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Biomedicines
Special Issues
Feature Reviews in Anticancer Drug Delivery Systems
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Feature Reviews in Anticancer Drug Delivery Systems

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Discovery, Development and Delivery".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 20787

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elisabete M. S. Castanheira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: drug delivery systems; magnetic and plasmonic nanoparticles; (magneto)liposomes; bionanomaterials; combined cancer therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sérgio R. S. Veloso

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: drug delivery systems; biomaterials; nanomaterials; colloids and interfaces; nanomedicine; nanosystems for theranostics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Drug delivery systems (DDSs) have provided several advancements in improving cancer therapeutic strategies. Nowadays, DDSs are widely used to improve and overcome the limitations of several drugs arising from their pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles, as well as their side effects and toxicity. Together with the development of novel materials in the nanoscale range, the field of DDSs has progressed towards theranostic platforms that provide multifunctional and multimodal strategies for improving cancer therapy.

This Special Issue aims to attract the academic and scientific communities within the DDSs field to contribute with reviews on significant and recent advances in cancer therapy. Hence, we hope this special issue will provide a collection of review articles that discuss the current state-of-the-art, providing the required pillar for future developments in cancer therapy.  

We look forward to receiving your contributions

Dr. Elisabete M. S. Castanheira
Dr. Sérgio R. S. Veloso
Guest Editors

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. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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

  • nanomaterials
  • nanomedicine
  • drug delivery
  • cancer therapy
  • theranostics

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Review

36 pages, 10309 KiB  
Review
Aptamer-Based Smart Targeting and Spatial Trigger–Response Drug-Delivery Systems for Anticancer Therapy
by Dongsik Park, Su Jin Lee and Jee-Woong Park
Biomedicines 2024, 12(1), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12010187 - 15 Jan 2024
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2505
Abstract
In recent years, the field of drug delivery has witnessed remarkable progress, driven by the quest for more effective and precise therapeutic interventions. Among the myriad strategies employed, the integration of aptamers as targeting moieties and stimuli-responsive systems has emerged as a promising [...] Read more.
In recent years, the field of drug delivery has witnessed remarkable progress, driven by the quest for more effective and precise therapeutic interventions. Among the myriad strategies employed, the integration of aptamers as targeting moieties and stimuli-responsive systems has emerged as a promising avenue, particularly in the context of anticancer therapy. This review explores cutting-edge advancements in targeted drug-delivery systems, focusing on the integration of aptamers and stimuli-responsive platforms for enhanced spatial anticancer therapy. In the aptamer-based drug-delivery systems, we delve into the versatile applications of aptamers, examining their conjugation with gold, silica, and carbon materials. The synergistic interplay between aptamers and these materials is discussed, emphasizing their potential in achieving precise and targeted drug delivery. Additionally, we explore stimuli-responsive drug-delivery systems with an emphasis on spatial anticancer therapy. Tumor microenvironment-responsive nanoparticles are elucidated, and their capacity to exploit the dynamic conditions within cancerous tissues for controlled drug release is detailed. External stimuli-responsive strategies, including ultrasound-mediated, photo-responsive, and magnetic-guided drug-delivery systems, are examined for their role in achieving synergistic anticancer effects. This review integrates diverse approaches in the quest for precision medicine, showcasing the potential of aptamers and stimuli-responsive systems to revolutionize drug-delivery strategies for enhanced anticancer therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Reviews in Anticancer Drug Delivery Systems)
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28 pages, 407 KiB  
Review
Overcoming Chemotherapy Resistance in Metastatic Cancer: A Comprehensive Review
by Maryam Eslami, Omid Memarsadeghi, Ali Davarpanah, Afshin Arti, Karim Nayernia and Babak Behnam
Biomedicines 2024, 12(1), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12010183 - 15 Jan 2024
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5469
Abstract
The management of metastatic cancer is complicated by chemotherapy resistance. This manuscript provides a comprehensive academic review of strategies to overcome chemotherapy resistance in metastatic cancer. The manuscript presents background information on chemotherapy resistance in metastatic cancer cells, highlighting its clinical significance and [...] Read more.
The management of metastatic cancer is complicated by chemotherapy resistance. This manuscript provides a comprehensive academic review of strategies to overcome chemotherapy resistance in metastatic cancer. The manuscript presents background information on chemotherapy resistance in metastatic cancer cells, highlighting its clinical significance and the current challenges associated with using chemotherapy to treat metastatic cancer. The manuscript delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying chemotherapy resistance in subsequent sections. It discusses the genetic alterations, mutations, and epigenetic modifications that contribute to the development of resistance. Additionally, the role of altered drug metabolism and efflux mechanisms, as well as the activation of survival pathways and evasion of cell death, are explored in detail. The strategies to overcome chemotherapy resistance are thoroughly examined, covering various approaches that have shown promise. These include combination therapy approaches, targeted therapies, immunotherapeutic strategies, and the repurposing of existing drugs. Each strategy is discussed in terms of its rationale and potential effectiveness. Strategies for early detection and monitoring of chemotherapy drug resistance, rational drug design vis-a-vis personalized medicine approaches, the role of predictive biomarkers in guiding treatment decisions, and the importance of lifestyle modifications and supportive therapies in improving treatment outcomes are discussed. Lastly, the manuscript outlines the clinical implications of the discussed strategies. It provides insights into ongoing clinical trials and emerging therapies that address chemotherapy resistance in metastatic cancer cells. The manuscript also explores the challenges and opportunities in translating laboratory findings into clinical practice and identifies potential future directions and novel therapeutic avenues. This comprehensive review provides a detailed analysis of strategies to overcome chemotherapy resistance in metastatic cancer. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance and presents a range of approaches for addressing this critical issue in treating metastatic cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Reviews in Anticancer Drug Delivery Systems)
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Graphical abstract

19 pages, 1314 KiB  
Review
Overview of Ursolic Acid Potential for the Treatment of Metabolic Disorders, Autoimmune Diseases, and Cancers via Nuclear Receptor Pathways
by Sultan F. Kadasah and Mohamed O. Radwan
Biomedicines 2023, 11(10), 2845; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11102845 - 19 Oct 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3403
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) form a family of druggable transcription factors that are regulated by ligand binding to orchestrate multifaceted physiological functions, including reproduction, immunity, metabolism, and growth. NRs represent attractive and valid targets for the management and treatment of a vast array of [...] Read more.
Nuclear receptors (NRs) form a family of druggable transcription factors that are regulated by ligand binding to orchestrate multifaceted physiological functions, including reproduction, immunity, metabolism, and growth. NRs represent attractive and valid targets for the management and treatment of a vast array of ailments. Pentacyclic triterpenes (PTs) are ubiquitously distributed natural products in medicinal and aromatic plants, of which ursolic acid (UA) is an extensively studied member, due to its diverse bio-pertinent activities against different cancers, inflammation, aging, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and liver injury. In fact, PTs share a common lipophilic structure that resembles NRs’ endogenous ligands. Herein, we present a review of the literature on UA’s effect on NRs, showcasing the resulting health benefits and potential therapeutic outcomes. De facto, UA exhibited numerous pharmacodynamic effects on PPAR, LXR, FXR, and PXR, resulting in remarkable anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, and hepatoprotective properties, by lowering lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and mitigating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its subsequent liver fibrosis. Furthermore, UA reversed valproate and rifampicin-induced hepatic lipid accumulation. Additionally, UA showed great promise for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis and autoimmune arthritis by antagonizing RORγ. UA exhibited antiproliferative effects against skin, prostate, and breast cancers, partially via PPARα and RORγ pathways. Herein, for the first time, we explore and provide insights into UA bioactivity with respect to NR modulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Reviews in Anticancer Drug Delivery Systems)
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17 pages, 1060 KiB  
Review
Crossroad between the Heat Shock Protein and Inflammation Pathway in Acquiring Drug Resistance: A Possible Target for Future Cancer Therapeutics
by Prathap Somu, Nagaraj Basavegowda, Levin Anbu Gomez, Hulikunte Veeranna Jayaprakash, Gangadahosahalli Krishnegowda Puneetha, Akhilesh Kumar Yadav, Subhankar Paul and Kwang-Hyun Baek
Biomedicines 2023, 11(10), 2639; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11102639 - 26 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1764
Abstract
The development of multidrug resistance (MDR) against chemotherapeutic agents has become a major impediment in cancer therapy. Understanding the underlying mechanism behind MDR can guide future treatment for cancer with better therapeutic outcomes. Recent studies evidenced that crossroads interaction between the heat shock [...] Read more.
The development of multidrug resistance (MDR) against chemotherapeutic agents has become a major impediment in cancer therapy. Understanding the underlying mechanism behind MDR can guide future treatment for cancer with better therapeutic outcomes. Recent studies evidenced that crossroads interaction between the heat shock proteins (HSP) and inflammatory responses under the tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in modulating drug responsiveness and drug resistance through a complex cytological process. This review aims to investigate the interrelationship between inflammation and HSP in acquiring multiple drug resistance and investigate strategies to overcome the drug resistance to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment. HSP plays a dual regulatory effect as an immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory agent, involving the simultaneous blockade of multiple signaling pathways in acquiring MDR. For example, HSP27 shows biological effects on monocytes by causing IL10 and TNFα secretion and blocking monocyte differentiation to normal dendritic cells and tumor-associated macrophages to promote cancer progression and chemoresistance. Thus, the HSP function and immune-checkpoint release modalities provide a therapeutic target for a therapeutically beneficial approach for enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. The interconnection between inflammation and HSP, along with the tumor microenvironment in acquiring drug resistance, has become crucial for rationalizing the effect of HSP immunomodulatory activity with immune checkpoint blockade. This relationship can overcome drug resistance and assist in the development of novel combinatorial cancer immunotherapy in fighting cancer with decreasing mortality rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Reviews in Anticancer Drug Delivery Systems)
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13 pages, 1071 KiB  
Review
SGLT2 Inhibitors as Potential Anticancer Agents
by Debasish Basak, David Gamez and Subrata Deb
Biomedicines 2023, 11(7), 1867; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11071867 - 30 Jun 2023
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 7017
Abstract
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) serves as a critical glucose transporter that has been reported to be overexpressed in cancer models, followed by increased glucose uptake in both mice and humans. Inhibition of its expression can robustly thwart tumor development in vitro and in [...] Read more.
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) serves as a critical glucose transporter that has been reported to be overexpressed in cancer models, followed by increased glucose uptake in both mice and humans. Inhibition of its expression can robustly thwart tumor development in vitro and in vivo. SGLT2 inhibitors are a comparatively new class of antidiabetic drugs that have demonstrated anticancer effects in several malignancies, including breast, liver, pancreatic, thyroid, prostate, and lung cancers. This review aims to assess the extent of SGLT involvement in different cancer cell lines and discuss the pharmacology, mechanisms of action, and potential applications of SGLT2 inhibitors to reduce tumorigenesis and its progression. Although these agents display a common mechanism of action, they exhibit distinct affinity towards the SGLT type 2 transporter compared to the SGLT type 1 transporter and varying extents of bioavailability and half-lives. While suppression of glucose uptake has been attributed to their primary mode of antidiabetic action, SGLT2 inhibitors have demonstrated several mechanistic ways to combat cancer, including mitochondrial membrane instability, suppression of β-catenin, and PI3K-Akt pathways, increase in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation. Growing evidence and ongoing clinical trials suggest a potential benefit of combination therapy using an SGLT2 inhibitor with the standard chemotherapeutic regimen. Nevertheless, further experimental and clinical evidence is required to characterize the expression and role of SGLTs in different cancer types, the activity of different SGLT subtypes, and their role in tumor development and progression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Reviews in Anticancer Drug Delivery Systems)
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