Phospholipid-Coated Boronic Oxide Nanoparticles as Boron Agents for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.

Minimally invasive boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is an elegant approach for cancer treatment. The highly selective and efficient deliverability of boron agents to cancer cells is the key to maximizing the therapeutic benefits of BNCT. In addition, enhancement of the frequencies to achieve boron neutron capture reaction is also significant in improving therapeutic efficacy by providing a highly concentrated boron agent in each boron nanoparticle. As the density of the thermal neutron beam remains low, it is unable to induce high-efficiency cell destruction. Herein, we report phospholipid-coated boronic oxide nanoparticles as agents for BNCT that can provide a highly concentrated boron atom in each nanoparticle. The current system exhibited in vitro BNCT activity seven times higher than that of commercial boron agents. Furthermore, the system could penetrate cancer spheroids deeply, efficiently suppressing thermal neutron irradiation-induced growth.

Controlled Release of Drug-Encapsulated Protein Films with Various Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Concentrations.

Protein-based drug carriers are ideal drug-delivery platforms because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity. Many types and shapes of protein-based platforms, including nanoparticles, hydrogels, films, and minipellets, have been prepared to deliver drug molecules. In this study, protein films containing the desired amounts of doxorubicin (DOX) as cancer drugs were developed using a simple mixing method. The release ratio and rate of DOXs were dependent on the surfactant concentration. The drug release ratio was controlled within the range of 20-90% depending on the amount of the surfactant used. The protein film surface was analyzed using a microscope before and after drug release, and the relationship between the degree of film swelling and the drug release ratio was discussed. Moreover, the effects of cationic surfactants on the protein film were investigated. Non-toxic conditions of the protein films were confirmed in normal cells, while the toxicity of the drug-encapsulated protein film was confirmed in cancer cells. Remarkably, it was observed that the drug-encapsulated protein film could eliminate 10-70% of cancer cells, with the extent of efficacy varying based on the surfactant amount.

Boron agent delivery platforms based on natural products for boron neutron capture therapy.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is one of the most promising modalities for cancer treatment due to its minimal invasiveness. Although two types of boron agents are clinically used, several issues persist in their delivery, including poor water solubility, instability in aqueous media, selectivity toward cancer cells, accumulation in cancer cells, retention time in tumor tissue, and efficiency in achieving the boron neutron capture reaction. Addressing these challenges, numerous groups have explored various boron agents to enhance the therapeutic benefits of BNCT. This review summarizes delivery platforms based on natural products for BNCT.

Improving the Photodynamic Activity of Water-Soluble Porphyrin-Polysaccharide Complexes by Folic Acid Modification.

Studies have shown that folate receptors are highly expressed in various cancer cells. Here, we synthesized folic acid-conjugated pullulan (FAPL) as a solubilizing agent to improve the photodynamic activity of porphyrin derivative-polysaccharide complexes. The porphyrin derivative-FAPL complex exhibited long-term stability in an aqueous solution, attributed to the folic acid modification. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo experiments highlighted the enhanced photodynamic activity of the porphyrin derivative-FAPL complex toward 4T1 breast-cancer cells, compared with the activities of the porphyrin derivative-pullulan complex and Photofrin. This enhanced activity is attributed to the improvement of intracellular uptake by the folate receptor.