Membrane dual-targeting probes: A promising strategy for fluorescence-guided prostate cancer surgery and lymph node metastases detection

Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) with tumor-targeted imaging agents, particularly those using the near-infrared wavelength, has emerged as a real-time technique to highlight the tumor location and margins during a surgical procedure. For accurate visualization of prostate cancer (PCa) boundary and lymphatic metastasis, we developed a new approach involving an efficient self-quenched near-infrared fluorescence probe, Cy-KUE-OA, with dual PCa-membrane affinity. Cy-KUE-OA specifically targeted the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), anchored into the phospholipids of the cell membrane of PCa cells and consequently showed a strong Cy7-de-quenching effect. This dual-membrane-targeting probe allowed us to detect PSMA-expressing PCa cells both in vitro and in vivo and enabled clear visualization of the tumor boundary during fluorescence-guided laparoscopic surgery in PCa mouse models. Furthermore, the high PCa preference of Cy-KUE-OA was confirmed on surgically resected patient specimens of healthy tissues, PCa, and lymph node metastases. Taken together, our results serve as a bridge between preclinical and clinical research in FGS of PCa and lay a solid foundation for further clinical research.

Engineering a folic acid-decorated ultrasmall gemcitabine nanocarrier for breast cancer therapy: Dual targeting of tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages

Combination of passive targeting with active targeting is a promising approach to improve the therapeutic efficacy of nanotherapy. However, most reported polymeric systems have sizes above 100 nm, which limits effective extravasation into tumors that are poorly vascularized and have dense stroma. This will, in turn, limit the overall effectiveness of the subsequent uptake by tumor cells via active targeting. In this study, we combined the passive targeting via ultra-small-sized gemcitabine (GEM)-based nanoparticles (NPs) with the active targeting provided by folic acid (FA) conjugation for enhanced dual targeted delivery to tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We developed an FA-modified prodrug carrier based on GEM (PGEM) to load doxorubicin (DOX), for co-delivery of GEM and DOX to tumors. The co-delivery system showed small particle size of ∼10 nm in diameter. The ligand-free and FA-targeted micelles showed comparable drug loading efficiency and a sustained DOX release profile. The FA-conjugated micelles effectively increased DOX uptake in cultured KB cancer cells that express a high level of folate receptor (FR), but no obvious increase was observed in 4T1.2 breast cancer cells that have a low-level expression of FR. Interestingly, in vivo, systemic delivery of FA-PGEM/DOX led to enhanced accumulation of the NPs in tumor and drastic reduction of tumor growth in a murine 4T1.2 breast cancer model. Mechanistic study showed that 4T1.2 tumor grown in mice expressed a significantly higher level of FOLR2, which was selectively expressed on TAMs. Thus, targeting of TAM may also contribute to the improved in vivo targeted delivery and therapeutic efficacy.

Antitumor effects and the mechanisms of dual-targeting drug NL-101 on human multiple myeloma / 中国药科大学学报

The antitumor activities of NL-101,aHDACi/DNA damage dual-targeting drug,on human multiple myeloma in vitro and in vivo were studied.Furthermore,the primary mechanisms were revealed.We detected the anti-proliferative activity of NL-101 on 10 human multiple myeloma cell lines,and the combinational effect of NL-101 and bortezomib on RPMI 8226 cell line.The inducing effects of NL-101 on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were detected by FACS.The effects of NL-101 on acetyled-Histone H3,total Histone H3,acetyled α-Tubulin,total α-Tubulin,phospho-Histone H2A.X and total Histone H2A.X were evaluated by Western blott.We also demonstrated the antitumor activity of NL-101 and the combinational effect of NL-101 and bortezomib on RPMI 8226 xenograft tumor model in vivo.Results showed that NL-101 possessed strong antitumor activities on human multiple myeloma cells in vitro and in vivo.NL-101exhibited significant HDAC inhibitory activity and DNA alkylating activity.NL-101not only inhibited histone deacetylation level,but also increased the DNA damage in multiple myeloma cells.Meanwhile,NL-101 induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.Also,the synergistic effect of NL-101 was discovered when combined with bortezomib in vitro and in vivo.These data demonstrated that NL-101 may be a potent agent for the treatment of human multiple myeloma in future.

Progress and perspectives on targeting nanoparticles for brain drug delivery

Due to the ability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to prevent the entry of drugs into the brain, it is a challenge to treat central nervous system disorders pharmacologically. The development of nanotechnology provides potential to overcome this problem. In this review, the barriers to brain-targeted drug delivery are reviewed, including the BBB, blood-brain tumor barrier (BBTB), and nose-to-brain barrier. Delivery strategies are focused on overcoming the BBB, directly targeting diseased cells in the brain, and dual-targeted delivery. The major concerns and perspectives on constructing brain-targeted delivery systems are discussed.

Application of dual-targeting nano-carriers in diagnosis and therapy of brain tumo rs / 药学实践杂志

The delivery of therapeutical agents for brain tumors′ treatment is enormously prevented by the presence of blood‐brain barrier .Nano‐carriers such as nano‐particles ,liposomes and micelles can significantly increase the transport of drugs across the blood‐brain barrier .The dual‐targeting nano‐carriers modified by one or two functional groups can further increase the brain delivery of drugs as well as their accumulation in brain tumors ,resulting in significant improvement in the diagnosis and therapy of brain tumors .This article mainly focused on the recent development of strategies and functional groups of dual‐targeting nano‐carriers ,providing a reference for relevant investigations .

Research advances in dual-targeting nanocarrier-based delivery system for the treatment of brain diseases / 中国药学杂志

RESULTS: The drug carrier was modified with bifunctional-ligands, which could help the drug delivery system penetrate the blood-brain barrier and concentrate on lesions, thus improving the drug efficacy and reducing the side effects.