Targeting dendritic cells (DCs), either ex vivo (Ex. Sipuleucel-T) or in vivo, for stimulating cellular immunity has been a leading approach for cancer vaccines. We have rationally engineered a nanoparticle (NP)-based delivery system for vaccines (InAc-NPs) using inulin acetate (InAc) as the polymer to target DCs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicellization offers several advantages for the delivery of water insoluble drugs including a nanoparticulate 'core-shell' delivery system for drug targeting. Recently, hydrophobically modified polysaccharides (HMPs) are gaining recognition as micelle forming polymers to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs. In this manuscript, for the first time, we have evaluated the self-assembling properties of a lauryl carbamate derivative of the poly-fructose natural polymer inulin (Inutec SP1(®) (INT)) to form paclitaxel (PTX) loaded micelles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpidemiological studies have demonstrated a significant correlation between regular aspirin use and reduced colon cancer incidence and mortality; however, the pathways by which it exerts its anti-cancer effects are still not fully explored. We hypothesized that aspirin's anti-cancer effect may occur through downregulation of c-Myc gene expression. Here, we demonstrate that aspirin and its primary metabolite, salicylic acid, decrease the c-Myc protein levels in human HCT-116 colon and in few other cancer cell lines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF2-Deoxyglucose (2DG) is an anticancer drug with excellent safety profile. Because of its higher dose requirements, its potential is yet to translate into a monotherapy. However, recently, 2DG has been tested as an adjunct in established chemotherapeutic regimens.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSarcophine-diol (SD) is a semi-synthetic derivative of sarcophine with a significant chemopreventive effect against non-melanoma skin cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Recently, we have studied the effect of SD on melanoma development using the mouse melanoma B₁₆F₁₀ cell line. In this study, our findings show that SD suppresses cell multiplication and diminishes membrane permeability for ethidium bromide (EB), a model marker used to measure cell permeability for Ca²⁺ ions.
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