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Simple Summary: Among the different types of breast cancers, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis and is the most difficult type to treat by monotherapy due to the absence of common targeting receptors. In our review, we focused on the current advanced combination therapies, which include immunotherapy and chemotherapy, immunotherapy and gene therapy, and nanotechnology-based combination therapies for TNBC treatment. Additionally, we discussed the therapeutic outcomes of in vivo studies and clinical trials of the combination therapies. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), lacking specific receptors found in other breast cancer subtypes, poses significant treatment challenges due to limited therapeutic options. Therefore, it is necessary to develop novel treatment approaches for TNBC. In the last few decades, many attempts have been reported for alternative tools for TNBC treatment: immunotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, combination therapy, and nanotechnology-based therapy. Among them, combination therapy and nanotechnology-based therapy show the most promise for TNBC treatment. This review outlines recent advancements in these areas, highlighting the efficacy of combination therapy (immunotherapy paired with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiotherapy) in both preclinical and clinical stages and nanotechnology-based therapies utilizing various nanoparticles loaded with anticancer agents, nucleic acids, immunotherapeutics, or CRISPRs in preclinical stages for TNBC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a negative expression of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptors (HER2). The survival rate for TNBC is generally worse than other breast cancer subtypes. TNBC treatment has made significant advances, but certain limitations remain. Treatment for TNBC can be challenging since the disease has various molecular subtypes. A variety of treatment options are available, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Chemotherapy is the most common of these options. TNBC is generally treated with systemic chemotherapy using drugs such as anthracyclines and taxanes in neoadjuvant or adjuvant settings. Developing resistance to anticancer drugs and off-target toxicity are the primary hindrances to chemotherapeutic solutions for cancer. It is imperative that researchers, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies work together to develop effective treatment options for TNBC. Several studies have suggested nanotechnology as a potential solution to the problem of suboptimal TNBC treatment. In this review, we summarized possible treatment options for TNBC, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, combination therapy, and nanoparticle-based therapy, and some solutions for the treatment of TNBC in the future. Moreover, we gave general information about TNBC in terms of its characteristics and aggressiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Nanoparticle size is important in drug delivery. Clearance of nanoparticles by cells of the reticuloendothelial system has been reported to increase with increase in particle size. Further, nanoparticles should be small enough to avoid lung or spleen filtering effects. Endocytosis and accumulation in tumor tissue by the enhanced permeability and retention effect are also processes that are influenced by particle size. We present the results of studies designed to optimize cross-linked biodegradable stealth polymeric nanoparticles fabricated by dispersion polymerization. Methods: Nanoparticles were fabricated using different amounts of macromonomer, initiators, crosslinking agent and stabilizer in a dioxane/DMSO/water solvent system. Confirmation of nanoparticle formation was by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Particle size was measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). D-optimal mixture statistical experimental design was used for the experimental runs, followed by model generation (Scheffe polynomial) and optimization with the aid of a computer software. Model verification was done by comparing particle size data of some suggested solutions to the predicted particle sizes. Results and conclusion: Data showed that average particle sizes follow the same trend as predicted by the model. Negative terms in the model corresponding to the cross-linking agent and stabilizer indicate the important factors for minimizing particle size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Development of biologically active polymers is an active area of research due to their applications in varied and diverse fields of biomedical research: cell adhesion, tissue proliferation, and drug delivery. Recent advances in chemical modification allow fine-tuning of the properties of biomedical polymers to improve their applications: blood circulation half-life, stimuli-responsive degradation, site-specific targeting, drug loading, etc. In this article, convergent synthesis of polymerizable macromonomers bearing a site-specific ligand (RGD peptide) using a low molecular weight MA-poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs) is presented. The method affords macromonomers useful as the starting materials to produce biomedical polymers. We found matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectromerty convenient in monitoring the conjugation process via step-by-step following of PEG modification. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40385. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports have shown that interspecies differences in the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of naltrexone are a rule rather than exception. However, there is paucity of information on the disposition of naltrexone in selectively bred rat lines that reliably exhibit high and low voluntary alcohol consumption, and are often used to study alcohol-drinking behavior. We have characterized the pharmacokinetic profiles of naltrexone in selectively bred rat lines: high-alcohol-drinking (HAD-1) and low-alcohol-drinking (LAD-1) rats as well as the native Wistar strain. This study was carried out to establish a baseline pharmacokinetic profile of naltrexone in these rats prior to evaluating its pharmacokinetic profile in polymeric controlled-release formulations in our laboratory. The hypothesis is that alcohol-preferring and non-alcohol-preferring lines of rats should differ in the disposition of intravenously administered naltrexone. Naltrexone administration and blood collection were via the jugular vein. In a parallel experiment, naltrexone was administered via the jugular vein, but urine was collected using the Nalgene metabolic cage system. Data were analyzed by a noncompartmental approach. Results show a high clearance that is close to or higher than hepatic blood flow in all groups (Wistar > LAD-1 > HAD-1, but with a statistically significant difference only between Wistar and HAD-1). Volume of distribution (∼2.5–3 l/kg) and the half-life (∼1 h) were similar. Urinary elimination of naltrexone was small, but also showed differences between the rats: HAD-1 > LAD-1 > Wistar, but with a statistically significant difference only between HAD-1 and Wistar rats. This study has therefore established the baseline disposition characteristics of naltrexone in these strains of rats. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three methods were investigated for their suitability for the activation of poly(ethylene glycol) 2000 mono-methyl ether en route to conjugation with dendrimers, using 4-nitrophenylchloroformate as the activator. The use of acetonitrile as a solvent gave the best results. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafted polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers were synthesized and characterized; the use of acetonitrile as a solvent gave the best result. A series of PEG conjugated PAMAM dendrimers with varying degrees of substitution of the dendrimer surface functional group by PEG were prepared. The encapsulation efficiency and the in vitro release characteristics of these PEG conjugated PAMAM dendrimers were studied. The percentage coverage of PAMAM dendrimer surface with PEG had little effect on the encapsulation efficiency but affected the release of methotrexate. JR spectra showed that many of the encapsulated methotrexate molecules were located within the cavity of the dendrimer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The project aimed at enhancing the teaching and learning of pharmaceutics by combining didactic pedagogy and student analysis of research articles in the field of pharmaceutics as a teaching intervention. The students were assigned to groups, and research articles were given to each group together with questions to develop lines of thought. Each group then made a presentation to the class. Students' reactions to the teaching intervention were measured using a Likert-type scale (“strongly disagree” = 1 to “strongly agree” = 5) and five statements related to the use of research articles in the course. Overall results indicate that students' reactions were positive. Seventy-five percent of the students reported that the use of the research articles increased their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter that was being taught. Eighty-seven percent of the students agreed that the questions prepared by the professors on each of the research articles were helpful and should be used in the future. Ninety-two percent of the students agreed that the research articles were connected to what they were learning in the various courses in pharmaceutics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Organic-redox initiated polymerization technique based on the co-initiators system comprising benzoyl peroxide and N-phenyldiethanolamine was used at ambient temperature to fabricate pH-responsive hydrogels. The effects of changes in the concentration of the co-initiators system, the ratio in which the co-initiators combined, the type of the polymerization solvent, the pH of the hydrating medium, the concentration of the cross-linking agent based on azobond and the pH-sensitive cross-linking agent on the properties of the hydrogels were investigated. Increasing the concentration of the co-initiators system, decreasing the concentration of the two types of cross-linking agents, and replacing DMSO by ethanol as the polymerization solvent resulted in hydrogels with increased equilibrium swelling ratio and increased molecular weight between cross-links at pH 7.4. Increasing the concentration of N-phenyldiethanolamine while keeping the concentration of benzoyl peroxide constant gave hydrogels with increased equilibrium swelling ratios. The equilibrium swelling ratios of the hydrogels at pH 2.0 were not affected by the factors investigated. The polymerization technique may be suitable for the design of drug delivery systems containing thermolabile bioactive agents like peptides and proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hydrolyzable crosslinker (N,O-dimethacryloylhydroxylamine (MANHOMA)) was synthesized by a modified method and was characterized using 1H-NMR, FTIR, and melting point determination. Naltrexone-loaded nanoparticles were prepared by copolymerization of poly(ethylene glycol)1000 monomethyl ether mono methacrylate (PEO-MA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and N,O-dimethacryloylhydroxylamine (MANHOMA) in 0.4% poly(vinyl alcohol) aqueous solution. The nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR, particle size determination and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The TEM photomicrographs of the nanoparticles show a crosslinked core surrounded by a ring formed by the polyethylene glycol tail of PEO-MA. The loading efficiency of the nanoparticles and in vitro drug availability from the nanoparticles were investigated. The naltrexone-loaded hydrolyzable crosslinked nanoparticles were able to sustain the release of naltrexone for different periods of time, depending on the monomer feed composition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]