Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticle with cell-distinct drug release for treatment of stemness-derived resistant tumor

Drug resistance presents one of the major causes for the failure of cancer chemotherapy.Cancer stem-like cells(CSCs),a population of self-renewal cells with high tumorigenicity and innate chemoresistance,can survive conventional chemotherapy and generate increased resistance.Here,we develop a lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticle for co-delivery and cell-distinct release of the differentiation-inducing agent,all-trans retinoic acid and the chemotherapeutic drug,doxorubicin to overcome the CSC-associ...     

One-step formation of lipid-polyacrylic acid-calcium carbonate nanoparticles for co-delivery of doxorubicin and curcumin

A doxorubicin (Dox) and curcumin (Cur) combination treatment regimen has been widely studied in pre-clinical research. However, the nanoparticles developed for this combination therapy require a consecutive drug loading process because of the different water-solubility of these drugs. This study provides a strategy for the “one-step” formation of nanoparticles encapsulating both Dox and Cur. We took advantage of polyacrylic acid (PAA) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) to realise a high drug entrapment efficiency (EE) and pH-sensitive drug release using a simplified preparation method. Optimisation of lipid ratios and concentrations of CaCO₃ was conducted. Under optimal conditions, the mean diameter of PEGylated lipid/PAA/CaCO₃ nanoparticles with encapsulated Cur and Dox (LPCCD) was less than 100?nm. An obvious pH-sensitive release of both drugs was observed, with different Dox and Cur release rates. Successful co-delivery of Cur and Dox was achieved via LPCCD on HepG2 cells. LPCCD altered the bio-distribution of Dox and Cur in vivo and decreased Dox-induced cardiotoxicity. The current investigation has developed an efficient ternary system for co-delivery of Dox and Cur to tumours, using a “one-step” formation resulting in nanoparticles possessing remarkable pH-sensitive drug release behaviour, which may be valuable for further clinical studies and eventual clinical application.     

Enhancement of cancer therapy efficacy by trastuzumab-conjugated and pH-sensitive nanocapsules with the simultaneous encapsulation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds

Trastuzumab-conjugated pH-sensitive double emulsion nanocapsules (DENCs) stabilized by a single-component Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with magnetic nanoparticles can be fabricated through a two-step double emulsion process; these nanocapsules can be used to encapsulate hydrophilic doxorubicin (Dox) and hydrophobic paclitaxel (PTX) simultaneously. When PMA_SH was attached to the shell of the DENCs, enhanced dual drug release of PTX/Dox was detected, specifically in intracellular acidic pH environments. The targeting ability of these Trastuzumab-conjugated DENCs was demonstrated with confocal images, which revealed a significantly elevated cellular uptake in HER-2 overexpressing SkBr3 cells. More importantly, an intravenous injection of this co-delivery system followed by magnetic targeting (MT) chemotherapy suppressed cancer growth in vivo more efficiently than the delivery of either PTX or Dox alone. The integration of the functionalities makes this combination therapy system a powerfully new tool for in vitro/in vivo cancer therapy, especially for in HER-2 positive cancers.From the Clinical EditorTrastuzumab-conjugated pH-sensitive nanocapsules were used in this study for simultaneous targeted delivery of hydrophobic (PTX) and hydrophilic (Dox) anti-cancer agents to HER-2 positive cancer cells. Additional use of magnetic targeting demonstrated superior efficacy of this delivery system compared to PTX or Dox alone.     

多柔比星纳米递药系统在三阴性乳腺癌靶向治疗中的应用

三阴性乳腺癌为高度恶性肿瘤。多柔比星是三阴性乳腺癌的常规化疗药物,该药药理作用是通过嵌入DNA碱基对之间,干扰基因转录,抑制mRNA和DNA合成。常规给药方式对正常组织损伤严重。多柔比星纳米递药系统借助肿瘤酸性微环境实现缓控释效应,多柔比星与肿瘤细胞的组织相容性增加,对正常组织影响较小。该系统有效抑制和杀灭肿瘤细胞,明显减轻正常细胞的细胞毒性。本文综述了近年来多柔比星靶向纳米递药系统的应用,以期开拓三阴性乳腺癌的的靶向治疗新视野。     

克服肿瘤多药耐药的药物共递送纳米载体的设计及研究新方向

多药耐药（multidrug resistance，MDR）是肿瘤治疗成功的主要障碍，药物共递送纳米载体因其肿瘤靶向、控制释放、一致的药动学曲线而被认为是克服MDR的有效策略。本综述总结了当前克服MDR的药物共递送纳米载体的设计思路，并分析了具有前景的研究方向，包括精确药物负载纳米载体、呈时序释放的纳米载体和对肿瘤微环境设计纳米载体，这些新兴策略为临床肿瘤治疗提供了新颖且更好的定制组合方案。     

Inhibition of hypoxia-inducible carbonic anhydrase-IX enhances hexokinase II inhibitor-induced hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis

Aim:

The hypoxic condition within large or infiltrative hypovascular tumors produces intracellular acidification, which could activate many signaling pathways and augment cancer cell growth and invasion. Carbonic anhydrase-IX (CA-IX) is an enzyme lowering pH. This study is to examine whether hypoxia induces CA-IX in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and to evaluate its clinical implication in HCC patients.

Methods:

Human HCC cell lines (Huh-7 and HepG2 cells) were used, and cell growth was assessed using MTS assay. CA-IX expression and apoptotic/kinase signaling were evaluated using immunoblotting. The cells were transfected with CA-IX-specific siRNA, or treated with its inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonamide (CAI#1), and/or the hexokinase II inhibitor, 3-bromopyruvate (3-BP). A clinic pathological analysis of 69 patients who underwent an HCC resection was performed using a tissue array.

Results:

Incubation of HCC cells under hypoxia (1% O₂, 5% CO₂, 94% N₂) for 36 h significantly increased CA-IX expression level. CAI#1 (400 μmol/L) or CA-IX siRNA (100 μmol/L) did not influence HCC cell growth and induce apoptosis. However, CAI#1 or CA-IX siRNA at these concentrations enhanced the apoptosis induced by 3-BP (100 μmol/L). This enhancement was attributed to increased ER stress and JNK activation, as compared with 3-BP alone. Furthermore, a clinic pathological analysis of 69 HCC patients revealed that tumor CA-IX intensity was inversely related to E-cadherin intensity.

Conclusion:

Inhibition of hypoxia-induced CA-IX enhances hexokinase II inhibitor-induced HCC apoptosis. Furthermore, CA-IX expression profiles may have prognostic implications in HCC patients. Thus, the inhibition of CA-IX, in combination with a hexokinase II inhibitor, may be therapeutically useful in patients with HCCs that are aggressively growing in a hypoxic environment.     

Ultrasound sensitive eLiposomes containing doxorubicin for drug targeting therapy

This study describes a novel nanocarrier of emulsion liposomes (eLiposomes) composed of a perfluoropentane nanodroplet within the aqueous interior of a DPPC liposome, along with the anticancer drug doxorubicin (Dox). The eLiposome containing Dox (eLipoDox) displayed good release of Dox upon insonation with low intensity ultrasound at 20-kHz, 1.0-MHz and 3.0-MHz. More release occurs in vitro at 20-kHz than at the higher frequencies. Controlled delivery was demonstrated by applying ultrasound (US) to HeLa tumor cells in vitro. The confocal images of Dox release to cells indicate that eLipoDox is an effective carrier of chemotherapeutic agent, and releases Dox to the cell cytosol upon insonation. This novel drug delivery system promises to provide more effective US therapy and tumor treatment and has the potential to reduce the side effects of cardiotoxicity caused by Dox.From the Clinical EditorIn this paper, an ultrasound-sensitive doxorubicine-carrying nanoliposome delivery system is reported. Doxorubicin release as a result of ultrasound exposure is clearly demonstrated, paving the way to potential clinical applications with the aim of reducing the systemic toxicity and enhanced local delivery of this compound.     

Coordinate Bonding Strategy for Molecularly Imprinted Hydrogels: Toward pH-Responsive Doxorubicin Delivery

Molecularly imprinted hydrogel (MIH) as drug delivery system has been studied. It still remains a challenge to construct the stimuli-responsive MIH. Here, we report a coordinate bond strategy for imprinting doxorubicin (Dox) in hydrogel capable of pH-responsive and sustained drug delivery. The imprinting condition such as template–monomer interactions induced by metal ion was carefully investigated by spectroscopic methods. The obtained Dox–MIH was evaluated by absorption and in vitro release experiments. It has been demonstrated that the cupric ion mediated interaction between Dox and 4-vinyl pyridine via coordination and the optimal coordinate ratio of Dox/Cu²⁺ was 2:1. The rebinding amount of MIH to Dox was 2.7-fold that of nonimprinted hydrogel and the Dox-loaded MIH showed a pH-responsive release property. Not more than 10% of loaded drug was released from Dox–MIH at pH 7.2 during a time course of 7 days. However, near to 60% of loaded drug was sustainedly released at pH 5.0 during the same period. These results indicated that Dox–MIH with pH-responsive behavior possessed great promising as sustained-release delivery system of anticancer drug.     

一氧化氮供体和阿霉素的共递送系统用于逆转肿瘤低氧耐药研究

目的构建一种一氧化氮供体和阿霉素的共递送系统,以逆转肿瘤低氧耐药。方法利用酰胺反应合成一氧化氮供体单硝酸异山梨酯(IM)修饰的透明质酸(HA-IM),再通过硫化学作用将其嫁接于二硫化钼(MoS₂)纳米片,制备出载体二硫化钼-单硝酸异山梨酯修饰的透明质酸(MoS₂-HA-IM),考察此载体的理化特性。通过疏水作用装载抗癌药阿霉素(DOX),构建一氧化氮供体和抗癌药物的共递送系统,并在细胞水平上考察此系统的抗肿瘤效果。结果二硫化钼-单硝酸异山梨酯修饰的透明质酸-阿霉素(MoS₂-HA-IM-DOX)可通过透明质酸受体介导的内吞作用有效地将装载的单硝酸异山梨酯和阿霉素输送到肿瘤细胞内,且在肿瘤弱酸性内环境和近红外光照射的双重刺激下迅速将药物释放出来,提高胞内游离药物的浓度。同时,装载的单硝酸异山梨酯能够逆转肿瘤细胞的低氧耐受性,进一步增强二硫化钼-单硝酸异山梨酯修饰的透明质酸-阿霉素的化疗效果,再联合基于二硫化钼材料产生的光热,共使肿瘤细胞的生长抑制率高达93.6%,明显高于其他组。结论二硫化钼-单硝酸异山梨酯修饰的透明质酸-阿霉素能够靶向输送一氧化氮供体和抗癌药物至肿瘤细胞内,双重响应控制药物释放,逆转肿瘤低氧耐药,最大限度地提高化疗效果,结合光热治疗,显示出优异的抗肿瘤效果。     

Redox-responsive self-assembly polymeric micelles based on mPEG-β-cyclodextrin and a camptothecin prodrug as drug release carriers

Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems based on polymeric micelles can achieve controlled drug release to improve the therapeutic outcome and reduce unwanted systematic toxicity and side effects of the cytotoxic drug in chemotherapy but often face challenging synthesis and purification of functionalized biocompatible polymer materials and low drug loading efficiency. In the present study, we reported a novel redox-responsive self-assembly polymeric micelle system, mPEG-β-CD/Ad-SS-CPT, to achieve high loading efficiency and selective delivery of camptothecin (CPT) in a reductive environment inside cancer cells. The host-guest supramolecular micelles utilized a simple β-CD modified PEG, mPEG-β-cyclodextrin (mPEG-β-CD), as the polymeric host with the ease of synthesis and purification. The guest prodrug Ad-SS-CPT contained the disulfide bond as the redox sensitivity group. The selective cleavage of disulfide bond and subsequent drug release in a reductive environment could potentially reduce system toxicity and improve the therapeutic outcome of CPT. In vitro studies showed that the micelles exhibited excellent cytotoxicity against HeLa cells comparable to the free drug. The host-guest polymeric micelles also showed great potentials for multi-drug co-delivery. Collectively, our current findings provided a general and convenient approach to design drug delivery systems based on stimuli-responsive polymeric micelles for disease treatment.     

EGF-modified mPEG-PLGA-PLL nanoparticle for delivering doxorubicin combined with Bcl-2 siRNA as a potential treatment strategy for lung cancer

Context: Nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely used as carriers to deliver siRNA and chemotherapeutic agents. Bcl-2 siRNA has been widely used to induce cancer cell apoptosis, and doxorubicin (Dox) can destroy cancer cells by binding with cancer cell DNA.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect on lung cancer of simultaneously delivering Dox and Bcl-2-siRNA using epidermal growth factor (EGF) modified monomethoxy (polyethylene glycol)-poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide)-poly(L-lysine) (mPEG-PLGA-PLL, PEAL) NPs (EGF-PEAL).

Methods: EGF-PEAL NPs were characterized with respect to size, zeta potential and morphology. Cytotoxicity and drug (or siRNA) loading capacity of EGF-PEAL NPs were analyzed. Cellular uptake, drug release profile, cell killing effects of Dox and Bcl-2-siRNA-loaded EGF-PEAL NPs were assessed. Biodistribution and therapeutic effects of Dox and Bcl-2-siRNA EGF-PEAL NPs were evaluated in H1299 tumor-bearing mice.

Results and discussion: EGF-PEAL NPs or PEAL NPs had nearly negligible cytotoxicity toward H1299 cells. Dox and Bcl-2-siRNA gradually released from EGF-PEAL NPs and exhibited sustained release patterns. Dox and Bcl-2-siRNA-loaded NPs were taken up by cells and induced the apoptosis of H1299 cells more effectively than using Dox or Bcl-2 siRNA alone. With the intravenous injection of PEAL NPs into H1299 xenografted mice, we found that combination treatment suppressed lung cancer growth and reduced Bcl-2 expression in tumor tissue, and EGF-PEAL NPs concentrated in lung tumor much more than non-targeted PEAL NPs.

Conclusion: We conclude that co-delivery of Dox and Bcl-2-siRNA by tumor-targeted EGF-PEAL NPs could significantly inhibit lung cancer growth.     

Redox-sensitive micelles for targeted intracellular delivery and combination chemotherapy of paclitaxel and all-trans-retinoid acid

The application of paclitaxel (PTX) in clinic has been restricted due to its poor solubility. Several traditional nano-medicines have been developed to improve this defect, while they are still lack of tumor targeting ability and rapid drug release. In this work, an amphiphilic polymeric micelle of hyaluronic acid (HA) – all-trans-retinoid acid (ATRA) with a disulfide bond, was developed successfully for the co-delivery of PTX and ATRA. The combination chemotherapy of PTX and ATRA can strengthen the anti-tumor activity. Along with self-assembling to micelles in water, the delivery system displayed satisfying drug loading capacities for both PTX (32.62% ± 1.39%) and ATRA, due to directly using ATRA as the hydrophobic group. Rapid drug release properties of the PTX-loaded redox-sensitive micelles (HA-SS-ATRA) in vitro were confirmed under reducing condition containing GSH. Besides, HA-CD44 mediated endocytosis promoted the uptake of HA-SS-ATRA micelles by B16F10 cells. Due to these properties, cytotoxicity assay verified that PTX-loaded HA-SS-ATRA micelles showed concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and displayed obvious combination therapy of PTX and ATRA. Importantly, HA-SS-ATRA micelles could remarkably prolong plasma circulation time after intravenously administration. Therefore, redox-sensitive HA-SS-ATRA micelles could be utilized and explored as a promising drug delivery system for cancer combination chemotherapy.     

pH Triggered Doxorubicin Delivery of PEGylated Glycolipid Conjugate Micelles for Tumor Targeting Therapy

The main objective of this study was aimed at tumor microenvironment-responsive vesicle for targeting delivery of the anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX). A glucolipid-like conjugate (CS) was synthesized by the chemical reaction between chitosan and stearic acid, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was then conjugated with CS via a pH-responsive cis-aconityl linkage to produce acid-sensitive PEGylated CS conjugates (PCCS). The conjugates with a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 181.8 μg/mL could form micelles in aqueous phase, and presented excellent DOX loading capacity with a drug encapsulation efficiency up to 87.6%. Moreover, the PCCS micelles showed a weakly acid-triggered PEG cleavage manner. In vitro drug release from DOX-loaded PCCS micelles indicated a relatively faster DOX release in weakly acidic environments (pH 5.0 and 6.5). The CS micelles had excellent cellular uptake ability, which could be significantly reduced by the PEGylation. However, the cellular uptake ability of PCCS was enhanced comparing with insensitive PEGylated CS (PCS) micelles in weakly acidic condition imitating tumor tissue. Taking PCS micelles as a comparative group, the PCCS drug delivery system was demonstrated to show much more accumulation in tumor tissue, followed by a relatively better performance in antitumor activity together with a security benefit on xenograft tumor model.     

Tumor microenvironment responsive drug delivery systems

Conventional tumor-targeted drug delivery systems (DDSs) face challenges, such as unsatisfied systemic circulation, low targeting efficiency, poor tumoral penetration, and uncontrolled drug release. Recently, tumor cellular molecules-triggered DDSs have aroused great interests in addressing such dilemmas. With the introduction of several additional functionalities, the properties of these smart DDSs including size, surface charge and ligand exposure can response to different tumor microenvironments for a more efficient tumor targeting, and eventually achieve desired drug release for an optimized therapeutic efficiency. This review highlights the recent research progresses on smart tumor environment responsive drug delivery systems for targeted drug delivery. Dynamic targeting strategies and functional moieties sensitive to a variety of tumor cellular stimuli, including pH, glutathione, adenosine-triphosphate, reactive oxygen species, enzyme and inflammatory factors are summarized. Special emphasis of this review is placed on their responsive mechanisms, drug loading models, drawbacks and merits. Several typical multi-stimuli responsive DDSs are listed. And the main challenges and potential future development are discussed.     

基于钙离子驱动的药物负载构建光响应性介孔硅纳米粒的研究

目的 提高介孔硅纳米粒(mesoporous silicon nanoparticles，MSNs)中药物负载量，并使其具备光响应性等功能。方法 本研究采用模板法制备氨基化的介孔硅纳米粒(MSN-NH₂)，并通过钙离子负载的MSNs(MSN-Ca)诱导化疗药物阿霉素(Doxorubicin，Dox)及光热治疗药物Cypate、二氢卟吩e6(Ce6)的高效负载，制得光响应性载单药或多药的MSNs，并对其理化性质及释药特性进行研究。结果 钙离子可有效负载于MSNs内，并可以诱导Dox、Cypate、Ce6在MSNs孔道内的高效负载，其载药量可分别达到(28.5±1.4)%，(36.8±1.5)%，(36.6±1.7)%；MSN-Ca还可以实现Dox、Cypate、Ce6中的2种或3种药物共同负载。负载Cypate的MSNs具有良好的光热升温效果。载Dox的MSNs具有酸性pH响应性释放Dox的特点。785 nm激光照射可明显增强MSN-Ca-Dox/Cypate的Dox释放，具有光响应性释药的特点。结论 钙离子驱动的药物负载策略在多功能MSNs的构建及其抗肿瘤协同治疗研究中具有重要作用。     

Development of a bone targeted thermosensitive liposomal doxorubicin formulation based on a bisphosphonate modified non-ionic surfactant

Bone is among the most common sites of metastasis in cancer patients, so it is an urgent need to develop drug delivery systems targeting tumor bone metastasis with the feature of controlled release. This study aimed to delivery of thermosensitive liposomal doxorubicin to bone for tumor metastasis treatment. First, Brij78 (polyoxyethylene stearyl ether) was conjugated with Pamidronate (Pa). By incorporating Pa-Brij78 to DPPC/Chol liposomes, we developed Pa surface functionalized liposomes. The Pa-Brij78/DPPC/Chol liposomes (PB-liposomes) exhibited a stronger binding affinity to hydroxyapatite (HA), a major component of bone, than Brij78/DPPC/Chol liposomes (B-liposomes). Doxorubicin (Dox) was then encapsulated in PB-liposomes and the results demonstrated complete release of Dox from PB-liposomes or the complex of HA/PB-liposomes within 10?min at 42?°C. Next, human lung cancer A549 cells were treated with the thermosensitive complex of HA/PB-liposomes/Dox to mimic tumor bone metastasis treatment through bone targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. Pre-incubation of HA/PB-liposomes/Dox with mild heat at 42?°C induced subsequent higher cytotoxicity to A549 cells than incubation of the same complex at 37?°C, suggesting more active drug release triggered by heat. In conclusion, we synthesized a novel surfactant Pa-Brij78 and it has the potential to be used for development of a bone targeted thermosensitive liposome formulation for treatment of tumor bone metastasis.     

可共载基因与敏化剂用以增强多西他赛抗肿瘤效果的脂质纳米载药系统的制备与评价

本研究制备了一种纳米载药系统,通过对几种化学或基因药物的同时递送,实现多种药物的协同效应或降低肿瘤对药物的耐药性,从而达到提高肿瘤治疗的目的。在本研究中,通过考察粒径分布及载药量对不同的阳性脂材进行筛选,成功制备可以同时传递阴离子小干扰RNA（siRNA）和化疗药物多西他赛的阳性纳米脂质载体（cNLC）。同时,利用能与肝癌细胞表面特异性结合的新型肽SP94对cNLC的表面进行修饰,最终制得具有主动靶向功能的cNLC。琼脂糖凝胶色谱结果显示制得的cNLC可以有效的装载siRNA。超滤离心法去除游离药物后,HPLC图谱显示cNLC能够高效的包载多西他赛。与市售制剂泰索帝相比,制得的SP94-cNLC显示出更强的细胞毒性,这表明SP94修饰的cNLC能更高效的递送多西他赛进入肝癌细胞。而在姜黄素和多西他赛共载的NLC中,通过姜黄素对多西他赛的敏化作用提高多西他赛在侵袭性癌细胞中的细胞毒性,这种共载系统能够改善化疗药物单独使用时疗效较差的缺点。     

Preparation,characterization and evaluation of liposomal doxorubicin and harmine that show synergistic activity in vitro

A combinatory therapeutic system that simultaneously targets several independent pathways is preferred for the treatment of cancer. In our study, a combinatory liposomal delivery system containing doxorubicin (Dox) and harmine (HM) was constructed by thin film dispersing method together with pH gradient method. A simple, precise and accurate spectrophotometric method for the determination of Dox and HM in liposomal formulation was established and validated. A drug HSPC ratio of 1: 20, loading time of 30 min and loading temperature of 50 °C were the optimal conditions for the preparation of drug loaded liposomes, which exhibited excellent physicochemical properties such as average particle size of ~100 nm, low polydispersity index below 0.2 and high entrapment efficiency above 93%. Sustained release of drug from liposomes at pH 7.4 showed good biological safety. The synergetic cytotoxic effect for these two drugs was evaluated in MCF-7 cells. The in vitro antitumor studies demonstrated the superior anti-proliferation activity of the liposomal Dox and HM with a combination index of 0.81, which indicated great synergistic effect and increased anti-proliferation efficiency. The experimental data suggested that combinational liposome therapy could be an effective way to develop efficient treatment of cancers.