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Pharmaceuticals
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New Platforms for Cancer Treatment—Emerging Advances
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New Platforms for Cancer Treatment—Emerging Advances

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 December 2025) | Viewed by 3421

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Fernanda Karoline Vieira da Silva Torchelsen

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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Interests: nonclinical animal models; in vitro activity; experimental chemotherapy; experimental drugs; nanoformulations; cardiotoxicity; neglected diseases and cancer treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Maria Alice de Oliveira

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Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy; Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Interests: polymers; polymers synthesis; biodegradable and decorated polymeric nanocarriers; parasitic diseases and cancer treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Renata Tupinambá Branquinho

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Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy; Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
Interests: pre-clinical mice models; cytotoxicity; efficacy; experimental chemotherapy; cardiotoxicity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Vanessa Carla Furtado Mosqueira

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Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Department of Pharmacy - Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Nanotechnology (LDGNano), Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, 35400-000 Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
Interests: polymeric nanoparticles; biodistribution; oral lipid-based nanosystems; efficacy; biodistribution; pharmaceutical nanotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The aim of this Special Issue, “New Platforms for Cancer Treatment—Emerging Advances”, is to gather high-quality papers in the field and address pharmaceutical strategies focused on cancer treatment. The alarming rise of cancer cases has become a significant public health concern in recent decades. According to the WHO, ten million people died from cancer alone in 2020, regardless of age or social status. Cancer treatment encompasses various approaches, including surgery, radiotherapy, and conventional chemotherapy, often used in drug combinations. Adverse effects are commonly manifested acutely and chronically.

Nanotechnology has emerged as a more selective option for cancer treatment. It offers targeted therapy, biodistribution, and reduced toxicity. Another strategy for advancing cancer treatment is based on gene therapy, including DNA microRNAs, oncolytic virotherapy, and gene-directed enzyme pro-drug deliveries. Efforts to discover new active molecules or novel combinations continue as a strong branch of cancer treatment novelty. Photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal (PTT) cancer therapies are emerging as new options for the counterpart mutilation of organs and tissues. Monoclonal antibodies in cancer treatment represent a great breakthrough in personalized cancer treatment. These antibodies have been used to target nanostructures loaded with different drugs to tumoral areas in the human body with success.

We encourage researchers from the pharmaceutical and health science disciplines to contribute original and review manuscripts highlighting the latest developments in this field. We welcome manuscripts covering in vitro and in vivo screenings and pre-clinical studies with diverse applications to cancer treatment.

The scope of this Special Issue includes the following:

  • Novel drugs or active compounds for cancer treatment;
  • Nanostructures applied to cancer treatment;
  • Use of photodynamics and photothermal agents in nanotheranostics;
  • Targeting approaches to improve selectivity in cancer;
  • Biopharmaceutical studies of antitumoral drugs associated with nanodevices;
  • Reviews of current and up-to-date research in cancer treatment and new strategies.

Dr. Fernanda Karoline Vieira da Silva Torchelsen
Dr. Maria Alice de Oliveira
Dr. Renata Tupinambá Branquinho
Prof. Dr. Vanessa Carla Furtado Mosqueira
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Pharmaceuticals 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 2900 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

  • cancer treatment
  • emerging advances
  • nanotechnology
  • nanotheranostics
  • novel drugs
  • nanostructures
  • pre-clinical studies

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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28 pages, 3637 KB  
Article
Folic Acid-Decorated Lipidic Nanocapsules Co-Loaded with Atorvastatin and Curcumin to Enhance Glioma Targeting in Mice
by Mahitab Bayoumi, John Youshia, O. A. El-Kawy, Sara A. Abdel Gaber, Mona G. Arafa, Maha Nasr and Omaima A. Sammour
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(11), 1623; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18111623 - 27 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1035
Abstract
Background: Glioma remains an intractable and highly aggressive brain tumor, mainly due to the daunting obstacle presented by the blood–brain barrier (BBB). To overcome this challenge and enhance therapeutic efficacy, a dual-drug delivery system was engineered. This system co-encapsulated curcumin, a nutraceutical [...] Read more.
Background: Glioma remains an intractable and highly aggressive brain tumor, mainly due to the daunting obstacle presented by the blood–brain barrier (BBB). To overcome this challenge and enhance therapeutic efficacy, a dual-drug delivery system was engineered. This system co-encapsulated curcumin, a nutraceutical with multitargeted anticancer potential, with atorvastatin calcium, a repurposed anticancer agent, within lipidic nanocapsules (LNCs). Methods: LNCs were prepared via the phase inversion temperature method and optimized using a Box–Behnken design. The optimized LNCs were subsequently functionalized with folic acid (FA) to enable active targeting. FA-LNCs were characterized using XPS, TEM, in vitro release, and MTT cytotoxicity assays. Atorvastatin and curcumin were radiolabeled separately with iodine-131 to evaluate the in vivo pharmacokinetics in a glioma-bearing mouse model. Results: The optimized LNCs and FA-LNCs displayed a mean particle size of 97.98 ± 2.27 nm and 181.60 ± 2.83 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.32 ± 0.07 and 0.40 ± 0.02, and a zeta potential of −15.85 ± 1.35 mV and −11.90 ± 2.80, respectively. XPS and FTIR analyses verified FA conjugation. Both LNCs and FA-LNCs enhanced the in vitro cytotoxicity compared to free drugs; however, the most pronounced effect of FA functionalization was observed in vivo. Most significantly, FA-LNCs achieved markedly greater glioma accumulation than non-functionalized LNCs, with AUC values 2.0-fold higher for atorvastatin and 2.6-fold higher for curcumin. When compared to the free drug solutions, this efficiency was even more pronounced, with atorvastatin and curcumin showing enhancements of 8.2 and 12.4 times, respectively. Conclusions: FA-LNCs markedly improved glioma targeting efficiency and reduced systemic clearance, which underscores the therapeutic potential of integrating nutraceuticals with repurposed agents to achieve effective glioma therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Platforms for Cancer Treatment—Emerging Advances)
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20 pages, 2373 KB  
Article
Prognostic Factors and Talaporfin Sodium Concentration in Photodynamic Therapy for Recurrent Grade 4 Glioma
by Mikoto Onodera, Shuji Kitahara, Yasuto Sato, Takakazu Kawamata, Yoshihiro Muragaki and Ken Masamune
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(4), 583; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18040583 - 16 Apr 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1614 | Correction
Abstract
Background: Although extensive resection improves the prognosis of gliomas, it risks impairing critical brain functions. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizing talaporfin sodium (TS) targets tumor cells upon light activation. Despite its approval in Japan, TS application remains restricted, and factors influencing its efficacy are [...] Read more.
Background: Although extensive resection improves the prognosis of gliomas, it risks impairing critical brain functions. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizing talaporfin sodium (TS) targets tumor cells upon light activation. Despite its approval in Japan, TS application remains restricted, and factors influencing its efficacy are unclear. We aimed to identify TS efficacy determinants to optimize treatment outcomes. Methods: Data from 171 patients with grade 4 glioma who underwent surgery and PDT at Tokyo Women’s Medical University Hospital between January 2017 and March 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical variables evaluated included age, sex, genotype, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), serum albumin (Alb) levels, MIB-1 expression levels, and medication history. TS concentrations in tumor tissues were quantitatively assessed in 82 patients (41 primary, 41 recurrent). Survival outcomes were analyzed. RNA-seq was performed on the three highest and three lowest TS concentration samples with significant TS concentration variations to investigate corresponding gene expression changes. Results: Multivariate analysis identified KPS (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.96 [0.93–0.99], p = 0.01) and Alb (3.68 [1.05–13.76], p = 0.047) as independent prognostic factors. In recurrent cases, higher TS concentrations were significantly associated with improved survival (p = 0.0454). RNA-seq analysis indicated decreased expression of ACTB and PDPN genes in samples with lower TS concentrations, suggesting potential resistance mechanisms. Conclusions: TS concentration is a critical determinant of PDT efficacy, especially in recurrent glioma, highlighting its prognostic significance. Alb may affect treatment outcomes by mediating TS binding. RNA-seq findings imply that low TS concentrations may suppress immune and stress response-related genes, potentially diminishing PDT sensitivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Platforms for Cancer Treatment—Emerging Advances)
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Review

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33 pages, 3759 KB  
Review
Drug Combination in Polymeric Nanocarriers for Chemotherapy of Cancer: Preclinical Outcomes in the Last Ten Years
by Fernanda Karoline Vieira da Silva Torchelsen, Eduardo Burgarelli Lages, Maria Alice de Oliveira, André Luís Branco de Barros and Vanessa Carla Furtado Mosqueira
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(2), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19020248 (registering DOI) - 1 Feb 2026
Abstract
Background: Combination chemotherapy using nanotechnology-based delivery is a promising approach to improve cancer treatment, but the added value of co-loaded polymeric nanocarriers has not been comprehensively appraised. This review synthesizes preclinical evidence on polymeric systems co-encapsulating antitumor agents. Methods: A narrative literature review [...] Read more.
Background: Combination chemotherapy using nanotechnology-based delivery is a promising approach to improve cancer treatment, but the added value of co-loaded polymeric nanocarriers has not been comprehensively appraised. This review synthesizes preclinical evidence on polymeric systems co-encapsulating antitumor agents. Methods: A narrative literature review identified 33 preclinical studies (2015–2025) employing polymer-based nanocarriers to co-load at least two antitumor drugs. Study characteristics and in vitro and in vivo outcomes were qualitatively analyzed. Results: Most studies addressed breast, lung, or ovarian cancer and used micelles or nanospheres. Co-loaded formulations consistently enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity and, in vivo, produced marked tumor growth inhibition relative to free drugs or single-loaded systems; in several reports, near-complete or complete tumor regression was achieved. Synergy was frequently suggested but not consistently quantified, more than half of the studies did not report a combination index. Most formulations showed favorable tolerability, with few reports including mild hepatic toxicity, renal, or weight-related effects. Beyond conventional drug pairs, examples of co-delivering chemotherapeutics with resistance modulators, gene therapy agents, or targeted ligands illustrated how tailored release profiles and active targeting can potentiate efficacy. Nevertheless, heterogeneity in models, dosing schedules, endpoints, and limited long-term safety data hamper cross-study comparison and translation. Conclusions: Co-loaded polymeric nanocarriers constitute a promising platform to optimize combination chemotherapy, improving preclinical antitumor efficacy with generally limited toxicity, but more standardized and mechanistically driven studies are required to support clinical development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Platforms for Cancer Treatment—Emerging Advances)
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