Advances in antibody nanoconjugates for diagnosis and therapy: A review of recent studies and trends.

Nowadays, the targeted imaging probe and drug delivery systems are the novel breakthrough area in the nanomedicine and treatment of various diseases. Conjugation of monoclonal antibodies and their fragments on nanoparticles (NPs) have a remarkable impact on personalized medicine, such that it provides specific internalization and accumulation in the tumor microenvironment. Targeted imaging and early detection of cancer is presumably the strong participant to a diminution in mortality and recurrence of cancer disease that will be the next generation of the imaging device in clinical application. These intelligent delivery systems can deliver therapeutic agents that target cancerous tissue with minimal side effects and a wide therapeutic window. Overall, the linkage between the antibody and NPs is a critical subject and requires precise design and development. The attachment of antibody nanoconjugates (Ab-NCs) on the antigen surface shouldn't affect the function of the antibody-antigen binding. Also, the stability of the antibody nanoconjugates in blood circulation is concerned to avoid the release of drug in non-targeted regions and the possible for specific toxicity while disposal to the desired site. Here, we update the recent progress of Ab-NCs to improve early detection and cancer therapy.

Preparation and characterization of PLGA-PEG-PLGA polymeric nanoparticles for co-delivery of 5-Fluorouracil and Chrysin.

Despite significant advances in cancer therapy, chemotherapeutic agents are still the main types of drugs used to treat cancer patients. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is the first-line treatment in several types of human cancers, however, nonspecific function, low plasma half-life, and high doses toxicity are the important barrier to achieve efficient response in cancer patients. The use of polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) for tumor targeted delivery of 5-FU in combination with other potent anticancer agent is considered an important strategy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU. In this study, we proposed to use PLGA-PEG-PLGA NPs to co-encapsulate 5-FU and Chrysin, a natural compound known to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy. NPs were prepared by double emulsion method and characterized for size and drug encapsulation efficacy. The cell growth inhibitory effect of prepared NPs was assessed by MTT assay in HT29 human colon cancer cell line. The analysis of NPs by dynamic light scattering showed that the developed NPs have average size of 40 nm. The encapsulation efficiency of NPs was 81.3% and 97.5% for 5-FU and Chrysin, respectively. Furthermore, the NPs showed a remarkable uptake in HT29 cells. NPs loaded with both 5-FU and Chrysin (5-FU@Chrysin loaded NPs) were found to have significantly higher growth inhibitory effects compared with NPs loaded with each drug alone in HT29 cell line. The synergistic anticancer effects of 5-FU and Chrysin loaded in NPs were confirmed with the combination index (CI) being 0.35. CI for combination therapy with free 5-FU and Chrysin was found to be 0.73, indicating weaker synergistic anticancer effects of these two drugs in free forms as compared with 5-FU@Chrysin loaded NPs. These finding indicates that co-delivery of 5-FU and Chrysin with PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymer can be used to improve the therapeutic and functional delivery efficacy of 5-FU and Chrysin in cancer.

CT Simulation to Evaluate of Pelvic Lymph Node Coverage in Conventional Radiotherapy Fields Based on Bone and Vessels Landmarks in Prostate Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy is the gold standard for treatment of prostrate cancer as it can cover an adequate area of tissues at risk for metastasis. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the Pelvic lymph node coverage of conventional radiotherapy fields based on bone and vessels landmarks using computed tomography (CT) simulation in patients with prostate cancer referred to Shohada-e-Tajrish hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross sectional study, 40 patients with prostate cancer at the Stage T1c to T3b were studied. Pelvic lymph nodes were contoured by using pelvic vessels as surrogate markers. The distances were measured at different points of anterior-posterior (AP) and lateral fields and distances > 5 mm or more between the contoured nodes and the field borders. RESULTS: Mean and standard deviation of the aortic bifurcation from the superior border was 4.73 ± 1.16 cm, the distance of common iliac bifurcation from the superior border was 1.11 ± 1.25 cm, the mean (SD) distance of right external iliac from the lateral border of AP field was 2.06 ± 0.48 cm and for left external iliac artery was 1.90 ± 0.56 cm. The distance of the external iliac artery from the anterior border of the lateral field was 2.30 ± 0.74 cm. The distance of the external iliac artery from pelvic rim was 0.59 ± 0.59 cm, distance of bifurcation of iliac from sacroiliac joint was 0.82 ± 1.01 cm, the size of the pelvic rim was 12.30 ± 0.64 cm, sacral width was 8.29 ± 1.01 cm, anterior promontory symphysis distance was 12.02 ± 0.92 cm and posterior promontory symphysis distance was 10.98 ± 0.73 cm. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that conventional radiotherapy using CT simulation based on bone and vessels landmarks provided adequate coverage of pelvic lymph nodes in our patients with prostate cancer.