Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Anna Egorova, Mariya Petrosyan, Marianna Maretina, Elena Bazian, Iuliia Krylova, Vladislav Baranov, Anton Kiselev
Summary: In this study, the potential of RGD1-R6 peptide carrier as a non-viral vehicle for targeted siRNA delivery to endothelial cells was evaluated. The results showed that the modified siRNA complexes had higher gene silencing efficiency and lower endothelial cell migration compared to unmodified complexes. In a rat endometriosis model, the combination therapy of the carrier with anti-VEGF siRNA complexes significantly inhibited implant growth and VEGFA gene expression, comparable to Dienogest.
Article
Cell Biology
Taranom Mobasheri, Elham Rayzan, Mahsima Shabani, Mina Hosseini, Ghanbar Mahmoodi Chalbatani, Nima Rezaei
Summary: Research focuses on developing new therapeutic strategies for neuroblastoma, targeting different genes and utilizing nano-drug delivery systems to improve treatment efficacy. The combination of specific drug targets and nano-drug delivery systems may lead to lower systemic side effects and improved therapeutic effects.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Golchin Shafiei, Davoud Jafari-Gharabaghlou, Mahdi Farhoudi-Sefidan-Jadid, Effat Alizadeh, Marziyeh Fathi, Nosratollah Zarghami
Summary: In recent years, researchers have discovered and synthesized various nanoparticles (NPs) for targeted therapy of cancer cells. This study designed silibinin-loaded magnetic niosomes nanoparticles (MNNPs) and investigated their cytotoxicity in colorectal cancer cells.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ge Li, Fei Xu, Bo Yang, Xinyue Lu, Xiangyu Li, Yanfei Qi, Lesheng Teng, Youxin Li, Fengying Sun, Wenhua Liu
Summary: This study proposed a hypothesis of using specific nanoparticles to target atherosclerosis based on the inflammatory microenvironment. The hypothesis was validated through experiments, showing that these nanoparticles have good anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effects in vivo.
NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jing Miao, Peng Gao, Qian Li, Kaifeng He, Liwen Zhang, Junyan Wang, Lingfei Huang
Summary: Nanoparticle drug delivery systems play a crucial role in anti-hepatitis B virus therapy, promoting the development of related strategies with their superior characteristics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anisha Anand, Hong-Jyuan Jian, Hao-Hsin Huang, Li Er Hean, Yu-Jia Li, Jui-Yang Lai, Hung-Da Chou, Yu-Chuan Kang, Wei-Chi Wu, Chi-Chun Lai, Chih-Ching Huang, Huan-Tsung Chang
Summary: In this study, anti-angiogenic carbon nanovesicles (CNVs) were synthesized for sustained release of anti-VEGF antibody to treat ocular neovascularization. The CNVs showed good loading efficiency, low cytotoxicity, and strong inhibitory effects on VEGF-induced cell proliferation and migration. In vivo studies demonstrated the superior efficacy of CNVs compared to bevacizumab alone, making them a promising therapeutic agent for age-related macular degeneration.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jongseon Choi, So Yeon Kim
Summary: Recently, upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP)-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used to overcome the limitations of light penetration depth in activating photosensitizers (PSs). However, the low intensity of upconversion luminescence (UCL) and overheating effect have reduced therapeutic efficacy. To address these issues, a multi-shell structured UCNP (UCNC60S3) system with enhanced UCL efficiency was synthesized, which can activate two types of PSs and target tumors. When combined with tumor-targeted ligands, the UCNC60S3 system exhibited significantly improved therapeutic effects on cancer cells under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nagi M. El-Shafai, Shaymaa Shawky, Ibrahim M. El-Mehasseb, Maged A. El-Kemary
Summary: The research focused on the application of sandwich nanohybrid of nano-PVA and nano-chitosan in water treatment and drug adsorption, revealing their potential effects through tests on photocatalytic activity and release efficiency. Additionally, studies on cytotoxicity and antioxidant properties were conducted.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stephanie Andrade, Maria J. Ramalho, Silvio B. Santos, Luis D. R. Melo, Rita S. Santos, Nuno Guimaraes, Nuno F. Azevedo, Joana A. Loureiro, Maria C. Pereira
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health, with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) being a major concern. Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a promising approach for treating MRSA infections, acting as antibacterial agents or drug delivery systems. The targeted delivery of NPs to the infection site is crucial for effective treatment, allowing for high concentrations of therapeutics while minimizing toxicity to healthy cells and reducing AMR emergence and disruption of the healthy microbiota.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Xu Xue, Han Liu, Sicheng Wang, Yan Hu, Biaotong Huang, Mengmeng Li, Jie Gao, Xiuhui Wang, Jiacan Su
Summary: This study presents a new type of nanoparticle for treating osteoarthritis, which achieves targeted delivery and anti-inflammatory treatment through cell membrane modification and photothermal responsive drug release. It exhibits significant therapeutic efficacy for osteoarthritis in vivo.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Chong Zhang, Fen Zeng, Zhengyang Fan, Zhen He, Liang Tai, Qiang Peng, Yixin Zhang, Zhenhua Chao, Wenning Jiang, Lingyun Jia, Lulu Han
Summary: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a global public health challenge. Current medical treatments are not fully effective and may cause side effects. Researchers have developed a nanoparticle-based treatment strategy for IBD, which can target inflamed colon tissues and reduce systemic exposure of the drug. The nanoparticles also possess reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging ability, which can alleviate inflammation and improve IBD symptoms.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Filipa Lopes-Coelho, Filipa Martins, Sofia A. Pereira, Jacinta Serpa
Summary: Anti-angiogenic therapy aims to fight cancer by disrupting the nutrient and oxygen supply to tumor cells, mainly by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). While some drugs in this category can enhance immune therapy, they often fall short in terms of efficacy. Researchers believe that targeting alternative angiogenic pathways in combination could be a promising solution.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jingrong Zhou, Kai Wang, Shuaishuai Ding, Lijuan Zeng, Jingya Miao, Yuhua Cao, Xiao Zhang, Gan Tian, Xiu-Wu Bian
Summary: This study developed a tumor-specific catalytic nanomedicine for enhanced tumor ablation, tumor vasculature disruption, and angiogenesis inhibition. The smart nanohybrids demonstrated the ability to induce tumor cell apoptosis, disrupt vasculature, and exhibit enhanced tumor regression in a mouse model.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yujeong Moon, Man Kyu Shim, Jiwoong Choi, Suah Yang, Jinseong Kim, Wan Su Yun, Hanhee Cho, Jung Yeon Park, Yongju Kim, Joon-Kyung Seong, Kwangmeyung Kim
Summary: In this study, the researchers propose a new strategy to enhance cancer immunotherapy by using anti-PD-L1 peptide-conjugated prodrug nanoparticles (PD-NPs). The PD-NPs are taken up by cancer cells and release the drug, resulting in the disruption of immune-suppressing pathways and the enhancement of T lymphocyte immune responses. The results show that PD-NPs accumulate in tumor tissues and recruit a large amount of immune cells, leading to effective antitumor effects. This strategy has the potential to overcome the toxicity and low response rate issues in current cancer immunotherapy.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Na-Hyun Lee, Sumin You, Ali Taghizadeh, Mohsen Taghizadeh, Hye Sung Kim
Summary: The cell membrane cloaking technique, which utilizes natural design cues, is a promising bioinspired nanotechnology for surface modification of nanoparticles. This technique can replicate complex physicochemical properties and biomimetic functions, thereby enhancing nanotherapeutic platforms. However, there are challenges to be addressed for clinical translation and further research is needed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Martina Kleber, Andreas Wicki, Marcus Cheetham
Summary: Shared decision-making in oncology is a complex process influenced by various factors. Lack of patient preparation hinders the effectiveness of SDM. Electronic patient decision aids, particularly Chatbot technology, have the potential to prepare patients and optimize physician-patient communication. This review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of SDM in oncology and highlight the potential use of Chatbots as patient decision aids.
THERAPEUTISCHE UMSCHAU
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kathrin Barth, Verica Vasic, Brennan McDonald, Nora Heinig, Marc-Christoph Wagner, Ulrike Schumann, Cora Roehlecke, Frank Bicker, Lana Schumann, Konstantin Radyushkin, Jan Baumgart, Stefan Tenzer, Frauke Zipp, Matthias Meinhardt, Kari Alitalo, Irmgard Tegeder, Mirko H. H. Schmidt
Summary: Mature neurons, neural stem cells, and neural precursor cells secrete the neurovascular protein EGFL7 to shape the neurogenic niche of the hippocampus. Ablation of EGFL7 leads to increased neurogenesis and is correlated with elevated expression of VEGF-D. Infusion of VEGF-D increases neurogenesis, while its knockout decreases neurogenesis. Furthermore, EGFL7 knockout mice show improved spatial memory and memory consolidation in the hippocampus.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ivy K. N. Chiang, Matthew S. Graus, Nils Kirschnick, Tara Davidson, Winnie Luu, Richard Harwood, Keyi Jiang, Bitong Li, Yew Yan Wong, Mehdi Moustaqil, Emmanuelle Lesieur, Renae Skoczylas, Valerie Kouskoff, Jan Kazenwadel, Luis Arriola-Martinez, Emma Sierecki, Yann Gambin, Kari Alitalo, Friedmann Kiefer, Natasha L. Harvey, Mathias Francois
Summary: SOX7, a BEC-specific transcription factor, modulates the expression level of angiocrine signals in blood vascular endothelial cells (BECs) to pattern lymphatic vessels. It directly represses the transcription of Vegfc, a major lymphangiogenic growth factor, and interacts with HEY1 to regulate Notch pathway. Our finding reveals the importance of SOX7 in modulating downstream signaling events crucial for lymphatic patterning.
Article
Oncology
Sebastian M. Christ, Philip Heesen, Urs J. Muehlematter, Kaspar Pohl, Gabriel William Thiel, Jonas Willmann, Maiwand Ahmadsei, Tiuri E. Kroese, Michael Mayinger, Panagiotis Balermpas, Andreas Wicki, Nicolaus Andratschke, Martin Huellner, Matthias Guckenberger
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the recognition of and treatment recommendations for oligometastatic patients by multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTs) in order to better understand current treatment patterns. The results showed that more than half of oligometastatic cases were discussed in MDTs, and the majority received a recommendation including the addition of local therapy. This highlights the importance of multidisciplinary decision-making and the need for standardization in MDT discussions.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RADIATION ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Ossia M. Eichhoff, Corinne I. Stoffel, Jan Kasler, Luzia Briker, Patrick Turko, Gergely Karsai, Nina Zila, Verena Paulitschke, Phil F. Cheng, Alexander Leitner, Andrea Bileck, Nicola Zamboni, Anja Irmisch, Zsolt Balazs, Aizhan Tastanova, Susana Pascoal, Pal Johansen, Rebekka Wegmann, Julien Mena, Alaa Othman, Vasanthi S. Viswanathan, Judith Wenzina, Andrea Aloia, Annalisa Saltari, Andreas Dzung, Michael Krauthammer, Stuart L. Schreiber, Thorsten Hornemann, Martin Distel, Berend Snijder, Reinhard Dummer, Mitchell P. Levesque
Summary: The clinical management of NRAS-mutated melanomas is challenging due to resistance that arises through genetic, transcriptional, and metabolic adaptation. However, the adoption of a mesenchymal phenotype with a quiescent metabolic program in NRAS-mutated melanoma cells confers sensitivity to reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction, which can be inhibited by ROS inducers in combination with MAPK pathway inhibitors. The findings suggest that targeting both metabolic reprogramming and MAPK signaling could improve patient treatment in melanoma and other cancers.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Anne-Maj Samuelsson, Theda Ulrike Patricia Bartolomaeus, Harithaa Anandakumar, Irene Thowsen, Elham Nikpey, Jianhua Han, Lajos Marko, Kenneth Finne, Olav Tenstad, Johannes Eckstein, Nikolaus Berndt, Titus Kuehne, Sarah Kedziora, Ibrahim Sultan, Trude Skogstrand, Tine Karlsen, Harri Nurmi, Sofia K. Forslund, Entela Bollano, Kari Alitalo, Dominik N. Muller, Helge Wiig
Summary: This study investigates the role of VEGF-B in cardiac proteomic and metabolic adaptation in heart failure, and finds that VEGF-B TG accelerates metabolic maladaptation, leading to structural cardiomyopathy and systolic heart failure.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katri Vaparanta, Anne Jokilammi, Ilkka Paatero, Johannes A. Merilahti, Juho Heliste, Karthik Amudhala Hemanthakumar, Riikka Kivela, Kari Alitalo, Pekka Taimen, Klaus Elenius
Summary: In this study, it is demonstrated that Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) regulates myocardial growth through the STAT5b pathway. Disruption of the NRG-1/ERBB4 pathway or inhibition of Dynamin-2 reduces STAT5b activation and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Activation of Stat5 is also observed in NRG-1-induced myocardial growth in zebrafish embryos, and knockdown of stat5b leads to reduced myocardial growth and cardiac function. Furthermore, the NRG-1/ERBB4/STAT5b pathway is differentially regulated in patients with pathological cardiac hypertrophy.
Article
Oncology
Max J. Rieger, Xenia Schenkel, Ivona Dedic, Tadeusz Brunn, Ralph Gnannt, Michael Hofmann, Olivier de Rougemont, Sebastian M. Stolz, Wiebke Rosler, Jan-Dirk Studt, Stefan Balabanov, Andreas Wicki, Anja Lorch, Markus G. Manz, Rahel Schwotzer
Summary: While the use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in intravenous anticancer therapy has increased, reliable catheter selection guidelines are lacking. In this retrospective study, we compared the complication rates of PORTs and PICCs in cancer treatment and found that PICCs had a higher rate of complications, especially in infections and mechanical complications, indicating that PORTs should be preferred in this setting.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Tarun Mehra, Kanchan Dongre, Maria Boesing, Patricia Frei, Claudia Suenderhauf, Alfred Zippelius, Joerg D. Leuppi, Andreas Wicki, Anne B. Leuppi-Taegtmeyer
Summary: This study investigated the impact of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and pre-treatment parameters on the outcome of cancer patients receiving checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs). The results showed that the occurrence of irAEs was associated with improved overall survival in the patients.
Article
Immunology
Zhilin Li, Salli Antila, Harri Nurmi, Dmitri Chilov, Emilia A. Korhonen, Shentong Fang, Sinem Karaman, Britta Engelhardt, Kari Alitalo
Summary: The recent discovery of lymphatic vessels in the dura mater has potential implications for alternative therapeutics in CNS disorders. However, inhibiting the VEGF-C/VEGFR3 signaling pathway does not affect the development of CNS autoimmunity, suggesting that dural lymphatic vessels do not directly contribute to CNS autoimmunity.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Aino Sormunen, Emma Koivulehto, Kari Alitalo, Kalle Saksela, Nihay Laham-Karam, Seppo Ylae-Herttuala
Summary: Traditional Western blotting is commonly used in biological research but has issues with time and reproducibility. Automation, including semi-automated and fully automated systems, offers time-saving and sensitivity advantages. However, the cost of devices and reagents is a downside. Nevertheless, automation can be beneficial for increasing output and facilitating sensitive protein analyses.
METHODS AND PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Matea Pavic, Anita Wolfer, Qiyu Li, Arunas Gircys, Stephanie Juritz, Andreas Wicki, Thomas Cerny, Ulrich-Peter Rohr
Summary: The Swiss regulator emphasizes the insufficiency of relying solely on surrogate endpoints in (neo)adjuvant trials, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive evaluation.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Alexander Ring, Bich Doan Nguyen-Straeuli, Andreas Wicki, Nicola Aceto
Summary: In recent years, advancements in technology have allowed for the identification and study of rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood samples, leading to new research fields and potential clinical applications in liquid biopsies. Analysis of CTCs has revealed unique biological characteristics, such as the presence of CTC clusters and interactions with immune or stromal cells, impacting metastasis formation and providing insights for cancer vulnerabilities. This review discusses progress in understanding the biological features of CTCs and explores the potential for designing future clinical tools to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment.
NATURE REVIEWS CANCER
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Michael Prummer, Anne Bertolini, Lars Bosshard, Florian Barkmann, Josephine Yates, Valentina Boeva, Daniel Stekhoven, Franziska Singer
Summary: scROSHI is a method for single-cell analysis that utilizes previously obtained cell type-specific gene lists and does not require training or annotated data. By respecting the hierarchical nature of cell type relationships and assigning cells consecutively to more specialized identities, it achieves excellent prediction performance.
NAR GENOMICS AND BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christoph Mamot, Andreas Wicki, Ursula Hasler-Strub, Salome Riniker, Qiyu Li, Lisa Holer, Daniela Bartschi, Khalil Zaman, Roger von Moos, Konstantin J. Dedes, Laura A. Boos, Urban Novak, Alexandre Bodmer, Reto Ritschard, Ellen C. Obermann, Alexandar Tzankov, Christoph Ackermann, Veronique Membrez-Antonioli, Ursina Zurrer-Hardi, Clemens B. Caspar, Stefanie Deuster, Martin Senn, Ralph Winterhalder, Christoph Rochlitz
Summary: The study developed a targeted nanocontainer drug for EGFR, which showed some efficacy in treating triple negative breast cancer, but did not significantly improve survival rates for advanced stage patients.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)