Search

We report herein on the design, synthesis and biological activity of Ru-based self-assembled supramolecular bowls as a potent anticancer therapeutic in human hepatocellular cancer. The potent complex induces production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by higher fatty acid β-oxidation and down-regulation of glucose transporter-mediated pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 via reduced hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. Also, overexpressed acetyl-CoA activates the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the electron transport system and induces hypergeneration of ROS. Finally, ROS overexpressed through this pathway leads to apoptosis. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the naphthalene derived molecular bowl activates classical apoptosis via crosstalk between the extrinsic and intrinsic signal pathway. Our work into the mechanism of Ru-based self-assembled supramolecular bowls can provide valuable insight into the potential for use as a promising anticancer agent.

Ferroptosis, driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, has shown considerable promise in cancer therapy due to its distinct biochemical properties and potential for synergistic interaction with other treatments. This review comprehensively explores multimodal synergistic ferroptosis cancer therapy, elucidating mechanistic insights and therapeutic potential. The synergistic dual activation of ferroptosis enhances cancer cell death by overwhelming cellular antioxidant defenses and potentiating cytotoxic effects, offering tailored therapy. Combining ferroptosis with photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) demonstrates synergistic effects in enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, disrupting cellular membranes, and inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD), improving treatment outcomes. Integrating ferroptosis therapy with immunotherapy harnesses the immune system to target cancer cells, priming the tumor microenvironment for immune recognition and activation, enhancing immunotherapy efficacy. Challenges and opportunities for multimodal synergistic ferroptosis cancer therapy consist of identifying optimal combinations, elucidating treatment resistance mechanisms, optimizing protocols, and developing targeted delivery systems. The integration of ferroptosis therapy with other modalities holds promise for revolutionizing cancer treatment and advancing precision medicine. This review explores the integration of ferroptosis with diverse therapeutic modalities for enhanced cancer treatment efficacy, elucidating mechanistic insights and preclinical outcomes. [Display omitted] • Synergistic ferroptosis integration with PTT, CDT, PDT, SDT, and immunotherapy. • Mechanistic insights into overcoming treatment resistance and enhancing outcomes. • Advanced nanoplatforms for combined ferroptosis, apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. • Future directions for optimizing protocols and developing targeted delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review explores the potential of covalent organic frameworks in advancing cancer phototherapy, specifically in photothermal and photodynamic therapy, as well as their contributions to combination phototherapies. It also underlines the need for standardized protocols to facilitate their integration into clinical settings. [Display omitted] • COFs demonstrate precise and targeted action in cancer phototherapy. • Their ability to generate reactive oxygen species marks a significant advancement. • Combination therapies involving COFs exhibit promising synergistic effects in phototherapy. • Rigorous evaluation, in vivo stability assessment, and innovative drug delivery strategies are essential for successful phototherapy translation. The global prevalence of cancer presents a formidable challenge to medical systems, compelling the pursuit of novel and effective therapeutic modalities to improve patient survival rates. In this context, cancer phototherapy, encompassing both photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal (PTT) therapies, stands out as a targeted, minimally invasive modality to trigger the selective ablation of cancer cells. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), with their distinct crystalline and porous nature, excellent biocompatibility, and chemical robustness, are increasingly recognized as outstanding materials to propel cancer phototherapy forward. In this review, we focus on examining the application of COF nanoparticles in the domain of PDT and PTT, demonstrating their potent anti-cancer capabilities. We pay special attention to combination therapies that exploit COFs, particularly those that elicit immunogenic cell death. These synergistic approaches offer considerable promise for the enhancement of cancer therapy efficiency. Additionally, we address the prevalent hurdles associated with COF-based cancer phototherapy, such as toxicity concerns, in vivo stability issues, and the complexities of photo agent delivery. We also discuss potential methods to overcome these barriers, especially through surface modifications of COFs. The review concludes by charting prospective research paths and the urgent need for the establishment of standardized procedures to fast-track the clinical adoption of COF-based phototherapy. By offering a detailed yet succinct outline of the capabilities of COFs in advancing cancer phototherapy, this article provides valuable insights for investigators in this vibrant field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review explores the advanced strategies using COFs for improving the treatment of hypoxic tumors, including oxygen-boosting COFs, drug-delivery COFs, type-I photodynamic therapy, thermo and sonodynamic therapies, immune responses, and combination therapy. We also discussed the current challenges and prospects for therapies that use COFs to target low-oxygen tumors specifically. [Display omitted] • COFs can enhance oxygen levels in hypoxic tumors and deliver anticancer drugs, prodrugs, and immune therapies through modifications. • COFs have the potential for efficient photodynamic, photothermal, and chemodynamic therapies for hypoxic tumors. • The engineering principle for tumor hypoxia-associative nano COFs is elaborated. • Limitations and prospects of COFs for hypoxia-based cancer therapy are discussed. Hypoxia, or low oxygen levels, is a common feature of the tumor microenvironment. It is caused by the aggressive proliferation of cancer cells, which consume more oxygen than healthy cells. Hypoxia not only activates several signaling pathways that promote tumor growth, and metastasis but also increases resistance to conventional cancer treatments. The introduction of covalent organic frameworks (COFs), with their porous structure, high stability, tunable properties, large surface area, and unrivaled biocompatibility, has offered promising prospects for resolving hypoxia-specific challenges. This write-up critically explores the COFs in enhancing oxygen delivery, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, optimized drug delivery, and enabling hypoxia-specific imaging. Furthermore, it outlines how COFs facilitate various hypoxia-targeting therapeutic modalities such as chemotherapy, type-I and type-II photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy. By evaluating the latest research findings and their implications, this review offers insights into the potent role of COFs in curtailing hypoxia and bolstering cancer treatment efficiency. The overarching goal of this assessment is to enrich our understanding of hypoxia-specific cancer therapy strategies, crediting the pivotal role of COFs. It is hoped that this greater comprehension of the abilities and constraints of COFs will pave the way to conceive more potent and targeted therapeutic interventions, thereby enhancing patient outcomes in the complex terrain of cancer therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc sulphide (ZnS) along with different transition metals has been used for various optoelectronic, photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities. In the present report, zinc sulphide (ZnS) and ZnS/ V2O5 nanocomposite have been prepared using the chemical co-precipitation (CcP) and microwave (MW) method and their comparison was done. The presence of functional groups was assessed using the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy along with elemental detection using Energy Dispersive X-ray. The structural properties were studied with the help of referral X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicating the major planes of the synthesized nanoparticles and their structural nature. Immobilization of the dopant significantly reduced the bandgap energy of ZnS from 3.5 eV to 2.78 eV. SEM analysis revealed the sheet-like arrangement of the doped nanoparticles. Antibacterial studies on the disease-causing bacterial species such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Salmonella typhi showed positive responses on using pure ZnS NPs and ZnS/ V2O5 nanocomposites synthesized by co-precipitation and microwave methods. It was observed that the microwave synthesized nanoparticles and nanocomposites exhibited higher antibacterial activity with the maximum shown by ZnS/V2O5 (1%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This tutorial review summarizes the strategies for improving the efficacy of PDT in hypoxic tumor therapy. The advantages of combining PDT with other therapeutics, such as chemotherapy, chemodynamic therapy, gas therapy, immunotherapy and gene therapy, are also demonstrated. Finally, the existing challenges and future perspectives on clinical PDT for hypoxic tumors are discussed. [Display omitted] • Advanced materials and strategies for PDT to overcome hypoxia are classified. • Novel nano-systems in enhancing anti-tumor effects are summarized. • Combining PDT with other therapeutics to achieve synergetic effects are reported. • The current challenges and further opportunities are discussed. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been a preferred clinical technology for treating superficial tumors due to its advantages of high selectivity, non-invasiveness and negligible drug resistance. However, the hypoxic tumor microenvironment weakens the efficiency of O 2 -dependent PDT. Moreover, the PDT process consumes a large amount of O 2 and destroys the tumor blood vessels and further blocks the O 2 supply to tumor sites. Therefore, developing more advanced materials and methods for PDT of the hypoxic tumor is an essential scientific significance. This tutorial review summarizes the strategies for improving the efficacy of PDT in hypoxic tumor therapy, which is categorized into three sections: (I) enhancing O 2 concentration in the tumor; (II) disregarding hypoxia; and (III) exploiting hypoxia. The advantages of combining PDT with other therapeutics, such as chemotherapy, chemo-dynamic therapy, gas therapy, immunotherapy and gene therapy, are also demonstrated. Finally, the existing challenges and future perspectives on clinical PDT for hypoxic tumors are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]