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Cancers
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Nanomedicine Progress in Tumor Treatment
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Nanomedicine Progress in Tumor Treatment

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2023) | Viewed by 12319

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Giacomo Reina

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
Interests: nanomaterial; nanomedicine; graphene; targeted cancer therapy; single-cell toxicity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

In the era of precision medicine, hard nanomaterials (HNMs) have emerged as crucial allies for the treatment of different types of cancer. Due to their nanoscopic dimension, HNMs can preferentially accumulate in the tumoral tissues as an extensively useful for drug or gene delivery. Additionally, depending on size, shape, composition, and functionalization, HNMs have been used for active tumor targeting and cancer imaging, or as nano-photosensitizers. More recently, the interaction of HNMs with the immune system has been investigated, showing that these nanosized objects can induce a positive immunological response. Developing of more complex architectures for the precise design of multifunctional nanomaterials is highly desirable for cancer treatment. Additionally, understanding the complexity of HNMs interaction within the biological environment, their targeting and pharmacological efficacy, and their biosafety will support the development of the next generation of strategies to significantly improve the antitumor activity.

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in HNMs application in cancer treatment.

We welcome contributions in the form of reviews and original research on topics dealing with the application of nanomaterials for cancer therapy within the following fields but not limited to:

  • Novel synthetical routes for biomaterial preparation;
  • Multi-functionalization strategies of theragnostic materials;
  • Nano-vectors for multidrug delivery strategy;
  • Nanomaterials for gene delivery;
  • New cancer imaging nanoprobes;
  • Nanomedicine in photodynamic therapy;
  • Nanomaterials for photothermal therapy;
  • Magnetic nanoparticles hyperthermia for cancer therapy;
  • Novel X-ray nanosensitizers in cancer therapy;
  • Nano-immunotherapy for cancer treatment;
  • Biodegradation and persistency of nanomaterial in the body.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Giacomo Reina
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cancer therapy
  • nanotherapy
  • theragnostic materials
  • nanoimmunology
  • magnetic hyperthermia
  • nanotoxicology
  • phototherapic materials

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3707 KiB  
Article
Feasibility Study on the Radiation Dose by Radioactive Magnetic Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Open-Source Brachytherapy
by Rogier van Oossanen, Jeremy Godart, Jeremy M. C. Brown, Alexandra Maier, Jean-Philippe Pignol, Antonia G. Denkova, Kristina Djanashvili and Gerard C. van Rhoon
Cancers 2022, 14(22), 5497; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cancers14225497 - 09 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1328
Abstract
Background: Treatment of early-stage breast cancer currently includes surgical removal of the tumor and (partial) breast irradiation of the tumor site performed at fractionated dose. Although highly effective, this treatment is exhaustive for both patient and clinic. In this study, the theoretical potential [...] Read more.
Background: Treatment of early-stage breast cancer currently includes surgical removal of the tumor and (partial) breast irradiation of the tumor site performed at fractionated dose. Although highly effective, this treatment is exhaustive for both patient and clinic. In this study, the theoretical potential of an alternative treatment combining thermal ablation with low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy using radioactive magnetic nanoparticles (RMNPs) containing 103-palladium was researched. Methods: The radiation dose characteristics and emission spectra of a single RMNP were calculated, and dose distributions of a commercial brachytherapy seed and an RMNP brachytherapy seed were simulated using Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit. Results: It was found that the RMNP seeds deliver a therapeutic dose similar to currently used commercial seed, while the dose distribution shows a spherical fall off compared to the more inhomogeneous dose distribution of the commercial seed. Changes in shell thickness only changed the dose profile between 2 × 10−4 mm and 3 × 10−4 mm radial distance to the RMNP, not effecting long-range dose. Conclusion: The dose distribution of the RMNP seed is comparable with current commercial brachytherapy seeds, while anisotropy of the dose distribution is reduced. Because this reduces the dependency of the dose distribution on the orientation of the seed, their surgical placement is easier. This supports the feasibility of the clinical application of the proposed novel treatment modality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomedicine Progress in Tumor Treatment)
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17 pages, 4478 KiB  
Article
Nanomedicine-Based Gene Delivery for a Truncated Tumor Suppressor RB94 Promotes Lung Cancer Immunity
by Sang-Soo Kim, Caroline Doherty, Manish Moghe, Antonina Rait, Kathleen F. Pirollo, Joe B. Harford and Esther H. Chang
Cancers 2022, 14(20), 5092; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cancers14205092 - 18 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1636
Abstract
Because lung cancer remains the most common and lethal of cancers, novel therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. RB94 is a truncated form of retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein with elevated anti-tumor efficacy. Our investigational nanomedicine (termed scL-RB94) is a tumor-targeted liposomal formulation of a [...] Read more.
Because lung cancer remains the most common and lethal of cancers, novel therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. RB94 is a truncated form of retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein with elevated anti-tumor efficacy. Our investigational nanomedicine (termed scL-RB94) is a tumor-targeted liposomal formulation of a plasmid containing the gene encoding RB94. In this research, we studied anti-tumor and immune modulation activities of scL-RB94 nanocomplex in preclinical models of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Systemic treatment with scL-RB94 of mice bearing human NSCLC tumors significantly inhibited tumor growth by lowering proliferation and increasing apoptosis of tumor cells in vivo. scL-RB94 treatment also boosted anti-tumor immune responses by upregulating immune recognition molecules and recruiting innate immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells. Antibody-mediated depletion of NK cells blunted the anti-tumor activity of scL-RB94, suggesting that NK cells were crucial for the observed anti-tumor activity in these xenograft models. Treatment with scL-RB94 also altered the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages by reducing immune-suppressive M2 macrophages to lower immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. Collectively, our data suggest that the efficacy of scL-RB94 against NSCLC is due to an induction of tumor cell death as well as enhancement of innate anti-tumor immunity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomedicine Progress in Tumor Treatment)
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31 pages, 14761 KiB  
Article
Biological Response of Human Cancer Cells to Ionizing Radiation in Combination with Gold Nanoparticles
by Ioanna Tremi, Sophia Havaki, Sofia Georgitsopoulou, Georgia Terzoudi, Ioannis N. Lykakis, George Iliakis, Vasilios Georgakilas, Vassilis G. Gorgoulis and Alexandros G. Georgakilas
Cancers 2022, 14(20), 5086; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cancers14205086 - 17 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2404
Abstract
In the context of improving radiation therapy, high-atomic number (Z) metallic nanoparticles and, more importantly, gold-based nanostructures are developed as radiation enhancers/radiosensitizers. Due to the diversity of cell lines, nanoparticles, as well as radiation types or doses, the resulting biological effects may differ [...] Read more.
In the context of improving radiation therapy, high-atomic number (Z) metallic nanoparticles and, more importantly, gold-based nanostructures are developed as radiation enhancers/radiosensitizers. Due to the diversity of cell lines, nanoparticles, as well as radiation types or doses, the resulting biological effects may differ and remain obscure. In this multiparameter study, we aim to shed light on these effects and investigate them further by employing X-irradiation and three human cancer cell lines (PC3, A549, and U2OS cells) treated by multiple techniques. TEM experiments on PC3 cells showed that citrate-capped AuNPs were found to be located mostly in membranous structures/vesicles or autophagosomes, but also, in the case of PEG-capped AuNPs, inside the nucleus as well. The colony-forming capability of cancer cells radiosensitized by AuNPs decreased significantly and the DNA damage detected by cytogenetics, γH2AX immunostaining, and by single (γH2AX) or double (γH2AX and OGG1) immunolocalization via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was in many cases higher and/or persistent after combination with AuNPs than upon individual exposure to ionizing radiation (IR). Moreover, different cell cycle distribution was evident in PC3 but not A549 cells after treatment with AuNPs and/or irradiation. Finally, cellular senescence was investigated by using a newly established staining procedure for lipofuscin, based on a Sudan Black-B analogue (GL13) which showed that based on the AuNPs’ concentration, an increased number of senescent cells might be observed after exposure to IR. Even though different cell lines or different types and concentrations of AuNPs may alter the levels of radiosensitization, our results imply that the complexity of damage might also be an important factor of AuNP-induced radiosensitization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomedicine Progress in Tumor Treatment)
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18 pages, 3612 KiB  
Article
Cholesterol-Inulin Conjugates for Efficient SN38 Nuclear Delivery: Nanomedicines for Precision Cancer Therapy
by Nicolò Mauro, Mara Andrea Utzeri, Roberta Cillari, Cinzia Scialabba, Gaetano Giammona and Gennara Cavallaro
Cancers 2022, 14(19), 4857; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cancers14194857 - 04 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1874
Abstract
An amphiphilic inulin-thiocholesterol conjugate (INU-Cys-TC) was strategically designed as a biodegradable core-shell nanocarrier of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN38) to enhance its solubility and stability in aqueous media, thus exploiting its brilliant anticancer effect. INU-Cys-TC was designed to have the hydrophilic inulin backbone (external shell) partially [...] Read more.
An amphiphilic inulin-thiocholesterol conjugate (INU-Cys-TC) was strategically designed as a biodegradable core-shell nanocarrier of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN38) to enhance its solubility and stability in aqueous media, thus exploiting its brilliant anticancer effect. INU-Cys-TC was designed to have the hydrophilic inulin backbone (external shell) partially functionalized with hydrophobic thiocholesterol moieties (internal core) through a biodegradable disulfide bond due to cysteamine bridges. Thiocholesterol moieties impair redox-sensitive self-assembling abilities, yielding to nano-sized micelles in aqueous media capable of efficiently encapsulating a high amount of SN38 (DL = 8.1%). Micelles (INU-Cys-TC@SN38) were widely characterized, demonstrating an effective and stable delivery strategy to overcome the poor water-solubility of SN38. SN38-loaded micelles showed a gradual and prolonged release of SN38 over time, and a cell- and time-dependent cytotoxicity. In particular, we show that micelles efficiently deliver SN38 inside cell nuclei, and, compared to normal cell lines, they can also enter cancer cells by endo-lysosomes, where a complete degradation can occur releasing the drug payload. Overall, the proposed micelles appear potentially effective as nanomedicines for precision cancer therapies of colorectal and breast cancer, thus improving the SN38 therapeutic index and extending its use in a huge plethora of cancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomedicine Progress in Tumor Treatment)
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19 pages, 36173 KiB  
Article
Blood Plasma Stabilized Gold Nanoclusters for Personalized Tumor Theranostics
by Greta Jarockyte, Vilius Poderys, Virginijus Barzda, Vitalijus Karabanovas and Ricardas Rotomskis
Cancers 2022, 14(8), 1887; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cancers14081887 - 08 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1928
Abstract
Personalized cancer theranostics has a potential to increase efficiency of early cancer diagnostics and treatment, and to reduce negative side-effects. Protein-stabilized gold nanoclusters may serve as theranostic agents. To make gold nanoclusters personalized and highly biocompatible, the clusters were stabilized with human plasma [...] Read more.
Personalized cancer theranostics has a potential to increase efficiency of early cancer diagnostics and treatment, and to reduce negative side-effects. Protein-stabilized gold nanoclusters may serve as theranostic agents. To make gold nanoclusters personalized and highly biocompatible, the clusters were stabilized with human plasma proteins. Optical properties of synthesized nanoclusters were investigated spectroscopically, and possible biomedical application was evaluated using standard cell biology methods. The spectroscopic investigations of human plasma proteins stabilized gold nanoclusters revealed that a wide photoluminescence band in the optical tissue window is suitable for cancer diagnostics. High-capacity generation of singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species was also observed. Furthermore, the cluster accumulation in cancer cells and the photodynamic effect were evaluated. The results demonstrate that plasma proteins stabilized gold nanoclusters that accumulate in breast cancer cells and are non-toxic in the dark, while appear phototoxic under irradiation with visible light. The results positively confirm the utility of plasma protein stabilized gold nanoclusters for the use in cancer diagnostics and treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomedicine Progress in Tumor Treatment)
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Review

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14 pages, 1043 KiB  
Review
Extracellular Vesicles: A Novel Tool in Nanomedicine and Cancer Treatment
by Aikaterini Stavrou and Angelica Ortiz
Cancers 2022, 14(18), 4450; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14184450 - 14 Sep 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2216
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles are membrane-bound vesicles released by cells to mediate intercellular communication and homeostasis. Various external stimuli as well as inherent abnormalities result in alterations in the extracellular vesicle milieu. Changes to cells result in alterations in the content of the extracellular vesicle [...] Read more.
Extracellular vesicles are membrane-bound vesicles released by cells to mediate intercellular communication and homeostasis. Various external stimuli as well as inherent abnormalities result in alterations in the extracellular vesicle milieu. Changes to cells result in alterations in the content of the extracellular vesicle biogenesis, which may affect proximal and distal cells encountering these altered extracellular vesicles. Therefore, the examination of changes in the extracellular vesicle signature can be used to follow disease progression, reveal possible targets to improve therapy, as well as to serve as mediators of therapy. Furthermore, recent studies have developed methods to alter the cargo of extracellular vesicles to restore normal function or deliver therapeutic agents. This review will examine how extracellular vesicles from cancer cells differ from normal cells, how these altered extracellular vesicles can contribute to cancer progression, and how extracellular vesicles can be used as a therapeutic agent to target cancer cells and cancer-associated stroma. Here we present extracellular vesicles as a novel tool in nanomedicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomedicine Progress in Tumor Treatment)
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