scholarly journals Carbon Nanomaterials for Theranostic Use

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Izabela Kościk ◽  
Daniel Jankowski ◽  
Anna Jagusiak

Based on statistics from the National Cancer Institute in the US, the rate of new cases of cancer is 442.4 per 100,000 men and women per year, and more than one-third do not survive the disease. Cancer diagnosis and treatment are the most important challenges in modern medicine. The majority of cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage. However, the possibility of simultaneous diagnosis and application of therapy (theranostics) will allow for acceleration and effectiveness of treatment. Conventional chemotherapy is not effective in reducing the chemoresistance and progression of various types of cancer. In addition, it causes side effects, which are mainly a result of incorrect drug distribution. Hence, new therapies are being explored as well as new drug delivery strategies. In this regard, nanotechnology has shown promise in the targeted delivery of therapeutics to cancer cells. This review looks at the latest advances in drug delivery-based diagnosis and therapy. Drug delivery nanosystems made of various types of carbon (graphene, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes) are discussed. Their chemical properties, advantages, and disadvantages are explored, and these systems are compared with each other.

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 792-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urvashi Aggarwal ◽  
Amit Kumar Goyal ◽  
Goutam Rath

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Standard treatment options available for cervical cancer include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy associated with their own side effects and toxicities. Tumor-targeted delivery of anticancer drugs is perhaps one of the most appropriate strategies to achieve optimal outcomes from the treatment and improve the quality of life. Recently nanocarriers based drug delivery systems owing to their unique properties have been extensively investigated for anticancer drug delivery. In addition to that addressing the anatomical significance of cervical cancer, various local drug delivery strategies for the cancer treatment are introduced like: gels, nanoparticles, polymeric films, rods and wafers, lipid based nanocarrier. Localized drug delivery systems allow passive drug targeting results in high drug concentration at the target site. Further they can be tailor made to achieve both sustained and controlled release behavior, substantially improving therapeutic outcomes and minimizing side effects. This review summarizes the meaningful advances in drug delivery strategies to treat cervical cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shujing Ren ◽  
Heng Liu ◽  
Xitong Wang ◽  
Jiquan Bi ◽  
Shengfeng Lu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Attenuating inflammatory response and relieving pain are two therapeutic therapeutical goals for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are often associated with many adverse effects due to nonspecific distribution. New drug delivery systems with practical targeting ability and other complementary strategies urgently need to be explored. To achieve this goal, an acupoint drug delivery system that can target deliver anti-inflammatory drugs and simulate acupuncture in relieving pain was constructed, which can co-deliver triptolide (TP) and 2-chloro-N (6)-cyclopentyl adenosine (CCPA). Results We have successfully demonstrated that acupoint nanocomposite hydrogel composed of TP-Human serum album nanoparticles (TP@HSA NPs) and CCPA could effectively treat RA. The result shows that CCPA-Gel can enhance analgesic effects specifically at the acupoint, while the mechanical and thermal pain threshold was 4.9 and 1.6 times compared with non-acupoint, respectively, and the nanocomposite gel further enhanced. Otherwise, the combination of acupoint and nanocomposite hydrogel exerted synergetic improvement of inflammation, bone erosion, and reduction of systemic toxicity. Furthermore, it could regulate inflammatory factors and restore the balance of Th17/Treg cells, which provided a novel and effective treatment strategy for RA. Interestingly, acupoint administration could improve the accumulation of the designed nanomedicine in arthritic paws (13.5% higher than those in non-acupoint at 48 h), which may explain the better therapeutic efficiency and low toxicity. Conclusion This novel therapeutic approach-acupoint nanocomposite hydrogel, builds a bridge between acupuncture and drugs which sheds light on the combination of traditional and modern medicine. Graphical Abstract


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shujing Ren ◽  
Heng Liu ◽  
Xitong Wang ◽  
Jiquan Bi ◽  
Shengfeng Lu ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundAttenuating the inflammatory response and relieving pain are two therapeutical goals for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are often associated with many adverse effects due to nonspecific distribution. New drug delivery systems with effective targeting ability and other complementary strategies are on urgent need to be explored. To achieve this goal, an acupoint drug delivery system that can simulate acupuncture in relieving pain and targeted deliver anti-inflammatory drugs is constructed, which can co-deliver 2-chloro-N (6)-cyclopentyl adenosine (CCPA) and triptolide (TP). ResultsWe have successfully demonstrated that the nanocomposite hydrogel composed of TP-Human serum album nanoparticles (HSA NPs) and CCPA could effectively treat the RA. We found that this combination therapy can enhance analgesic effects while the mechanical pain threshold was 5.2 times compared with model group, and the thermal pain threshold was 1.4 times. Acupoint nanocomposite hydrogel could not only improve the accumulation of the designed nanomedicine in arthritic paws (13.5% higher than those in non-acupoint at 48h), but also cooperate with nanomedicine to exert synergetic improvement of inflammation and reduction of systemic toxicity. Furthermore, it can regulate inflammatory factors and restore the balance of Th17/Treg cell which provide a novel effective treatment strategy for RA.ConclusionThis novel therapeutic approach-acupoint nanocomposite hydrogel, builds a bridge between acupuncture and drugs which sheds light on the combination of traditional and modern medicine.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 698-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Izzati Mansor ◽  
Norshariza Nordin ◽  
Farahidah Mohamed ◽  
King Hwa Ling ◽  
Rozita Rosli ◽  
...  

: Many drugs have been designed to treat diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), especially neurodegenerative diseases. However, the presence of tight junctions at the blood-brain barrier has often compromised the efficiency of drug delivery to target sites in the brain. The principles of drug delivery systems across the blood-brain barrier are dependent on substrate-specific (i.e. protein transport and transcytosis) and non-specific (i.e. transcellular and paracellular) transport pathways, which are crucial factors in attempts to design efficient drug delivery strategies. This review describes how the blood-brain barrier presents the main challenge in delivering drugs to treat brain diseases and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of ongoing neurotherapeutic delivery strategies in overcoming this limitation. In addition, we discuss the application of colloidal carrier systems, particularly nanoparticles, as potential tools for therapy for the CNS diseases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (42) ◽  
pp. 5533-5545
Author(s):  
Saeideh Nozohouri ◽  
Bhuvaneshwar Vaidya ◽  
Thomas J. Abbruscato

Ischemic stroke, a leading cause of mortality, results in severe neurological outcomes in the patients. Effective stroke therapies may significantly decrease the extent of injury. For this purpose, novel and efficient drug delivery strategies need to be developed. Among a myriad of therapeutic and drug delivery techniques, exosomes have shown promising results in ischemic stroke either by their intrinsic therapeutic characteristics, which can result in angiogenesis and neurogenesis or by acting as competent, biocompatible drug delivery vehicles to transport neurotherapeutic agents into the brain. In this review, we have discussed different methods of exosome isolation and cargo loading techniques, advantages and disadvantages of using exosomes as a drug delivery carrier and the therapeutic applications of exosomes with a focus on ischemic stroke therapy.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sartini Sartini ◽  
Andi Dian Permana ◽  
Saikat Mitra ◽  
Abu Montakim Tareq ◽  
Emil Salim ◽  
...  

In recent years, the emergence of newly identified acute and chronic infectious disorders caused by diverse combinations of pathogens, termed polymicrobial diseases, has had catastrophic consequences for humans. Antimicrobial agents have been clinically proven to be effective in the pharmacological treatment of polymicrobial diseases. Unfortunately, an increasing trend in the emergence of multi-drug-resistant pathogens and limited options for delivery of antimicrobial drugs might seriously impact humans’ efforts to combat polymicrobial diseases in the coming decades. New antimicrobial agents with novel mechanism(s) of action and new pharmaceutical formulations or delivery systems to target infected sites are urgently required. In this review, we discuss the prospective use of novel antimicrobial compounds isolated from natural products to treat polymicrobial infections, mainly via mechanisms related to inhibition of biofilm formation. Drug-delivery systems developed to deliver antimicrobial compounds to both intracellular and extracellular pathogens are discussed. We further discuss the effectiveness of several biofilm-targeted delivery strategies to eliminate polymicrobial biofilms. At the end, we review the applications and promising opportunities for various drug-delivery systems, when compared to conventional antimicrobial therapy, as a pharmacological means to treat polymicrobial diseases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 185 ◽  
pp. 03048
Author(s):  
Zhang Chenglin ◽  
Su Jihao ◽  
Zhao Hongxia

Supramolecular drug delivery systems (SDDSs) provide a useful platform for smart and functional drug carriers owing to their high selectivity towards various guest molecules and stimulus-responsive properties. Pillar[n]arenes represent a new generation of macrocyclic hosts with unique structures and chemical properties. In recent times pillar[n]arenes have attracted considerable attention as ideal scaffolds for the construction of SDDSs. Since sugar functionalized pillar[n]arenes have good water solubility and excellent biocompatibility, they have been widely applied in supramolecular systems construction, such as nanoparticles, vesicles, and gels by non-covalent interactions, so as to meet the requirements of their applications in biomedicine. These SDDSs present good responsiveness, not only realizing targeted delivery and controllable release of drugs, but also improving drug solubility and reducing its toxic and side effects. Here, according to the different structure of the assembly, the SDDSs constructed by the sugar functionalized pillar[n]arenes are summarized, and the development prospect of the system is prospected.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (27) ◽  
pp. 2034-2041
Author(s):  
Prakash Raj K. ◽  
Kathiresan K. ◽  
Pandian P.

In regulated and targeted drug distribution, biodegradable polymers have played a significant portion. Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) has been an important desirable polymer in tissue engineering to meet a new drug delivery system. PLGAs, show a broad spectrum of erosion cycles and have tuning mechanical characteristics. Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) has been the most successful polymeric biomaterial for use in controlled drug delivery systems. PLGA has been extensively studied, in particular, in the production of equipment for controlled distribution in industrial and research applications of small molecules, protein, and other macromolecules. PLGA is biocompatible and biodegradable, exhibits a wide range of erosion times, has tunable mechanical properties and most importantly, is a FDA approved polymer. PLGA has many properties such as controlled and sustained release, low cancerinducing, long-standing biomedical applications, biocompatibility with tissues and cells, and prolonged residence time. It is otherwise called as 'Smart Polymer' because improvements are fragile to conduct PLGA that has been widely examined in industrial and academic applications to produce instruments for the target delivery of tiny molecular drugs, proteins, and other large molecules. An introduction about the chemistry, physicochemical properties, manufacturing techniques of the devices, toxicity, and the reason influencing their decrease and release of the drug was given in the present study. Mathematical modelling is a useful tool for identifying, characterizing, and predicting the mechanisms of controlled release. Mathematical modelling applied against the target from PLGA – the devices has been clarified by discussing in the review, by explaining the underlying mathematical models and how this is used. KEY WORDS Biodegradable Polymers, PLGA, Biodegradability, Macromolecules


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-41
Author(s):  
V. S. Gorbik ◽  
Z. S. Shprakh ◽  
Z. M. Kozlova ◽  
V. G. Salova

Liposomal targeted drug delivery makes it possible to achieve effective concentration in the target cell under various pathological conditions. The main advantage of liposomal particles is their biodegradability and immunological neutrality, which improves the safety profile of drugs. The review provides information on the composition of liposomes: the main component of the liposomal membrane is phospholipids, which provide its strength and protect from mechanical impacts. Liposomal particles are distinguished by the size and number of bilayer membranes, also secreted liposomes with a non‑lamellar organization. The composition and size of liposomes are selected depending on the purpose, including excipients in the membrane that affect the properties and functions of liposomes, including the rate of release of the components, the affinity of liposomes for the target tissue, etc. The review considers the main methods for obtaining liposomes and the features of their use, advantages and disadvantages. The creation of liposomes that are sensitive to various external or internal physicochemical factors makes it possible to realize drugs effects, localize the site of its action and reduce the number and severity of side effects. Currently, liposome‑based drugs are successfully used in various fields of medicine – dermatology, cardiology, oncology, neurology, etc. The most active condact preclinical and clinical studies of liposomal drugs for the treatment of malignant neoplasms. Particular attention is paid to the work of Russian researchers in the field of targeted drug delivery. It is shown that today liposomes are an open for study and improvement system for targeted drug delivery.


Author(s):  
Desmond I. J. Morrow ◽  
Martin J. Garland ◽  
Paul A. McCarron ◽  
A. David Woolfson ◽  
Ryan F. Donnelly

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