Revolutionizing human papillomavirus (HPV)‐related cancer therapies: unveiling the promise of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and proteolysis targeting antibodies (PROTABs) in cancer nano‐vaccines

Personalized cancer immunotherapies, combined with nanotechnology (nano‐ vaccines), are revolutionizing cancer treatment strategies, explicitly targeting Human papilloma virus (HPV)‐related cancers. Despite the availability of preventive vaccines, HPV‐related cancers remain a global concern. Personalized cancer nano‐vaccines, tailored to an individual's tumor genetic mutations, offer a unique and promising solution. Nanotechnology plays a critical role in these vaccines by efficiently delivering tumor‐specific antigens, enhancing immune responses, and paving the way for precise and targeted therapies. Recent advancements in preclinical models have demonstrated the potential of polymeric nanoparticles and high‐density lipoprotein‐mimicking nano‐discs in augmenting the efficacy of personalized cancer vaccines. However, challenges related to optimizing the nano‐carrier system and ensuring safety in human trials persist. Excitingly, the integration of nanotechnology with Proteolysis‐ Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) provides an additional avenue to enhance the effectiveness of personalized cancer treatment. PROTACs selectively degrade disease‐causing proteins, amplifying the impact of nanotechnology‐based therapies. Overcoming these challenges and leveraging the synergistic potential of nanotechnology, PROTACs, and Proteolysis‐Targeting Antibodies hold great promise in pursuing novel and effective therapeutic solutions for individuals affected by HPV‐related cancers.</p

MRI guided magneto-chemotherapy with high-magnetic-moment iron oxide nanoparticles for cancer theranostics

Elevating and monitoring the temperature of tumors using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) still presents a challenge in magnetic hyperthermia therapy. The efficient heating of tumor volume can be achieved by preparing MNPs with high magnetization values. The next-generation approach to magnetic resonance image (MRI)-guided magneto-chemotherapy of cancer based on high-magnetic-moment iron oxide nanoparticles is proposed. The proof of concept is validated by cellular MRI experiments on breast cancer cells. To explore magneto-chemotherapy, we developed high-magnetic-moment iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) using base diisopropylamine (DIPA), which plays a dual role as reducing agent and surface stabilizer. Spherical NPs with ∼12 nm size and a high magnetization value of about 92 emu g–1 at room temperature are obtained by this unique method. A high specific absorption rate value of ∼717 wg–1 was obtained for Fe3O4 NPs in water at an alternating magnetic field of 20 kAm–1 and frequency of 267 kHz, which is attributed to the high magnetization value. The magneto-polymeric micelle structure is formed by using Pluronic F127, and anticancer drug doxorubicin is conjugated in the micelle by electrostatic interactions for magneto-chemotherapy. Finally, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided magneto-chemotherapy was achieved on breast cancer (MCF7) cells with an overall ∼96% killing of cancer cells attained in 30 min of magneto-chmeotherapy

Application of Mn_<i>x</i>Fe_1–<i>x</i>Fe₂O₄ (<i>x</i> = 0–1) Nanoparticles in Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia: Correlation with Cation Distribution and Magnetostructural Properties

Optimization of manganese-substituted iron oxide nanoferrites having the composition MnxFe1–xFe2O4 (x = 0–1) has been achieved by the chemical co-precipitation method. The crystallite size and phase purity were analyzed from X-ray diffraction. With increases in Mn2+ concentration, the crystallite size varies from 5.78 to 9.94 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis depicted particle sizes ranging from 10 ± 0.2 to 13 ± 0.2 nm with increasing Mn2+ substitution. The magnetization (Ms) value varies significantly with increasing Mn2+ substitution. The variation in the magnetic properties may be attributed to the substitution of Fe2+ ions by Mn2+ ions inducing a change in the superexchange interaction between the A and B sublattices. The self-heating characteristics of MnxFe1–xFe2O4 (x = 0–1) nanoparticles (NPs) in an AC magnetic field are evaluated by specific absorption rate (SAR) and intrinsic loss power, both of which are presented with varying NP composition, NP concentration, and field amplitudes. Mn0.75Fe0.25Fe2O4 exhibited superior induction heating properties in terms of a SAR of 153.76 W/g. This superior value of SAR with an optimized Mn2+ content is presented in correlation with the cation distribution of Mn2+ in the A or B position in the Fe3O4 structure and enhancement in magnetic saturation. These optimized Mn0.75Fe0.25Fe2O4 NPs can be used as a promising candidate for hyperthermia applications

Annealing environment effects on the electrochemical behavior of supercapacitors using Ni foam current collectors

Nickel (Ni) foam-based symmetric/asymmetric electrochemical supercapacitors benefit from a randomly 3D structured porous geometry that functions as an active material support and as a current collector. The surface composition stability and consistency of the current collector is critical for maintaining and consistency supercapacitor response, especially for various mass loading and mass coverage. Here we detail some annealing environment conditions that change the surface morphology, chemistry and electrochemical properties of Ni foam by NiO formation. Air-annealing at 400 and 800 °C and annealing also in N2 and Ar at 800 °C result in the in situ and ex situ formation of NiO on the Ni foam (NiO@Ni). Oxidation of Ni to NiO by several mechanisms in air and inert atmospheres to form a NiO coating is subsequently examined in supercapacitors, where the electrochemical conversion through Ni(OH)2 and NiOOH phases influence the charge storage process. In parallel, the grain boundary density reduction by annealing improves the electronic conductivity of the foam current collector. The majority of stored charge occurs at the oxidized Ni-electrolyte interface. The changes to the Ni metal surface that can be caused by chemical environments, heating and high temperatures that typically occur when other active materials are grown on Ni directly, should be considered in the overall response of the electrode, and this may be general for metallic current collectors and foams that can oxidize at elevated temperatures and become electrochemically active

Multimodal Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles with Unusually Enhanced Specific Absorption Rate for Synergetic Cancer Therapeutics and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPMNPs) used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) cancer therapy frequently face trade off between a high magnetization saturation and their good colloidal stability, high specific absorption rate (SAR), and most importantly biological compatibility. This necessitates the development of new nanomaterials, as MFH and MRI are considered to be one of the most promising combined noninvasive treatments. In the present study, we investigated polyethylene glycol (PEG) functionalized La_1–<i>x</i>Sr_<i>x</i>MnO₃ (LSMO) SPMNPs for efficient cancer hyperthermia therapy and MRI application. The superparamagnetic nanomaterial revealed excellent colloidal stability and biocompatibility. A high SAR of 390 W/g was observed due to higher colloidal stability leading to an increased Brownian and Neel’s spin relaxation. Cell viability of PEG capped nanoparticles is up to 80% on different cell lines tested rigorously using different methods. PEG coating provided excellent hemocompatibility to human red blood cells as PEG functionalized SPMNPs reduced hemolysis efficiently compared to its uncoated counterpart. Magnetic fluid hyperthermia of SPMNPs resulted in cancer cell death up to 80%. Additionally, improved MRI characteristics were also observed for the PEG capped La_1–<i>x</i>Sr_<i>x</i>MnO₃ formulation in aqueous medium compared to the bare LSMO. Taken together, PEG capped SPMNPs can be useful for diagnosis, efficient magnetic fluid hyperthermia, and multimodal cancer treatment as the amphiphilicity of PEG can easily be utilized to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs

Comprehensive cytotoxicity studies of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Recently lots of efforts have been taken to develop superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for biomedical applications. So it is utmost necessary to have in depth knowledge of the toxicity occurred by this material. This article is designed in such way that it covers all the associated toxicity issues of SPIONs. It mainly emphasis on toxicity occurred at different levels including cellular alterations in the form of damage to nucleic acids due to oxidative stress and altered cellular response. In addition focus is been devoted for in vitro and in vivo toxicity of SPIONs, so that a better therapeutics can be designed. At the end the time dependent nature of toxicity and its ultimate faith inside the body is being discussed

Physically stimulated nanotheranostics for next generation cancer therapy: focus on magnetic and light stimulations

Physically or externally stimulated nanostructures often employ multimodality and show encouraging results at preclinical stage in cancer therapy. Specially designed smart nanostructures such as hybrid nanostructures are responsive to external physical stimuli such as light, magnetic field, electric, ultrasound, radio frequency, X-ray, etc. These physically responsive nanostructures have been widely explored as nonconventional innovative “nanotheranostics” in cancer therapies. Physically stimulated (particularly magnetic and light) nanotheranostics provide a unique combination of important properties to address key challenges in modern cancer therapy: (i) an active tumor targeting mechanism of therapeutic drugs driven by a physical force rather than passive antibody matching, (ii) an externally/remotely controlled drugs on-demand release mechanism, and (iii) a capability for advanced image guided tumor therapy and therapy monitoring. Although primarily addressed to the scientific community, this review offers valuable and accessible information for a wide range of readers interested in the current technological progress with direct relevance to the physics, chemistry, biomedical field, and theranostics. We herein cover magnetic and light-triggered modalities currently being developed for nonconventional cancer treatments. The physical basis of each modality is explained; so readers with a physics or, materials science background can easily grasp new developments in this field

Rapid synthesis and decoration of reduced graphene oxide with gold nanoparticles by thermostable peptides for memory device and photothermal applications

This article presents novel, rapid, and environmentally benign synthesis method for one-step reduction and decoration of graphene oxide with gold nanoparticles (NAuNPs) by using thermostable antimicrobial nisin peptides to form a gold-nanoparticles-reduced graphene oxide (NAu-rGO) nanocomposite. The formed composite material was characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). HR-TEM analysis revealed the formation of spherical AuNPs of 5–30 nm in size on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets. A non-volatile-memory device was prepared based on a solution-processed ZnO thin-film transistor fabricated by inserting the NAu-rGO nanocomposite in the gate dielectric stack as a charge trapping medium. The transfer characteristic of the ZnO thin-film transistor memory device showed large clockwise hysteresis behaviour because of charge carrier trapping in the NAu-rGO nanocomposite. Under positive and negative bias conditions, clear positive and negative threshold voltage shifts occurred, which were attributed to charge carrier trapping and de-trapping in the ZnO/NAu-rGO/SiO2 structure. Also, the photothermal effect of the NAu-rGO nanocomposites on MCF7 breast cancer cells caused inhibition of ~80% cells after irradiation with infrared light (0.5 W cm−2) for 5 min

Combining Protein-Shelled Platinum Nanoparticles with Graphene to Build a Bionanohybrid Capacitor

The electronic properties of biomolecules and their hybrids with inorganic materials can be utilized for the fabrication of nanoelectronic devices. Here, we report the charge transport behavior of protein-shelled inorganic nanoparticles combined with graphene and demonstrate their possible application as a bionanohybrid capacitor. The conductivity of PepA, a bacterial aminopeptidase used as a protein shell (PS), and the platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) encapsulated by PepA was measured using a field effect transistor (FET) and a graphene-based FET (GFET). Furthermore, we confirmed that the electronic properties of PepA-PtNPs were controlled by varying the size of the PtNPs. The use of two poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-coated graphene layers separated by PepA-PtNPs enabled us to build a bionanohybrid capacitor with tunable properties. The combination of bioinorganic nanohybrids with graphene is regarded as the cornerstone for developing flexible and biocompatible bionanoelectronic devices that can be integrated into bioelectric circuits for biomedical purposes