Nanobiomaterials Institute, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Korea
Interests: nanomedicine; drug delivery system; encapsulation; controlled drug release; smart material
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer remains a challenge in drug discovery due to its serious complexity; however, there have been remarkable advances in cancer biology and cancer therapy. Traditional cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, has serious limitations, for example, nonselective cytotoxicities can cause threatening side effects. The major challenge in cancer treatment is the delivery of therapeutic drugs to their final targets. More recently, nanotechnology has been presented as a research strategy for the development of engineered bio-nanomaterials for cancer therapy. Nanomedicine has a great advantage over conventional medicine as the therapeutic agents are selectively accumulated in the cancerous site through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Moreover, more than one therapeutic agent can be codelivered, resulting in a highly efficient synergistic therapy.

Thus, the potential application of nanomedicine in cancer therapy has gained significant attention. For example, the protein-based nanomedicine abraxane (albumin-bound paclitaxel) has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of breast/lung/pancreatic cancers due to its lower cell toxicity and increased overall survival compared to free paclitaxel.

This Special Issue of Pharmaceutics welcomes contributions that deal with all aspects of nanomedicine for cancer research, including:

  • Inorganic nanoparticles for drug delivery and cancer therapeutics.
  • Immunomodulating nanomedicine for cancer.
  • Organic nanomaterials such as polymeric micelles, dendrimers and proteins for cancer application.
  • Autophagy modulation using cancer nanomedicine.
  • Nanomedicine-based synergistic therapy/photothermal therapy.
  • Future prospectives of nanomedicine.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Batakrishna Jana
Dr. Kibeom Kim
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

  • nanomedicine
  • cancer therapy
  • drug delivery
  • immunotherapy
  • combination therapy
  • biomaterials
  • tumor targeting
  • imaging

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 4992 KiB  
Article
Improving NonViral Gene Delivery Using MHz Bursts of Nanosecond Pulses and Gold Nanoparticles for Electric Field Amplification
by Eivina Radzevičiūtė-Valčiukė, Jovita Gečaitė, Augustinas Želvys, Auksė Zinkevičienė, Rokas Žalnėravičius, Veronika Malyško-Ptašinskė, Aušra Nemeikaitė-Čenienė, Vytautas Kašėta, Natalija German, Jurij Novickij, Almira Ramanavičienė, Julita Kulbacka and Vitalij Novickij
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(4), 1178; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15041178 - 07 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1264
Abstract
Gene delivery by the pulsed electric field is a promising alternative technology for nonviral transfection; however, the application of short pulses (i.e., nanosecond) is extremely limited. In this work, we aimed to show the capability to improve gene delivery using MHz frequency bursts [...] Read more.
Gene delivery by the pulsed electric field is a promising alternative technology for nonviral transfection; however, the application of short pulses (i.e., nanosecond) is extremely limited. In this work, we aimed to show the capability to improve gene delivery using MHz frequency bursts of nanosecond pulses and characterize the potential use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs: 9, 13, 14, and 22 nm) in this context. We have used bursts of MHz pulses 3/5/7 kV/cm × 300 ns × 100 and compared the efficacy of the parametric protocols to conventional microsecond protocols (100 µs × 8, 1 Hz) separately and in combination with nanoparticles. Furthermore, the effects of pulses and AuNPs on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed. It was shown that gene delivery using microsecond protocols could be significantly improved with AuNPs; however, the efficacy is strongly dependent on the surface charge of AuNPs and their size. The capability of local field amplification using AuNPs was also confirmed by finite element method simulation. Finally, it was shown that AuNPs are not effective with nanosecond protocols. However, MHz protocols are still competitive in the context of gene delivery, resulting in low ROS generation, preserved viability, and easier procedure to trigger comparable efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapy)
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17 pages, 7478 KiB  
Article
T22-PE24-H6 Nanotoxin Selectively Kills CXCR4-High Expressing AML Patient Cells In Vitro and Potently Blocks Dissemination In Vivo
by Yáiza Núñez, Annabel Garcia-León, Aïda Falgàs, Naroa Serna, Laura Sánchez-García, Ana Garrido, Jorge Sierra, Alberto Gallardo, Ugutz Unzueta, Esther Vázquez, Antonio Villaverde, Ramon Mangues and Isolda Casanova
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(3), 727; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15030727 - 22 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1713
Abstract
Despite advances in the development of targeted therapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), most patients relapse. For that reason, it is still necessary to develop novel therapies that improve treatment effectiveness and overcome drug resistance. We developed T22-PE24-H6, a protein nanoparticle that contains [...] Read more.
Despite advances in the development of targeted therapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), most patients relapse. For that reason, it is still necessary to develop novel therapies that improve treatment effectiveness and overcome drug resistance. We developed T22-PE24-H6, a protein nanoparticle that contains the exotoxin A from the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and is able to specifically deliver this cytotoxic domain to CXCR4+ leukemic cells. Next, we evaluated the selective delivery and antitumor activity of T22-PE24-H6 in CXCR4+ AML cell lines and BM samples from AML patients. Moreover, we assessed the in vivo antitumor effect of this nanotoxin in a disseminated mouse model generated from CXCR4+ AML cells. T22-PE24-H6 showed a potent, CXCR4-dependent antineoplastic effect in vitro in the MONO-MAC-6 AML cell line. In addition, mice treated with nanotoxins in daily doses reduced the dissemination of CXCR4+ AML cells compared to buffer-treated mice, as shown by the significant decrease in BLI signaling. Furthermore, we did not observe any sign of toxicity or changes in mouse body weight, biochemical parameters, or histopathology in normal tissues. Finally, T22-PE24-H6 exhibited a significant inhibition of cell viability in CXCR4high AML patient samples but showed no activity in CXCR4low samples. These data strongly support the use of T22-PE24-H6 therapy to benefit high-CXCR4-expressing AML patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapy)
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23 pages, 4034 KiB  
Article
Ginsenoside Rg3 Reduces the Toxicity of Graphene Oxide Used for pH-Responsive Delivery of Doxorubicin to Liver and Breast Cancer Cells
by Shadi Rahimi, Daniel van Leeuwen, Fariba Roshanzamir, Santosh Pandit, Lei Shi, Nima Sasanian, Jens Nielsen, Elin K. Esbjörner and Ivan Mijakovic
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(2), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020391 - 24 Jan 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1992
Abstract
Doxorubicin (DOX) is extensively used in chemotherapy, but it has serious side effects and is inefficient against some cancers, e.g., hepatocarcinoma. To ameliorate the delivery of DOX and reduce its side effects, we designed a pH-responsive delivery system based on graphene oxide (GO) [...] Read more.
Doxorubicin (DOX) is extensively used in chemotherapy, but it has serious side effects and is inefficient against some cancers, e.g., hepatocarcinoma. To ameliorate the delivery of DOX and reduce its side effects, we designed a pH-responsive delivery system based on graphene oxide (GO) that is capable of a targeted drug release in the acidic tumor microenvironment. GO itself disrupted glutathione biosynthesis and induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in human cells. It induced IL17-directed JAK-STAT signaling and VEGF gene expression, leading to increased cell proliferation as an unwanted effect. To counter this, GO was conjugated with the antioxidant, ginsenoside Rg3, prior to loading with DOX. The conjugation of Rg3 to GO significantly reduced the toxicity of the GO carrier by abolishing ROS production. Furthermore, treatment of cells with GO–Rg3 did not induce IL17-directed JAK-STAT signaling and VEGF gene expression—nor cell proliferation—suggesting GO–Rg3 as a promising drug carrier. The anticancer activity of GO–Rg3–DOX conjugates was investigated against Huh7 hepatocarcinoma and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. GO–Rg3–DOX conjugates significantly reduced cancer cell viability, primarily via downregulation of transcription regulatory genes and upregulation of apoptosis genes. GO–Rg3 is an effective, biocompatible, and pH responsive DOX carrier with potential to improve chemotherapy—at least against liver and breast cancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapy)
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Review

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31 pages, 3622 KiB  
Review
Research Progress of Polysaccharide-Gold Nanocomplexes in Drug Delivery
by Ming Song, Adila Aipire, Elzira Dilxat, Jianmin Li, Guoyu Xia, Ziwen Jiang, Zhongxiong Fan and Jinyao Li
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(1), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16010088 - 09 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1170
Abstract
Clinical drug administration aims to deliver drugs efficiently and safely to target tissues, organs, and cells, with the objective of enabling their therapeutic effects. Currently, the main approach to enhance a drug’s effectiveness is ensuring its efficient delivery to the intended site. Due [...] Read more.
Clinical drug administration aims to deliver drugs efficiently and safely to target tissues, organs, and cells, with the objective of enabling their therapeutic effects. Currently, the main approach to enhance a drug’s effectiveness is ensuring its efficient delivery to the intended site. Due to the fact that there are still various drawbacks of traditional drug delivery methods, such as high toxicity and side effects, insufficient drug specificity, poor targeting, and poor pharmacokinetic performance, nanocarriers have emerged as a promising alternative. Nanocarriers possess significant advantages in drug delivery due to their size tunability and surface modifiability. Moreover, nano-drug delivery systems have demonstrated strong potential in terms of prolonging drug circulation time, improving bioavailability, increasing drug retention at the tumor site, decreasing drug resistance, as well as reducing the undesirable side effects of anticancer drugs. Numerous studies have focused on utilizing polysaccharides as nanodelivery carriers, developing delivery systems based on polysaccharides, or exploiting polysaccharides as tumor-targeting ligands to enhance the precision of nanoparticle delivery. These types of investigations have become commonplace in the academic literature. This review aims to elucidate the preparation methods and principles of polysaccharide gold nanocarriers. It also provides an overview of the factors that affect the loading of polysaccharide gold nanocarriers with different kinds of drugs. Additionally, it outlines the strategies employed by polysaccharide gold nanocarriers to improve the delivery efficiency of various drugs. The objective is to provide a reference for further development of research on polysaccharide gold nanodelivery systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapy)
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20 pages, 4679 KiB  
Review
Nanoplatforms Potentiated Ablation-Immune Synergistic Therapy through Improving Local Control and Suppressing Recurrent Metastasis
by Zixuan Wei, Xiaoya Yu, Mao Huang, Liewei Wen and Cuixia Lu
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(5), 1456; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15051456 - 10 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2233
Abstract
Minimally invasive ablation has been widely applied for treatment of various solid tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, breast carcinomas, etc. In addition to removing the primary tumor lesion, ablative techniques are also capable of improving the anti-tumor immune response by inducing [...] Read more.
Minimally invasive ablation has been widely applied for treatment of various solid tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, breast carcinomas, etc. In addition to removing the primary tumor lesion, ablative techniques are also capable of improving the anti-tumor immune response by inducing immunogenic tumor cell death and modulating the tumor immune microenvironment, which may be of great benefit to inhibit the recurrent metastasis of residual tumor. However, the short-acting activated anti-tumor immunity of post-ablation will rapidly reverse into an immunosuppressive state, and the recurrent metastasis owing to incomplete ablation is closely associated with a dismal prognosis for the patients. In recent years, numerous nanoplatforms have been developed to improve the local ablative effect through enhancing the targeting delivery and combining it with chemotherapy. Particularly, amplifying the anti-tumor immune stimulus signal, modulating the immunosuppressive microenvironment, and improving the anti-tumor immune response with the versatile nanoplatforms have heralded great application prospects for improving the local control and preventing tumor recurrence and distant metastasis. This review discusses recent advances in nanoplatform-potentiated ablation-immune synergistic tumor therapy, focusing on common ablation techniques including radiofrequency, microwave, laser, and high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation, cryoablation, and magnetic hyperthermia ablation, etc. We discuss the advantages and challenges of the corresponding therapies and propose possible directions for future research, which is expected to provide references for improving the traditional ablation efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapy)
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64 pages, 17478 KiB  
Review
A Small Sugar Molecule with Huge Potential in Targeted Cancer Therapy
by Gabriela Pastuch-Gawołek, Julia Szreder, Monika Domińska, Mateusz Pielok, Piotr Cichy and Mirosława Grymel
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(3), 913; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15030913 - 11 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3852
Abstract
The number of cancer-related diseases is still growing. Despite the availability of a large number of anticancer drugs, the ideal drug is still being sought that would be effective, selective, and overcome the effect of multidrug resistance. Therefore, researchers are still looking for [...] Read more.
The number of cancer-related diseases is still growing. Despite the availability of a large number of anticancer drugs, the ideal drug is still being sought that would be effective, selective, and overcome the effect of multidrug resistance. Therefore, researchers are still looking for ways to improve the properties of already-used chemotherapeutics. One of the possibilities is the development of targeted therapies. The use of prodrugs that release the bioactive substance only under the influence of factors characteristic of the tumor microenvironment makes it possible to deliver the drug precisely to the cancer cells. Obtaining such compounds is possible by coupling a therapeutic agent with a ligand targeting receptors, to which the attached ligand shows affinity and is overexpressed in cancer cells. Another way is to encapsulate the drug in a carrier that is stable in physiological conditions and sensitive to conditions of the tumor microenvironment. Such a carrier can be directed by attaching to it a ligand recognized by receptors typical of tumor cells. Sugars seem to be ideal ligands for obtaining prodrugs targeted at receptors overexpressed in cancer cells. They can also be ligands modifying polymers’ drug carriers. Furthermore, polysaccharides can act as selective nanocarriers for numerous chemotherapeutics. The proof of this thesis is the huge number of papers devoted to their use for modification or targeted transport of anticancer compounds. In this work, selected examples of broad-defined sugars application for improving the properties of both already-used drugs and substances exhibiting anticancer activity are presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapy)
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