Robust Nanoparticle Morphology and Size Analysis by Atomic Force Microscopy for Standardization.

Because of the complexity of nanomedicines, analysis of their morphology and size has attracted considerable attention both from researchers and regulatory agencies. The atomic force microscope (AFM) has emerged as a powerful tool because it can provide detailed morphological characteristics of nanoparticles both in the air and in aqueous medium. However, to our knowledge, AFM methods for nanomedicines have yet to be standardized or be listed in any pharmacopeias. To assess the applicability of standardization of AFM, in this study, we aimed to identify robust conditions for assessing the morphology and size of nanoparticles based on a polystyrene nanoparticle certified reference material standard. The spring constant of the cantilever did not affect the size of the nanoparticles but needed to be optimized depending on the measurement conditions. The size analysis method of the obtained images affected the results of the analyzed size values. The results analyzed by cross-sectional line profiling were independent of the measurement conditions and gave similar results to those from dynamic light scattering. It was indicated that approximately 100 particles are required for a representative measurement. Under the optimized conditions, there were no significant inter-instrument differences in the analyzed size values of polystyrene nanoparticles both in air and under aqueous conditions.

Epirubicin-loaded polymeric micelles effectively treat axillary lymph nodes metastasis of breast cancer through selective accumulation and pH-triggered drug release.

Suppression of axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) is an important goal in the treatment of breast cancer. While several therapies directed to ALNM have been evaluated, effective and safe treatments for ALNM in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) have not been established yet, especially against initial/small metastases. Here, we demonstrated the therapeutic effect of an anthracycline drug, epirubicin (EPI)-loaded polymeric micelles equipped with pH-triggered drug release property (EPI/m) against ALNM of TNBC. EPI/m effectively inhibited the spread of the primary tumor and the growth of ALNM, through selective accumulation and penetration in both primary tumor and vascularized ALNM, as well as efficient drug activation triggered by the intratumoral acidic environment. Furthermore, we revealed that the improvement of the activated drug distribution of EPI/m contributed to dose-dependent enhancement of the antitumor effect through expansion of the therapeutic window. These findings highlight the utility of pH-responsive property in EPI/m for the treatment of ALNM in TNBC.

Effective treatment of drug resistant recurrent breast tumors harboring cancer stem-like cells by staurosporine/epirubicin co-loaded polymeric micelles.

Breast cancer recurrence and resistance are associated with cancer stem-like cell (CSC) sub-populations. As conventional therapies fail to treat CSCs, institution of novel therapeutic strategies capable of eradicating both cancer cells and CSCs is central for achieving effective treatments with long-term survival. Here, we studied the ability of polymeric micelles cooperatively loading the cytotoxic drug epirubicin (Epi) and the CSC inhibitor staurosporine (STS) to treat breast tumors, particularly when tumors relapsed after chemotherapy. The STS/Epi-loaded micelles (STS/Epi/m) demonstrated potent therapeutic efficacy against both naïve orthotopic 4T1-luc breast tumors and their recurrent Epi-resistant counterparts, significantly prolonging survival. This efficacy enhancement of STS/Epi/m was correlated with the ability of the micelles to suppress the CSC-associated sub-populations of breast cancer, i.e. the aldehyde dehydrogenase-positive (ALDH+) population and the CD44+/CD24- fraction, in Epi-resistant cells and tumors. These results demonstrated STS/Epi/m as a promising strategy for effective management of breast cancer.

Adequately-Sized Nanocarriers Allow Sustained Targeted Drug Delivery to Neointimal Lesions in Rat Arteries.

In atherosclerotic lesions, the endothelial barrier against the bloodstream can become compromised, resulting in the exposure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and intimal cells beneath. In theory, this allows adequately sized nanocarriers in circulation to infiltrate into the intimal lesion intravascularly. We sought to evaluate this possibility using rat carotid arteries with induced neointima. Cy5-labeled polyethylene glycol-conjugated polyion complex (PIC) micelles and vesicles, with diameters of 40, 100, or 200 nm (PICs-40, PICs-100, and PICs-200, respectively) were intravenously administered to rats after injury to the carotid artery using a balloon catheter. High accumulation and long retention of PICs-40 in the induced neointima was confirmed by in vivo imaging, while the accumulation of PICs-100 and PICs-200 was limited, indicating that the size of nanocarriers is a crucial factor for efficient delivery. Furthermore, epirubicin-incorporated polymeric micelles with a diameter similar to that of PICs-40 showed significant curative effects in rats with induced neointima, in terms of lesion size and cell number. Specific and effective drug delivery to pre-existing neointimal lesions was demonstrated with adequate size control of the nanocarriers. We consider that this nanocarrier-based drug delivery system could be utilized for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Nanomedicines Eradicating Cancer Stem-like Cells in Vivo by pH-Triggered Intracellular Cooperative Action of Loaded Drugs.

Nanomedicines capable of control over drug functions have potential for developing resilient therapies, even against tumors harboring recalcitrant cancer stem cells (CSCs). By coordinating drug interactions within the confined inner compartment of core-shell nanomedicines, we conceived multicomponent nanomedicines directed to achieve synchronized and synergistic drug cooperation within tumor cells as a strategy for enhancing efficacy, overcoming drug resistance, and eradicating CSCs. The approach was validated by using polymeric micellar nanomedicines co-incorporating the pan-kinase inhibitor staurosporine (STS), which was identified as the most potent CSC inhibitor from a panel of signaling-pathway inhibitors, and the cytotoxic agent epirubicin (Epi), through rationally contriving the affinity between the drugs. The micelles released both drugs simultaneously, triggered by acidic endosomal pH, attaining concurrent intracellular delivery, with STS working as a companion for Epi, down-regulating efflux transporters and resistance mechanisms induced by Epi. These features prompted the nanomedicines to eradicate orthotopic xenografts of Epi-resistant mesothelioma bearing a CSC subpopulation.

Antibody fragment-conjugated polymeric micelles incorporating platinum drugs for targeted therapy of pancreatic cancer.

Antibody-mediated therapies including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have shown much potential in cancer treatment by tumor-targeted delivery of cytotoxic drugs. However, there is a limitation of payloads that can be delivered by ADCs. Integration of antibodies to drug-loaded nanocarriers broadens the applicability of antibodies to a wide range of therapeutics. Herein, we developed antibody fragment-installed polymeric micelles via maleimide-thiol conjugation for selectively delivering platinum drugs to pancreatic tumors. By tailoring the surface density of maleimide on the micelles, one tissue factor (TF)-targeting Fab' was conjugated to each carrier. Fab'-installed platinum-loaded micelles exhibited more than 15-fold increased cellular binding within 1 h and rapid cellular internalization compared to non-targeted micelles, leading to superior in vitro cytotoxicity. In vivo, Fab'-installed micelles significantly suppressed the growth of pancreatic tumor xenografts for more than 40 days, outperforming non-targeted micelles and free drugs. These results indicate the potential of Fab'-installed polymeric micelles for efficient drug delivery to solid tumors.