Delivery of cancer therapies by synthetic and bio-inspired nanovectors

Abstract Background As a complement to the clinical development of new anticancer molecules, innovations in therapeutic vectorization aim at solving issues related to tumor specificity and associated toxicities. Nanomedicine is a rapidly evolving field that offers various solutions to increase clinical efficacy and safety. Main Here are presented the recent advances for different types of nanovectors of chemical and biological nature, to identify the best suited for translational research projects. These nanovectors include different types of chemically engineered nanoparticles that now come in many different flavors of ‘smart’ drug delivery systems. Alternatives with enhanced biocompatibility and a better adaptability to new types of therapeutic molecules are the cell-derived extracellular vesicles and micro-organism-derived oncolytic viruses, virus-like particles and bacterial minicells. In the first part of the review, we describe their main physical, chemical and biological properties and their potential for personalized modifications. The second part focuses on presenting the recent literature on the use of the different families of nanovectors to deliver anticancer molecules for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, nucleic acid-based therapy, modulation of the tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy. Conclusion This review will help the readers to better appreciate the complexity of available nanovectors and to identify the most fitting “type” for efficient and specific delivery of diverse anticancer therapies.

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Artificial cells drive neural differentiation

Science Advances ◽

10.1126/sciadv.abb4920 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (38) ◽

pp. eabb4920 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ö. Duhan Toparlak ◽

Jacopo Zasso ◽

Simone Bridi ◽

Mauro Dalla Serra ◽

Paolo Macchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mammalian Cells ◽

Artificial Cells ◽

Human Embryonic Kidney Cells ◽

Drug Delivery Vehicles ◽

Physiological Conditions ◽

Therapeutic Molecules ◽

Delivery Vehicles ◽

Smart Drug ◽

Smart Drug Delivery

We report the construction of artificial cells that chemically communicate with mammalian cells under physiological conditions. The artificial cells respond to the presence of a small molecule in the environment by synthesizing and releasing a potent protein signal, brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Genetically controlled artificial cells communicate with engineered human embryonic kidney cells and murine neural stem cells. The data suggest that artificial cells are a versatile chassis for the in situ synthesis and on-demand release of chemical signals that elicit desired phenotypic changes of eukaryotic cells, including neuronal differentiation. In the future, artificial cells could be engineered to go beyond the capabilities of typical smart drug delivery vehicles by synthesizing and delivering specific therapeutic molecules tailored to distinct physiological conditions.

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44Ti diffusion labelling of commercially available, engineered TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles

Journal of Nanoparticle Research ◽

10.1007/s11051-020-04978-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (9) ◽

Author(s):

Uwe Holzwarth ◽

Jessica Ponti

Keyword(s):

Aqueous Suspension ◽

Sio2 Nanoparticles ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Engineered Nanoparticles ◽

Detection Sensitivity ◽

Particle Sizes ◽

Simple Diffusion ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Different Types ◽

Labelling Procedure

Abstract In realistic exposure scenarios, the detection and quantification of engineered nanoparticles in complex environmental or biological matrixes is a challenge since nanoparticle concentrations are frequently low and have to be discerned from a background that may contain the same elements in various chemical forms in much higher concentrations. The use of radiolabelled nanoparticles may overcome these difficulties offering high detection sensitivity without the necessity of complex sample preparation procedures. However, the labelling procedure must not alter the physicochemical and biological properties of the nanoparticles. In the present work, the radiolabelling of three different types of TiO2 nanoparticles with primary particle sizes between 5 nm and 26 nm with commercially available 44Ti has been investigated applying a simple diffusion heat treatment at 180 °C for 2.5 h on nanoparticles impregnated with a solution containing the 44Ti radiolabel. The same treatment has been investigated to radiolabel amorphous SiO2 nanoparticles with 44Ti. The radiolabels are stably integrated in the nanoparticle matrix, and the release is less than 0.1% in aqueous suspension at neutral pH for at least 4 weeks. The method appears to be fast and reliable. By transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and ζ-potential measurements, only minor alterations of the nanoparticle size could be detected in the range of 1 to 2 nm.

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Adult Stem Cells and Biocompatible Scaffolds as Smart Drug Delivery Tools for Cardiac Tissue Repair

Current Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/09298673113209990032 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 20 (28) ◽

pp. 3429-3447 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Stefania Pagliari ◽

Sara Romanazzo ◽

Diogo Mosqueira ◽

Perpetua Pinto-do-O ◽

Takao Aoyagi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Tissue Repair ◽

Adult Stem Cells ◽

Cardiac Tissue ◽

Smart Drug ◽

Smart Drug Delivery

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NMR Assisted Antimicrobial Peptide Designing: Structure Based Modifications and Functional Correlation of a Designed Peptide VG16KRKP

Current Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/0929867326666190624090817 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (9) ◽

pp. 1387-1404 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Karishma Biswas ◽

Humaira Ilyas ◽

Aritreyee Datta ◽

Anirban Bhunia

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Structure Characterization ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Functional Correlation ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

High Resolution Nmr ◽

Different Types ◽

Reduced Activity ◽

Poor Stability

Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs), within their realm incorporate a diverse group of structurally and functionally varied peptides, playing crucial roles in innate immunity. Over the last few decades, the field of AMP has seen a huge upsurge, mainly owing to the generation of the so-called drug resistant ‘superbugs’ as well as limitations associated with the existing antimicrobial agents. Due to their resilient biological properties, AMPs can very well form the sustainable alternative for nextgeneration therapeutic agents. Certain drawbacks associated with existing AMPs are, however, issues of major concern, circumventing which are imperative. These limitations mainly include proteolytic cleavage and hence poor stability inside the biological systems, reduced activity due to inadequate interaction with the microbial membrane, and ineffectiveness because of inappropriate delivery among others. In this context, the application of naturally occurring AMPs as an efficient prototype for generating various synthetic and designed counterparts has evolved as a new avenue in peptide-based therapy. Such designing approaches help to overcome the drawbacks of the parent AMPs while retaining the inherent activity. In this review, we summarize some of the basic NMR structure based approaches and techniques which aid in improving the activity of AMPs, using the example of a 16-residue dengue virus fusion protein derived peptide, VG16KRKP. Using first principle based designing technique and high resolution NMR-based structure characterization we validate different types of modifications of VG16KRKP, highlighting key motifs, which optimize its activity. The approaches and designing techniques presented can support our peers in their drug development work.

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Advances in Nanoparticles as Anticancer Drug Delivery Vector: Need of this Century

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612826666200203124330 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (15) ◽

pp. 1637-1649 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Imran Ali ◽

Sofi D. Mukhtar ◽

Heyam S. Ali ◽

Marcus T. Scotti ◽

Luciana Scotti

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Anticancer Drug ◽

Medical Science ◽

Drug Carriers ◽

Anticancer Drug Delivery ◽

Ph Values ◽

Delivery Vector ◽

Future Challenges ◽

Smart Drug ◽

Smart Drug Delivery

Background: Nanotechnology has contributed a great deal to the field of medical science. Smart drugdelivery vectors, combined with stimuli-based characteristics, are becoming increasingly important. The use of external and internal stimulating factors can have enormous benefits and increase the targeting efficiency of nanotechnology platforms. The pH values of tumor vascular tissues are acidic in nature, allowing the improved targeting of anticancer drug payloads using drug-delivery vectors. Nanopolymers are smart drug-delivery vectors that have recently been developed and recommended for use by scientists because of their potential targeting capabilities, non-toxicity and biocompatibility, and make them ideal nanocarriers for personalized drug delivery. Method: The present review article provides an overview of current advances in the use of nanoparticles (NPs) as anticancer drug-delivery vectors. Results: This article reviews the molecular basis for the use of NPs in medicine, including personalized medicine, personalized therapy, emerging vistas in anticancer therapy, nanopolymer targeting, passive and active targeting transports, pH-responsive drug carriers, biological barriers, computer-aided drug design, future challenges and perspectives, biodegradability and safety. Conclusions: This article will benefit academia, researchers, clinicians, and government authorities by providing a basis for further research advancements.

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Janus Nano- and Microparticles as Smart Drug Delivery Systems

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology ◽

10.2174/1389201017666160401145438 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 17 (8) ◽

pp. 673-682 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ibrahim M. El-Sherbiny ◽

Yasmine Abbas

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Drug Delivery Systems ◽

Delivery Systems ◽

Smart Drug ◽

Smart Drug Delivery

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Inorganic Gold and Polymeric Poly(Lactide-co-glycolide) Nanoparticles as Novel Strategies to Ameliorate the Biological Properties of Antimicrobial Peptides

Current Protein and Peptide Science ◽

10.2174/1389203720666191203101947 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 429-438 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bruno Casciaro ◽

Francesca Ghirga ◽

Deborah Quaglio ◽

Maria Luisa Mangoni

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Peptides ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Biological Profile ◽

Innovative Strategy ◽

Different Types ◽

New Antibiotics ◽

Interesting Class ◽

Alternative Antimicrobials ◽

Nanoparticulate Systems ◽

Infective Activity

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an interesting class of gene-encoded molecules endowed with a broad-spectrum of anti-infective activity and immunomodulatory properties. They represent promising candidates for the development of new antibiotics, mainly due to their membraneperturbing mechanism of action that very rarely induces microbial resistance. However, bringing AMPs into the clinical field is hampered by some intrinsic limitations, encompassing low peptide bioavailability at the target site and high peptide susceptibility to proteolytic degradation. In this regard, nanotechnologies represent an innovative strategy to circumvent these issues. According to the literature, a large variety of nanoparticulate systems have been employed for drug-delivery, bioimaging, biosensors or nanoantibiotics. The possibility of conjugating different types of molecules, including AMPs, to these systems, allows the production of nanoformulations able to enhance the biological profile of the compound while reducing its cytotoxicity and prolonging its residence time. In this minireview, inorganic gold nanoparticles (NPs) and biodegradable polymeric NPs made of poly(lactide-coglycolide) are described with particular emphasis on examples of the conjugation of AMPs to them, to highlight the great potential of such nanoformulations as alternative antimicrobials.

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Snail mucus from the mantle and foot of two land snails, Lissachatina fulica and Hemiplecta distincta, exhibits different protein profile and biological activity

BMC Research Notes ◽

10.1186/s13104-021-05557-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nattaphop Noothuan ◽

Kantamas Apitanyasai ◽

Somsak Panha ◽

Anchalee Tassanakajon

Keyword(s):

Biological Activities ◽

Protein Pattern ◽

Protein Profile ◽

Antibacterial Properties ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Specific Protein ◽

Land Snails ◽

Snail Species ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Different Types

Abstract Objective Snails secrete different types of mucus that serve several functions, and are increasingly being exploited for medical and cosmetic applications. In this study, we explored the protein pattern and compared the biological properties of the mucus secreted from the mantle collar and foot of two snail species, Lissachatina fulica and Hemiplecta distincta. Result Protein profile showed a different pattern between the two species and between the two secretory parts. The mantle-specific protein bands were further characterized and among them was an antibacterial protein, achacin. Accordingly, the mucus from the mantle exhibited the higher antibacterial activity than that from the foot in both snail species. The mucus from H. distincta, first reported here, also showed antibacterial properties, but with a lower activity compared to that for L. fulica. Snail mucus also exhibited anti-tyrosinase activity and antioxidant activity but with no significant difference between the foot and mantle mucus. These results indicate some different protein compositions and biological activities of snail slime from the mantle and foot, which might be associated with their specific functions in the animal and are useful for medical applications.

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Cytotoxic Agents in the Minor Alkaloid Groups of the Amaryllidaceae

Planta Medica ◽

10.1055/a-1380-1888 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jerald J. Nair ◽

Johannes van Staden

Keyword(s):

Cancer Cells ◽

Cancer Cell Line ◽

Structural Features ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Cytotoxic Agents ◽

Plant Family ◽

Structure Activity ◽

Significant Interest ◽

Different Types ◽

Minor Alkaloid

AbstractOver 600 alkaloids have to date been identified in the plant family Amaryllidaceae. These have been arranged into as many as 15 different groups based on their characteristic structural features. The vast majority of studies on the biological properties of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids have probed their anticancer potential. While most efforts have focused on the major alkaloid groups, the volume and diversity afforded by the minor alkaloid groups have promoted their usefulness as targets for cancer cell line screening purposes. This survey is an in-depth review of such activities described for around 90 representatives from 10 minor alkaloid groups of the Amaryllidaceae. These have been evaluated against over 60 cell lines categorized into 18 different types of cancer. The montanine and cripowellin groups were identified as the most potent, with some in the latter demonstrating low nanomolar level antiproliferative activities. Despite their challenging molecular architectures, the minor alkaloid groups have allowed for facile adjustments to be made to their structures, thereby altering the size, geometry, and electronics of the targets available for structure-activity relationship studies. Nevertheless, it was seen with a regular frequency that the parent alkaloids were better cytotoxic agents than the corresponding semisynthetic derivatives. There has also been significant interest in how the minor alkaloid groups manifest their effects in cancer cells. Among the various targets and pathways in which they were seen to mediate, their ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells is most appealing.

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