Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.2
3.9
Journals
Biomedicines
Special Issues
Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy: Current Progress and Challenges
share announcement

Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy: Current Progress and Challenges

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 3231

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Menghuan Tang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
Interests: nanomedicine; nanotechnology; nano delivery for cancer therapy; biomaterial
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zhaoqing Cong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
Interests: drug delivery; peptide-based nanoparticles; magnetic-propelled cell robots

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer remains one of the most complex and challenging diseases worldwide. Among the approaches being explored, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have shown promising potential in preclinical research. The unique properties of nanoparticles allow for the targeted delivery at the tumor site, controlled release, and prolonged circulation time of the anticancer agent. The application of nanoparticles not only promises to enhance the therapeutic effect and reduce systemic toxicity but also to overcome drug resistance in cancer treatments. However, challenges such as targeting efficiency, stability, long-term effects, and consistency in manufacturing process hinder their clinical translation.

Therefore, we invite investigators to contribute their original research and review articles that address these challenges and explore innovative nanoparticles. Such contributions should provide new insights and help bridge the gap from bench to clinic in nanoparticle-based cancer therapy.

Dr. Menghuan Tang
Dr. Zhaoqing Cong
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nanoparticle
  • targeted drug delivery
  • controlled release
  • clinical translation
  • drug resistance
  • nanomedicine

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

27 pages, 5680 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Effects of Green Nanoparticles on Antitumor Drug Efficacy in Hepatocellular Cancer
by Mirela Claudia Rîmbu, Liliana Popescu, Mirela Mihăilă, Roxana Colette Sandulovici, Daniel Cord, Carmen-Marinela Mihăilescu, Mona Luciana Gălățanu, Mariana Panțuroiu, Carmen-Elisabeta Manea, Adina Boldeiu, Oana Brîncoveanu, Mihaela Savin, Alexandru Grigoroiu, Florin Dan Ungureanu, Emilia Amzoiu, Mariana Popescu and Elena Truță
Biomedicines 2025, 13(3), 641; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13030641 - 5 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1364
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Despite significant advancements in treatment strategies and drug development, survival rates remain low and the adverse effects of conventional therapies severely impact patients’ quality of life. This study evaluates the therapeutic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Despite significant advancements in treatment strategies and drug development, survival rates remain low and the adverse effects of conventional therapies severely impact patients’ quality of life. This study evaluates the therapeutic potential of plant-derived extracts in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment, with a focus on minimizing side effects while enhancing efficacy. Methods: This research investigates the in vitro synergistic effect of silver bio-nanoparticles synthesized from Clematis vitalba, Melissa officinalis, and Taraxacum officinale extracts (Clematis vitalbae extractum—CVE, Melissae extractum—ME, Taraxaci extractum—TE) in combination with liver cancer drugs, sunitinib (SNTB) and imatinib (IMTB), on HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma) and HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial) cell lines. The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antitumor effects were evaluated through cell viability assays after 24 and 48 h of exposure, with additional cytotoxicity tests on HUVEC cells. Results: Results indicated that Melissa officinalis-derived silver nanoparticles (ME AgNPs) and Clematis vitalba extract with silver nanoparticles (CVE AgNPs) significantly reduced HepG2 cell viability. Their efficacy improved when combined with conventional therapies (SNTB + ME AgNPs 1:1 vs. SNTB: 20.01% vs. 25.73%, p = 0.002; IMTB + ME AgNPs 1:1 vs. IMTB: 17.80% vs. 18.08%, p = 0.036; SNTB + CVE AgNPs 1:1 vs. SNTB: 18.73% vs. 25.73%, p = 0.000; SNTB + CVE AgNPs 1:2 vs. SNTB: 26.62% vs. 41.00%, p = 0.018; IMTB + CVE AgNPs 1:1 vs. IMTB: 12.99% vs. 18.08%, p = 0.001). Taraxacum extract exhibited similar cytotoxicity to its nanoparticle formulation but did not exceed the efficacy of the extract alone at 24 h. Selectivity index assessments confirmed that AgNPs-based formulations significantly improve cytotoxicity and selectivity to HepG2 cells. Among the tested extracts, CVE demonstrated the strongest antitumor effect, enhancing the efficacy of synthetic drugs (CI < 1). SNTB + TE AgNPs (5% EtOH) also demonstrated consistent synergy at high doses, while SNTB + CVE AgNPs provided broad-range synergy, making it suitable for dose-escalation strategies. Conclusions: These findings underscore the potential of nanoparticle-based formulations in combination therapies with targeted kinase inhibitors such as sunitinib and imatinib. Future research should focus on in vivo validation and clinical trials to confirm these findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy: Current Progress and Challenges)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 4019 KiB  
Article
The Internalization Pathways of Liposomes, PLGA, and Magnetic Nanoparticles in Neutrophils
by Anastasiia Garanina, Daniil Vishnevskiy, Anastasia Chernysheva, Julia Malinovskaya, Polina Lazareva, Alevtina Semkina, Maxim Abakumov and Victor Naumenko
Biomedicines 2024, 12(10), 2180; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12102180 - 25 Sep 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1350
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Neutrophils are emerging as promising candidates for cell-based nanodrug delivery to tumors due to their unique biological properties. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of nanoparticle internalization by neutrophils, specifically focusing on liposomes, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and magnetite nanoparticles. Understanding these [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Neutrophils are emerging as promising candidates for cell-based nanodrug delivery to tumors due to their unique biological properties. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of nanoparticle internalization by neutrophils, specifically focusing on liposomes, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and magnetite nanoparticles. Understanding these mechanisms could enhance the efficiency of neutrophil-based nanodrug delivery for cancer treatment. Methods: Neutrophils were isolated from the peripheral blood of mice bearing 4T1 mammary adenocarcinoma. Confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and flow cytometry were employed to evaluate the uptake of liposomes, PLGA, and magnetite nanoparticles by neutrophils. The effects of cultivation conditions, such as the presence or absence of plasma in the growth medium, were also examined. Additionally, the roles of immunoglobulins (IgG/IgM) and cell surface receptors (Fc and scavenger receptors) in nanoparticle internalization were explored. Results: All types of nanoparticles were successfully internalized by neutrophils, though the mechanisms of uptake varied. Plasma presence in the medium significantly influenced nanoparticle binding, particularly for PLGA nanoparticles. Internalization of PLGA nanoparticles was found to depend on the presence of IgG/IgM in the medium and Fc receptors on neutrophil surfaces, while scavenger receptors were not involved. Conclusions: Understanding the distinct endocytosis pathways for different nanoparticles can improve the efficacy of neutrophil loading with nanodrugs, potentially advancing the development of neutrophil-based cancer therapies. The findings underscore the importance of the extracellular environment in modulating nanoparticle uptake. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy: Current Progress and Challenges)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop