An effective NIR laser/tumor-microenvironment co-responsive cancer theranostic nanoplatform with multi-modal imaging and therapies.

Cancer is still a major threat to human health at present. Developing new types of integrated nanoplatforms for the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of cancer is very significant. Herein, an intelligent dual-stage core-shell cancer theranostic nanoplatform (Fe3+@Au1Ag24@PbP) with NIR laser/tumor-microenvironment (TME) co-responsiveness and multi-modal imaging-therapy was successfully prepared, which was composed of the precisely structured oil-soluble Au1Ag24 nanoclusters (NCs) and Fe3+ ions easily assembled within the oil and aqueous phases of the polyethylene glycol (PEG) block grafted polyketal (PK) copolymer (PK-b-PEG, PbP) vesicles, respectively. In this system, we were delighted to find that the prepared Au1Ag24 NCs possess multi-photoresponsive properties, endowing the nanoplatform with photoacoustic (PA)/photothermal (PT) imaging and synergetic photothermal therapy (PTT)/photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation. On the other hand, Fe3+ ions exhibit multi-TME response and regulation behaviors, including as catalysts for the decomposition of endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the solid tumor to produce O2 and as the oxidizing agent for the consumption of the intracellular GSH to avoid the reduction of the generated 1O2; therefore, the synchronously formed Fe2+ ions from the redox of Fe3+ with GSH could further react with H2O2 to produce hydroxyl radical (˙OH), which induced ferroptosis-based cancer treatment. The PbP shell possesses TME/pH sensitivity for controlled drug release and passive targeting, causing a large increase in Au1Ag24/Fe3+ accumulation within the weakly acidic tumor region and reducing the side effects on normal tissues. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that the Fe3+@Au1Ag24@PbP nanoplatform presented excellent PA/PT imaging-guided synergetic PTT/PDT/ferroptosis effects toward tumor cells and tumors. This integrating multi-responsive and multi-modal theranostic nanoplatform paves a new way for effective cancer therapy.

pH-sensitive bromelain nanoparticles by ortho ester crosslinkage for enhanced doxorubicin penetration in solid tumor.

Dense extracellular matrix (ECM) is a primary obstacle that restrains the permeation of therapeutic drugs in tumor tissues. Degrading ECM with bromelain (Br) to increase drug penetration is an attractive strategy to enhance antitumor effects. However, the poor stability in circulation and potential immunogenicity severely limit their applications. In this work, a novel pH-sensitive nanocarrier was prepared by crosslinking Br with an ortho ester-based crosslink agent, and Br still retained a certain ability to degrade ECM after crosslinking. The nanoparticles showed higher DOX release rate than non-sensitive nanoparticles, and DOX release amount reached to 86% at pH 5.5 within 120 h. In vivo experiments revealed that the pH-sensitive nanoparticles could be degraded in mildly acidic condition, and the released Br further promoted nanoparticles penetration in tumor parenchyma via in situ hydrolysis of ECM. Furthermore, Br itself could inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells at high concentration, and produce synergistic antitumor effects with DOX. Finally, tumor growth inhibition of these nanoparticles reached to 62.5%. Overall, the bromelain-based pH-sensitive nanoparticles can be potential drug carriers for efficient drug delivery and tumor treatment.

Bromelain-decorated hybrid nanoparticles based on lactobionic acid-conjugated chitosan for in vitro anti-tumor study.

In this work, lactobionic acid-modified chitosan (CLA) was chosen as an initial material to prepare tumor-targeted nanoparticles (CLA NPs). To improve the nanoparticles' tumor penetration ability, bromelain was then decorated on the surface of CLA NPs to give CLAB NPs. The micromorphology of CLA and CLAB NPs was observed by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The stability of CLA and CLAB NPs was then investigated at different pH values (4.0-9.0) and physiological environment by dynamic light scattering. Doxorubicin as a model drug was successfully encapsulated into these two nanoparticles and drug release profiles were also investigated at pH 5.5, 6.5 and 7.4, respectively. Cellular uptake and MTT results against HepG2 and SH-SY5Y cells demonstrated that the LA-conjugated tumor-targeting NPs can be efficiently internalized into hepatoma carcinoma cells, leading to higher cytotoxicity than free doxorubicin. CLAB NPs show considerable cell cytotoxicity and are expected to improve the penetration ability and therapeutic effect in the subsequent in vivo studies.

Surface-Eroding Poly(ortho ester amides) for Highly Efficient Oral Chemotherapy.

Two new poly(ortho ester amide) copolymers (POEA-4 and POEA-5) were synthesized via polycondensation of a new ortho ester diamine monomer with active esters of different aliphatic diacids. The kinetics of POEA mass loss and release of 5-FU were both nearly zero-order, suggesting predominantly surface-restricted polymer erosion and drug release. In vitro cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that both copolymers have excellent biocompatibility. In vivo acute toxicity tests suggested that oral administration of POEA-4 and POEA-5 did not cause any adverse effects on mice even at a very high dose (2000 mg/kg). In vivo antitumor efficacy against H22 transplanted tumors of 5-FU-loaded POEA tablets were fully examined. We envision that, with further optimization, POEA-based materials could have great potential as drug carriers for oral chemotherapy.