1.
Recent advances of nanotechnology-based tumor vessel-targeting strategies.
Zhu, D, Li, Y, Zhang, Z, Xue, Z, Hua, Z, Luo, X, Zhao, T, Lu, C, Liu, Y
Journal of nanobiotechnology. 2021;(1):435
Abstract
Tumor vessels can provide oxygen and nutrition for solid tumor tissue, create abnormal tumor microenvironment (TME), and play a vital role in the development, immune escape, metastasis and drug resistance of tumor. Tumor vessel-targeting therapy has become an important and promising direction in anti-tumor therapy, with the development of five anti-tumor therapeutic strategies, including vascular disruption, anti-angiogenesis, vascular blockade, vascular normalization and breaking immunosuppressive TME. However, the insufficient drug accumulation and severe side effects of vessel-targeting drugs limit their development in clinical application. Nanotechnology offers an excellent platform with flexible modified surface that can precisely deliver diverse cargoes, optimize efficacy, reduce side effects, and realize the combined therapy. Various nanomedicines (NMs) have been developed to target abnormal tumor vessels and specific TME to achieve more efficient vessel-targeting therapy. The article reviews tumor vascular abnormalities and the resulting abnormal microenvironment, the application of NMs in the tumor vessel-targeting strategies, and how NMs can improve these strategies and achieve multi-strategies combination to maximize anti-tumor effects.
2.
Nanoengineering of vaccines using natural polysaccharides.
Cordeiro, AS, Alonso, MJ, de la Fuente, M
Biotechnology advances. 2015;(6 Pt 3):1279-93
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Abstract
Currently, there are over 70 licensed vaccines, which prevent the pathogenesis of around 30 viruses and bacteria. Nevertheless, there are still important challenges in this area, which include the development of more active, non-invasive, and thermo-resistant vaccines. Important biotechnological advances have led to safer subunit antigens, such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. However, their limited immunogenicity has demanded potent adjuvants that can strengthen the immune response. Particulate nanocarriers hold a high potential as adjuvants in vaccination. Due to their pathogen-like size and structure, they can enhance immune responses by mimicking the natural infection process. Additionally, they can be tailored for non-invasive mucosal administration (needle-free vaccination), and control the delivery of the associated antigens to a specific location and for prolonged times, opening room for single-dose vaccination. Moreover, they allow co-association of immunostimulatory molecules to improve the overall adjuvant capacity. The natural and ubiquitous character of polysaccharides, together with their intrinsic immunomodulating properties, their biocompatibility, and biodegradability, justify their interest in the engineering of nanovaccines. In this review, we aim to provide a state-of-the-art overview regarding the application of nanotechnology in vaccine delivery, with a focus on the most recent advances in the development and application of polysaccharide-based antigen nanocarriers.