High‐Efficiency, Short‐Pulse Electrothermal Cancer Therapy Utilizing Polyethylene Glycol (PEG‐) Based Titanium Carbide (Ti 3 C 2 ) MXene Nanomaterials

Encapsulation of synthesized purpurin-18-N-aminoimide methyl ester in lipid nanovesicles for use as agents in photodynamic cancer therapy.

Cancer is a leading cause of death and poor quality of life globally. Even though several strategies are devised to reduce deaths, reduce chronic pain and improve the quality of life, there remains a shortfall in the adequacies of these cancer therapies. Among the cardinal steps towards ensuring optimal cancer treatment are early detection of cancer cells and drug application with high specificity to reduce toxicities. Due to increased systemic toxicities and refractoriness with conventional cancer diagnostic and therapeutic tools, other strategies including nanotechnology are being employed to improve diagnosis and mitigate disease severity. Over the years, immunotherapeutic agents based on nanotechnology have been used for several cancer types to reduce the invasiveness of cancerous cells while sparing healthy cells at the target site. Nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes, polymeric micelles and liposomes have been used in cancer drug design where they have shown considerable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic benefits in cancer diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we outline the commonly used nanomaterials which are employed in cancer diagnosis and therapy. We have highlighted the suitability of these nanomaterials for cancer management based on their physicochemical and biological properties. We further reviewed the challenges that are associated with the various nanomaterials which limit their uses and hamper their translatability into the clinical setting in certain cancer types.

Topoisomerase (Topo) inhibitors have long been known as clinically effective drugs, while G-quadruplex (G4)-targeting compounds are emerging as a promising new strategy to target tumor cells and could support personalized treatment approaches in the near future. G-quadruplex (G4) is a secondary four-stranded DNA helical structure constituted of guanine-rich nucleic acids, and its stabilization impairs telomere replication, triggering the activation of several protein factors at telomere levels, including Topos. Thus, the pharmacological intervention through the simultaneous G4 stabilization and Topos inhibition offers a new opportunity to achieve greater antiproliferative activity and circumvent cellular insensitivity and resistance. In this line, dual ligands targeting both Topos and G4 emerge as innovative, efficient agents in cancer therapy. Although the research in this field is still limited, to date, some chemotypes have been identified, showing this dual activity and an interesting pharmacological profile. This paper reviews the available literature on dual Topo inhibitors/G4 stabilizing agents, with particular attention to the structure–activity relationship studies correlating the dual activity with the cytotoxic activity.

Conjugated polymers (CPs) with strong near-infrared (NIR) absorption and high heat conversion efficiency have emerged as a new generation of photothermal therapy (PTT) agents for cancer therapy. An efficient strategy to design NIR absorbing CPs with good water dispersibility is essential to achieve excellent therapeutic effect. In this work, poly[9,9-bis(4-(2-ethylhexyl)phenyl)fluorene-alt-co-6,7-bis(4-(hexyloxy)phenyl)-4,9-di(thiophen-2-yl)-thiadiazoloquinoxaline] (PFTTQ) is synthesized through the combination of donor-acceptor moieties by Suzuki polymerization. PFTTQ nanoparticles (NPs) are fabricated through a precipitation approach using 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (DSPE-PEG2000 ) as the encapsulation matrix. Due to the large NIR absorption coefficient (3.6 L g(-1) cm(-1) ), the temperature of PFTTQ NP suspension (0.5 mg/mL) could be rapidly increased to more than 50 °C upon continuous 808 nm laser irradiation (0.75 W/cm(2) ) for 5 min. The PFTTQ NPs show good biocompatibility to both MDA-MB-231 cells and Hela cells at 400 μg/mL of NPs, while upon laser irradiation, effective cancer cell killing is observed at a NP concentration of 50 μg/mL. Moreover, PFTTQ NPs could efficiently ablate tumor in in vivo study using a Hela tumor mouse model. Considering the large amount of NIR absorbing CPs available, the general encapsulation strategy will enable the development of more efficient PTT agents for cancer or tumor therapy.

Allograft vasculopathy is an aggressive form of accelerated atherosclerosis that manifests uniquely in transplanted hearts, lungs and kidneys. Activated blood vessel endothelial cells (ECs) stimulate alloreactive CD4 + and CD8 + T-lymphocytes to result in sustained inflammation. MXenes, an emerging class of transition metal carbides, have recently been shown to have unique immunomodulatory properties that may be leveraged to treat allograft vasculopathy. In this study, we present the synthesis, characterization and application of novel two-dimensional titanium carbide MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x ) nanosheets for immunomodulation. MXene nanosheets (MNSs) were selectively etched from bulky Ti 3 AlC 2 MAX phase using hydrofluoric acid. The resultant MNSs are 2 to 5 μm in size and are surface modified with carboxyl, hydroxyl and amine functional groups for biological interactions. Using an in vitro co-culture system, we found that MNSs interact with activated human ECs to reduce activation and pro-inflammatory Th1 polarization of allogeneic CD4 + lymphocytes. Mechanistically, we showed that treatment with MNSs significantly decreased expression of the co-stimulatory molecule CD86 and altered the ratio of endothelial surface co-stimulatory to co-inhibitory molecules. Furthermore, when applied in an in vivo rat model of allograft vasculopathy, treatment with MNSs reduced lymphocyte infiltration and preserved medial smooth muscle cell integrity within transplanted vessel segments. Taken together, these findings suggest that these novel MNSs have potential as an effective treatment to prevent allograft vasculopathy.

In cancer therapy, the thermal ablation of diseased cells by embedded nanoparticles is one of the known therapies. It is based on the absorption of the energy of the illuminating laser by nanoparticles. The resulting heating of nanoparticles kills the cell where these photothermal agents are embedded. One of the main constraints of this therapy is preserving the surrounding healthy cells. Therefore, two parameters are of interest. The first one is the thermal ablation characteristic length, which corresponds to an action distance around the nanoparticles for which the temperature exceeds the ablation threshold. This critical geometric parameter is related to the expected conservation of the body temperature in the surroundings of the diseased cell. The second parameter is the temperature that should be reached to achieve active thermal agents. The temperature depends on the power of the illuminating laser, on the size of nanoparticles and on their physical properties. The purpose of this paper is to propose behavior laws under the constraints of both the body temperature at the boundary of the cell to preserve surrounding cells and an acceptable range of temperature in the target cell. The behavior laws are deduced from the finite element method, which is able to model aggregates of nanoparticles. We deduce sensitivities to the laser power and to the particle size. We show that the tuning of the temperature elevation and of the distance of action of a single nanoparticle is not significantly affected by variations of the particle size and of the laser power. Aggregates of nanoparticles are much more efficient, but represent a potential risk to the surrounding cells. Fortunately, by tuning the laser power, the thermal ablation characteristic length can be controlled.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of low-dose (1.11 GBq) and high-dose (3.70 GBq) radioactive 131I on residual thyroid tissues in patients after a non-high-risk differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) resection. Methods Clinical data of a total of 63 patients with non-high-risk DTC who had experienced 131I therapy were analyzed retrospectively. Binary logistic regression was employed to analyze the effects of age, interval from initial resection to initial 131I ablation, rate of thyroid iodine uptake for 24 h, serum TSH level, and 131I dose on efficacy of thyroid remnant ablation. Out of 63 patients, 27 were given low doses while 36 patients were given high doses of 131I therapy. Pearson's chi-square test was used to differentiate the efficacy of low-dose and high-dose 131I on residual thyroid tissues. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Among the 63 non-high-risk DTC patients, 46 patients achieved successful thyroid remnant ablation (73.02%, 46/63) but 17 failed (26.98%, 17/63) . Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that the ablation dose of 131I was the main factor for the efficacy of ablation (Wald=6.42, P=0.011) . Among the 27 patients who had low doses of 131I therapy, 15 achieved effective thyroid remnant ablation. However, 31 patients achieved effective thyroid remnant ablation after high doses of 131I therapy among 36 patients. Pearson's chi-square test revealed that the ablation efficacy in patients with high-dose 131I (86.11%, 31/36) was higher than those with low-dose 131I (55.56%,15/27) (χ2=7.311, P=0.007) . Conclusion In clinical practice, high-dose 131I on residual thyroid tissues should be considered for patients after non-high-risk DTC resection to improve the efficacy of 131I ablation at first dose when the volume of thyroid remnant tissues is low. Key words: Iodine radioisotopes; Differentiated thyroid carcinoma; Radiotherapy dosage; Non-high-risk; Thyroid remnant ablation

Stimuli-responsive DNA hydrogels are promising candidates for cancer treatment, as they not only possess biocompatible and biodegradable 3D network structures as highly efficient carriers for therapeutic agents but also are capable of undergoing programmable gel-to-solution transition upon external stimuli to achieve controlled delivery. Herein, a promising platform for highly efficient photothermal-chemo synergistic cancer therapy is established by integrating DNA hydrogels with Ti3 C2 TX -based MXene as a photothermal agent and doxorubicin (DOX) as a loaded chemotherapeutic agent. Upon the irradiation of near-infrared light (NIR), temperature rise caused by photothermal MXene nanosheets triggers the reversible gel-to-solution transition of the DOX-loaded MXene-DNA hydrogel, during which the DNA duplex crosslinking structures unwind to release therapeutic agents for efficient localized cancer therapy. Removal of the NIR irradiation results in the re-formation of DNA duplex structures and the hydrogel matrix, and the recombination of free DOX and adaptive hydrogel transformations can also be achieved. As demonstrated by both in vitro and in vivo models, the MXene-DNA hydrogel system, with excellent biocompatibility and injectability, dynamically NIR-triggered drug delivery, and enhanced drug uptake under mild hyperthermia conditions, exhibits efficient localized cancer treatment with fewer side effects to the organisms.

Cancer continues to cause an alarming number of deaths globally, and its burden on the health system is significant. Though different conventional therapeutic procedures are exploited for cancer treatment, the prevalence and death rates remain elevated. These, therefore, insinuate that novel and more efficient treatment procedures are needed for cancer. Curcumin, a bioactive, natural, phenolic compound isolated from the rhizome of the herbaceous plant turmeric, is receiving great interest for its exciting and broad pharmacological properties. Curcumin presents anticancer therapeutic capacities and can be utilized as a photosensitizing drug in cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT). Nonetheless, curcumin′s poor bioavailability and related pharmacokinetics limit its clinical utility in cancer treatment. This review looks at the physical and chemical properties, bioavailability, and safety of curcumin, while focusing on curcumin as an agent in cancer therapy and as a photosensitizer in cancer PDT. The possible mechanisms and cellular targets of curcumin in cancer therapy and PDT are highlighted. Furthermore, recent improvements in curcumin’s bioavailability in cancer therapy using nanoformulations and delivery systems are presented.

Unusual esophageal injury after atrial fibrillation ablation: Early diagnosis and treatment to optimize outcomes

Versatile redox-sensitive pullulan nanoparticles for enhanced liver targeting and efficient cancer therapy

Capsaicin (CAPS), a bioactive alkaloid derived from chili peppers, has garnered significant interest for its potential role as a combinatorial and chemosensitizing agent in cancer therapy. Numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated that CAPS enhanced the efficacy of various anticancer agents by promoting apoptosis, modulating autophagy and inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis. Additionally, CAPS modulated critical regulators of chemoresistance, such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, thereby contributing to the reversal of multidrug resistance (MDR). Moreover, when administered in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, CAPS has been shown to improve treatment efficacy at lower drug concentrations. Given its multitargeted mechanism of action, CAPS represents a promising adjunct to conventional cancer therapies. However, due to its lipophilic nature, the development of optimized formulation strategies is essential to enhance its bioavailability and ensure consistent therapeutic outcomes. In conclusion, CAPS holds significant potential as a combinatorial and chemosensitizing agent, helping to overcome chemoresistance and enhance treatment outcomes across various malignancies. These promising findings warrant further preclinical and clinical investigations.

Early detection of cancer and targeted drug delivery, specifically in and around tumors and at concentrations that would decrease the growth rate and/or viability of the tumors, continues to be the primary challenge in the treatment of cancer. In many cases, the malignancy of tumors is detected only at advanced stages when chemotherapeutic drugs become increasingly toxic to healthy cells. To reduce this problem, targeted drug delivery and early detection of cancer cells continue to be investigated extensively. A tumor-targeting drug delivery system generally consists of a tumor-recognition moiety and a drug-loaded vesicle. Detection systems often involve invasive methods, such as tissue biopsy and sophisticated diagnostics tools, such as magnetic resonance imaging. However, there is no known single system currently that is capable of targeting drug delivery and imaging the delivery process simultaneously. An excellent vehicle to accomplish this objective is to develop a single system that is capable of targeting drug delivery and imaging the delivery process simultaneously to monitor the time course of subcellular location. Integration of biomaterials and semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) fields has good potential for addressing the current problems faced in cancer therapy by using biodegradable chitosan (N-acetyglucosamine) for tumor-targeted drug delivery and QDs for noninvasive imaging. The drug-loaded chitosan-encapsulated ZnO:Mn2+ QDs represent a potential platform to deliver tumor-targeted drugs and document the delivery process simultaneously [Hein S, Pers. Comm.]. Doping enables us to tune into desired fluorescence emission. The doping of ZnO with low concentration of manganese is expected to increase the band-gap energy of ZnO with a

The convergence of biology and nanomaterials has propelled technological progress in biomedical sciences, offering transformative applications in diagnostics and therapy. Among these advancements, quantum dots (QDs) semiconductor nanocrystals activated by light have emerged as versatile tools due to their unique optical and electronic properties. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs), a subset of QDs, are nanoscale fragments of graphene that exhibit exceptional features, making them highly suitable for innovative biomedical applications. These include cancer detection, drug delivery, and imaging, areas where early diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial. The production of synthetic GQDs relies on two primary approaches: top-down methods, where larger carbon structures are broken into smaller fragments, and bottom-up methods, which involve assembling GQDs from smaller molecular units. Both methods offer advantages depending on the desired properties and applications of the GQDs. GQDs possess several beneficial characteristics, including high photostability, excellent biocompatibility, and tunable fluorescence, which make them particularly valuable for biomedical purposes. In cancer therapy, GQDs serve as efficient nano-delivery vehicles for drugs, offering enhanced targeting and reduced side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy. Furthermore, their fluorescence properties enable precise imaging and early detection of cancerous cells, providing a dual functionality in diagnosis and therapy. Current research highlights advancements in QD synthesis techniques, enhancing their scalability and application potential. These innovations underscore the role of GQDs in bridging the gap between experimental research and clinical applications. Quantum dots, particularly graphene quantum dots, represent a breakthrough in the field of nanomedicine. Their synthesis, functional properties, and dual roles in diagnostics and therapeutic delivery underscore their importance in advancing cancer treatment and early detection. With continued research and development, GQDs are poised to revolutionize drug delivery systems and expand the horizons of biomedical science.

Cancer is a leading cause of death and poor quality of life globally. Even though several strategies are devised to reduce deaths, reduce chronic pain and improve the quality of life, there remains a shortfall in the adequacies of these cancer therapies. Among the cardinal steps towards ensuring optimal cancer treatment are early detection of cancer cells and drug application with high specificity to reduce toxicities. Due to increased systemic toxicities and refractoriness with conventional cancer diagnostic and therapeutic tools, other strategies including nanotechnology are being employed to improve diagnosis and mitigate disease severity. Over the years, immunotherapeutic agents based on nanotechnology have been used for several cancer types to reduce the invasiveness of cancerous cells while sparing healthy cells at the target site. Nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes, polymeric micelles and liposomes have been used in cancer drug design where they have shown considerable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic benefits in cancer diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we outline the commonly used nanomaterials which are employed in cancer diagnosis and therapy. We have highlighted the suitability of these nanomaterials for cancer management based on their physicochemical and biological properties. We further reviewed the challenges that are associated with the various nanomaterials which limit their uses and hamper their translatability into the clinical setting in certain cancer types. Keywords: Nanomaterials, Nanotechnology, Cancer, Diagnosis, Treatment.