Furong Qin

Bio: Furong Qin is an academic researcher from Sichuan University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Targeted drug delivery & Tumor microenvironment. The author has co-authored 1 publications.

Nanoparticles targeting tumor-associated macrophages: A novel anti-tumor therapy

Abstract: The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial in the occurrence of tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Among all stromal cells, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are recognized as vital components causing the TME to be favorable for cancer cells and are also main targets in cancer immunotherapy. To date, nanoparticle (NP)-based drug delivery systems, as new technology platforms, have exhibited considerable advantages, such as targeted drug delivery at tumor sites, enhanced drug transport efficiency, and controllable drug release profiles, which provide new approaches for cancer therapy. Regarding TAM-targeting nanoparticles, various therapeutic strategies have been developed by varying their design, namely, by blocking TAM recruitment, promoting TAM transformation, and directly diminishing existing TAMs. In the current review, we provide a brief overview of the role of TAMs in the tumor microenvironment and their functions and highlight strategies for TAM targeting. Moreover, the applications of nanoparticles in targeting TAMs to improve cancer therapeutic efficiency are summarized.

Stimuli-responsive nanoassemblies for targeted delivery against tumor and its microenvironment.

Abstract: Despite the emergence of various cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, their use remains restricted owing to their limited tumor elimination efficacy and side effects. The use of nanoassemblies as delivery systems in nanomedicine for tumor diagnosis and therapy is flourishing. These nanoassemblies can be designed to have various shapes, sizes, and surface charges to meet the requirements of different applications. It is crucial for nanoassemblies to have enhanced delivery of payloads while inducing minimal to no toxicity to healthy tissues. In this review, stimuli-responsive nanoassemblies capable of combating the tumor microenvironment (TME) are discussed. First, various TME characteristics, such as hypoxia, oxidoreduction, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) elevation, and acidic TME, are described. Subsequently, the unique characteristics of the vascular and stromal TME are differentiated, and multiple barriers that have to be overcome are discussed. Furthermore, strategies to overcome these barriers for successful drug delivery to the targeted site are reviewed and summarized. In conclusion, the possible challenges and prospects of using these nanoassemblies for tumor-targeted delivery are discussed. This review aims at inspiring researchers to develop stimuli-responsive nanoassemblies for tumor-targeted delivery for clinical applications.

Mannose-Coated Reconstituted Lipoprotein Nanoparticles for the Targeting of Tumor-Associated Macrophages: Optimization, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation of Effectiveness

Abstract: Reconstituted high-density lipoprotein nanoparticles (rHDL NPs) have been utilized as delivery vehicles to a variety of targets, including cancer cells. However, the modification of rHDL NPs for the targeting of the pro-tumoral tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) remains largely unexplored. The presence of mannose on nanoparticles can facilitate the targeting of TAMs which highly express the mannose receptor at their surface. Here, we optimized and characterized mannose-coated rHDL NPs loaded with 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA), an immunomodulatory drug. Lipids, recombinant apolipoprotein A-I, DMXAA, and different amounts of DSPE-PEG-mannose (DPM) were combined to assemble rHDL-DPM-DMXAA NPs. The introduction of DPM in the nanoparticle assembly altered the particle size, zeta potential, elution pattern, and DMXAA entrapment efficiency of the rHDL NPs. Collectively, the changes in physicochemical characteristics of rHDL NPs upon the addition of the mannose moiety DPM indicated that the rHDL-DPM-DMXAA NPs were successfully assembled. The rHDL-DPM-DMXAA NPs induced an immunostimulatory phenotype in macrophages pre-exposed to cancer cell-conditioned media. Furthermore, rHDL-DPM NPs delivered their payload more readily to macrophages than cancer cells. Considering the effects of the rHDL-DPM-DMXAA NPs on macrophages, the rHDL-DPM NPs have the potential to serve as a drug delivery platform for the selective targeting of TAMs.