Novel CD44-Targeted Albumin Nanoparticles: An Innovative Approach to Improve Breast Cancer Treatment.

This study introduces novel CD44-targeted and redox-responsive nanoparticles (FNPs), proposed as doxorubicin (DOX) delivery devices for breast cancer. A cationized and redox-responsive Human Serum Albumin derivative was synthesized by conjugating Human Serum Albumin with cystamine moieties and then ionically complexing it with HA. The suitability of FNPs for cancer therapy was assessed through physicochemical measurements of size distribution (mean diameter of 240 nm), shape, and zeta potential (15.

ZnO-Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite for Paclitaxel Delivery and Enhanced Toxicity in Breast Cancer Cells.

A ZnO-Graphene oxide nanocomposite (Z-G) was prepared in order to exploit the biomedical features of each component in a single anticancer material. This was achieved by means of an environmentally friendly synthesis, taking place at a low temperature and without the involvement of toxic reagents. The product was physicochemically characterized.

Engineered Mesoporous Silica-Based Nanoparticles: Characterization of Surface Properties.

Mesoporous silica-based nanomaterials have emerged as multifunctional platforms with applications spanning catalysis, medicine, and nanotechnology. Since their synthesis in the early 1990s, these materials have attracted considerable interest due to their unique properties, including high surface area, tunable pore size, and customizable surface chemistry. This article explores the surface properties of a series of MSU-type mesoporous silica nanoparticles, elucidating the impact of different functionalization strategies on surface characteristics.

Dual-responsive chondroitin sulfate self-assembling nanoparticles for combination therapy in metastatic cancer cells.

In this study, we developed self-assembling nanoparticles (LCPs) able to trigger the release of Chlorambucil (Chl) and Doxorubicin (DOX) to MDA-MB-231 cells by exploiting the enzyme and redox signals. The DOX loaded LCPs was prepared by the self-assembly of two chondroitin sulphate (CS) derivatives, obtained by the covalent conjugation of Lipoic Acid (LA) and Chlorambucil (Chl) to the CS backbone. After the physic-chemical characterization of the conjugates by FT-IR, H NMR, and determination of the critical aggregation concentration, spherical nanoparticles with mean hydrodynamic diameter of 45 nm (P.

Evolving approaches in glioma treatment: harnessing the potential of copper metabolism modulation.

The key properties and high versatility of metal nanoparticles have shed new perspectives on cancer therapy, with copper nanoparticles gaining great interest because of the ability to couple the intrinsic properties of metal nanoparticles with the biological activities of copper ions in cancer cells. Copper, indeed, is a cofactor involved in different metabolic pathways of many physiological and pathological processes. Literature data report on the use of copper in preclinical protocols for cancer treatment based on chemo-, photothermal-, or copper chelating-therapies.

Facile one-pot hydrothermal synthesis of a zinc oxide/curcumin nanocomposite with enhanced toxic activity against breast cancer cells.

Zinc oxide/Curcumin (Zn(CUR)O) nanocomposites were prepared hydrothermal treatment of Zn(NO) in the presence of hexamethylenetetramine as a stabilizing agent and CUR as a bioactive element. Three ZnO : CUR ratios were investigated, namely 57 : 43 (Zn(CUR)O-A), 60 : 40 (Zn(CUR)O-B) and 81 : 19 (Zn(CUR)O-C), as assessed by thermogravimetric analyses, with an average hydrodynamic diameter of nanoaggregates in the range of 223 to 361 nm. The interaction of CUR with ZnO hydroxyl and ketoenol groups (as proved by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses) was found to significantly modify the key properties of ZnO nanoparticles with the obtainment of a bilobed shape (as shown by scanning electron microscopy), and influenced the growth process of the composite nanoparticles as indicated by the varying particle sizes determined by powder X-ray diffraction.

Peptides Targeting HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells and Applications in Tumor Imaging and Delivery of Chemotherapeutics.

Breast cancer represents the most common cancer type and one of the major leading causes of death in the female worldwide population. Overexpression of HER2, a transmembrane glycoprotein related to the epidermal growth factor receptor, results in a biologically and clinically aggressive breast cancer subtype. It is also the primary driver for tumor detection and progression and, in addition to being an important prognostic factor in women diagnosed with breast cancer, HER2 is a widely known therapeutic target for drug development.

Curcumin-Sodium Alginate and Curcumin-Chitosan Conjugates as Drug Delivery Systems: An Interesting Rheological Behaviour.

The conjugation of polyphenols is a valuable strategy with which to confer tailored properties to polymeric materials of biomedical interest. Within this investigation, we aim to explore the possibility to use this synthetic approach to increase the viscosity of conjugates, thus allowing the release of a loaded therapeutic to be better controlled over time than in neat polyphenols. Curcumin (CUR) was conjugated to sodium alginate (CA) and chitosan (CS) with functionalisation degrees of 9.

Removal of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs from Drinking Water Sources by GO-SWCNT Buckypapers.

Pharmaceutical products such as antibiotics, analgesics, steroids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are new emerging pollutants, often present in wastewater, potentially able to contaminate drinking water resources. Adsorption is considered the cheapest and most effective technique for the removal of pollutants from water, and, recently, membranes obtained by wet filtration method of SWCNT aqueous solutions (SWCNT buckypapers, SWCNT BPs) have been proposed as self-standing porous adsorbents. In this paper, the ability of graphene oxide/single-walled carbon nanotube composite membranes (GO-SWCNT BPs) to remove some important NSAIDs, namely Diclofenac, Ketoprofen, and Naproxen, was investigated at different pH conditions (pH 4, 6, and 8), graphene oxide amount (0, 20, 40, 60, and 75 wt.

CD44-targeted nanoparticles with GSH-responsive activity as powerful therapeutic agents against breast cancer.

DOX-loaded nanoparticles able to actively target CD44-receptors and respond to redox stimuli were proposed as non-conventional chemotherapeutic strategy in breast cancer. A covalent conjugate of human serum albumin and hyaluronic acid was prepared and assembled by a GSH-mediated desolvation in disulfide-crosslinked solid nanoparticles with mean diameter of 120 nm ± 3.4.

Hyaluronic Acid within Self-Assembling Nanoparticles: Endless Possibilities for Targeted Cancer Therapy.

Self-assembling nanoparticles (SANPs) based on hyaluronic acid (HA) represent unique tools in cancer therapy because they combine the HA targeting activity towards cancer cells with the advantageous features of the self-assembling nanosystems, i.e., chemical versatility and ease of preparation and scalability.

GO-SWCNT Buckypapers as an Enhanced Technology for Water Decontamination from Lead.

Water decontamination is an important challenge resulting from the incorrect disposal of heavy metal waste into the environment. Among the different available techniques (e.g.

Encapsulation of Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Functional Hybrid Liposomes: Promising Tool for the Reduction of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity.

In this study, in order to address the drawback of cisplatin (CDDP)-induced ototoxicity, we propose a straightforward strategy based on the delivery of a sulfur-based antioxidant, such as lipoic acid (LA), to HEI-OC1 cells. To this aim, hybrid liposomes (LA@PCGC) with a spherical shape and a mean diameter of 25 nm were obtained by direct sonication of LA, phosphatidylcholine and a gelatin-curcumin conjugate in a physiological buffer. LA@PCGC were found to be stable over time, were quickly (i.

Curcumin and Graphene Oxide Incorporated into Alginate Hydrogels as Versatile Devices for the Local Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

With the aim of preparing hybrid hydrogels suitable for use as patches for the local treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)-affected areas, curcumin (CUR) was loaded onto graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, which were then blended into an alginate hydrogel that was crosslinked by means of calcium ions. The homogeneous incorporation of GO within the polymer network, which was confirmed through morphological investigations, improved the stability of the hybrid system compared to blank hydrogels. The weight loss in the 100-170 °C temperature range was reduced from 30% to 20%, and the degradation of alginate chains shifted to higher temperatures.

Smart Lipid-Polysaccharide Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin to Breast Cancer Cells.

In this study, actively-targeted (CD44-receptors) and dual stimuli (pH/redox)-responsive lipid-polymer nanoparticles were proposed as a delivery vehicle of doxorubicin hydrochloride in triple negative breast cancer cell lines. A phosphatidylcholine lipid film was hydrated with a solution of oxidized hyaluronic acid and doxorubicin, chosen as model drug, followed by a crosslinking reaction with cystamine hydrochloride. The obtained spherical nanoparticles (mean diameter of 30 nm) were found to be efficiently internalized in cancer cells by a receptor-mediated endocytosis process, and to modulate the drug release depending on the pH and redox potential of the surrounding medium.

Carbon Nanotubes Hybrid Hydrogels for Environmental Remediation: Evaluation of Adsorption Efficiency under Electric Field.

The performance of Carbon Nanotubes hybrid hydrogels for environmental remediation was investigated using Methylene Blue (MB), Rhodamine B (RD), and Bengal Rose (BR) as model contaminating dyes. An acrylate hydrogel network with incorporated CNT was synthesized by photo-polymerization without any preliminary derivatization of CNT surface. Thermodynamics, isothermal and kinetic studies showed favorable sorption processes with the application of an external 12 V electric field found to be able to influence the amount of adsorbed dyes: stronger interactions with cationic MB molecules (qexp and qexp12 of 19.

Polymeric Biomaterials for the Treatment of Cardiac Post-Infarction Injuries.

Cardiac regeneration aims to reconstruct the heart contractile mass, preventing the organ from a progressive functional deterioration, by delivering pro-regenerative cells, drugs, or growth factors to the site of injury. In recent years, scientific research focused the attention on tissue engineering for the regeneration of cardiac infarct tissue, and biomaterials able to anatomically and physiologically adapt to the heart muscle have been proposed as valuable tools for this purpose, providing the cells with the stimuli necessary to initiate a complete regenerative process. An ideal biomaterial for cardiac tissue regeneration should have a positive influence on the biomechanical, biochemical, and biological properties of tissues and cells; perfectly reflect the morphology and functionality of the native myocardium; and be mechanically stable, with a suitable thickness.

Dextran-Curcumin Nanosystems Inhibit Cell Growth and Migration Regulating the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer Cells.

Functional nanocarriers which are able to simultaneously vectorize drugs to the site of interest and exert their own cytotoxic activity represent a significant breakthrough in the search for effective anticancer strategies with fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapeutics. Here, we propose previously developed, self-assembling dextran-curcumin nanoparticles for the treatment of prostate cancer in combination therapy with Doxorubicin (DOXO). Biological effectiveness was investigated by evaluating the cell viability in either cancer and normal cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptotic effect, interference with the cell cycle, and the ability to inhibit cell migration and reverse the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Combining Dextran Conjugates with Stimuli-Responsive and Folate-Targeting Activity: A New Class of Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy.

Nanoparticles with active-targeting and stimuli-responsive behavior are a promising class of engineered materials able to recognize the site of cancer disease, targeting the drug release and limiting side effects in the healthy organs. In this work, new dual pH/redox-responsive nanoparticles with affinity for folate receptors were prepared by the combination of two amphiphilic dextran (DEX) derivatives. DEXFA conjugate was obtained by covalent coupling of the polysaccharide with folic acid (FA), whereas DEXssPEGCOOH derived from a reductive amination step of DEX was followed by condensation with polyethylene glycol 600.

Alginate Bioconjugate and Graphene Oxide in Multifunctional Hydrogels for Versatile Biomedical Applications.

In this work, we combined electrically-conductive graphene oxide and a sodium alginate-caffeic acid conjugate, acting as a functional element, in an acrylate hydrogel network to obtain multifunctional materials designed to perform multiple tasks in biomedical research. The hybrid material was found to be well tolerated by human fibroblast lung cells (MRC-5) (viability higher than 94%) and able to modify its swelling properties upon application of an external electric field. Release experiments performed using lysozyme as the model drug, showed a pH and electro-responsive behavior, with higher release amounts and rated in physiological vs.

Dual-Targeted Hyaluronic Acid/Albumin Micelle-Like Nanoparticles for the Vectorization of Doxorubicin.

Drug targeting of tumor cells is one of the great challenges in cancer therapy; nanoparticles based on natural polymers represent valuable tools to achieve this aim. The ability to respond to environmental signals from the pathological site (e.g.

Functionalized Carbon Nanostructures Versus Drug Resistance: Promising Scenarios in Cancer Treatment.

Carbon nanostructures (CN) are emerging valuable materials for the assembly of highly engineered multifunctional nanovehicles for cancer therapy, in particular for counteracting the insurgence of multi-drug resistance (MDR). In this regard, carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene oxide (GO), and fullerenes (F) have been proposed as promising materials due to their superior physical, chemical, and biological features. The possibility to easily modify their surface, conferring tailored properties, allows different CN derivatives to be synthesized.

Functional Albumin Nanoformulations to Fight Adrenocortical Carcinoma: a Redox-Responsive Approach.

Purpose: Solid tumors exhibit an altered redox state in comparison with normal tissues due to tumor hypoxia, lower pH, and elevated levels of the tripeptide glutathione. This study describes the preparation of functional redox-responsive nanoparticles proposed as delivery vehicle of Doxorubicin in adrenocortical cancer in vitro.

Methods: Curcumin and Lipoic acid were conjugated to Human Serum Albumin and nanoparticle systems were prepared via a modified desolvation method.

Dextran-Curcumin Nanoparticles as a Methotrexate Delivery Vehicle: A Step Forward in Breast Cancer Combination Therapy.

With the aim to effectively deliver methotrexate (MTX) to breast cancer cells, we designed a nanocarrier system (DC) derived from the self-assembly of a dextran-curcumin conjugate prepared via enzyme chemistry with immobilized laccase acting as a solid biocatalyst. Nanoparticles consisted of homogeneously dispersed nanospheres with a mean diameter of 290 nm, as characterized by combined transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering investigations. DC was able to control the MTX release overtime (t value of 310 min), with cell internalization studies proving its presence inside MCF-7 cytoplasm.