Linear-like polypeptide-based micelle with pH-sensitive detachable PEG to deliver dimeric camptothecin for cancer therapy

Nano drug delivery systems have made significant progress in delivering anticancer drugs camptothecin(CPT).However,many challenges for CPT delivery remain,including low drug loading efficiency,premature drug leakage,and poor cellular internalization.Herein,we report a novel dual-sensitive polypeptide-based micelle with remarkably high drug loading of CPT for cancer therapy.This self-assembled micelle possesses the following essential components for CPT:(1)pH-sensitive PEG(OHC-PEG-CHO)for prolonging blood circulation and allowing biocompatibility by shielding the cationic micelles,which can be detached under the tumor acidic microenvironment and facilitates the cellular uptake;(2)polypeptide polylysine-polyphenylalanine(PKF)synthesized via ring-opening polymerization for micelle formation and CPT analogue loading;(3)dimeric CPT(DCPT)with redox-sensitive linker for increasing CPT loading and ensuring drug release at tumor sites.Interestingly,the linear-like morphology of PEG-PKF/DCPT micelles was able to enhance their cellular internalization when compared with the spherical blank PKF micelles.Also,the anticancer efficacy of DCPT against lung cancer cells was significantly improved by the micelle formation.In conclusion,this work provides a promising strategy facilitating the safety and effective application of CPT in cancer therapy.

Development of nanoscale drug delivery systems of dihydroartemisinin for cancer therapy: A review

Dihydroartemisinin(DHA),a first-line antimalarial drug,has demonstrated great anticancer effects in many types of tumors,including liver cancer,glioblastoma,and pancreatic cancer.Due to its abilities to induce programmed cell death(PCD;apoptosis,autophagy and ferroptosis),inhibit tumor metastasis and angiogenesis,and modulate the tumor microenvironment,DHA could become an antineoplastic agent in the foreseeable future.However,the therapeutic efficacy of DHA is compromised owing to its inherent disadvantages,including poor stability,low aqueous solubility,and short plasma halflife.To overcome these drawbacks,nanoscale drug delivery systems(NDDSs),such as polymeric nanoparticles(NPs),liposomes,and metal-organic frameworks(MOFs),have been introduced to maximize the therapeutic efficacy of DHA in either single-drug or multidrug therapy.Based on the beneficial properties of NDDSs,including enhanced stability and solubility of the drug,prolonged circulation time and selective accumulation in tumors,the outcomes of DHA-loaded NDDSs for cancer therapy are significantly improved compared to those of free DHA.This reviewfirst summarizes the current understanding of the anticancer mechanisms of DHA and then provides an overview of DHA-including nanomedicines,aiming to provide inspiration for further application of DHA as an anticancer drug.