Impact of Poly(Ester Amide) Structure on Properties and Drug Delivery for Prostate Cancer Therapy

Objective:We aim to develop a polymer library consisting of phenylalanine-based poly(ester amide)s(Phe-PEAs)for cancer therapy and investigate the structure–property relationship of these polymers to understand their impact on the drug delivery efficiency of corresponding nanoparticles(NPs).Impact Statement:Our study provides insights into the structure–property relationship of polymers in NP-based drug delivery applications and offers a potential polymer library and NP platform for enhancing cancer therapy.Introduction:Polymer NP-based drug delivery systems have demonstrated substantial potential in cancer therapy by improving drug efficacy and minimizing systemic toxicity.However,successful design and optimization of these systems require a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between polymer structure and physicochemical properties,which directly influence the drug delivery efficiency of the corresponding NPs.Methods:A series of Phe-PEAs with tunable structures was synthesized by varying the length of the methylene group in the diol part of the polymers.Subsequently,Phe-PEAs were formulated into NPs for doxorubicin(DOX)delivery in prostate cancer therapy.Results:Small adjustments in polymer structure induced the changes in the hydrophobicity and thermal properties of the PEAs,consequently NP size,drug loading capacity,cellular uptake efficacy,and cytotoxicity.Additionally,DOXloaded Phe-PEA NPs demonstrated enhanced tumor suppression and reduced side effects in prostate tumor-bearing mice.Conclusion:Phe-PEAs,with their finely tunable structures,show great promise as effective and customizable nanocarriers for cancer therapy.

Application of synthetic biology in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer(BC)is the most common malignant tumor of the genitourinary system.The age of individuals diagnosed with BC tends to decrease in recent years.A variety of standard therapeutic options are available for the clinical management of BC,but limitations exist.It is difficult to surgically eliminate small lesions,while radiation and chemotherapy damage normal tissues,leading to severe side effects.Therefore,new approaches are required to improve the efficacy and specificity of BC treatment.Synthetic biology is a field emerging in the last decade that refers to biological elements,devices,and materials that are artificially synthesized according to users’needs.In this review,we discuss how to utilize genetic elements to regulate BC-related gene expression periodically and quantitatively to inhibit the initiation and progression of BC.In addition,the design and construction of gene circuits to distinguish cancer cells from normal cells to kill the former but spare the latter are elaborated.Then,we introduce the development of genetically modified T cells for targeted attacks on BC.Finally,synthetic nanomaterials specializing in detecting and killing BC cells are detailed.This review aims to describe the innovative details of the clinical diagnosis and treatment of BC from the perspective of synthetic biology.