Nanomedicine

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

Targeted nanoparticle-based drug delivery and diagnosis

Abstract: Nanotechnology, or systems/device manufacture at sizes generally ranging between 1 and 100 nm, is a multidisciplinary scientific field undergoing explosive development. The genesis of nanotechnology can be traced to advances in medicine, communications, genomics and robotics. One of the greatest values of nanotechnology will be in the development of new and effective medical treatments (i.e. nanomedicine). This review focuses on the potential of nanomedicine as it relates to the development of nanoparticles for enabling and improving the targeted delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. We highlight the use of nanoparticles for specific intra-compartmental analysis using the examples of delivery to malignant cancers, to the central nervous system, and across the gastrointestinal barriers.

Nanoscale‐Coordination‐Polymer‐Shelled Manganese Dioxide Composite Nanoparticles: A Multistage Redox/pH/H2O2‐Responsive Cancer Theranostic Nanoplatform

Abstract: Nanoscale coordination polymers (NCPs) self-assembled from metal ions and organic bridging ligands exhibit many unique features promising for applications in nanomedicine. In this work, manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanoparticles stabilized by bovine serum albumin are encapsulated by NCP-shells constructed based on high-Z element hafnium (Hf) ions and c,c,t-(diamminedichlorodisuccinato)Pt(IV) (DSP), a cisplatin prodrug. After further modification with polyethylene glycol (PEG), the formed BM@NCP(DSP)-PEG can simultaneously serve as a radio-sensitizer owing to the strong X-ray attenuation capability of Hf to enhance radiotherapy, as well as a chemotherapeutic agent resulting from the reduction-induced release of cisplatin. Meanwhile, the in situ generated oxygen resulting from MnO2-triggered decomposition of tumor endogenous H2O2 will be greatly helpful for overcoming hypoxia-associated radio-resistance. Upon intravenous injection, BM@NCP(DSP)-PEG shows efficient tumor homing as well as rapid renal excretion, as illustrated by magnetic resonance imaging and confirmed by biodistribution measurement. Notably, an excellent in vivo tumor growth inhibition effect is observed with BM@NCP(DSP)-PEG nanoparticles after the combined chemoradiotherapy treatment. Therefore, the NCP-based composite nanoparticles with inherent biodegradability and no appreciable in vivo toxicity may be a unique type of multifunctional nanoplatform responsive to different parameters in the tumor microenvironment, promising for cancer theranostics with great efficacy.

Tumor Vasculature Targeted Photodynamic Therapy for Enhanced Delivery of Nanoparticles

Abstract: Delivery of nanoparticle drugs to tumors relies heavily on the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. While many consider the effect to be equally effective on all tumors, it varies drastically among the tumors’ origins, stages, and organs, owing much to differences in vessel leakiness. Suboptimal EPR effect represents a major problem in the translation of nanomedicine to the clinic. In the present study, we introduce a photodynamic therapy (PDT)-based EPR enhancement technology. The method uses RGD-modified ferritin (RFRT) as “smart” carriers that site-specifically deliver 1O2 to the tumor endothelium. The photodynamic stimulus can cause permeabilized tumor vessels that facilitate extravasation of nanoparticles at the sites. The method has proven to be safe, selective, and effective. Increased tumor uptake was observed with a wide range of nanoparticles by as much as 20.08-fold. It is expected that the methodology can find wide applications in the area of nanomedicine.