Nanoparticles as carriers of photosensitizers to improve photodynamic therapy in cancer.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising non invasive therapeutic approach for cancer treatment, offering unique advantages over conventional treatments. The combination of light activation and photosensitizing agents allows for targeted and localized destruction of cancer cells, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. In recent years, the integration of nanoparticles with PDT has garnered significant attention due to their potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Lactoferrin and Nanotechnology: The Potential for Cancer Treatment.

Lactoferrin (Lf)-a glycoprotein of the transferrin family-has been investigated as a promising molecule with diverse applications, including infection inhibition, anti-inflammation, antioxidant properties and immune modulation. Along with that, Lf was found to inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors. Owing to unique properties such as iron-binding and positive charge, Lf could interrupt the cancer cell membrane or influence the apoptosis pathway.

Toll-like receptor-targeted particles: A paradigm to manipulate the tumor microenvironment for cancer immunotherapy.

The expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on antigen presenting cells, especially dendritic cells, offers several sensitive mediators to trigger an adaptive immune response, which potentially can be exploited to detect and eliminate pathogenic objects. Consequently, numerous agonists that target TLRs are being used clinically either alone or in combination with other therapies to strengthen the immune system in the battle against cancer. This review summarizes the roles of TLRs in tumor biology, and focuses on relevant TLR-dependent antitumor pathways and the conjugation of TLR agonists as adjuvants to nano- and micro-particles for boosting responses leading to cancer suppression and eradication.

Modulating T-cell-based cancer immunotherapy via particulate systems.

Immunotherapy holds tremendous promise for improving cancer treatment in which an appropriate stimulator may naturally trigger the immune system to control cancer. Up-to-date, adoptive T-cell therapy has received two new FDA approvals that provide great hope for some cancer patient groups. Nevertheless, expense and safety-related issues require further study to obtain insight into targets for efficient immunotherapy.

Nanoparticles for dendritic cell-based immunotherapy.

Crosstalk among immune cells has attracted considerable attention with the advent of immunotherapy as a novel therapeutic approach for challenging diseases, especially cancer, which is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Dendritic cells-the key antigen-presenting cells-play a pivotal role in immunological response by presenting exogenous epitopes to T cells, which induces the self-defense mechanisms of the body. Furthermore, nanotechnology has provided promising ways for diagnosing and treating cancer in the last decade.

Ginsenoside Rh1: A Systematic Review of Its Pharmacological Properties.

Ginsenoside Rh1 is one of major bioactive compounds extracted from red ginseng, which has been increasingly used for enhancing cognition and physical health worldwide. The objective of this study was to review the pharmacological effects of ginsenoside Rh1 in a systematic manner. We performed searches on eight electronic databases including MEDLINE (Pubmed), Scopus, Google Scholar, POPLINE, Global Health Library, Virtual Health Library, the System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe, and the New York Academy of Medicine Grey Literature Report to select the original research publications reporting the biological and pharmacological effects of ginsenoside Rh1 from and studies regardless of publication language and study design.

Beclabuvir in combination with asunaprevir and daclatasvir for hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Daclatasvir, asunaprevir (ASV), and beclabuvir (BCV) are direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the efficacy and safety of this three-drug combination in HCV genotype 1 infection. Eleven electronic search engines were searched for relevant publications.

The Effect of Endothelin Receptor Antagonists in Patients with Eisenmenger Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: The efficacy of endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) in the management of Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) remains controversial. The aim of this study is to systemically review the safety and effects of ERAs in improving the quality of life and basic cardiac functions of these patients.

Methods: Twelve databases were searched, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Virtual Health Library, World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Library, Google Scholar, POPLINE, Systems for Information of Grey Literature in Europe, New York Academy of Medicine, ClinicalTrials.

Cationic drug-based self-assembled polyelectrolyte complex micelles: Physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and anticancer activity analysis.

Nanofabrication of polymeric micelles through self-assembly of an ionic block copolymer and oppositely charged small molecules has recently emerged as a promising method of formulating delivery systems. The present study therefore aimed to investigate the interaction of cationic drugs doxorubicin (DOX) and mitoxantrone (MTX) with the anionic block polymer poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PEO-b-PAA) and to study the influence of these interactions on the pharmacokinetic stability and antitumor potential of the formulated micelles in clinically relevant animal models. To this end, individual DOX and MTX-loaded polyelectrolyte complex micelles (PCM) were prepared, and their physicochemical properties and pH-responsive release profiles were studied.

Development of Solid Self-Emulsifying Formulation for Improving the Oral Bioavailability of Erlotinib.

To improve the solubility and oral bioavailability of erlotinib, a poorly water-soluble anticancer drug, solid self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) was developed using solid inert carriers such as dextran 40 and Aerosil® 200 (colloidal silica). The preliminary solubility of erlotinib in various oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants was determined. Labrafil M2125CS, Labrasol, and Transcutol HP were chosen as the oil, surfactant, and co-surfactant, respectively, for preparation of the SEDDS formulations.

Development of lipid nanoparticles for a histone deacetylases inhibitor as a promising anticancer therapeutic.

Background: Vorinostat (VRS), a histone deacetylases inhibitor, has significant cytotoxic potential in a large number of human cancer cell lines.

Objective: To clarify its promising anticancer potential and to improve its drawback related to physical properties and in vivo performance of VRS.

Methods: VRS was successfully incorporated into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) by the hot microemulsion method using sonication following a homogenization technique.

Hyaluronic acid-coated solid lipid nanoparticles for targeted delivery of vorinostat to CD44 overexpressing cancer cells.

Hyaluronic acid (HA)-decorated solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were developed for tumor-targeted delivery of vorinostat (VRS), a histone deacetylase inhibitor. HA, a naturally occurring polysaccharide, which specifically binds to the CD44 receptor, was coated on a cationic lipid core through electrostatic interaction. After the optimization process, HA-coated VRS-loaded SLNs (HA-VRS-SLNs) were spherical, core-shell nanoparticles, with small size (∼100 nm), negative charge (∼-9 mV), and narrow size distribution.

Preparation and characterization of fenofibrate-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for oral bioavailability enhancement.

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) in improving the oral bioavailability of a lipid lowering agent, fenofibrate (FEN). FEN-loaded NLCs (FEN-NLCs) were prepared by hot homogenization followed by an ultrasonication method using Compritol 888 ATO as a solid lipid, Labrafil M 1944CS as a liquid lipid, and soya lecithin and Tween 80 as emulsifiers. NLCs were characterized in terms of particle size and zeta potential, surface morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and physical state properties.

Development of vorinostat-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles to enhance pharmacokinetics and efficacy against multidrug-resistant cancer cells.

Purpose: To investigate whether delivery of a histone deacetylase inhibitor, vorinostat (VOR), by using solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) enhanced its bioavailability and effects on multidrug-resistant cancer cells.

Methods: VOR-loaded SLNs (VOR-SLNs) were prepared by hot homogenization using an emulsification-sonication technique, and the formulation parameters were optimized. The cytotoxicity of the optimized formulation was evaluated in cancer cell lines (MCF-7, A549, and MDA-MB-231), and pharmacokinetic parameters were examined following oral and intravenous (IV) administration to rats.