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Frontiers in Immunology 2023Nanotechnology-enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT) and immunotherapy are emerging as exciting cancer therapeutic methods with significant potential for improving patient... (Review)
Review
Nanotechnology-enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT) and immunotherapy are emerging as exciting cancer therapeutic methods with significant potential for improving patient outcomes. By combining these approaches, synergistic effects have been observed in preclinical studies, resulting in enhanced immune responses to cancer and the capacity to conquer the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Despite challenges such as addressing treatment limitations and developing personalized cancer treatment strategies, the integration of nanotechnology-enabled PDT and immunotherapy, along with advanced photosensitizers (PSs), represents an exciting new avenue in cancer treatment. Continued research, development, and collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and regulatory agencies are crucial for further advancements and the successful implementation of these promising therapies, ultimately benefiting cancer patients worldwide.
Topics: Humans; Photosensitizing Agents; Photochemotherapy; Neoplasms; Immunotherapy; Nanotechnology; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37860012
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1219785 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024The field of molecular cages has attracted increasing interest in relation to the development of biological applications, as evidenced by the remarkable examples... (Review)
Review
The field of molecular cages has attracted increasing interest in relation to the development of biological applications, as evidenced by the remarkable examples published in recent years. Two key factors have contributed to this achievement: First, the remarkable and adjustable host-guest chemical properties of molecular cages make them highly suitable for biological applications. This allows encapsulating therapeutic molecules to improve their properties. Second, significant advances have been made in synthetic methods to create water-soluble molecular cages. Achieving the necessary water solubility is a significant challenge, which in most cases requires specific chemical groups to overcome the inherent hydrophobic nature of the molecular cages which feature the organic components of the cage. This can be achieved by either incorporating water-solubilizing groups with negative/positive charges, polyethylene glycol chains, etc.; or by introducing charges directly into the cage structure itself. These synthetic strategies allow preparing water-soluble molecular cages for diverse biological applications, including cages' anticancer activity, anticancer drug delivery, photodynamic therapy, and molecular recognition of biological molecules. In the review we describe selected examples that show the main concepts to achieve water solubility in molecular cages and some selected recent biological applications.
Topics: Drug Delivery Systems; Photochemotherapy; Polyethylene Glycols; Water
PubMed: 38611902
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071621 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023Phototherapy has the advantages of being a highly targeted, less toxic, less invasive, and repeatable treatment, compared with conventional treatment methods such as... (Review)
Review
Phototherapy has the advantages of being a highly targeted, less toxic, less invasive, and repeatable treatment, compared with conventional treatment methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The preparation strategies are significant in order to determine the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles. However, choosing appropriate preparation strategies to meet applications is still challenging. This review summarizes the recent progress of preparation strategies in organic nanoparticles, mainly focusing on the principles, methods, and advantages of nanopreparation strategies. In addition, typical examples of cancer phototherapeutics are introduced in detail to inform the choice of appropriate preparation strategies. The relative future trend and outlook are preliminarily proposed.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Nanoparticles; Phototherapy
PubMed: 37630290
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28166038 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Aug 2023Our objective was to summarize, synthesize, and integrate the evidence evaluating the effectiveness of biophysical agents compared to other conservative treatments, for... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Our objective was to summarize, synthesize, and integrate the evidence evaluating the effectiveness of biophysical agents compared to other conservative treatments, for the management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
METHODS
This was an overview of systematic reviews (SRs). We searched several online databases and obtained SRs relating to managing CTS using biophysical agents. Two independent researchers screened and appraised the quality of the SRs using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews-2 appraisal tool. We extracted information related to study characteristics as well as the effectiveness of biophysical agents for CTS, the effect sizes, and between-group significances. We categorized the information based on the type of biophysical agent. We also performed a citation mapping and calculated the corrected covered area index.
RESULTS
We found 17 SRs addressing 12 different biophysical agents. The quality of the SRs was mainly critically low (n = 16) or low (n = 1). The evidence was inconclusive for the effectiveness of Low-level Laser therapy and favorable for the short-term efficacy of non-thermal ultrasound in improving symptom severity, function, pain, global rating of improvement, satisfaction with treatment, and other electrophysiological measures compared to manual therapy or placebo. Evidence was inconclusive for Extracorporeal Shockwave therapy, and favorable for the short-term effectiveness of Shortwave and Microwave Diathermy on pain and hand function. The corrected covered area index was lower than 35% indicating a low overlap of the SRs.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings were based on low-quality primary studies, with an unclear or high risk of bias, small sample sizes, and short follow-ups. Therefore, no recommendations can be made for the long-term effectiveness of any biophysical agents. High-quality evidence is needed to support evidence-based recommendations on the use of biophysical agents in the management of CTS.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022319002, registered on 17/04/2022.
Topics: Humans; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy; Low-Level Light Therapy; Pain Management; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 37563725
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06778-z -
Journal of Controlled Release :... Sep 2023Solid tumors are abnormal mass of tissue, which affects the organs based on its malignancy and leads to the dysfunction of the affected organs. The major problem...
Solid tumors are abnormal mass of tissue, which affects the organs based on its malignancy and leads to the dysfunction of the affected organs. The major problem associated with treatment of solid tumors is delivering anticancer therapeutics to the deepest layers/core of the solid tumor. Deposition of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) hinders the therapeutics to travel towards the core of the tumor. Therefore, conventional anticancer therapeutics can only reduce the tumor size and that also for a limited duration, and tumor recurrence occurs once the therapy is discontinued. Additionally, by the time the cancer is diagnosed, the cancer cells already started affecting the major organs of the body such as lung, liver, spleen, kidney, and brain, due to their ability to metastasize and lung is the primary site for them to be infiltrated. To facilitate the anticancer therapeutics to penetrate the deeper layers of tumor, and to provide concurrent treatment of both the solid tumor and metastasis, we have designed and developed a Bimodal Light Assisted Skin Tumor and Metastasis Treatment (BLAST), which is a combination of photothermal and chemotherapeutic moieties. The BLAST is composed of 2D boron nitride (BN) nanosheet with adsorbed molecules of BCL-2 inhibitor, Navitoclax (NAVI) on its surface, that can breakdown excessive ECM network and thereby facilitate dissociation of the solid tumor. The developed BLAST was evaluated for its ability to penetrate solid tumors using 3D spheroids for the uptake, cytotoxicity, growth inhibition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, penetration, and downregulation of proteins upon laser irradiation. The in vivo therapeutic studies on a skin cancer mice model revealed that the BLAST with and without laser were able to penetrate the solid tumor, reduce tumor volume in mice, dissociate the protein network, and prevent lung metastasis as confirmed by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Post analysis of serum and blood components revealed the safety and efficacy of BLAST in mice. Hence, the developed BLAST holds strong promise in solid tumor treatment and metastasis prevention simultaneously.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Phototherapy; Antineoplastic Agents; Lung Neoplasms; Light; Melanoma; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 37562554
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.08.005 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... May 2024Photoacoustic imaging (PAI)-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) in the second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) window has been attracting attention as a promising...
Photoacoustic imaging (PAI)-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) in the second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) window has been attracting attention as a promising cancer theranostic platform. Here, it is reported that the π-extended porphyrins fused with one or two nanographene units (NGP-1 and NGP-2) can serve as a new class of NIR-responsive organic agents, displaying absorption extending to ≈1000 and ≈1400 nm in the NIR-I and NIR-II windows, respectively. NGP-1 and NGP-2 are dispersed in water through encapsulation into self-assembled nanoparticles (NPs), achieving high photothermal conversion efficiency of 60% and 69%, respectively, under 808 and 1064 nm laser irradiation. Moreover, the NIR-II-active NGP-2-NPs demonstrated promising photoacoustic responses, along with high photostability and biocompatibility, enabling PAI and efficient NIR-II PTT of cancer in vivo.
Topics: Porphyrins; Theranostic Nanomedicine; Photoacoustic Techniques; Mice; Animals; Nanoparticles; Graphite; Humans; Infrared Rays; Disease Models, Animal; Photothermal Therapy; Cell Line, Tumor; Neoplasms; Phototherapy
PubMed: 38430537
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309131 -
Journal of Zhejiang University.... Sep 2023Over the past decade, dramatic progress has been made in dental research areas involving laser therapy. The photobiomodulatory effect of laser light regulates the... (Review)
Review
Over the past decade, dramatic progress has been made in dental research areas involving laser therapy. The photobiomodulatory effect of laser light regulates the behavior of periodontal tissues and promotes damaged tissues to heal faster. Additionally, photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), a non-invasive treatment, when applied in orthodontics, contributes to alleviating pain and reducing inflammation induced by orthodontic forces, along with improving tissue healing processes. Moreover, PBMT is attracting more attention as a possible approach to prevent the incidence of orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR) during orthodontic treatment (OT) due to its capacity to modulate inflammatory, apoptotic, and anti-antioxidant responses. However, a systematic review revealed that PBMT has only a moderate grade of evidence-based effectiveness during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in relation to OIIRR, casting doubt on its beneficial effects. In PBMT-assisted orthodontics, delivering sufficient energy to the tooth root to achieve optimal stimulation is challenging due to the exponential attenuation of light penetration in periodontal tissues. The penetration of light to the root surface is another crucial unknown factor. Both the penetration depth and distribution of light in periodontal tissues are unknown. Thus, advanced approaches specific to orthodontic application of PBMT need to be established to overcome these limitations. This review explores possibilities for improving the application and effectiveness of PBMT during OTM. The aim was to investigate the current evidence related to the underlying mechanisms of action of PBMT on various periodontal tissues and cells, with a special focus on immunomodulatory effects during OTM.
Topics: Humans; Inflammation; Low-Level Light Therapy; Orthodontics; Root Resorption; Tooth Movement Techniques
PubMed: 37961799
DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B2200706 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Diabetes is a global health concern characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from insulinopenia and/or insulin resistance. The rising prevalence of diabetes and... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Diabetes is a global health concern characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from insulinopenia and/or insulin resistance. The rising prevalence of diabetes and its associated complications (ulcers, periodontitis, healing of bone defect, neuropathy, retinopathy, cardiopathy and nephropathy) necessitate innovative therapeutic approaches. Photobiomodulation (PBM), involves exposing tissues and cells to low-energy light radiation, leading to biological effects, largely via mitochondrial activation.
METHODS
This review evaluates preclinical and clinical studies exploring the potential of PBM in diabetes and its complications, as well all clinical trials, both planned and completed, available on ClinicalTrials database.
RESULTS
This review highlights the variability in PBM parameters across studies, hindering consensus on optimal protocols. Standardization of treatment parameters and rigorous clinical trials are needed to unlock PBM's full therapeutic potential. 87 clinical trials were identified that investigated PBM in diabetes mellitus (with 5,837 patients planned to be treated with PBM). Clinical trials assessing PBM effects on diabetic neuropathy revealed pain reduction and potential quality of life improvement. Studies focusing on wound healing indicated encouraging results, with PBM enhancing angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen density. PBM's impact on diabetic retinopathy remains inconclusive however, requiring further investigation. In glycemic control, PBM exhibits positive effects on metabolic parameters, including glucose tolerance and insulin resistance.
CONCLUSION
Clinical studies have reported PBM-induced reductions in fasting and postprandial glycemia without an increased hypoglycemic risk. This impact of PBM may be related to its effects on the beta cells and islets in the pancreas. Notwithstanding challenges, PBM emerges as a promising adjunctive therapy for managing diabetic neuropathy, wound healing, and glycemic control. Further investigation into its impact on diabetic retinopathy and muscle recovery is warranted.
Topics: Humans; Diabetic Retinopathy; Low-Level Light Therapy; Diabetic Neuropathies; Insulin Resistance; Quality of Life; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 38567306
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1303638 -
PloS One 2023Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory, systemic and chronic disease that mainly affects the joints. It is characterized mainly by pain, edema and joint stiffness,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory, systemic and chronic disease that mainly affects the joints. It is characterized mainly by pain, edema and joint stiffness, which can lead to significant loss of functional capacity and quality of life. Several physical therapy resources are used in the treatment of AR, such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the efficacy of LLLT in AR is still controversial. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy in adults with RA. Methods and findings: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, PEDro, LILACS, IBECS, CUMED, SCIELO and ClinicalTrials.gov. Two researchers independently selected studies, extracted data, evaluated the risk of bias and assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADE approach. Disagreements were resolved by a third author. Meta-analyses were performed. Currently available evidence was from 18 RCTs, with a total of 793 participants. We found low-quality evidence suggesting there may be no difference between using infrared laser and sham in terms of pain, morning stiffness, grip strength, functional capacity, inflammation, ROM, disease activity and adverse events. The evidence is very uncertain about the effects of red laser compared to sham in pain, morning stiffness. The evidence is also very uncertain about the effects of laser acupuncture compared to placebo in functional capacity, quality of life, range of motion and inflammation. Conclusions: Thus, infrared laser may not be superior to sham in RA patients. There is insufficient information to support or refute the effectiveness of red laser, laser acupuncture and reflexology for treating patients with RA.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Low-Level Light Therapy; Quality of Life; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Inflammation; Pain; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37683021
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291345 -
Neurobiology of Disease Jul 2023Phototherapy is an emerging non-pharmacological treatment for depression, circadian rhythm disruptions, and neurodegeneration, as well as pain conditions including...
Phototherapy is an emerging non-pharmacological treatment for depression, circadian rhythm disruptions, and neurodegeneration, as well as pain conditions including migraine and fibromyalgia. However, the mechanism of phototherapy-induced antinociception is not well understood. Here, using fiber photometry recordings of population-level neural activity combined with chemogenetics, we found that phototherapy elicits antinociception via regulation of the ventral lateral geniculate body (vLGN) located in the visual system. Specifically, both green and red lights caused an increase of c-fos in vLGN, with red light increased more. In vLGN, green light causes a large increase in glutamatergic neurons, whereas red light causes a large increase in GABAergic neurons. Green light preconditioning increases the sensitivity of glutamatergic neurons to noxious stimuli in vLGN of PSL mice. Green light produces antinociception by activating glutamatergic neurons in vLGN, and red light promotes nociception by activating GABAergic neurons in vLGN. Together, these results demonstrate that different colors of light exert different pain modulation effects by regulating glutamatergic and GABAergic subpopulations in the vLGN. This may provide potential new therapeutic strategies and new therapeutic targets for the precise clinical treatment of neuropathic pain.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Nociception; GABAergic Neurons; Geniculate Bodies; Phototherapy; Neuralgia
PubMed: 37217103
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106164