Mitochondrial-targeted nanoparticles: Delivery and therapeutic agents in cancer.

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells and modulate the essential metabolic functions required for cellular survival. Various mitochondrial pathways, such as oxidative phosphorylation or production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are dysregulated during cancer growth and development, rendering them attractive targets against cancer. Thus, the delivery of antitumor agents to mitochondria has emerged as a potential approach for treating cancer. Recent advances in nanotechnology have provided innovative solutions for overcoming the physical barriers posed by the structure of mitochondrial organelles, and have enabled the development of efficient mitochondrial nanoplatforms. In this review, we examine the importance of mitochondria during neoplastic development, explore the most recent smart designs of nano-based systems aimed at targeting mitochondria, and highlight key mitochondrial pathways in cancer cells.

Current clinical trials for epigenetic targets and therapeutic inhibitors for pancreatic cancer therapy.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive disease characterized by high mortality. Diagnosis at advanced stage, resistance, and recurrence are major hurdles for PC therapy and contribute to poor survival rate. Mutations in tumor-promoting kinases and epigenetic dysregulation in tumor suppressor genes are hallmarks of PC and can be used for diagnosis and therapy. In this review, we highlight dysregulated genes associated with epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone acetylation, involved in PC progression and resistance. We also explore epigenetic drugs currently in clinical trials. Combining epigenetic drugs and targeted therapies might represent a promising approach for PC.