Photothermal Temperature-Modulated Cancer Metastasis Harnessed Using Proteinase-Triggered Assembly of Near-Infrared II Photoacoustic/Photothermal Nanotheranostics.

Here we demonstrate that cancer metastasis could be modulated by the judicious tuning of physical parameters such as photothermal temperature in nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT). This is supported by theranostic nanosystem design and characterization, and analyses, and transcriptome-based gene profiling. In this work, the highly efficient near-infrared II (NIR-II) photoacoustic image (PA)-guided PTT are selectively activated using our developed matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-triggered assembly of gold nanodandelions (GNDs@gelatin).

A Dual Concentration-Tailored Cytokine-Chemo Nanosystem to Alleviate Multidrug Resistance and Redirect Balance of Cancer Proliferation and Apoptosis.

Background: Cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) is an important factor that severely affects the chemotherapeutic efficacy. Among various methods to bypass MDR, usage of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is attractive, which exerts antitumor effects of immunotherapeutic response and apoptotic/proinflammatory pathways. Nevertheless, the challenges remain how to implement targeted delivery of TNFα to reduce toxicity and manifest the involved signaling mechanism that subdues MDR.

Illuminating and Radiosensitizing Tumors with 2DG-Bound Gold-Based Nanomedicine for Targeted CT Imaging and Therapy.

Although radiotherapy is one of the most important curative treatments for cancer, its clinical application is associated with undesired therapeutic effects on normal or healthy tissues. The use of targeted agents that can simultaneously achieve therapeutic and imaging functions could constitute a potential solution. Herein, we developed 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG)-labeled poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) gold nanodots (2DG-PEG-AuD) as a tumor-targeted computed tomography (CT) contrast agent and radiosensitizer.

Multimodal Magnetic Resonance and Photoacoustic Imaging of Tumor-Specific Enzyme-Responsive Hybrid Nanoparticles for Oxygen Modulation.

Multimodal imaging contrast agents for cancer that can not only perform diagnostic functions but also serve as tumor microenvironment-responsive biomaterials are encouraging. In this study, we report the design and fabrication of a novel enzyme-responsive T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent that can modulate oxygen in the tumor microenvironment via the catalytic conversion of HO to O. The T contrast agent is a core-shell nanoparticle that consists of manganese oxide and hyaluronic acid (HA)-conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticle (HA-MnO@MSN).

Annealing-modulated nanoscintillators for nonconventional X-ray activation of comprehensive photodynamic effects in deep cancer theranostics.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which involves the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through interactions of a photosensitizer (PS) with light and oxygen, has been applied in oncology. Over the years, PDT techniques have been developed for the treatment of deep-seated cancers. However, (1) the tissue penetration limitation of excitation photon, (2) suppressed efficiency of PS due to multiple energy transfers, and (3) insufficient oxygen source in hypoxic tumor microenvironment still constitute major challenges facing the clinical application of PDT for achieving effective treatment.

Precision control of the large-scale green synthesis of biodegradable gold nanodandelions as potential radiotheranostics.

Herein, we report a new type of biodegradable, high surface-area gold nanodandelions (GNDs). This report possesses important features and some are the first of its kind: (1) the large scale green synthesis of GNDs with high monodispersity and a circa 100% yield with consistent chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC); (2) cellular/physiological degradability of GNDs leading to its disassembly into debris, which is indicative of the potential for possible body clearance; (3) precision control of the chemicophysical properties of the GNDs including shape, petal number and size, all can be judiciously fine-tuned by the synthetic parameters; (4) highly efficient radiotheranostics of GNDs encompassing better enhanced computed tomography (CT) contrast and pronounced X-ray induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation than conventional spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNP). It is noteworthy that the GNDs demonstrate a unique combinational effect of radiosensitization (production of superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals) and type II photodynamic interaction (generation of singlet oxygen).

Synthesis of Polylactide-Based Core-Shell Interface Cross-Linked Micelles for Anticancer Drug Delivery.

Well-defined poly(ethylene glycol)-b-allyl functional polylactide-b-polylactides (PEG-APLA-PLAs) are synthesized through sequential ring-opening polymerization. PEG-APLA-PLAs that have amphiphilic properties and reactive allyl side chains on their intermediate blocks are successfully transferred to core-shell interface cross-linked micelles (ICMs) by micellization and UV-initiated irradiation. ICMs have demonstrated enhanced colloidal stability in physiological-mimicking media.

Nanoparticle-facilitated functional and molecular imaging for the early detection of cancer.

Cancer detection in its early stages is imperative for effective cancer treatment and patient survival. In recent years, biomedical imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and ultrasound have been greatly developed and have served pivotal roles in clinical cancer management. Molecular imaging (MI) is a non-invasive imaging technique that monitors biological processes at the cellular and sub-cellular levels.

Identification of the common regulators for hepatocellular carcinoma induced by hepatitis B virus X antigen in a mouse model.

Hepatitis B virus X antigen plays an important role in the development of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The key regulators controlling the temporal downstream gene expression for HCC progression remains unknown. In this study, we took advantage of systems biology approach and analyzed the microarray data of the HBx transgenic mouse as a screening process to identify the differentially expressed genes and applied the software Pathway Studio to identify potential pathways and regulators involved in HCC.

Liver development and cancer formation in zebrafish.

Liver is the largest organ in the human body, and it regulates many physiological processes. Many studies on liver development in different model organisms have demonstrated that the mechanism of hepatogenesis is conserved in vertebrates. The identification of the genes and regulatory pathways involved in liver formation provides a basis for the diagnosis of liver diseases and therapeutic interventions.

Disulfide bond formation at the C termini of vaccinia virus A26 and A27 proteins does not require viral redox enzymes and suppresses glycosaminoglycan-mediated cell fusion.

Vaccinia virus A26 protein is an envelope protein of the intracellular mature virus (IMV) of vaccinia virus. A mutant A26 protein with a truncation of the 74 C-terminal amino acids was expressed in infected cells but failed to be incorporated into IMV (W. L.