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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2019Nanoscience breakthroughs in almost every field of science and nanotechnologies make life easier in this era. Nanoscience and nanotechnology represent an expanding... (Review)
Review
Nanoscience breakthroughs in almost every field of science and nanotechnologies make life easier in this era. Nanoscience and nanotechnology represent an expanding research area, which involves structures, devices, and systems with novel properties and functions due to the arrangement of their atoms on the 1-100 nm scale. The field was subject to a growing public awareness and controversy in the early 2000s, and in turn, the beginnings of commercial applications of nanotechnology. Nanotechnologies contribute to almost every field of science, including physics, materials science, chemistry, biology, computer science, and engineering. Notably, in recent years nanotechnologies have been applied to human health with promising results, especially in the field of cancer treatment. To understand the nature of nanotechnology, it is helpful to review the timeline of discoveries that brought us to the current understanding of this science. This review illustrates the progress and main principles of nanoscience and nanotechnology and represents the pre-modern as well as modern timeline era of discoveries and milestones in these fields.
Topics: History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Nanomedicine; Nanotechnology
PubMed: 31892180
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25010112 -
Accounts of Chemical Research Jun 2019Nanomedicine holds significant potential to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Thus far, nanomedicines, i.e., 1-100(0) nm sized drug delivery systems, have...
Nanomedicine holds significant potential to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Thus far, nanomedicines, i.e., 1-100(0) nm sized drug delivery systems, have been primarily used to improve the balance between the efficacy and toxicity of conjugated or entrapped chemotherapeutic drugs. The clinical performance of cancer nanomedicines has been somewhat disappointing, which is arguably mostly due to the lack of tools and technologies for patient stratification. Conversely, the clinical progress made with immunotherapy has been spectacular, achieving complete cures and inducing long-term survival in advanced-stage patients. Unfortunately, however, immunotherapy only works well in relatively small subsets of patients. Increasing amounts of preclinical and clinical data demonstrate that combining nanomedicine with immunotherapy can boost therapeutic outcomes, by turning "cold" nonimmunoresponsive tumors and metastases into "hot" immunoresponsive lesions. Nano-immunotherapy can be realized via three different approaches, in which nanomedicines are used (1) to target cancer cells, (2) to target the tumor immune microenvironment, and (3) to target the peripheral immune system. When targeting cancer cells, nanomedicines typically aim to induce immunogenic cell death, thereby triggering the release of tumor antigens and danger-associated molecular patterns, such as calreticulin translocation, high mobility group box 1 protein and adenosine triphosphate. The latter serve as adjuvants to alert antigen-presenting cells to take up, process and present the former, thereby promoting the generation of CD8 cytotoxic T cells. Nanomedicines targeting the tumor immune microenvironment potentiate cancer immunotherapy by inhibiting immunosuppressive cells, such as M2-like tumor-associated macrophages, as well as by reducing the expression of immunosuppressive molecules, such as transforming growth factor beta. In addition, nanomedicines can be employed to promote the activity of antigen-presenting cells and cytotoxic T cells in the tumor immune microenvironment. Nanomedicines targeting the peripheral immune system aim to enhance antigen presentation and cytotoxic T cell production in secondary lymphoid organs, such as lymph nodes and spleen, as well as to engineer and strengthen peripheral effector immune cell populations, thereby promoting anticancer immunity. While the majority of immunomodulatory nanomedicines are in preclinical development, exciting results have already been reported in initial clinical trials. To ensure efficient translation of nano-immunotherapy constructs and concepts, we have to consider biomarkers in their clinical development, to make sure that the right nanomedicine formulation is combined with the right immunotherapy in the right patient. In this context, we have to learn from currently ongoing efforts in nano-biomarker identification as well as from partially already established immuno-biomarker initiatives, such as the Immunoscore and the cancer immunogram. Together, these protocols will help to capture the nano-immuno status in individual patients, enabling the identification and use of individualized and improved nanomedicine-based treatments to boost the performance of cancer immunotherapy.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Drug Carriers; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Immunotherapy; Liposomes; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Nanomedicine; Nanoparticles; Neoplasms; Photochemotherapy; Rats; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 31120725
DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00148 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Sep 2018Nanomedicine and nano delivery systems are a relatively new but rapidly developing science where materials in the nanoscale range are employed to serve as means of... (Review)
Review
Nanomedicine and nano delivery systems are a relatively new but rapidly developing science where materials in the nanoscale range are employed to serve as means of diagnostic tools or to deliver therapeutic agents to specific targeted sites in a controlled manner. Nanotechnology offers multiple benefits in treating chronic human diseases by site-specific, and target-oriented delivery of precise medicines. Recently, there are a number of outstanding applications of the nanomedicine (chemotherapeutic agents, biological agents, immunotherapeutic agents etc.) in the treatment of various diseases. The current review, presents an updated summary of recent advances in the field of nanomedicines and nano based drug delivery systems through comprehensive scrutiny of the discovery and application of nanomaterials in improving both the efficacy of novel and old drugs (e.g., natural products) and selective diagnosis through disease marker molecules. The opportunities and challenges of nanomedicines in drug delivery from synthetic/natural sources to their clinical applications are also discussed. In addition, we have included information regarding the trends and perspectives in nanomedicine area.
Topics: Animals; Biological Products; Drug Carriers; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug Discovery; Humans; Nanomedicine; Nanostructures; Nanotechnology; Pharmaceutical Preparations
PubMed: 30231877
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-018-0392-8 -
Theranostics 2022Cancer immunotherapy has made tremendous clinical progress in advanced-stage malignancies. However, patients with various tumors exhibit a low response rate to... (Review)
Review
Cancer immunotherapy has made tremendous clinical progress in advanced-stage malignancies. However, patients with various tumors exhibit a low response rate to immunotherapy because of a powerful immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and insufficient immunogenicity of tumors. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can not only directly kill tumor cells, but also elicit immunogenic cell death (ICD), providing antitumor immunity. Unfortunately, limitations from the inherent nature and complex TME significantly reduce the efficiency of PDT. Recently, smart nanomedicine-based strategies could subtly modulate the pharmacokinetics of therapeutic compounds and the TME to optimize both PDT and immunotherapy, resulting in an improved antitumor effect. Here, the emerging nanomedicines for PDT-driven cancer immunotherapy are reviewed, including hypoxia-reversed nanomedicines, nanosized metal-organic frameworks, and subcellular targeted nanoparticles (NPs). Moreover, we highlight the synergistic nanotherapeutics used to amplify immune responses combined with immunotherapy against tumors. Lastly, the challenges and future expectations in the field of PDT-driven cancer immunotherapy are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Immunotherapy; Nanomedicine; Nanoparticles; Neoplasms; Photochemotherapy
PubMed: 34987658
DOI: 10.7150/thno.67300 -
Theranostics 2021Immunotherapy, represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has greatly improved the clinical efficacy of malignant tumor therapy. ICI-mediated antitumor... (Review)
Review
Immunotherapy, represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has greatly improved the clinical efficacy of malignant tumor therapy. ICI-mediated antitumor responses depend on the infiltration of T cells capable of recognizing and killing tumor cells. ICIs are not effective in "cold tumors", which are characterized by the lack of T-cell infiltration. To realize the full potential of immunotherapy and solve this obstacle, it is essential to understand the drivers of T-cell infiltration into tumors. We present a critical review of our understanding of the mechanisms underlying "cold tumors", including impaired T-cell priming and deficient T-cell homing to tumor beds. "Hot tumors" with significant T-cell infiltration are associated with better ICI efficacy. In this review, we summarize multiple strategies that promote the transformation of "cold tumors" into "hot tumors" and discuss the mechanisms by which these strategies lead to increased T-cell infiltration. Finally, we discuss the application of nanomaterials to tumor immunotherapy and provide an outlook on the future of this emerging field. The combination of nanomedicines and immunotherapy enhances cross-presentation of tumor antigens and promotes T-cell priming and infiltration. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms opens new possibilities for the development of multiple T cell-based combination therapies to improve ICI effectiveness.
Topics: Animals; Antigens, Neoplasm; Humans; Immunotherapy; Nanomedicine; Neoplasms; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 33859752
DOI: 10.7150/thno.58390 -
Nanomedicine (London, England) Jan 2019There has been a revolution in nanotechnology and nanomedicine. Since 1980, there has been a remarkable increase in approved nano-based pharmaceutical products. These... (Review)
Review
There has been a revolution in nanotechnology and nanomedicine. Since 1980, there has been a remarkable increase in approved nano-based pharmaceutical products. These novel nano-based systems can either be therapeutic agents themselves, or else act as vehicles to carry different active pharmaceutical agents into specific parts of the body. Currently marketed nanostructures include nanocrystals, liposomes and lipid nanoparticles, PEGylated polymeric nanodrugs, other polymers, protein-based nanoparticles and metal-based nanoparticles. A range of issues must be addressed in the development of these nanostructures. Ethics, market size, possibility of market failure, costs and commercial development, are some topics which are on the table to be discussed. After passing all the ethical and biological assessments, and satisfying the investors as to future profitability, only a handful of these nanoformulations, successfully obtained marketing approval. We survey the range of nanomedicines that have received regulatory approval and are marketed. We discuss ethics, costs, commercial development and possible market failure. We estimate the global nanomedicine market size and future growth. Our goal is to summarize the different approved nanoformulations on the market, and briefly cover the challenges and future outlook.
Topics: Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Drug Delivery Systems; Excipients; Humans; Legislation, Drug; Liposomes; Metals; Nanomedicine; Nanoparticles; Polymers
PubMed: 30451076
DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2018-0120 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... May 2022Intrinsic shortcomings associated with conventional therapeutic strategies often compromise treatment efficacy in clinical ophthalmology, prompting the rapid development... (Review)
Review
Intrinsic shortcomings associated with conventional therapeutic strategies often compromise treatment efficacy in clinical ophthalmology, prompting the rapid development of versatile alternatives for satisfactory diagnostics and therapeutics. Given advances in material science, nanochemistry, and nanobiotechnology, a broad spectrum of functional nanosystems has been explored to satisfy the extensive requirements of ophthalmologic applications. In the present review, the recent progress in nanosystems, both conventional and emerging nanomaterials in ophthalmology from state-of-the-art studies, are comprehensively examined and the role of their fundamental physicochemical properties in bioavailability, tissue penetration, biodistribution, and elimination after interacting with the ophthalmologic microenvironment emphasized. Furthermore, along with the development of surface engineering of nanomaterials, emerging theranostic methodologies are promoted as potential alternatives for multipurpose ocular applications, such as emerging biomimetic ophthalmology (e.g., smart electrochemical eye), thus provoking a holistic review of "ocular nanomedicine." By affording insight into challenges encountered by ocular nanomedicine and further highlighting the direction of future studies, this review provides an incentive for enriching ocular nanomedicine-based fundamental research and future clinical translation.
Topics: Nanomedicine; Nanostructures; Ophthalmology; Tissue Distribution
PubMed: 35150092
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202003699 -
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews Nov 2013Nanomedicine is an emerging form of therapy that focuses on alternative drug delivery and improvement of the treatment efficacy while reducing detrimental side effects... (Review)
Review
Nanomedicine is an emerging form of therapy that focuses on alternative drug delivery and improvement of the treatment efficacy while reducing detrimental side effects to normal tissues. Cancer drug resistance is a complicated process that involves multiple mechanisms. Here we discuss the major forms of drug resistance and the new possibilities that nanomedicines offer to overcome these treatment obstacles. Novel nanomedicines that have a high ability for flexible, fast drug design and production based on tumor genetic profiles can be created making drug selection for personal patient treatment much more intensive and effective. This review aims to demonstrate the advantage of the young medical science field, nanomedicine, for overcoming cancer drug resistance. With the advanced design and alternative mechanisms of drug delivery known for different nanodrugs including liposomes, polymer conjugates, micelles, dendrimers, carbon-based, and metallic nanoparticles, overcoming various forms of multi-drug resistance looks promising and opens new horizons for cancer treatment.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Line, Tumor; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug Carriers; Drug Design; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Humans; Nanomedicine; Nanoparticles; Neoplasms; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 24120656
DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2013.09.019 -
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 2020Polymer nanomedicines (macromolecular therapeutics, polymer-drug conjugates, drug-free macromolecular therapeutics) are a group of biologically active compounds that are... (Review)
Review
Polymer nanomedicines (macromolecular therapeutics, polymer-drug conjugates, drug-free macromolecular therapeutics) are a group of biologically active compounds that are characterized by their large molecular weight. This review focuses on bioconjugates of water-soluble macromolecules with low molecular weight drugs and selected proteins. After analyzing the design principles, different structures of polymer carriers are discussed followed by the examination of the efficacy of the conjugates in animal models and challenges for their translation into the clinic. Two innovative directions in macromolecular therapeutics that depend on receptor crosslinking are highlighted: a) Combination chemotherapy of backbone degradable polymer-drug conjugates with immune checkpoint blockade by multivalent polymer peptide antagonists; and b) Drug-free macromolecular therapeutics, a new paradigm in drug delivery.
Topics: Animals; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Nanomedicine; Polymers
PubMed: 32735811
DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.07.020 -
Philosophical Transactions. Series A,... Nov 2017Biomedical engineering and its associated disciplines play a pivotal role in improving our understanding and management of disease. Motivated by past accomplishments,... (Review)
Review
Biomedical engineering and its associated disciplines play a pivotal role in improving our understanding and management of disease. Motivated by past accomplishments, such as the clinical implementation of coronary stents, pacemakers or recent developments in antibody therapies, disease management now enters a new era in which precision imaging and nanotechnology-enabled therapeutics are maturing to clinical translation. Preclinical molecular imaging increasingly focuses on specific components of the immune system that drive disease progression and complications, allowing the study of potential therapeutic targets. The first multicentre trials highlight the potential of clinical multimodality imaging for more efficient drug development. In this perspective, the role of integrating engineering, nanotechnology, molecular imaging and immunology to yield precision medicine is discussed.This article is part of the themed issue 'Challenges for chemistry in molecular imaging'.
Topics: Animals; Biomedical Engineering; Drug Development; Humans; Molecular Imaging; Nanomedicine; Nanotechnology; Precision Medicine; Translational Research, Biomedical
PubMed: 29038380
DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2017.0110