Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Hamed Nosrati, Farzad Seidi, Ali Hosseinmirzaei, Navid Mousazadeh, Ali Mohammadi, Mohammadreza Ghaffarlou, Hossein Danafar, Joao Conde, Ali Sharafi
Summary: Utilizing all-in-one nanoparticles for synchronous chemoradiotherapy significantly enhances cancer therapy efficacy, as demonstrated by studies on cell viability, proliferation, and ROS production. In vivo anticancer experiments show that the mPEG-CUR@Au system improves radiation sensitivity in 4T1 mammary carcinoma and completely eradicates breast cancer.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jialu Gao, Zhen Qiao, Shuo Liu, Jiaxi Xu, Shi Wang, Xia Yang, Xin Wang, Rupei Tang
Summary: The study developed a self-delivered prodrug system with nanoscale characteristics to enhance tumor therapy efficacy. The pH-sensitive prodrug nanoparticles simultaneously released dasatinib and doxorubicin, demonstrating remarkable antitumor effects. This prodrug system shows great potential in cancer therapy.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS AND BIOPHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xihui Gao, Junqiang Ding, Qianqian Long, Changyou Zhan
Summary: Viruses are efficient agents for gene transfer and inspire the design of nanoparticle-based delivery systems. By mimicking virus assembly, researchers develop biocompatible delivery vectors to selectively concentrate drugs or imaging probes in tumors, improving efficacy and reducing toxicity.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Francesca Moret, Luca Menilli, Manuele Battan, Daniele Tedesco, Marta Columbaro, Andrea Guerrini, Greta Avancini, Claudia Ferroni, Greta Varchi
Summary: The study introduces a novel approach using TME-responsive nanoparticles to combine PTX prodrug and photosensitizer PheoA, aiming to achieve controlled release of PTX and synergistic effect of PheoA-mediated photodynamic therapy. Results demonstrate elevated cytotoxicity and significant reduction in drug dosage within cells using this method.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Linlin Sun, Pan Zhao, Menghan Chen, Jiayi Leng, Yixin Luan, Baoxiang Du, Jia Yang, Yong Yang, Rong Rong
Summary: Malignant tumors pose a great threat to human health, and chemotherapy using taxanes is an important treatment option. However, the hydrophobicity, off-target toxicity, and multidrug resistance of taxanes restrict their therapeutic effects. Prodrug-based nanomedicines (PNS) have shown great potential in cancer therapy due to their advantages such as high drug loading efficiency, low immunogenicity, tumor stimuli-responsive drug release, and combinational therapy. This review summarizes the latest developments in taxanes prodrugs-based nanomedicines (TPNS), including polymer-drug conjugate-based nanoformulations, small molecular prodrug-based self-assembled nanoparticles, and prodrug-encapsulated nanosystems. The future challenges of TPNS for clinical translation are also discussed.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shunzhe Zheng, Guanting Li, Jianbin Shi, Xinying Liu, Meng Li, Zhonggui He, Chutong Tian, Ken-ichiro Kamei
Summary: Due to the severe dose-dependent toxicity and drug resistance, platinum (Pt)-based chemotherapy has limitations. Pt(IV) prodrug nanotherapeutics have emerged as a promising approach to improve the antitumor performance of Pt drugs. This article summarizes the latest advances in Pt(IV) prodrug nano-therapeutics, including their potential for overcoming biological barriers and their synergistic effects with other therapies.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Qing Pei, Bowen Jiang, Dengyuan Hao, Zhigang Xie
Summary: Chemotherapy plays a critical role in cancer treatment, especially for advanced and metastatic tumors. However, the therapeutic effect of Paclitaxel-based formulations is limited by off-target toxicity and drug resistance. Self-assembled PTX nanoparticles have shown promise in enhancing therapeutic index. This study summarizes the self-assembly strategy of PTX nanodrugs and outlines the advancements in tumor therapy, including mono chemotherapy, combination therapy, and theranostics.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Ting Yang, Xianfen Zhang, Xing Yang, Ying Li, Jingjing Xiang, Chunbai Xiang, Zhongke Liu, Luo Hai, Saipeng Huang, Lihua Zhou, Ruijing Liang, Ping Gong
Summary: Mitochondria play a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and have been found to be involved in tumor development. A new strategy for tumor treatment is to target mitochondria, and redox-activated self-assembled carrier-free nanoparticles have been developed to deliver a hexokinase inhibitor, Lonidamine, to mitochondria.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lirong Zhang, Xiaodong Ma, Wenhui Zhou, Qiwei Wu, Jiaqi Yan, Xiaoyu Xu, Bhawana Ghimire, Jessica M. Rosenholm, Jing Feng, Dongqing Wang, Hongbo Zhang
Summary: This study successfully constructed a nanoplatform for triple-negative breast cancer treatment by combining photothermal therapy, prodrug design, and tumor cell camouflage formulation, achieving effective therapeutic effects against TNBC. The nanoparticles demonstrated excellent drug release performance and enhanced targeting ability to tumor cells.
MATERIALS TODAY ADVANCES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qunfeng Fu, Siyong Shen, Pengwei Sun, Zhi Gu, Yifei Bai, Xianglin Wang, Zhibo Liu
Summary: This review summarizes the latest advancements in prodrug activation using bioorthogonal chemistry, with a focus on small-molecule prodrugs and antibody-drug conjugates. Additionally, it discusses the opportunities and challenges of translating these advancements into clinical practice.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Siyue Ma, Ji Hyeon Kim, Wei Chen, Lu Li, Jieun Lee, Junlian Xue, Yuxia Liu, Guang Chen, Bo Tang, Wei Tao, Jong Seung Kim
Summary: Targeted fluorescent prodrugs that efficiently accumulate in tumor cells in different organs have shown great potential in improving drug targeting efficacy for tumor therapy. In this review, the development of innovative targeted fluorescent prodrugs for lung cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, glioma, and colorectal cancer is highlighted. The latest progress in chemical design and synthetic considerations, as well as the activation of therapeutic efficacy and fluorescence by tumor-specific stimuli, are reviewed. Furthermore, novel perspectives on engineered nanoparticle platforms and their use in monitoring the delivery of therapeutic agents in preclinical models are provided.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Xuejiao Guo, Honglin Jin, Pui-Chi Lo
Summary: ZnPc and Dox were conjugated and encapsulated into polymeric micelles, showing excellent stability and cytotoxicity against HT29 cells.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sifei Han, Tim Quach, Luojuan Hu, Shea Fern Lim, Dan Zheng, Nathania J. Leong, Garima Sharma, Daniel Bonner, Jamie S. Simpson, Natalie L. Trevaskis, Christopher J. H. Porter
Summary: Targeted delivery of immunomodulators to the lymphatic system has the potential to enhance therapeutic efficacy. In this study, a series of structurally related triglyceride prodrugs of mycophenolic acid (MPA) were examined to optimize structure-lymphatic transport relationships. Prodrugs with medium-to long-chain spacers between MPA and the glyceride backbone were most effective in promoting lymphatic transport, while short-chain and very long-chain linkers were less preferred due to instability in the intestine or reduced solubility.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Li-Han Liu, Xian-Zheng Zhang
Summary: The past decade has seen significant advances in the development of carrier-free nanomedicines, which are attractive due to their high biosafety, drug loading capacities, simple compositions, and simplified synthesis procedures. Extensive efforts have been made to expand the scope of carrier-free nanomedicines and improve their therapeutic performance through the exploration of new excipients, therapeutic agents, self-assembly methods, and mechanisms. This review summarizes the research progress and practical applications of carrier-free nanomedicines in cancer therapy.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Mahshid Deldar Abad Paskeh, Hamidreza Saebfar, Mahmood Khaksary Mahabady, Sima Orouei, Kiavash Hushmandi, Maliheh Entezari, Mehrdad Hashemi, Amir Reza Aref, Michael R. Hamblin, Hui Li Ang, Alan Prem Kumar, Ali Zarrabi, Saeed Samarghandian
Summary: Gene therapy can be used as a cancer therapy by affecting signaling networks participating in the aggressive behavior of tumors. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a genetic tool employed to increase drug sensitivity and reduce drug resistance. By targeting oncogenic pathways and regulating drug transporter activity, siRNA can increase drug accumulation and enhance cytotoxicity. The use of nanoparticles as carriers and smart nanostructures with pH, redox, and light responsiveness can optimize siRNA and drug delivery for tumor treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mengchi Sun, Shihua Yang, Hanwei Huang, Peng Gao, Siwei Pan, Zhenguo Cheng, Zhonggui He, Zhenning Wang, Jin Sun, Funan Liu
Summary: This study proposes a bacteria-assisted targeting system for oncolytic viruses (OVs) to enhance their concentration within tumors. By conjugating liposome-cloaked oncolytic adenoviruses (OAs) onto tumor-homing Escherichia coli, the enrichment of OAs within tumors is significantly increased. In addition, this system also augments antitumor immune responses through bacterial-viral interactions.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yoshinori Endo, Ken-ichiro Kamei, Kouichi Hasegawa, Keisuke Okita, Hideyuki Ito, Shiho Terada, Miho Inoue-Murayama
Summary: This study generated iPSCs from the endangered Grevy's zebra and described their molecular characteristics. The results suggest evolutionary conservation between these iPSCs and those from humans and mice, to some extent.
STEM CELLS AND DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Rodi Abdalkader, Ken-ichiro Kamei
Summary: This study introduces a simplified small molecule-based corneal induction method to generate mature corneal epithelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells. RNA-seq analysis shows that the generated cells closely resemble mature corneal epithelial cells and express relevant markers.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yixin Sun, Simeng Wang, Yaqi Li, Danping Wang, Yu Zhang, Haotian Zhang, Hongrui Lei, Xiaohong Liu, Jin Sun, Bingjun Sun, Zhonggui He
Summary: Prodrug-based nanoassemblies, combining prodrug technology and nanocarriers, show great promise in cancer treatment. The chemical structure of prodrugs is closely related to their antitumor efficacy and safety, and the relationship between them needs further exploration.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Dongxiao Zhang, Jiandong Yang, Yoshikazu Hirai, Ken-ichiro Kamei, Osamu Tabata, Toshiyuki Tsuchiya
Summary: Multi-organ-on-a-chip devices have gained attention for their ability to mimic human physiological conditions, but they lack on-chip analytical technologies for real-time monitoring. In this study, a microfabricated multi-organ-on-a-chip was developed by integrating a pneumatic-actuated micropump and a parylene-insulated microelectrode array (MEA) into a PDMS-based microfluidic device. The experimental results showed that the micropump performance was sufficient for simulating metabolite interaction, and the impedance magnitude measured was comparable to state-of-the-art MEA devices. This microfabrication method has potential applications in comprehensive in vitro drug testing.
JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chutong Tian, Jin Sun, Mingyang Zhang, Chunlin Guo, Yifan Miao, Zhonggui He
Summary: In this study, a lipophilic disulfide-bridged linoleic prodrug (PTX-S-S-LA) was synthesized and efficiently incorporated into a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) to facilitate the oral absorption of paclitaxel (PTX). The prodrug SMEDDS showed higher drug loading efficiency and stability compared to parent PTX, and significantly increased drug partition in the intestinal micellar aqueous phase. Moreover, SMEDDS enhanced gastrointestinal biological adhesion and lymphatic transport, resulting in improved antitumor efficiency without significant gastrointestinal toxicity. Overall, the combination of PTX-S-S-LA and SMEDDS provides a promising approach for effective oral delivery of PTX.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoyuan Fan, Kaiyuan Wang, Qi Lu, Yutong Lu, Jin Sun
Summary: Immunotherapy aims to activate the immune system to treat cancer, but its effectiveness in clinical applications is still limited. Cell-based drug delivery systems have the potential to enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy and play important roles.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xin Wang, Tian Liu, Yuetong Huang, Fudan Dong, Lingxiao Li, Jiaxuan Song, Shiyi Zuo, Zhengyang Zhu, Ken-ichiro Kamei, Zhonggui He, Bingjun Sun, Jin Sun
Summary: It is a challenge to develop SN38 HDPNs due to their rigid planar aromatic ring structure. This study synthesized three SN38 homodimeric prodrugs with different linker lengths and found that increasing the linker length improved the chemical and self-assembly stability of the prodrugs. Among them, gamma-SN38-SS-SN38 exhibited the best stability and enhanced the tumor accumulation and antitumor efficacy of SN38. These findings contribute to the rational design of HDPNs with superior performance.
NANOSCALE HORIZONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Seiichiro Takahashi, Yutaka Mune, Akihiko Yamamuro, Akira Aiba, Kenji Hatakeyama, Ken-ichiro Kamei
Summary: Microfluidic devices made from cyclo olefin polymers (COPs) have the potential for use in biological experiments due to their superior properties compared to traditional materials. However, the use of solvents and adhesives during the fabrication process may result in the release of harmful compounds. Evaluating solvent release from devices is crucial for their application in biological research.
JOURNAL OF MICROMECHANICS AND MICROENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ximing Zhang, Fangxue Zhao, Jing Feng, Cong Chen, Zhonggui He, Mengchi Sun, Jin Sun
Summary: In this study, an ionizable PTX prodrug (PTXP) was designed to achieve remote loading of liposomal formulations. Compared to marketable PTX liposomes, PTXP liposomes showed higher loading efficiency and encapsulation efficiency, as well as demonstrated stability, prolonged circulation time, high tumor site accumulation, potent anti-tumor effects, and safety in vitro and in vivo.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yi-fan Miao, Qing Ye, Ming-yang Zhang, Lin Gao, Xi-yan Wang, Wen-xin Zhong, Zi-xuan Wang, Zhong-gui He, Chu-tong Tian, Jin Sun
Summary: Due to the serious side effects of intravenous Taxol, the development of an oral chemotherapeutic strategy for paclitaxel (PTX) delivery is highly anticipated. This study explores a series of triglyceride-mimetic prodrugs of PTX with different fatty acid structures to enhance oral antitumor effect and guide the design of similar prodrugs. The results show that the length of fatty acids plays a significant role in in vitro intestinal digestion behavior, lymph transport efficiency, and plasma pharmacokinetics, while the degree of unsaturation has a negligible impact. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the rational design of TG-like PTX prodrugs.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Jiandong Yang, Yoshikazu Hirai, Kei Iida, Shinji Ito, Marika Trumm, Shiho Terada, Risako Sakai, Toshiyuki Tsuchiya, Osamu Tabata, Ken-ichiro Kamei
Summary: An in vitro model of the gut-liver axis (GLA) is created using the iGLC platform to study non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Human gut and liver cell lines are co-cultured using microfluidics in a closed circulation loop, and treated with free fatty acids (FFAs) to simulate the initiation and progression of NAFLD. The co-cultured cells show protective effects against FFAs-induced apoptosis, while mono-cultured cells experience induced apoptosis. The iGLC platform provides a valuable alternative to animal experiments for investigating the mechanisms of NAFLD.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shunzhe Zheng, Guanting Li, Jianbin Shi, Xinying Liu, Meng Li, Zhonggui He, Chutong Tian, Ken-ichiro Kamei
Summary: Due to the severe dose-dependent toxicity and drug resistance, platinum (Pt)-based chemotherapy has limitations. Pt(IV) prodrug nanotherapeutics have emerged as a promising approach to improve the antitumor performance of Pt drugs. This article summarizes the latest advances in Pt(IV) prodrug nano-therapeutics, including their potential for overcoming biological barriers and their synergistic effects with other therapies.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chang Li, Yubo Liu, Dan Li, Qiu Wang, Shuang Zhou, Haotian Zhang, Yongjun Wang, Zhonggui He, Hongzhuo Liu, Jin Sun
Summary: This study introduced a novel injectable hydrogel scaffold, PQ/PB-Gel, for local delivery of small-molecule inhibitor PQ912 to inhibit local tumor recurrence. The hydrogel system effectively prevented the generation of "don't eat me" signals, activated systemic immune response, and induced the formation of memory T lymphocytes.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mengchi Sun, Hailun Jiang, Tian Liu, Xiao Tan, Qikun Jiang, Bingjun Sun, Yulong Zheng, Gang Wang, Yang Wang, Maosheng Cheng, Zhonggui He, Jin Sun
Summary: A novel chemo-photodynamic both-in-one nano-drug delivery system was reported for the effective treatment of breast tumor and prevention of lung metastasis, showing promising potential for the treatment of breast cancer patients.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2022)
