Interleukin (IL)-24: Reconfiguring the Tumor Microenvironment for Eliciting Antitumor Response.

Interleukin (IL)-24 is a member of the IL-10 family of cytokines. Due to its unique ability to function as both a tumor suppressor and cytokine, IL-24-based cancer therapy has been developed for treating a broad spectrum of human cancers. Majority of the studies reported to date have focused on establishing IL-24 as a cancer therapeutic by primarily focusing on tumor cell killing.

Molecular Targeting of HuR Oncoprotein Suppresses MITF and Induces Apoptosis in Melanoma Cells.

Background: Treatment of metastatic melanoma possesses challenges due to drug resistance and metastases. Recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy have shown clinical benefits in melanoma patients with increased survival. However, a subset of patients who initially respond to targeted therapy relapse and succumb to the disease.

Exosomes as drug delivery vehicle and contributor of resistance to anticancer drugs.

Exosomes are small membranous vesicles implicated in intercellular signalling. Through their uncanny ability to carry and deliver donor cellular cargo (biomolecules) to target cells, they exert a profound effect on the regular functioning of healthy cells and play a significant role in pathogenesis and progression of several diseases, including cancer. The composition and number of endogenously circulating exosomes frequently vary, which is often reflective of the pathophysiological status of the cell.

Progress in extracellular vesicle biology and their application in cancer medicine.

Under the broader category of extracellular vesicles (EVs), exosomes are now well recognized for their contribution and potential for biomedical research. During the last ten years, numerous technologies for purification and characterization of EVs have been developed. This enhanced knowledge has resulted in the development of novel applications of EVs.

Tumor-Targeted Dendrimer Nanoparticles for Combinatorial Delivery of siRNA and Chemotherapy for Cancer Treatment.

In current cancer therapy, the combined targeted delivery of treatments is an important method to enhance the therapeutic efficiency and reduce adverse side effects. Dendrimer-based nanoparticles have received considerable attention for multifunctional therapeutic delivery. In this chapter, we describe the methods for encapsulating the chemotherapeutic drug, cisplatin (CDDP), and human antigen R (HuR)-targeted siRNA into dendrimer nanoparticles for folate receptor-targeted delivery.

Combinatorial Nanoparticle Delivery of siRNA and Antineoplastics for Lung Cancer Treatment.

Recent developments in nanotechnology, especially in drug delivery systems, are advanced by featuring novel multifunctional nanoparticles that promise safe, specific, and efficient therapeutic delivery for cancer treatment. Multifunctional nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems enable simultaneous delivery of multiple therapeutic agents for effective combination therapy for cancer. In this chapter, we provide detailed protocols for development and application of a multifunctional nanoparticle system for combinatorial delivery of a chemotherapeutic (cisplatin) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) for human antigen R (HuR) mRNA in cancer cells using a polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer platform.

Exosomes as Theranostics for Lung Cancer.

Extensive research in genetics and genomics has revealed that lung cancer is a physiologically complex and genetically heterogeneous disease. Although molecular targets that can yield favorable response have been identified, those targets cannot be exploited due to the lack of suitable drug carriers. Furthermore, lung cancer often is diagnosed at an advanced stage when the disease has metastasized.

Recent Advances in Nanoparticle-Based Cancer Drug and Gene Delivery.

Effective and safe delivery of anticancer agents is among the major challenges in cancer therapy. The majority of anticancer agents are toxic to normal cells, have poor bioavailability, and lack in vivo stability. Recent advancements in nanotechnology provide safe and efficient drug delivery systems for successful delivery of anticancer agents via nanoparticles.

HuR-targeted small molecule inhibitor exhibits cytotoxicity towards human lung cancer cells.

Human antigen (Hu) R is an RNA-binding protein whose overexpression in human cancer correlates with aggressive disease, drug resistance, and poor prognosis. HuR inhibition has profound anticancer activity. Pharmacologic inhibitors can overcome the limitations of genetic inhibition.