Article
Oncology
Rajeswari Raguraman, Dhaval Bhavsar, Dongin Kim, Xiaoyu Ren, Vassilios Sikavitsas, Anupama Munshi, Rajagopal Ramesh
Summary: Exosomes are small vesicles that can be used as drug delivery vehicles for cancer treatment due to their unique characteristics. Preclinical studies have shown that exosomes can effectively deliver chemotherapeutics, biologicals, and natural products with potent anticancer activity. However, challenges in large-scale production, storage, and stability have limited the number of exosome-based clinical trials.
Review
Biology
Edgar Yebran Villegas-Vazquez, Laura Itzel Quintas-Granados, Hernan Cortes, Manuel Gonzalez-Del Carmen, Gerardo Leyva-Gomez, Miguel Rodriguez-Morales, Lilia Patricia Bustamante-Montes, Daniela Silva-Adaya, Carlos Perez-Plasencia, Nadia Jacobo-Herrera, Octavio Daniel Reyes-Hernandez, Gabriela Figueroa-Gonzalez
Summary: Lithium, an anti-cancer agent, shows potential in inducing apoptosis, autophagy, and inhibiting tumor growth. It also plays a role in tumor regulation and synergizes with standard cancer therapies. Additionally, lithium has neuroprotective effects and enhances anti-tumor activities in nano-sized form. However, its therapeutic activities depend on various factors. This review emphasizes the importance of repurposing lithium as a therapeutic agent and highlights its molecular mechanisms.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rajesh Kumar, Sandeep Chauhan
Summary: This review summarizes the recent advancements in controlled release of curcumin (CUR) using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). The review covers the extraction of CNCs from lignocellulose biomass, the post-processing of CNCs with other materials for CUR loading/encapsulation, and the challenges and techniques in effective CUR loading/encapsulation on CNCs-based composites. The findings provide insights and technical support for the application of CUR in cancer treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sudipta Mallick, Ramadan Abouomar, David Rivas, Max Sokolich, Fatma Ceren Kirmizitas, Aditya Dutta, Sambeeta Das
Summary: Micro-sized magnetic particles, known as microrobots, have shown potential for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and cell manipulation. This study used microrobots to deliver anticancer drugs to cancer cells, resulting in cell death. The findings confirm the promise of microrobots as precise couriers for targeted delivery of therapeutic biomolecules for cancer therapy.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Jiahao Shi, Bin Ma, Yuhe Zhang, Haiyang Yong, Zhili Li, A. Sigen, Xiaobei Huang, Dezhong Zhou
Summary: Cancer therapy is a global challenge, but a variety of promising anticancer therapeutics have been developed. However, their direct administration often fails to achieve the desired efficacy due to low bioavailability and poor tissue selectivity. Polymers offer advantages for drug delivery, yet are generally poorly targeted to the tumor microenvironment (TME). The relatively lower acidity of the TME provides a specific trigger for the development of polymers for targeted delivery, and this article summarizes the strategies, mechanisms, and applications of acidity-sensitive polymers for delivering various anticancer therapeutics.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lu Tang, Jing Li, Qingqing Zhao, Ting Pan, Hui Zhong, Wei Wang
Summary: Nanotechnology plays a crucial role in cancer treatment, improving drug delivery efficiency and pharmacokinetics. Small molecule drugs and biological macromolecule drugs are the main types of anticancer agents, with nano-encapsulation technology playing a key role in their delivery.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yukiya Takayama, Kosuke Kusamori, Chihiro Tsukimori, Yosuke Shimizu, Mika Hayashi, Ikumi Kiyama, Hidemasa Katsumi, Toshiyasu Sakane, Akira Yamamoto, Makiya Nishikawa
Summary: In this study, MSCs were modified with DOX-Lips to efficiently deliver doxorubicin to tumor cells, demonstrating significant tumor growth inhibition in murine models. The results suggest that DOX-Lip-modified MSCs could serve as an effective carrier system for targeted tumor therapy.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mounir M. Salem-Bekhit, Abdullah M. E. Youssof, Fars K. Alanazi, Fadilah Sfouq Aleanizy, Alsuwyeh Abdulaziz, Ehab I. Taha, Amro Abd Al Fattah Amara
Summary: Bacterial ghosts, as empty cell envelopes of nonliving bacterial cells, have been tested as an advanced drug delivery system for various materials. They have diverse applications, including in vaccine and tumor therapy. The safety and stability aspects of using ghost bacteria as delivery systems are important considerations for further development.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Thomas C. Chen, Clovis O. da Fonseca, Daniel Levin, Axel H. Schoenthal
Summary: Perillyl alcohol (POH) is a naturally occurring monoterpenoid with versatile applications, particularly in drug development and delivery, with its potential in cancer therapy highlighted through research.
Review
Polymer Science
Magdalena J. Bigaj-Jozefowska, Bartosz F. Grzeskowiak
Summary: Nanotechnology is a widely researched approach to improve cancer therapies, with polymeric nanocarriers playing a crucial role in delivering drugs and enhancing treatment outcomes. Biological membranes, such as those derived from red blood cells or cancer cells, have been extensively studied for their potential in improving biosafety and targeting properties. This review summarizes the development of biomimetic polymeric nanocarriers for efficient cancer treatment.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matilde Duran-Lobato, Josefa Alvarez-Fuentes, Mercedes Fernandez-Arevalo, Lucia Martin-Banderas
Summary: This study proposed and evaluated transferrin surface-modified Delta(9)-THC-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolic) nanoparticles as a novel THC-based anticancer therapy. The nanoparticles showed lower cell viability and slower internalization compared to plain nanoparticles. The uptake studies indicated that the nanoparticles were internalized through cholesterol-associated and clathrin-mediated mechanisms.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Umme Hani, B. H. Jaswanth Gowda, Ayesha Siddiqua, Shadma Wahab, M. Yasmin Begum, P. Sathishbabu, Shazia Usmani, Md Parwez Ahmad
Summary: Curcumin, a polyphenol compound, is effective in treating multiple cancers. However, it has drawbacks such as low solubility and limited bioavailability. Researchers have used nanotechnology to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of curcumin to overcome these limitations.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Luca Ulfo, Andrea Cantelli, Annapaola Petrosino, Paolo Emidio Costantini, Michela Nigro, Francesco Starinieri, Eleonora Turrini, Suleman Khan Zadran, Giampaolo Zuccheri, Roberto Saporetti, Matteo Di Giosia, Alberto Danielli, Matteo Calvaresi
Summary: Using an orthogonal nanoarchitectonics approach, M13 bacteriophages were engineered to specifically target cancer cells with EGFR overexpression, and efficiently deliver photosensitizing molecules for photodynamic therapy at picomolar concentrations.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Yafang Qin, Xingguo Tang, Jintai Chen, Jingcong Huang, Dingding Wang, Xianhuan Zhang, Yangli Zhang, Fenglin Wu, Jinquan Wang
Summary: In this study, a tumor-targeting ruthenium(II) complex, Ru1-LHRH, conjugated with LHRH peptide was synthesized and characterized. Ru1-LHRH selectively targeted the mitochondria of A2780 tumor cells overexpressing LHRH receptor, showing approximately 8 times higher cytotoxicity against A2780 cells compared to non-targeted L02 cells. Moreover, Ru1-LHRH exhibited theranostic functions by simultaneously imaging and killing targeted tumor cells. Further analysis revealed that Ru1-LHRH induced apoptosis by promoting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activating the Caspase3/7 protein family. These findings suggest that Ru1-LHRH has potential as a multifunctional tumor-targeted theranostic anticancer agent.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Magdalena Jurczyk, Katarzyna Jelonek, Monika Musial-Kulik, Artur Beberok, Dorota Wrzesniok, Janusz Kasperczyk
Summary: Cancer treatment is a major challenge globally, with nanoparticle drug delivery systems playing a crucial role in avoiding the side effects of traditional chemotherapy. Future nanomedicine should focus on active targeting and dual-targeting systems for better efficacy in cancer therapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Changwei Wang, Lei Chen, Yi Sun, Wanrong Guo, Adam K. Taouil, Iwao Ojima
Summary: It has been shown that incorporating fluorine or organofluorine groups into pharmaceutical and agricultural drugs can induce desirable pharmacological properties through unique protein-drug interactions involving fluorine. In this study, 14 new 3rd-generation DFV-taxoids were designed, synthesized, and characterized. These new DFV-taxoids exhibited remarkable cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines and showed enhanced potency against drug-resistant cell lines. The cooperative effects of the 3'-DFV group and 3-CF3O/CHF2O-benzoyl moiety at the C2 position were investigated and found to contribute to the enhanced binding mode and potency of the new 3rd-generation DFV-taxoids.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Jianyuan Deng, Zhibo Yang, Iwao Ojima, Dimitris Samaras, Fusheng Wang
Summary: Artificial intelligence (AI) has played a crucial role in drug discovery over the past decade, with applications ranging from virtual screening to drug design. This survey provides a comprehensive overview of AI in drug discovery, covering tasks, data resources, model architectures, and learning paradigms.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karolina Seborova, Alzbeta Kloudova-Spalenkova, Kamila Koucka, Petr Holy, Marie Ehrlichova, Changwei Wang, Iwao Ojima, Iveta Voleska, Petr Daniel, Kamila Balusikova, Michael Jelinek, Jan Kovar, Lukas Rob, Martin Hruda, Marcela Mrhalova, Pavel Soucek, Radka Vaclavikova
Summary: This study investigated the gene expression changes of ABCC3, CPS1, and TRIP6 in highly resistant ovarian carcinoma cells, revealing that combining Stony Brook taxanes with paclitaxel led to downregulation of CPS1. The overexpression of CPS1 may serve as a prognostic biomarker for poor survival in epithelial ovarian carcinoma patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Taygun C. Uzuneser, Hanna J. Szkudlarek, Matthew J. Jones, Mina G. Nashed, Timothy Clement, Hehe Wang, Iwao Ojima, Walter J. Rushlow, Steven R. Laviolette
Summary: This study identifies FABP-5 inhibition as a potential target for treating anxiety disorders. It also uncovers a novel CB2R-dependent FABP-5 signaling pathway in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) that strongly modulates anxiety-related behaviors and neuronal transmission patterns.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Changwei Wang, Angelo Aguilar, Iwao Ojima
Summary: This review provides an overview of the latest research progress on the clinical applications of paclitaxel and docetaxel, including new formulations, the design and development of next-generation taxanes, and taxane-based drug delivery systems. The review emphasizes the importance of next-generation taxanes in eradicating cancer stem cells and overcoming multidrug resistance, and suggests exploring effective nanoformulations and tumor-targeted drug delivery systems.
EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG DISCOVERY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Demosthenes Morales, Sofiya Micheva-Viteva, Samantha Adikari, James Werner, Murray Wolinsky, Elizabeth Hong-Geller, Jinwoo Kim, Iwao Ojima
Summary: Persistence is a strategy in bacterial populations that increases antibiotic tolerance and leads to latent infections. This study discovered that a synthetic non-toxic taxane-based reversal agent (tRA) can enhance antibiotic killing of persister populations from various pathogens. The tRA agent also inhibits bacterial efflux and the production of natural products, ultimately leading to the suppression of bacterial survival mechanisms. A multi-pronged approach including antibiotic therapies, efflux system inhibition, and fatty acid catabolism suppression is necessary for the efficient eradication of persistent bacterial populations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hehe Wang, Adam Taouil, Monaf Awwa, Timothy Clement, Chuanzhou Zhu, Jinwoo Kim, Dominick Rendina, Kalani Jayanetti, Atri Maharaj, Liqun Wang, Diane Bogdan, Antonella Pepe, Martin Kaczocha, Iwao Ojima
Summary: This study aimed to design and discover highly potent and FABP5-selective truxillic acid (TA) monoesters (TAMEs). Through molecular docking analysis and screening, TAMEs with high affinity and selectivity were identified. Among them, alpha-16 and alpha-21 were the most selective TAMEs for FABP5/3 and FABP7, respectively.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Correction
Oncology
Xiaowei Zheng, Changwei Wang, Yuanming Xing, Siying Chen, Ti Meng, Haisheng You, Iwao Ojima, Yalin Dong
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Karolina Seborova, Kamila Koucka, Alzbeta Spalenkova, Petr Holy, Marie Ehrlichova, Tomas Sychra, Lei Chen, Hersh Bendale, Iwao Ojima, Cristian Sandoval-Acuna, Jaroslav Truksa, Pavel Soucek, Radka Vaclavikova
Summary: New-generation synthetic experimental taxoids (SB-T) have shown promising effects against resistant tumor models. These new SB-Ts were up to 50 times more effective than paclitaxel (PTX) in PTX resistant ovarian carcinoma cells. SB-T-121605 and SB-T-121606 induced cell cycle arrest more effectively and had higher intracellular content compared to PTX. Combinations of SB-T-121605 and SB-T-121606 with PTX suppressed tumor growth in vivo in PTX resistant ovarian carcinoma cells.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Petr Daniel, Kamila Balusikova, Radka Vaclavikova, Karolina Seborova, Sarka Ransdorfova, Marie Valerianova, Longfei Wei, Michael Jelinek, Tereza Tlapakova, Thomas Fleischer, Vessela N. N. Kristensen, Pavel Soucek, Iwao Ojima, Jan Kovar
Summary: Limited studies have focused on regulating TRIP6 expression in cancer. This study aimed to investigate the regulation of TRIP6 expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and taxane-resistant sublines. The findings suggest that the transcription of TRIP6 is primarily regulated by the cyclic AMP response element (CRE) in hypomethylated proximal promoters, and TRIP6 overexpression is associated with co-amplification with the neighboring ABCB1 gene in taxane-resistant cells. Moreover, high levels of TRIP6 mRNA were found in progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer and samples from premenopausal women.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Kalani Jayanetti, Kathryn Takemura, Hersh Bendale, Ashna Garg, Iwao Ojima
Summary: This article discusses the strategic incorporation of fluorine and organofluorine moieties into new-generation taxoid anticancer agents. The study shows that these fluorotaxoids exhibit high potency against drug-resistant cancer cell lines, making them promising candidates for chemotherapy.
JOURNAL OF FLUORINE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Nivea Pereira de Sa, Kalani Jayanetti, Dominick Rendina, Timothy Clement, Veronica Soares Brauer, Caroline Mota Fernandes, Iwao Ojima, Michael V. Airola, Maurizio Del Poeta
Summary: Invasive fungal infections are a leading cause of death in immunocompromised patients. We studied the fungus-specific enzyme SglA as a therapeutic target and identified selective inhibitors that delay filamentation in the pathogenic fungus and increase survival in a murine model of pulmonary aspergillosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chuanzhou Zhu, Livia Schutz, Kalani Jayanetti, Kathryn Takemura, Faniya Doswell, Liqun Wang, Iwao Ojima, Martin Kaczocha
Summary: This study describes the synthesis and biological evaluation of truxillic acid monoamides (TAMADs) as potent, selective, and efficacious FABP5 inhibitors. The results demonstrate that TAMADs exhibit exceptional selectivity against FABP3 and possess high affinities for FABP5. Antinociceptive activity analysis reveals comparable efficacy and temporal activity profiles of TAMADs and their corresponding TAMEs in vivo.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Radka Vaclavikova, Karolina Seborova, Alzbeta Spalenkova, Marie Ehrlichova, Iwao Ojima, Petr Daniel, Jan Kovar, Pavel Soucek
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Meichen Wang, Changwei Wang, Chao Feng, Wanrong Guo, Huan Chen, Bing Liu, Enxiao Li, Wei Liu, Adam Taouil, Iwao Ojima, Peng Hou
Summary: The study demonstrates that novel taxoids, particularly the 3'-difluorovinyltaxoids (DFV-taxoids), exhibit stronger antitumor activity in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cells compared to paclitaxel, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for ATC patients. These DFV-taxoids show effectiveness in inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing cell apoptosis, and promoting tubulin polymerization in ATC cells.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Xianda Wu, Minghong Chen, Shuiyun Zheng, Fu-Sheng He, Jie Wu
Summary: Here, we report a new method for synthesizing sulfilimines through an iron-catalyzed reaction between sulfenamides and 2,2,2-trifluor-diazoethane. This protocol features operational simplicity, mild conditions, and can be conducted in open air, providing a facile approach to trifloromethylated sulfilimines in moderate to good yields.
JOURNAL OF FLUORINE CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ita Hajdin, Romana Pajkert, Haibo Mei, Jianlin Han, Gerd-Volker Roeschenthaler
Summary: A catalyst- and solvent-free 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction using a bench-stable diazo reagent has been developed to obtain a series of novel 3H-pyrazoles bearing difluoromethyl phosphonate unit in moderate-to-excellent yields. This method provides an efficient and easy route to synthesize valuable compounds.
JOURNAL OF FLUORINE CHEMISTRY
(2024)