Cell membrane coating nanotechnology, which endows nanoparticles with unique properties, displays excellent translational potential in cancer diagnosis and therapy. However, the preparation and ...evaluation of these cell membrane‐coated nanoparticles are based on cell lines and cell‐line‐based xenograft mouse models. The feasibility of cell membrane‐camouflaged nanomaterials is tested in a preclinical setting. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patient‐derived tumor cell (PDTC) membranes are coated onto gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) and the resulting PDTC@GNPs show efficient targeting to homotypic tumor cells and tissues in patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) models. When the donor‐derived cell membrane of PDTC@GNPs matched those of the host cells, significant targeting capability is observed. In contrast, mismatch between the donor and host results in weak targeting. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that autologous separation and administration of cellular membranes and anticancer cisplatin (Pt)‐loaded PDTC@GNPs, respectively, lead to almost complete tumor ablation in a subcutaneous model and effectively inhibit tumor recurrence in a postsurgery model. The work presented here reinforces the translation of these biomimetic nanoparticles for clinical applications and offers a simple, safe, and effective strategy for personalized cancer treatment.
Cancer cell membrane‐coated nanoparticles, which inherit homologous cancer targeting capability from the source cells, are used for personalized cancer treatment in patient‐derived xenograft models. This represents a simple, safe, and effective strategy for personalized cancer treatment.
A major challenge for traditional cancer therapy, including surgical resection, chemoradiotherapy, and immunotherapy, is how to induce tumor cell death and leverage the host immune system at the same ...time. Here, a myeloid‐derived suppressor cell (MDSC) membrane‐coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticle (MNP@MDSC) to overcome this conundrum for cancer therapy is developed. In this study, MNP@MDSC demonstrates its superior performance in immune evasion, active tumor‐targeting, magnetic resonance imaging, and photothermal therapy (PTT)‐induced tumor killing. Compared with red blood cell membrane‐coated nanoparticles (MNPs@RBC) or naked MNPs, MNP@MDSCs are much more effective in active tumor‐targeting, a beneficial property afforded by coating MNP with membranes from naturally occurring MDSC, thus converting the MNP into “smart” agents that like to accumulate in tumors as the source MDSCs. Once targeted to the tumor microenvironment, MNPs@MDSC can act as a PTT agents for enhanced antitumor response by inducing immunogenic cell death, reprogramming the tumor infiltrating macrophages, and reducing the tumor's metabolic activity. These benefits, in combination with the excellent biocompatibility and pharmacological kinetics characteristics, make MNP@MDSC a promising, multimodal agent for cancer theranostics.
Myeloid‐derived suppressor cell (MDSC) membranes are collected from tumor‐bearing mice and further used for magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticle (MNP) coating. The resulting MDSC‐mimicking nanoparticles (MNP@MDSC) demonstrate superior performance in immune evasion, active tumor‐targeting, magnetic resonance imaging, photothermal therapy‐induced tumor killing, and excellent biocompatibility and pharmacological kinetics characteristics. These benefits make MNP@MDSC a promising, multimodal agent for cancer theranostics.
For decades, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been widely incorporated into nanoparticles for evading immune clearance and improving the systematic circulation time. However, recent studies have ...reported a phenomenon known as “accelerated blood clearance (ABC)” where a second dose of PEGylated nanomaterials is rapidly cleared when given several days after the first dose. Herein, we demonstrate that natural red blood cell (RBC) membrane is a superior alternative to PEG. Biomimetic RBC membrane‐coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4@RBC NPs) rely on CD47, which is a “don't eat me” marker on the RBC surface, to escape immune clearance through interactions with the signal regulatory protein‐alpha (SIRP‐α) receptor. Fe3O4@RBC NPs exhibit extended circulation time and show little change between the first and second doses, with no ABC suffered. In addition, the administration of Fe3O4@RBC NPs does not elicit immune responses on neither the cellular level (myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs)) nor the humoral level (immunoglobulin M and G (IgM and IgG)). Finally, the in vivo toxicity of these cell membrane‐camouflaged nanoparticles is systematically investigated by blood biochemistry, hematology testing, and histology analysis. These findings are significant advancements toward solving the long‐existing clinical challenges of developing biomaterials that are able to resist both immune response and rapid clearance.
Red blood cell membrane‐camouflaged Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4@RBC NPs) exhibit prolonged circulation time in the blood with no adverse effects. There is little change between a first and second dose, and no accelerated blood clearance is seen, as is generally the case for PEGylated nanomaterials. This is a significant advancement toward developing biomaterials that are able to resist both immune response and rapid clearance.
Cell membrane–based nanosystems with desirable characteristics have been studied extensively for many therapeutic applications. However, current research has focused on single cell membrane, and ...multifunctional fused membrane materials from different membrane types are still rare. Herein, a platelet–cancer stem cell (CSC) hybrid membrane‐coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticle (MN) {CSC‐PMN} is presented for the first time for the enhanced photothermal therapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Inherited from the original source cells, the platelet membrane shows immune evading ability due to the surface marker comprising a number of “don't eat me” signals, and the CSC membrane has homotypic targeting capabilities due to the specific surface adhesion molecules. The CSC‐PMNs possess superior characteristics for immune evasion, active cancer targeting, magnetic resonance imaging, and photothermal therapy. Compared with single cell membrane–coated MNs, CSC‐PMNs exhibit prolonged circulation times and enhanced targeting abilities. Moreover, the CSC‐PMNs exhibit a superior photothermal ability that provides excellent HNSCC tumor growth inhibition, particularly in an immunocompetent Tgfbr1/Pten conditional double knockout HNSCC mouse model that contains a more complex tumor microenvironment that is similar to the human HNSCC microenvironment. Collectively, this biomimetic multimembrane‐coated nanoplatform may provide enhanced antitumor efficacy in the complex tumor microenvironment.
A natural cancer stem cell‐platelet hybrid mimic membrane is collected from tumor‐bearing mice and further used for magnetic nanoparticle coating. The obtained biomimetic nanoparticles are then injected into the same mice for magnetic resonance imaging and photothermal therapy. The work presents a novel design strategy for personalized cancer theranostics.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid‐bilayer membrane structures secreted by most cell types. EVs act as messengers via the horizontal transfer of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, and influence ...various pathophysiological processes in both parent and recipient cells. Compared to EVs obtained from body fluids or cell culture supernatants, EVs isolated directly from tissues possess a number of advantages, including tissue specificity, accurate reflection of tissue microenvironment, etc., thus, attention should be paid to tissue‐derived EVs (Ti‐EVs). Ti‐EVs are present in the interstitium of tissues and play pivotal roles in intercellular communication. Moreover, Ti‐EVs provide an excellent snapshot of interactions among various cell types with a common histological background. Thus, Ti‐EVs may be used to gain insights into the development and progression of diseases. To date, extensive investigations have focused on the role of body fluid‐derived EVs or cell culture‐derived EVs; however, the number of studies on Ti‐EVs remains insufficient. Herein, we summarize the latest advances in Ti‐EVs for cancers and non‐cancer diseases. We propose the future application of Ti‐EVs in basic research and clinical practice. Workflows for Ti‐EV isolation and characterization between cancers and non‐cancer diseases are reviewed and compared. Moreover, we discuss current issues associated with Ti‐EVs and provide potential directions.
Cancer immunotherapy offers a promising approach in cancer treatment. The adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) could protect cancerous tissues from immune clearance via inhibiting T cells response. To date, ...the role of A2AR in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been investigated. Here, we sought to explore the expression and immunotherapeutic value of A2AR blockade in HNSCC.
The expression of A2AR was evaluated by immunostaining in 43 normal mucosae, 48 dysplasia and 165 primary HNSCC tissues. The immunotherapeutic value of A2AR blockade was assessed in vivo in genetically defined immunocompetent HNSCC mouse model.
Immunostaining of HNSCC tissue samples revealed that increased expression of A2AR on tumor infiltrating immune cells correlated with advanced pathological grade, larger tumor size and positive lymph node status. Elevated A2AR expression was also detected in recurrent HNSCC and HNSCC tissues with induction chemotherapy. The expression of A2AR was found to be significantly correlated with HIF-1α, CD73, CD8 and Foxp3. Furthermore, the increased population of CD4
Foxp3
regulatory T cells (Tregs), which partially expressed A2AR, was observed in an immunocompetent mouse model that spontaneously develops HNSCC. Pharmacological blockade of A2AR by SCH58261 delayed the tumor growth in the HNSCC mouse model. Meanwhile, A2AR blockade significantly reduced the population of CD4
Foxp3
Tregs and enhanced the anti-tumor response of CD8
T cells.
These results offer a preclinical proof for the administration of A2AR inhibitor on prophylactic experimental therapy of HNSCC and suggest that A2AR blockade can be a potential novel strategy for HNSCC immunotherapy.
Cancer cell membrane‐coated upconversion nanoprobes (CC‐UCNPs) with immune escape and homologous targeting capabilities are used for highly specific tumor imaging. The combination of UCNPs with ...biomimetic cancer cell membranes embodies a novel materials design strategy and presents a compelling class of advanced materials.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a member of the STAT family, discovered in the cytoplasm of almost all types of mammalian cells, plays a significant role in biological ...functions. The duration of STAT3 activation in normal tissues is a transient event and is strictly regulated. However, in cancer tissues, STAT3 is activated in an aberrant manner and is induced by certain cytokines. The continuous activation of STAT3 regulates the expression of downstream proteins associated with the formation, progression, and metastasis of cancers. Thus, elucidating the mechanisms of STAT3 regulation and designing inhibitors targeting the STAT3 pathway are considered promising strategies for cancer treatment. This review aims to introduce the history, research advances, and prospects concerning the STAT3 pathway in cancer. We review the mechanisms of STAT3 pathway regulation and the consequent cancer hallmarks associated with tumor biology that are induced by the STAT3 pathway. Moreover, we summarize the emerging development of inhibitors that target the STAT3 pathway and novel drug delivery systems for delivering these inhibitors. The barriers against targeting the STAT3 pathway, the focus of future research on promising targets in the STAT3 pathway, and our perspective on the overall utility of STAT3 pathway inhibitors in cancer treatment are also discussed.
Since the discovery of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in 1994, the STAT3 pathway has been proven to play a pivotal role in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. This review summarizes the mechanisms of the STAT3 pathway regulation and the relationship between the STAT3 pathway and cancer hallmarks. The emerging development of the STAT3 pathway inhibitors, novel drug delivery systems, and perspective on the overall utility of the STAT3 pathway are also introduced.
Previous studies suggest that gut microbiota is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and depression. However, whether the ...composition and diversity of gut microbiota is altered in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains largely unknown. In the present study, we collected fecal samples from 43 AD patients and 43 age- and gender-matched cognitively normal controls. 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing technique was used to analyze the microbiota composition in feces. The composition of gut microbiota was different between the two groups. Several bacteria taxa in AD patients were different from those in controls at taxonomic levels, such as Bacteroides, Actinobacteria, Ruminococcus, Lachnospiraceae, and Selenomonadales. Our findings suggest that gut microbiota is altered in AD patients and may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD.
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