Hybrid Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2025) | Viewed by 1538

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, MG, Brazil
Interests: nanocarriers; immunology; hybrid nanoparticles

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to explore the latest advancements in the development and application of hybrid nanoparticles for cancer therapy. Hybrid nanoparticles, composed of two or more different materials, offer unique properties that enhance drug delivery, imaging, and therapeutic efficacy. By combining nanomaterials such as polymers, lipids, metals, and biomolecules, hybrid nanoparticles can overcome biological barriers, target cancer cells more effectively, and reduce side effects associated with traditional treatments. This Special Issue will gather cutting-edge research from experts in the field to provide a comprehensive overview of innovative strategies and emerging technologies in the design, synthesis, and clinical application of hybrid nanoparticles for cancer treatment.

We invite contributions that focus on both fundamental and applied aspects of hybrid nanoparticle technologies for cancer therapy. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Design, synthesis, and characterization of hybrid nanoparticles for cancer therapy;
  • Mechanisms of action and biological interactions of hybrid nanoparticles;
  • Targeted drug delivery systems using hybrid nanoparticles;
  • Hybrid nanoparticles for gene therapy, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy in cancer treatment;
  • The role of nanomaterials in overcoming drug resistance in cancer;
  • Imaging and diagnostic applications of hybrid nanoparticles in oncology;
  • In vitro and in vivo evaluation of hybrid nanoparticles in cancer models;
  • Clinical translation and regulatory challenges for hybrid nanoparticle-based therapies;
  • Toxicity, safety, and pharmacokinetics of hybrid nanoparticles.

In this Special Issue, original research articles, reviews and clinical studies are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Jacy Gameiro
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • hybrid nanoparticles
  • cancer therapy
  • targeted drug delivery
  • nanomedicine
  • tumor microenvironment
  • gene therapy
  • immunotherapy
  • diagnostics
  • nanomaterials

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1138 KiB  
Article
Sonoporation with Echogenic Liposomes: The Evaluation of Glioblastoma Applicability Using In Vivo Xenograft Models
by Ju-Hyun Park, Yoo-Kyung Lee, Hana Lee, Dong-Hyun Choi, Ki-Jong Rhee, Han Sung Kim and Jong-Bum Seo
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(4), 509; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17040509 - 11 Apr 2025
Viewed by 240
Abstract
Objective: In previous studies, echogenic liposomes with liquid and gas cores were analyzed as alternative carriers of drug molecules and cavitation nuclei for sonoporation. The possibility of small interfering RNA (si-RNA) encapsulation has also been presented. In this study, the usability of [...] Read more.
Objective: In previous studies, echogenic liposomes with liquid and gas cores were analyzed as alternative carriers of drug molecules and cavitation nuclei for sonoporation. The possibility of small interfering RNA (si-RNA) encapsulation has also been presented. In this study, the usability of echogenic liposomes as drug carriers and cavitation seeds was evaluated using an in vivo model. Methods: A doxorubicin-loaded echogenic liposome was synthesized as a drug carrier. The size distribution and the number of formed echogenic liposomes were measured. Five comparative in vivo experiments were conducted with and without doxorubicin-loaded echogenic liposomes, and the results were statically analyzed. Results: Sonoporation with doxorubicin-loaded echogenic liposomes at 3.05 W/cm2 of ISPTA ultrasound sonication and 0.98 MHz results in an average tumor volume growth of less than 25% of that following the simple administration of doxorubicin. Considering the p-value between the two groups is approximately 0.03, doxorubicin-loaded echogenic liposomes were effectively applicable as cavitation nuclei for sonoporation. Conclusions: Although further studies are needed to clarify the responses to incident ultrasound fields, the proposed echogenic liposome appears to be a promising alternative cavitation nuclei/carrier for sonoporation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy)
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21 pages, 90905 KiB  
Article
Intestinal Probiotic Lysate Modified Bifunctional Nanoparticle for Efficient Colon Cancer Immunotherapy
by Manfang Zhu, Hongkui Chen, Xiaohua Chen, Yueyang Zhang, Xiayu Chen, Bailing Zhou, Xingmei Duan, Na Zhou and Xin Zhang
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(2), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17020139 - 21 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 990
Abstract
Background: In cancer immunotherapy, gene therapy has become a promising strategy through the introduction of immunostimulatory components into its formulation. However, ideal non-viral gene delivery platforms capable of simultaneously maintaining a high delivery efficiency and immune activation are still in demand. As an [...] Read more.
Background: In cancer immunotherapy, gene therapy has become a promising strategy through the introduction of immunostimulatory components into its formulation. However, ideal non-viral gene delivery platforms capable of simultaneously maintaining a high delivery efficiency and immune activation are still in demand. As an intestinal probiotic, Lactobacillus reuteri has potential correlation with cancer progression. Its unique antigenicity also confers its immunomodulatory activity. Method: We engineered a new non-viral siRNA delivery system, DMPLAC. By wrapping the lysate of Lactobacillus reuteri, it is expected to enhance the anti-cancer immunostimulatory properties. Result: Supported by certain internalization pathways, the prepared DMPLAC nanoparticles showed high siRNA delivery efficiency in vitro (up to 97.62%). They also strongly promoted the maturation and activation of immune cells, including dendritic and T cells, both in vitro and in vivo. By loading siRNA targeting the immune checkpoint CD47 gene, the DMPLAC/siCD47 complex strongly suppressed the growth of multiple colon cancer models through local administration with high safety. Conclusions: Our study developed a novel intestinal probiotic lysate-based gene delivery system with dual immunomodulatory abilities, suggesting a potential strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy)
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