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Pharmaceutics
Special Issues
Designing Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery and Cancer-Targeted Therapy
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Designing Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery and Cancer-Targeted Therapy

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Targeting and Design".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 September 2023) | Viewed by 8959

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Cristina Mariana Uritu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Advanced Centre for Research-Development in Experimental Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iași, 700115 Iași, Romania
Interests: drug delivery; gene therapy; biomaterials; nanotechnology; radiopharmaceuticals; radiotracers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer is becoming an increasingly common disease that affects people of all ages and has no discernible link to specific risk factors. Parallel to the increase in cancer incidence, science has achieved incredible advances in the development of new antitumor drugs, as well as in treatment plan and other complementary therapeutic approaches. Although several treatment protocols have been established to reduce the harmful effects of chemotherapeutics on the human body, an ideal therapeutic system that kills exclusively neoplastic cells while keeping healthy tissues intact has not yet been introduced in the clinic. One field of nanotechnology aims to design advanced carriers and drug release systems that are as close to this ideal as feasible, so that they have a strong affinity for cancer cells and, if possible, specificity for certain types of cancer but do not impact healthy cells or become active just in the proximity of the malignant tissue.

The goal of this Special Issue of Pharmaceutics is to publish original research and review papers comprising the newest findings on various nanomaterials capable of efficiently delivering therapeutic agents to disease sites. We welcome scientists to share their expert comments and insights on all aspects of the synthesis, characterization, and in vitro or in vivo applications of such innovative  nanomaterials for the benefit of the fight against cancer.

Dr. Cristina Mariana Uritu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • drug release
  • drug delivery
  • targeted delivery system
  • nanoparticles
  • nanomaterials
  • tumor targeting
  • cancer therapy

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1898 KiB  
Article
Folate-Targeted Nanoliposomal Chemophototherapy
by Upendra Chitgupi, Yiru Qin, Sanjana Ghosh, Breandan Quinn, Kevin Carter, Xuedan He, Ulas Sunar and Jonathan F. Lovell
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(10), 2385; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15102385 - 26 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1361
Abstract
Light-responsive liposomes have been developed for the on-demand release of drugs. However, efficient delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to tumor for cancer theranostics remains a challenge. Herein, folic acid (FA), an established ligand for targeted drug delivery, was used to decorate light-sensitive porphyrin-phospholipid (PoP) [...] Read more.
Light-responsive liposomes have been developed for the on-demand release of drugs. However, efficient delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to tumor for cancer theranostics remains a challenge. Herein, folic acid (FA), an established ligand for targeted drug delivery, was used to decorate light-sensitive porphyrin-phospholipid (PoP) liposomes, which were assessed for FA-targeted chemophototherapy (CPT). PoP liposomes and FA-conjugated PoP liposomes were loaded with Doxorubicin (Dox), and physical properties were characterized. In vitro, FA-PoP liposomes that were incubated with FA receptor-overexpressing human KB cancer cells showed increased uptake compared to non-targeted PoP liposomes. Dox and PoP contributed towards chemophototherapy (CPT) in vitro, and PoP and FA-PoP liposomes induced cell killing. In vivo, mice bearing subcutaneous KB tumors treated with PoP or FA-PoP liposomes loaded with Dox, followed by 665 nm laser treatment, had delayed tumor growth and improved survival. Dox delivery to tumors increased following laser irradiation for both PoP and FA-PoP liposomes. Thus, while Dox-FA-PoP liposomes were effective following systemic administration and local light irradiation in this tumor model, the FA targeting moiety did not appear essential for anti-tumor responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery and Cancer-Targeted Therapy)
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21 pages, 7026 KiB  
Article
CD163 Monoclonal Antibody Modified Polymer Prodrug Nanoparticles for Targeting Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) to Enhance Anti-Tumor Effects
by Zun Yang, Haijiao Li, Wenrui Zhang, Mingzu Zhang, Jinlin He, Zepeng Yu, Xingwei Sun and Peihong Ni
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(4), 1241; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15041241 - 14 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1919
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)-based immunotherapy is a promising strategy. Since TAMs are mainly composed of M2-type macrophages, they have a promoting effect on tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. M2-type macrophages contain a specific receptor CD163 on their surface, providing a prerequisite for active targeting [...] Read more.
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)-based immunotherapy is a promising strategy. Since TAMs are mainly composed of M2-type macrophages, they have a promoting effect on tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. M2-type macrophages contain a specific receptor CD163 on their surface, providing a prerequisite for active targeting to TAMs. In this study, we prepared CD163 monoclonal antibody modified doxorubicin-polymer prodrug nanoparticles (abbreviated as mAb-CD163-PDNPs) with pH responsiveness and targeted delivery. First, DOX was bonded with the aldehyde group of a copolymer by Schiff base reaction to form an amphiphilic polymer prodrug, which could self-assemble into nanoparticles in the aqueous solution. Then, mAb-CD163-PDNPs were generated through a “Click” reaction between the azide group on the surface of the prodrug nanoparticles and dibenzocyclocytyl-coupled CD163 monoclonal antibody (mAb-CD163-DBCO). The structure and assembly morphology of the prodrug and nanoparticles were characterized by 1H NMR, MALDI-TOF MS, FT-IR UV-vis spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). In vitro drug release behavior, cytotoxicity, and cell uptake were also investigated. The results show that the prodrug nanoparticles have regular morphology and stable structure, especially mAb-CD163-PDNPs, which can actively target TAMs at tumor sites, respond to the acidic environment in tumor cells, and release drugs. While depleting TAMs, mAb-CD163-PDNPs can actively enrich drugs at the tumor site and have a strong inhibitory effect on TAMs and tumor cells. The result of the in vivo test also shows a good therapeutic effect, with a tumor inhibition rate of 81%. This strategy of delivering anticancer drugs in TAMs provides a new way to develop targeted drugs for immunotherapy of malignant tumors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery and Cancer-Targeted Therapy)
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Review

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36 pages, 4883 KiB  
Review
Nano-Drug Delivery Systems in Oral Cancer Therapy: Recent Developments and Prospective
by Yun Zhang, Yongjia Wu, Hongjiang Du, Zhiyong Li, Xiaofeng Bai, Yange Wu, Huimin Li, Mengqi Zhou, Yifeng Cao and Xuepeng Chen
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16010007 - 19 Dec 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2723
Abstract
Oral cancer (OC), characterized by malignant tumors in the mouth, is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Chemotherapy is a commonly used treatment for OC; however, it often leads to severe side effects on human bodies. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged [...] Read more.
Oral cancer (OC), characterized by malignant tumors in the mouth, is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Chemotherapy is a commonly used treatment for OC; however, it often leads to severe side effects on human bodies. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising solution for managing OC using nanomaterials and nanoparticles (NPs). Nano-drug delivery systems (nano-DDSs) that employ various NPs as nanocarriers have been extensively developed to enhance current OC therapies by achieving controlled drug release and targeted drug delivery. Through searching and analyzing relevant research literature, it was found that certain nano-DDSs can improve the therapeutic effect of drugs by enhancing drug accumulation in tumor tissues. Furthermore, they can achieve targeted delivery and controlled release of drugs through adjustments in particle size, surface functionalization, and drug encapsulation technology of nano-DDSs. The application of nano-DDSs provides a new tool and strategy for OC therapy, offering personalized treatment options for OC patients by enhancing drug delivery, reducing toxic side effects, and improving therapeutic outcomes. However, the use of nano-DDSs in OC therapy still faces challenges such as toxicity, precise targeting, biodegradability, and satisfying drug-release kinetics. Overall, this review evaluates the potential and limitations of different nano-DDSs in OC therapy, focusing on their components, mechanisms of action, and laboratory therapeutic effects, aiming to provide insights into understanding, designing, and developing more effective and safer nano-DDSs. Future studies should focus on addressing these issues to further advance the application and development of nano-DDSs in OC therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery and Cancer-Targeted Therapy)
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31 pages, 2486 KiB  
Review
Recent Progress in Extracellular Vesicle-Based Carriers for Targeted Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy
by Yaqin Tang, Xingyou Liu, Meng Sun, Su Xiong, Nianting Xiao, Jianchao Li, Xiao He and Jing Xie
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(7), 1902; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15071902 - 7 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2109
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, membrane-based vesicles released by cells that play a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes. They act as vehicles for transporting a variety of endogenous cargo molecules, enabling intercellular communication. Due to their natural properties, EVs have [...] Read more.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, membrane-based vesicles released by cells that play a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes. They act as vehicles for transporting a variety of endogenous cargo molecules, enabling intercellular communication. Due to their natural properties, EVs have emerged as a promising “cell-free therapy” strategy for treating various diseases, including cancer. They serve as excellent carriers for different therapeutics, including nucleic acids, proteins, small molecules, and other nanomaterials. Modifying or engineering EVs can improve the efficacy, targeting, specificity, and biocompatibility of EV-based therapeutics for cancer therapy. In this review, we comprehensively outline the biogenesis, isolation, and methodologies of EVs, as well as their biological functions. We then focus on specific applications of EVs as drug carriers in cancer therapy by citing prominent recent studies. Additionally, we discuss the opportunities and challenges for using EVs as pharmaceutical drug delivery vehicles. Ultimately, we aim to provide theoretical and technical support for the development of EV-based carriers for cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery and Cancer-Targeted Therapy)
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