Robust Nanoparticle Morphology and Size Analysis by Atomic Force Microscopy for Standardization.

Because of the complexity of nanomedicines, analysis of their morphology and size has attracted considerable attention both from researchers and regulatory agencies. The atomic force microscope (AFM) has emerged as a powerful tool because it can provide detailed morphological characteristics of nanoparticles both in the air and in aqueous medium. However, to our knowledge, AFM methods for nanomedicines have yet to be standardized or be listed in any pharmacopeias.

Epirubicin-loaded polymeric micelles effectively treat axillary lymph nodes metastasis of breast cancer through selective accumulation and pH-triggered drug release.

Suppression of axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) is an important goal in the treatment of breast cancer. While several therapies directed to ALNM have been evaluated, effective and safe treatments for ALNM in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) have not been established yet, especially against initial/small metastases. Here, we demonstrated the therapeutic effect of an anthracycline drug, epirubicin (EPI)-loaded polymeric micelles equipped with pH-triggered drug release property (EPI/m) against ALNM of TNBC.

Effective treatment of drug resistant recurrent breast tumors harboring cancer stem-like cells by staurosporine/epirubicin co-loaded polymeric micelles.

Breast cancer recurrence and resistance are associated with cancer stem-like cell (CSC) sub-populations. As conventional therapies fail to treat CSCs, institution of novel therapeutic strategies capable of eradicating both cancer cells and CSCs is central for achieving effective treatments with long-term survival. Here, we studied the ability of polymeric micelles cooperatively loading the cytotoxic drug epirubicin (Epi) and the CSC inhibitor staurosporine (STS) to treat breast tumors, particularly when tumors relapsed after chemotherapy.

Adequately-Sized Nanocarriers Allow Sustained Targeted Drug Delivery to Neointimal Lesions in Rat Arteries.

In atherosclerotic lesions, the endothelial barrier against the bloodstream can become compromised, resulting in the exposure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and intimal cells beneath. In theory, this allows adequately sized nanocarriers in circulation to infiltrate into the intimal lesion intravascularly. We sought to evaluate this possibility using rat carotid arteries with induced neointima.

Nanomedicines Eradicating Cancer Stem-like Cells in Vivo by pH-Triggered Intracellular Cooperative Action of Loaded Drugs.

Nanomedicines capable of control over drug functions have potential for developing resilient therapies, even against tumors harboring recalcitrant cancer stem cells (CSCs). By coordinating drug interactions within the confined inner compartment of core-shell nanomedicines, we conceived multicomponent nanomedicines directed to achieve synchronized and synergistic drug cooperation within tumor cells as a strategy for enhancing efficacy, overcoming drug resistance, and eradicating CSCs. The approach was validated by using polymeric micellar nanomedicines co-incorporating the pan-kinase inhibitor staurosporine (STS), which was identified as the most potent CSC inhibitor from a panel of signaling-pathway inhibitors, and the cytotoxic agent epirubicin (Epi), through rationally contriving the affinity between the drugs.

Antibody fragment-conjugated polymeric micelles incorporating platinum drugs for targeted therapy of pancreatic cancer.

Antibody-mediated therapies including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have shown much potential in cancer treatment by tumor-targeted delivery of cytotoxic drugs. However, there is a limitation of payloads that can be delivered by ADCs. Integration of antibodies to drug-loaded nanocarriers broadens the applicability of antibodies to a wide range of therapeutics.