TPGS2k-PLGA composite nanoparticles by depleting lipid rafts in colon cancer cells for overcoming drug resistance.

Recently, studies showed that the drug-resistant cell membranes have formed high-density lipid rafts regions; traditional targeted drug delivery systems can hardly break through the hard shell and deliver drugs to drug-resistant cells. Here, α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 2000 succinate (TPGS2k) was successfully synthesized and used to modify poly (lactic-glycolic acid) nanoparticles co-loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and simvastatin (SV) (SV/DOX@TPGS2k-PLGA NPs). The purpose of this study is to explore the synergistic effect between SV consuming cholesterol in lipid rafts and directly down-regulating P-gp expression on the intracellular drugs retention. The research highlights these nanoparticles interrupted lipid rafts (cholesterol-rich domains, where P-gp is often located), which inhibited drug efflux by down-regulating P-gp, promoted the mitochondria apoptosis and made SW620/AD300 cells (DOX-resistant colon cancer cell line) re-sensitized to DOX. Therefore, the carrier can become a promising SV-based nano-delivery system with depleting cholesterol in lipid rafts to reverse drug resistance.

Two-Way Cruise Nanosatellite Promotes Metastasis Inhibition by Immunochemotherapy.

Currently, immunochemotherapy based on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is mainly used for elimination of M2 macrophages. However, these methods cannot make full use of the positive immune-modulatory effects of macrophages. This study explores a two-way cruise strategy for combining immunotherapy based on TAM phenotype reversal with classical chemotherapy, the nanosatellites (DOX@HFn-PGZL@Res) are proposed to accurately deliver the chemotherapeutic agents and immune activators to their respective target cells. When the delivery system is recruited to tumor microenvironment, the nanosatellites are separated into DOX@HFn and Res@GZL nanoparticles, which can enter cancer cells and M2-TAMs, respectively. The data show that DOX@HFn-PGZL@Res successfully re-educate M2 to M1 macrophages, resulting in an activated immune response and inhibition of tumor invasion and metastasis. In general, this work describes a two-way homing nanoplatform for the integration of immunotherapy and chemotherapy, which provides a new idea for the "attack-defense" integrated treatment of tumor.

A smart upconversion-based light-triggered polymer for synergetic chemo-photodynamic therapy and dual-modal MR/UCL imaging.

We have developed a novel nanocomposite to achieve effective therapy and live surveillance of tumor tissue. In this study, fullerene (C60) with iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles and upconversion nanophosphors (UCNPs) was loaded into N-succinyl-N'-4-(2-nitrobenzyloxy)-succinyl-chitosan micelles (SNSC) with good biocompatibility. In addition, hydrophobic anticancer drug docetaxel (DTX) was also loaded into the nanocomposites. The experiments conducted in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that C60/Fe3O4-UCNPs@DTX@SNSC can act synergistically to kill tumor cells by releasing chemotherapy drugs at specific target site as well as generating reactive oxygen using 980nm. In addition, it can also be used for non-invasive deep magnetic resonance and upconversion fluorescence dual-mode imaging. The results indicated that this system provided an efficient method to surmount the drawback of UV or visible light-responsive polymeric systems for controlled drug release and generated reactive oxygen in deep tissues and ultimately realized the integration of dual-modal imaging and treatment.

The ratiometric fluorescence nanoparticle based on SiRB for pH detection of tumor.

Tumor pH detection and pH value change monitoring have been of great interest in the field of nanomedicine. In this study, a pH-sensitive near-infrared fluorescence probe SiRB (Si-rhodamine and Boronic acid group) was synthesized by introducing a boronic acid group into the silicon rhodamine structure. ICG (Indocyanine green) as the fluorescence internal standard and SiRB were loaded into PLGA (poly lactic-co-glycolic acid) to form PLGA-SiRB-ICG nanoparticle. The experiments showed that the size of the nanoparticle was about 90 nm, which can reach tumor passively by enhancing permeability and retention effect. PLGA in the acidic environment will accelerate the release of cleavage, and the fluorescence ratio of the two probes can reflect the specific pH value in the tumor. The results indicated that the nanoparticle could quantitatively measure the pH value of the tumor site, which is expected to be used in tumor research and treatment.

Chemiluminescence determination of sodium new houttuyfonate in pharmaceutical preparations based on tween 80-rhodamine B system.

Strong chemiluminescence (CL) emission was observed when sodium new houttuyfonate (SNH) was mixed with Tween 80 in sulfuric acid medium in the presence of rhodamine B. Base on this phenomenon, a sensitive flow injection-CL method for the determination of SNH was developed. Under the optimum conditions, the CL emission is linearly with SNH concentration in the range 8.0-4000 ng mL(-1), with a detection limit of 2.7 ng mL(-1) (3sigma). As a preliminary application, the proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of SNH in pharmaceutical preparations. The possible CL mechanism was also discussed in this paper.