Development and evaluation of a protease inhibitor antiretroviral drug-loaded carbon nanotube delivery system for enhanced efficacy in HIV treatment.

The primary objective of this study was to enhance the effectiveness of the protease inhibitor antiretroviral drug by designing a novel delivery system using carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNTs). To achieve this, Fosamprenavir calcium (FPV), a prodrug of amprenavir known for inhibiting the proteolytic cleavage of immature virions, was selected as the protease inhibitor antiretroviral drug, and loaded onto COOH-MWCNTs using a direct loading method. The structural specificity of the drug-loaded MWCNTs, the percent entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release were rigorously evaluated for the developed formulation, referred to as FPV-MWCNT. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques were employed to confirm the structural integrity and specificity of the FPV-MWCNT formulation. The results demonstrated a remarkable entrapment efficiency of 79.57 ± 0.4 %, indicating the successful loading of FPV onto COOH-MWCNTs. FE-SEM and AFM analyses further confirmed the well-dispersed and elongated structure of the FPV-MWCNT formulation, without any signs of fracture, ensuring the stability and integrity of the drug delivery system. Moreover, particle size analysis revealed an average size of 290.1 nm, firmly establishing the nanoscale range of the formulation, with a zeta potential of 0.230 mV, signifying the system's colloidal stability. In vitro drug release studies conducted in methanolic phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at pH 7.4 and methanolic acetate buffer at pH 5 demonstrated sustained drug release from the FPV-MWCNT formulation. Over a period of 96 h, the formulation exhibited a cumulative drug release of 91.43 ± 2.3 %, showcasing the controlled and sustained release profile. Furthermore, hemolysis studies indicated a notable reduction in the toxicity of both FPV and MWCNT upon conjugation, although the percent hemolysis increased with higher concentrations, suggesting the need for careful consideration of dosage levels. In conclusion, the findings from this study underscore the potential of the FPV-MWCNT formulation as an effective and promising drug-conjugated system for delivering antiretroviral drugs. The successful encapsulation, sustained drug release, and reduced toxicity make FPV-MWCNT a compelling candidate for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of protease inhibitor antiretroviral drugs in the treatment of HIV. The developed delivery system holds great promise for future advancements in HIV treatment and paves the way for further research and development in the field of drug delivery utilizing carbon nanotube-based systems.

The role of the gut microbiome in gastrointestinal cancers.

The gut microbiota present in the human digestive system is incredibly varied and is home to trillions of microorganisms. The gut microbiome is shaped at birth, while numerous genetic, dietary, and environmental variables primarily influence the microbiome composition. The importance of gut microbiota on host health is becoming more widely acknowledged. Digestion, intestinal permeability, and immunological and metabolism responses can all be affected by changes in the composition and function of the gut microbiota. There is mounting evidence that the microbial population's complex traits are important biomarkers and indicators of patient outcomes in cancer and its therapies. Numerous studies have demonstrated that changed commensal gut microorganisms contribute to the development and spread of cancer through various routes. Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the gut microbiome and gastrointestinal cancer, accumulating evidence points to a potentially far more intricate connection than a simple cause-and-effect relationship. SIMPLE SUMMARY: Due to their high frequency and fatality rate, gastrointestinal cancers are regarded as a severe public health issue with complex medical and economic burdens. The gut microbiota may directly or indirectly interact with existing therapies like immunotherapy and chemotherapy, affecting how well a treatment works. The gut microbiome influences the immune response's activity, function, and development. Generally, certain gut bacteria impact the antitumor actions during cancer by creating particular metabolites or triggering T-cell responses. Yet, certain bacterial species have been found to promote cellular proliferation and metastasis in cancer, and comprehending these interactions in the context of cancer may help identify possible treatment targets. Notwithstanding the improvements in the field, additional research is still required to comprehend the underlying processes, examine the effects on existing therapies, and pinpoint certain bacteria and immune cells that can cause this interaction.

Aptamers Versus Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF): A New Battle against Ovarian Cancer.

Cancer is one of the diseases that causes a high mortality as it involves unregulated and abnormal cell growth proliferation that can manifest in any body region. One of the typical ovarian cancer symptoms is damage to the female reproductive system. The death rate can be reduced through early detection of the ovarian cancer. Promising probes that can detect ovarian cancer are suitable aptamers. Aptamers, i.e., so-called chemical antibodies, have a strong affinity for the target biomarker and can typically be identified starting from a random library of oligonucleotides. Compared with other probes, ovarian cancer targeting using aptamers has demonstrated superior detection effectiveness. Various aptamers have been selected to detect the ovarian tumor biomarker, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The present review highlights the development of particular aptamers that target VEGF and detect ovarian cancer at its earliest stages. The therapeutic efficacy of aptamers in ovarian cancer treatment is also discussed.

Carbon Nanotubes in Breast Cancer Treatment: An Insight into Properties, Functionalization, and Toxicity.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. It is the main reason why women die from cancer. Early diagnosis due to increased public awareness and better screening helps to tackle the disease through surgical resection and curative therapies. Chemotherapies are frequently used for cancer treatment, but these have severe adverse effects due to a lack of target specificity. Formulation development scientists and clinicians are now particularly concerned with developing safe and efficient drug delivery systems for breast cancer treatment. Potentially relevant literature to get the latest developments and updated information related to properties, functionalization, toxicity and application of carbon nanotubes in breast cancer treatment has been obtained from Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed portals. Nanomedicine has emerged as a novel tool for target-specific delivery systems and other biomedical applications. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are gaining popularity due to their unique mechanical and physiochemical properties for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It is a promising carrier that can deliver micro and macromolecules to the cancer cell. CNTs can be functionalized at the surface with different functional groups, which helps in targeting the drugs to target cancer cells. The present review has elaborated on different functionalization approaches and toxicity aspects of CNTs.