Stimuli-responsive LbL capsules and nanoshells for drug delivery

Review of basic principles and recent developments in the area of stimuli responsive polymeric capsules and nanoshells formed via layer-by-layer (LbL) is presented. The most essential attributes of the LbL approach are multifunctionality and responsiveness to a multitude of stimuli. The stimuli can be logically divided into three categories: physical (light, electric, magnetic, ultrasound, mechanical, and temperature), chemical (pH, ionic strength, solvent, and electrochemical) and biological (enzymes and receptors). Using these stimuli, numerous functionalities of nanoshells have been demonstrated: encapsulation, release including that inside living cells or in tissue, sensors, enzymatic reactions, enhancement of mechanical properties, and fusion. This review describes mechanisms and basic principles of stimuli effects, describes progress in the area, and gives an outlook on emerging trends such as theranostics and nanomedicine.     

诊疗一体化在核医学领域的研究进展

核医学中的诊疗一体化是指将放射性核素显像和内放射治疗相结合。目前针对生长抑素受体、前列腺特异性膜抗原、CXC族趋化因子受体4和纤维母细胞活化蛋白等不同靶点已研发出多种化合物,将用于显像和治疗的核素分别标记于上述化合物后可实现多种肿瘤的诊疗一体化。核素显像是指导治疗方案的基础,也是内放射治疗的必要前提。诊疗一体化在肿瘤的诊断、分级与分期、治疗、疗效监测及预后判断等过程中起着重要作用,是实现肿瘤个体化医疗的关键。就上述靶点的诊疗一体化在核医学领域的研究进展予以综述。     

Diagnostic Challenges in Prostate Cancer and 68Ga-PSMA PET Imaging: A Game Changer?

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most frequent solid tumor in men and the third most common cause of cancer mortality among men in developed countries. Current imaging modalities like ultrasound (US), computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and choline based positron emission (PET) tracing have disappointing sensitivity for detection of nodal metastasis and small tumor recurrence. This poses a diagnostic challenge in staging of intermediate to high risk PC and restaging of patients with biochemical recurrence (PSA >0.2 ng/ml). Gallium-68 labeled prostate specific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA) PET imaging has now emerged with a higher diagnostic yield. 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT or PET/MRI can be expected to offer a one-stop-shop for staging and restaging of PC. PSMA ligands labeled with alpha and beta emitters have also shown promising therapeutic efficacy for nodal, bone and visceral metastasis. Therefore a PSMA based theranostics approach for detection, staging, treatment, and follow-up of PC would appear to be highly valuable to achieve personalized PC treatment.     

Gastrointestinal cancers in the era of theranostics: Updates and future perspectives

Theranostics are one of the practical aspects of personalized medicine. This concept was designed to describe a material combining diagnosis, treatment and follow up of a disease. It evolved and included molecular targeting and nanotechnologies that incorporate both diagnosis and therapeutics. In this editorial, we are presenting briefly the concept and evolution of theranostics, highlighting many applications of theranostics in daily practice and discussing future perspectives and aspects of this model in gastro-intestincal cancers.     

Hyaluronic acid and its derivatives in drug delivery and imaging: Recent advances and challenges

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a biodegradable, biocompatible, nontoxic, and non-immunogenic glycosaminoglycan used for various biomedical applications. The interaction of HA with the CD44 receptor, whose expression is elevated on the surface of many types of tumor cells, makes this polymer a promising candidate for intracellular delivery of imaging and anticancer agents exploiting a receptor-mediated active targeting strategy. Therefore, HA and its derivatives have been most investigated for the development of several carrier systems intended for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Nonetheless, different and important delivery applications of the polysaccharide have also been described, including gene and peptide/protein drugs delivery. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the existing recent literature on the use of HA and its derivatives for drug delivery and imaging. Notable attention is given to nanotheranostic systems obtained after conjugation of HA to nanocarriers as quantum dots, carbon nanotubes and graphene. Meanwhile, attention is also paid to some challenging aspects that need to be addressed in order to allow translation of preclinical models based on HA and its derivatives for drug delivery and imaging purposes to clinical testing and further their development.