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Nanoparticles for Tumor Imaging and Therapy
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Nanoparticles for Tumor Imaging and Therapy

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2022) | Viewed by 22702

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Paola Manini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, Via Cupa Nuova Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy
Interests: organic synthesis; natural compounds; functional materials; nanoparticles; luminescent compounds; NMR spectroscopy; mass spectrometry; UV-visible and fluorescent spectroscopy; thin film processing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In this century, nanoparticles (NPs) have been given a great amount of attention by biomedical researchers. NPs can disperse hydrophobic drugs stably in aqueous conditions without aggregation. Importantly, their physicochemical properties, including size and surface charge, can easily be modified by adjusting the component molecules or fabrication method. NPs can delay the early release of drugs in order to allow sufficient time for therapeutic action.

In terms of tumor-targeting, NPs utilize two basic strategies comprising either passive or active targeting. Passive targeting is based on physicochemical properties. Specifically, when NPs are injected intravenously, they generally circulate longer in the blood stream compared to free drugs. In angiogenic tissues such as tumors, NPs penetrate the fenestrated structure of blood vessels more at the disease site, which in turn leads to significant accumulation of the drug, which is aided in part by slow lymphatic drainage. On the other hand, active targeting relies on a biological interaction between ligands on the surface of NPs and the cell target, which further increase specificity.

Considering these advantages of NPs as carriers, this Special Issue will explore the biomedical application of NPs based on polymers and targeted to tumors.

Prof. Dr. Paola Manini
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nanoparticle
  • nanomedicine
  • polymer
  • drug delivery
  • imaging
  • chemotherapy
  • tumor-targeting
  • self-assembly
  • tumor therapy
  • photodynamic therapy

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1700 KiB  
Article
Fluorescent Phase-Changing Perfluorocarbon Nanodroplets as Activatable Near-Infrared Probes
by Catalina-Paula Spatarelu, Austin Van Namen, Sidhartha Jandhyala and Geoffrey P. Luke
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(13), 7312; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23137312 - 30 Jun 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2068
Abstract
The sensitivity of fluorescence imaging is limited by the high optical scattering of tissue. One approach to improve sensitivity to small signals is to use a contrast agent with a signal that can be externally modulated. In this work, we present a new [...] Read more.
The sensitivity of fluorescence imaging is limited by the high optical scattering of tissue. One approach to improve sensitivity to small signals is to use a contrast agent with a signal that can be externally modulated. In this work, we present a new phase-changing perfluorocarbon nanodroplet contrast agent loaded with DiR dye. The nanodroplets undergo a liquid-to-gas phase transition when exposed to an externally applied laser pulse. This results in the unquenching of the encapsulated dye, thus increasing the fluorescent signal, a phenomenon that can be characterized by an ON/OFF ratio between the fluorescence of activated and nonactivated nanodroplets, respectively. We investigate and optimize the quenching/unquenching of DiR upon nanodroplets’ vaporization in suspension, tissue-mimicking phantoms and a subcutaneous injection mouse model. We also demonstrate that the vaporized nanodroplets produce ultrasound contrast, enabling multimodal imaging. This work shows that these nanodroplets could be applied to imaging applications where high sensitivity is required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles for Tumor Imaging and Therapy)
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13 pages, 3800 KiB  
Article
Nano–Liposomes Double Loaded with Curcumin and Tetrandrine: Preparation, Characterization, Hepatotoxicity and Anti–Tumor Effects
by Jia-Wen Song, Yu-Shi Liu, Yu-Rou Guo, Wen-Xiao Zhong, Yi-Ping Guo and Li Guo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(12), 6858; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126858 - 20 Jun 2022
Cited by 46 | Viewed by 4296
Abstract
(1) Background: Curcumin (CUR) and tetrandrine (TET) are natural compounds with various bioactivities, but have problems with low solubility, stability, and absorption rate, resulting in low bioavailability, and limited applications in food, medicine, and other fields. It is very important to improve the [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Curcumin (CUR) and tetrandrine (TET) are natural compounds with various bioactivities, but have problems with low solubility, stability, and absorption rate, resulting in low bioavailability, and limited applications in food, medicine, and other fields. It is very important to improve the solubility while maintaining the high activity of drugs. Liposomes are micro–vesicles synthesized from cholesterol and lecithin. With high biocompatibility and biodegradability, liposomes can significantly improve drug solubility, efficacy, and bioavailability. (2) Methods: In this work, CUR and TET were encapsulated with nano–liposomes and g DSPE–MPEG 2000 (DP)was added as a stabilizer to achieve better physicochemical properties, biosafety, and anti–tumor effects. (3) Results: The nano–liposome (CT–DP–Lip) showed stable particle size (under 100 nm) under different conditions, high solubility, drug encapsulation efficiency (EE), loading capacity (LC), release rate in vitro, and stability. In addition, in vivo studies demonstrated CT–DP–Lip had no significant toxicity on zebrafish. Tumor cytotoxicity test showed that CT–DP–Lip had a strong inhibitory effect on a variety of cancer cells. (4) Conclusions: This work showed that nano–liposomes can significantly improve the physical and chemical properties of CUR and TET and make them safer and more efficient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles for Tumor Imaging and Therapy)
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10 pages, 4157 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Effect of Repolarization of M2 to M1 Macrophages Induced by Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Combined with Lactate Oxidase
by Zi-Xian Liao, Da-Liang Ou, Ming-Jung Hsieh and Chia-Chen Hsieh
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(24), 13346; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222413346 - 12 Dec 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3836
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming of tumors with the accompanying reprogramming of glucose metabolism and production of lactate accumulation is required for the subsequent development of tumors. Recent evidence has indicated that tumor-secreted lactate can promote an oncolytic immune microenvironment within the tumor. Furthermore, tumor-secreted lactate [...] Read more.
Metabolic reprogramming of tumors with the accompanying reprogramming of glucose metabolism and production of lactate accumulation is required for the subsequent development of tumors. Recent evidence has indicated that tumor-secreted lactate can promote an oncolytic immune microenvironment within the tumor. Furthermore, tumor-secreted lactate directly induces polarization of tumor-supportive M2 macrophages. However, oxidized tumor-secreted lactate in the tumor microenvironment can be exploited. Iron oxide nanoparticles have shown promising anticancer potential by activating tumor-suppressing macrophages. Furthermore, lactate oxidase (LOX) generally oxidizes tumor-secreted lactate and subsequently converts to pyruvate. Particularly, the ratio of M2 macrophages to M1 macrophages corresponds with tumor growth. In this study, we present iron oxide nanoparticles with carboxylic acid combined with LOX that enhance antitumor efficacy as a synergistic effect on the repolarization of tumor-supportive M2 macrophages to tumor-suppressive M1 macrophages in a tumor microenvironment. After M2 macrophages treated with iron oxide nanoparticles were combined with LOX, the ratio of M1 macrophages was significantly greater than iron oxide nanoparticles alone or with LOX alone. It is concluded that the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation by ratio of M1 macrophages was observed. This study suggests that the iron oxide nanoparticles combined with LOX could be potentially used for potentiating immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies for cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles for Tumor Imaging and Therapy)
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13 pages, 2907 KiB  
Communication
X-ray Fluorescence Uptake Measurement of Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles in Tumor Cell Microsamples
by Oliver Schmutzler, Sebastian Graf, Nils Behm, Wael Y. Mansour, Florian Blumendorf, Theresa Staufer, Christian Körnig, Dina Salah, Yanan Kang, Jan N. Peters, Yang Liu, Neus Feliu, Wolfgang J. Parak, Anja Burkhardt, Elisabetta Gargioni, Sabrina Gennis, Sharah Chandralingam, Finn Höeg, Wolfgang Maison, Kai Rothkamm, Florian Schulz and Florian Grüneradd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(7), 3691; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22073691 - 1 Apr 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3541
Abstract
Quantitative cellular in vitro nanoparticle uptake measurements are possible with a large number of different techniques, however, all have their respective restrictions. Here, we demonstrate the application of synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence imaging (XFI) on prostate tumor cells, which have internalized differently functionalized gold [...] Read more.
Quantitative cellular in vitro nanoparticle uptake measurements are possible with a large number of different techniques, however, all have their respective restrictions. Here, we demonstrate the application of synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence imaging (XFI) on prostate tumor cells, which have internalized differently functionalized gold nanoparticles. Total nanoparticle uptake on the order of a few hundred picograms could be conveniently observed with microsamples consisting of only a few hundreds of cells. A comparison with mass spectroscopy quantification is provided, experimental results are both supported and sensitivity limits of this XFI approach extrapolated by Monte-Carlo simulations, yielding a minimum detectable nanoparticle mass of just 5 pg. This study demonstrates the high sensitivity level of XFI, allowing non-destructive uptake measurements with very small microsamples within just seconds of irradiation time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles for Tumor Imaging and Therapy)
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Review

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19 pages, 2046 KiB  
Review
Gold Nanoparticles Contact with Cancer Cell: A Brief Update
by Nora Bloise, Silvia Strada, Giacomo Dacarro and Livia Visai
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(14), 7683; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23147683 - 12 Jul 2022
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4624
Abstract
The fine-tuning of the physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles has facilitated the rapid development of multifunctional gold-based nanomaterials with diagnostic, therapeutic, and therapeutic applications. Work on gold nanoparticles is increasingly focusing on their cancer application. This review provides a summary of the main [...] Read more.
The fine-tuning of the physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles has facilitated the rapid development of multifunctional gold-based nanomaterials with diagnostic, therapeutic, and therapeutic applications. Work on gold nanoparticles is increasingly focusing on their cancer application. This review provides a summary of the main biological effects exerted by gold nanoparticles on cancer cells and highlights some critical factors involved in the interaction process (protein corona, tumor microenvironment, surface functionalization). The review also contains a brief discussion of the application of gold nanoparticles in target discovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles for Tumor Imaging and Therapy)
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18 pages, 3450 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Nanoparticle-Mediated Diagnosis and the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer
by Andreea Nedelcu, Teodora Mocan, Cristiana Grapa and Lucian Mocan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(15), 8060; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22158060 - 28 Jul 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3251
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC), one of the most lethal solid tumors in humans, has a five-year survival rate of only 4%. Surgical treatment is the only accepted therapy with curative intent because the vast majority of these tumors are chemoresistant. Unfortunately, due to the [...] Read more.
Pancreatic cancer (PC), one of the most lethal solid tumors in humans, has a five-year survival rate of only 4%. Surgical treatment is the only accepted therapy with curative intent because the vast majority of these tumors are chemoresistant. Unfortunately, due to the aggressive nature of these tumors, fewer than 20% are resectable when the first symptoms occur. Novel therapies are required to overcome all these therapeutic issues, and the development of active nanocarriers represents an exciting opportunity to improve PC outcomes. The present review focuses on recent advances in the field of nanotechnology with application in PC treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles for Tumor Imaging and Therapy)
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