Nanomedicine

About: Nanomedicine is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 4287 publications have been published within this topic receiving 200647 citations.

Multifunctionalized iron oxide nanoparticles for selective drug delivery to CD44-positive cancer cells

Abstract: Nanomedicine nowadays offers novel solutions in cancer therapy and diagnosis by introducing multimodal treatments and imaging tools in one single formulation. Nanoparticles acting as nanocarriers change the solubility, biodistribution and efficiency of therapeutic molecules, reducing their side effects. In order to successfully apply these novel therapeutic approaches, efforts are focused on the biological functionalization of the nanoparticles to improve the selectivity towards cancer cells. In this work, we present the synthesis and characterization of novel multifunctionalized iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with antiCD44 antibody and gemcitabine derivatives, and their application for the selective treatment of CD44-positive cancer cells. The lymphocyte homing receptor CD44 is overexpressed in a large variety of cancer cells, but also in cancer stem cells (CSCs) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Therefore, targeting CD44-overexpressing cells is a challenging and promising anticancer strategy. Firstly, we demonstrate the targeting of antiCD44 functionalized MNPs to different CD44-positive cancer cell lines using a CD44-negative non-tumorigenic cell line as a control, and verify the specificity by ultrastructural characterization and downregulation of CD44 expression. Finally, we show the selective drug delivery potential of the MNPs by the killing of CD44-positive cancer cells using a CD44-negative non-tumorigenic cell line as a control. In conclusion, the proposed multifunctionalized MNPs represent an excellent biocompatible nanoplatform for selective CD44-positive cancer therapy in vitro.

Novel DNA materials and their applications

Abstract: The last two decades have witnessed the exponential development of DNA as a generic material instead of just a genetic material The biological function, nanoscale geometry, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and molecular recognition capacity of DNA make it a promising candidate for the construction of novel functional nanomaterials As a result, DNA has been recognized as one of the most appealing and versatile nanomaterial building blocks Scientists have used DNA in this way to construct various amazing nanostructures, such as ordered lattices, origami, supramolecular assemblies, and even three-dimensional objects In addition, DNA has been utilized as a guide and template to direct the assembly of other nanomaterials including nanowires, free-standing membranes, and crystals Furthermore, DNA can also be used as structural components to construct bulk materials such as DNA hydrogels, demonstrating its ability to behave as a unique polymer Overall, these novel DNA materials have found applications in various areas in the biomedical field in general, and nanomedicine in particular In this review, we summarize the development of DNA assemblies, describe the innovative progress of multifunctional and bulk DNA materials, and highlight some real-world nanomedical applications of these DNA materials We also show our insights throughout this article for the future direction of DNA materials

Precision Cancer Theranostic Platform by In Situ Polymerization in Perylene Diimide-Hybridized Hollow Mesoporous Organosilica Nanoparticles.

Abstract: Phototheranostics refers to advanced photonics-mediated theranostic methods for cancer and includes imaging-guided photothermal/chemotherapy, photothermal/photodynamic therapy, and photodynamic/chemotherapy, which are expected to provide a paradigm of modern precision medicine. In this regard, various phototheranostic drug delivery systems with excellent photonic performance, controlled drug delivery/release, and precise photoimaging guidance have been developed. In this study, we reported a special "in situ framework growth" method to synthesize novel phototheranostic hollow mesoporous nanoparticles by ingenious hybridization of perylene diimide (PDI) within the framework of small-sized hollow mesoporous organosilica (HMO). The marriage of PDI and HMO endowed the phototheranostic silica nanoparticles (HMPDINs) with largely amplified fluorescence and photoacoustic signals, which can be used for enhanced fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging. The organosilica shell can be chemically chelated with isotope 64Cu for positron emission tomography imaging. Moreover, in situ polymer growth was introduced in the hollow structure of the HMPDINs to produce thermosensitive polymer (TP) in the cavity of HMPDINs to increase the loading capacity and prevent unexpected leakage of the hydrophobic drug SN38. Furthermore, the framework-hybridized PDI generated heat under near-infrared laser irradiation to trigger the deformation of TP for controlled drug release in the tumor region. The fabricated hybrid nanomedicine with organic-inorganic characteristic not only increases the cancer theranostic efficacy but also offers an attractive solution for designing powerful theranostic platforms.

Nanomedicine 2.0

Abstract: Nanotechnology can profoundly change the way we diagnose and treat diseases, but the ability to control how engineered nanoparticles behave within the body remains largely elusive. This Commentary describes the progress and limitations of nanomedicine and the research and experimental philosophies that should be considered in our quest to advance nanotechnology to the clinic.