Insulin­like growth factor axis: A potential nanotherapy target for resistant cervical cancer tumors (Review).

Cervical cancer is among the most frequently occurring neoplasms worldwide, and it particularly affects individuals in developing countries. Factors such as the low quality of screening tests, the high incidence of locally advanced cancer stages and the intrinsic resistance of certain tumors are the main causes of failure in the treatment of this neoplasm. Due to advances in the understanding of carcinogenic mechanisms and bioengineering research, advanced biological nanomaterials have been manufactured. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system comprises multiple growth factor receptors, including IGF receptor 1. These receptors are activated by binding to their respective growth factor ligands, IGF-1 and IGF-2, and insulin, and play an important role in the development, maintenance, progression, survival and treatment resistance of cervical cancer. In the present review, the role of the IGF system in cervical cancer and three nanotechnological applications that use elements of this system are described, namely Trap decoys, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and protein nanotubes. Their use in the treatment of resistant cervical cancer tumors is also discussed.

Controlled-release biodegradable nanoparticles: From preparation to vaginal applications.

This study aimed to prepare poly (d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) with chitosan (CTS) surface modification to be used as a vaginal delivery system for antimycotic drugs. Clotrimazole was encapsulated with entrapment efficiencies of 86.1 and 68.9% into Clotrimazole-PLGA-NPs (CLT-PLGA-NPs) and PLGA-NPs with CTS-modified surface (CLT-PLGA-CTS-NPs), respectively. The later NPs exhibited a larger size and higher positive zeta potential (Z potential) in comparison to unmodified NPs. In vitro release kinetic studies indicated that Clotrimazole was released in percentages of >98% from both nanoparticulate systems after 18days. Antifungal activity and mucoadhesive properties of NPs were enhanced when CTS was added onto the surface. In summary, these results suggested that Clotrimazole loaded into PLGA-CTS-NPs has great potential for vaginal applications in treating vaginal infections generated by Candida albicans.

Antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic properties of a para-hydroxy[bis(ortho-morpholinylmethyl)]phenyl-1,4-DHP compound: comparison with other compounds of the same kind and relationship with logP values.

A new para-hydroxy[bis(ortho-morpholinylmethyl)]phenyl-1,4-DHP substituted compound, (4-(4-hydroxy-3,5-bis(morpholin-4-ylmethyl)phenyl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid diethyl ester, LQM300), with antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic properties, has been synthesized. Four pKa values of this compound have been determined with the aid of the program SQUAD, at pseudo-physiological conditions (T = 37 degrees C and I = 0.15 M) by UV spectrophotometry and at T = 25 degrees C and I = 0.05 M by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis (CZE). The logP = 2.7 +/- 0.2 between n-octanol and water, has been estimated by UV spectrophotometry. The antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic efficacies as well as the logP values have been compared with other compounds of the same kind and related with their structure.