Curcumin nanoformulations: a future nanomedicine for cancer

Curcumin, a natural diphenolic compound derived from turmeric Curcuma longa, has proven to be a modulator of intracellular signaling pathways that control cancer cell growth, inflammation, invasion, apoptosis and cell death, revealing its anticancer potential. In this review, we focus on the design and development of nanoparticles, self-assemblies, nanogels, liposomes and complex fabrication for sustained and efficient curcumin delivery. We also discuss the anticancer applications and clinical benefits of nanocurcumin formulations. Only a few novel multifunctional and composite nanosystem strategies offer simultaneous therapy as well as imaging characteristics. We also summarize the challenges to developing curcumin delivery platforms and up-to-date solutions for improving curcumin bioavailability and anticancer potential for therapy

Scope of nanotechnology in ovarian cancer therapeutics

This review describes the use of polymer micelle nanotechnology based chemotherapies for ovarian cancer. While various chemotherapeutic agents can be utilized to improve the survival rate of patients with ovarian cancer, their distribution throughout the entire body results in high normal organ toxicity. Polymer micelle nanotechnology aims to improve the therapeutic efficacy of anti-cancer drugs while minimizing the side effects. Herein, different types of polymer micelle technology based nanotherapies such as PLGA, polymerosomes, acid cleavable, thermosensitive, pH sensitive, and cross-linked micelles are introduced and structural differences are explained. Additionally, production methods, stability, sustainability, drug incorporation and drug release profiles of various polymer micelle based nanoformulations are discussed. An important feature of polymer micelle nanotechnology is the small size (10-100 nm) of particles which improves circulation and enables superior accumulation of the therapeutic drugs at the tumor sites. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of different types of polymer micelles and their implications in ovarian cancer therapeutics

Gambogic acid: A shining natural compound to nanomedicine for cancer therapeutics

The United State Food and Drug Administration has permitted number of therapeutic agents for cancer treatment. Most of them are expensive and have some degree of systemic toxicity which makes overbearing in clinical settings. Although advanced research continuously applied in cancer therapeutics, but drug resistance, metastasis, and recurrence remain unanswerable These accounts to an urgent clinical need to discover natural compounds with precisely safe and highly efficient for the cancer prevention and cancer therapy. Gambogic acid (GA) is the principle bioactive and caged xanthone component, a brownish gamboge resin secreted from the of Garcinia hanburyi tree. This molecule showed a spectrum of biological and clinical benefits against various cancers. In this review, we document distinct biological characteristics of GA as a novel anti-cancer agent. This review also delineates specific molecular mechanism(s) of GA that are involved in anti-cancer, anti-metastasis, anti-angiogenesis, and chemo-/radiation sensitizer activities. Furthermore, recent evidence, development, and implementation of various nanoformulations of gambogic acid (nanomedicine) have been described

Biophysical Changes Caused by Altered MUC13 Expression in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Background Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers in the United States. This is partly due to the difficulty in early detection of this disease as well as poor therapeutic responses to currently available regimens. Our previous reports suggest that mucin 13 (MUC13, a transmembrane mucin common to gastrointestinal cells) is aberrantly expressed in this disease state, and has been implicated with a worsened prognosis and an enhanced metastatic potential in PanCa. However, there is virtually no information currently to describe the biophysical ramifications of this protein. Methods To demonstrate the biophysical effect of MUC13 in PanCa, we generated overexpressing and knockdown model cell lines for PanCa and subsequently subjected them to various biophysical experiments using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cellular aggregation studies. Results AFM-based nanoindentation data showed significant biophysical effects with MUC13 modulation in on PanCa cells. The overexpression of MUC13 in Panc-1 cells led to an expected decrease in modulus, and a corresponding decrease in adhesion. With MUC13 knockdown, HPAF-II cells exhibited an increased modulus and adhesion. These results were confirmed with altered cell-cell adhesion as seen with aggregation assays. Conclusions MUC13 led to significant biophysical changes in PanCa cells and which exhibited characteristic phenotypic changes in cells demonstrated in previous work from our lab. This work gives insight into the use of biophysical measurements that could be used to help diagnose or monitor cancers as well as determine the effects of genetic alterations at a mechanical level

Engineered Exosomes for the Multimodal Imaging Directed Photo-Immunotherapy of Colorectal Cancer

Background: Rio Grande Valley experience severe cancer health disparity. A novel therapeutic modality may serve as better therapeutic option. Nanohybrids endowed with multifunctionality, longer circulation time, large surface area have emerged as an active preference for cancer research. However, rising concern of nanomaterials toxicity and scalability issues has slowed their translation to clinics. Exosomes (Exo) are endogenous endocytic origin 40-100 nm vesicles found in various body fluids, which in comparison to synthetic nanoparticles, are biodegradable, highly biocompatible as well as immunocompatible in nature. Although bulk isolation of exosomes from human body fluids is still a problem and engineering of exosomes to harness its potential is still in infancy. Methods: The Exo were isolated from dairy milk using EDTA precipitation method, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized by ammonium hydroxide co-precipitation method. The Exo were sonicated (60 sec) with MNPs and near-infrared (NIR) light-absorbing dye indocyanine green (ICG) and then incubated overnight at 37 oC. The characterization of ICG@Exo-MNPs was done using several techniques. The targeting nature of ICG@Exo-MNPs was determined on colorectal cancer cells SW480 and SW680. The phototransduction and in-vitro photothermal therapy were performed using 1W, 808 nm NIR laser. Results: The ICG@Exo-MNPs nanohybrid found to have size around 100 nm with good dispersity. The coating of exosomes and magnetic field actuation increased the targeting efficacy of ICG@Exo-MNPs in colorectal cancer cells by 10% in SW40 and 30% in SW680. ICG@Exo-MNPs killed the SW480 cells to more than 80% within 2 min. of NIR light irradiation. Conclusions: This study shows enhanced photothermal therapeutic behavior of ICG@Exo-MNPs for near-infrared fluorescence imaging directing killing of colorectal cancer cells

Highlights from International Conference on Cancer Health Disparities 2021

The first International Conference on Cancer Health Disparities (ICCHD) was held on August 13-14, 2021, in Harlingen, TX, USA. This two-day ICCHD-2021 was organized by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Medicine (UTRGV-SOM). About 200 national and international delegates from 10 countries attended this hybrid meeting in person and through online digital platforms. The event delegates were representatives from National Institutes of Health (NIH), Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), and the City of Harlingen, in addition to clinicians, faculty, researchers, scientists, bioinformaticians, geneticists, bioethicists, and others. Under the theme of Cancer Health Disparities, this event featured a number of special talks and showcased the work done by researchers from a broad array of disciplines (academia, community, and health care) to identify gaps and/or solutions to multi-faceted heath and health disparity issues impacting minority and underserved populations across the country and worldwide. The conference was comprised of six sessions: Session 1: Introduction to the conference and tackling cancer health disparities; Session 2: Elimination of cancer health disparities; Session 3: Cancer cellular and molecular biology; Session 4: Diversity and Inclusion in cancer research: Session 5: Poster and oral presentations, and Early career investigator talks; Session 6: An award ceremony and closing remarks. This conference report summarizes the meeting’s content, discussions, and conclusions

Biomolecule-functionalized nanoformulations for prostate cancer theranostics

Background Even with the advancement in the areas of cancer nanotechnology, prostate cancer still poses a major threat to men’s health. Nanomaterials and nanomaterial-derived theranostic systems have been explored for diagnosis, imaging, and therapy for different types of cancer still, for prostate cancer they have not delivered at full potential because of the limitations like in vivo biocompatibility, immune responses, precise targetability, and therapeutic outcome associated with the nanostructured system. Aim of Review Functionalizing nanomaterials with different biomolecules and bioactive agents provides advantages specificity towards cancerous tumors, improved circulation time, and modulation of the immune response leading to early diagnosis and targeted delivery of cargo at the site of action. Key Scientific Concepts of Review In this review, we have emphasized the classification and comparison of various nanomaterials based on biofunctionalization strategy and source of biomolecules such that it can be used for possible translation in clinical settings and future developments. This review highlighted the opportunities for embedding highly specific biological targeting moieties (antibody, aptamer, oligonucleotides, biopolymer, peptides, etc.) on nanoparticles which can improve the detection of prostate cancer-associated biomarkers at a very low limit of detection, direct visualization of prostate tumors and lastly for its therapy. Lastly, special emphasis was given to biomimetic nanomaterials which include functionalization with extracellular vesicles, exosomes and viral particles and their application for prostate cancer early detection and drug delivery. The present review paves a new pathway for next-generation biofunctionalized nanomaterials for prostate cancer theranostic application and their possibility in clinical translation

miR-205: A Potential Biomedicine for Cancer Therapy

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of their target mRNAs post transcriptionally. miRNAs are known to regulate not just a gene but the whole gene network (signaling pathways). Accumulating evidence(s) suggests that miRNAs can work either as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, but some miRNAs have a dual nature since they can act as both. miRNA 205 (miR-205) is one such highly conserved miRNA that can act as both, oncomiRNA and tumor suppressor. However, most reports confirm its emerging role as a tumor suppressor in many cancers. This review focuses on the downregulated expression of miR-205 and discusses its dysregulation in breast, prostate, skin, liver, gliomas, pancreatic, colorectal and renal cancers. This review also confers its role in tumor initiation, progression, cell proliferation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and tumor metastasis. Restoration of miR-205 makes cells more sensitive to drug treatments and mitigates drug resistance. Additionally, the importance of miR-205 in chemosensitization and its utilization as potential biomedicine and nanotherapy is described. Together, this review research article sheds a light on its application as a diagnostic and therapeutic marker, and as a biomedicine in cancer

Developing an assay for easy and rapid detection of ALS biomarker(s): A Hypothesis

Background: Death of motor neurons is the key pathology underlying neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Biomarkers are chemical changes in the biological fluids. Biomarkers serving as a diagnostic tool should be specific to the concerned disease. Biomarkers indicating disease progression should be very sensitive to demonstrate changes during the disease process as well as therapeutics development. Biomarkers proposed for ALS include poly (GP) repeats in C9orf72, neurofilaments, miRNAs, glutathione and 4HNE in CSF, SOD1/TDP43 protein, poly (GP) repeats in C9orf72, neurofilaments, T regulatory cells, CRP, chitotriosidase, creatinine, creatinine kinase, miRNAs, glutamate, albumin, uric acid, glutathione, ferritin, 3-nitrotyrosine and 4HNE in blood, p75ECD, F2-isoprostane, collagen type 4, lucosylgalactosyl hydroxylysine, neoptrin and 8hydroxy-2`-deoxyguanosine in urine. Our hypothesis is to develop a kit-based assay for detection of ALS. Lateral flow immunoassays are one of the rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests enabling high sensitivity and multiplexing. Methods: Leftover biological samples of ALS/Non-ALS individuals can be obtained from the clinics, age group 40-90. The samples can be evaluated for the expression of biomarkers and the levels can be compared between ALS and Non-ALS individuals. Using this preliminary data, kit-based assay can be developed that might be based on lateral flow principle. Result: The assay developed should be chromogenic and the intensity of chromogen should indicate the disease severity when compared to the reference. Conclusion: Development of a successful kit-based assay will enable its rapid and easy detection and establish a new milestone in the field of ALS

"Tomorrow never dies" : recent advances in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention modalities against coronavirus (COVID-19) amid controversies

The outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (2019-nCoV or COVID-19) is responsible for severe health emergency throughout the world. The attack of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is found to be responsible for COVID-19. The World Health Organization has declared the ongoing global public health emergency as a pandemic. The whole world fights against this invincible enemy in various capacities to restore economy, lifestyle, and safe life. Enormous amount of scientific research work(s), administrative strategies, and economic measurements are in place to create a successful step against COVID-19. Furthermore, differences in opinion, facts, and implementation methods laid additional layers of complexities in this battle against survival. Thus, a timely overview of the recent, important, and overall inclusive developments against this pandemic is a pressing need for better understanding and dealing with COVID-19. In this review, we have systematically summarized the epidemiological studies, clinical features, biological properties, diagnostic methods, treatment modalities, and preventive measurements related to COVID-19