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Background: Acquired resistance and adverse effects are some of the challenges faced by thousands of Luminal A breast cancer patients under tamoxifen (TMX) treatment. Some authors associate the overexpression of HOXB7 with TMX resistance in this molecular subtype, and the knockdown of this gene could be an effective strategy to regain TMX sensitivity. Therefore, we used calcium phosphate hybrid nanoparticles (HNP) for the delivery of short interfering RNA molecule (siRNA) complementary to the HOXB7 gene and evaluated the RNA interference (RNAi) effects associated with TMX treatment in breast cancer in vivo. Methods: HNP were prepared by the self-assembly of a methoxy-poly (ethylene glycol)-block-poly (L-glutamic acid) copolymer (PEG-pGlu) and the coprecipitation of CaPO4 to incorporate siRNA. The in vitro cell viability and migration were evaluated prior to in vivo experiments. Further, animals bearing early-stage and advanced Luminal A breast cancer were treated with HNP-siHOXB7, HNP-siHOXB7 + TMX, and TMX. Antitumoral activity and gene expression were evaluated following histopathological, hematological, and biochemical analysis. Results: The HNP were efficient in delivering the siRNA in vitro and in vivo, whilst HOXB7 silencing associated with TMX administration promoted controlled tumor growth, as well as a higher survival rate and reduction in immuno- and hepatotoxicity. Conclusions: Therefore, our findings suggest that HOXB7 can be an interesting molecular target for Luminal A breast cancer, especially associated with hormone therapy, aiming for adverse effect mitigation and higher therapeutic efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, largely due to the limited efficacy of anticancer drugs, which is primarily attributed to insufficient doses reaching the lungs. Additionally, patients undergoing treatment experience severe systemic adverse effects due to the distribution of anticancer drugs to non-targeted sites. In light of these challenges, there has been a growing interest in pulmonary administration of drugs for the treatment of lung cancer. This route allows drugs to be delivered directly to the lungs, resulting in high local concentrations that can enhance antitumor efficacy while mitigating systemic toxic effects. However, pulmonary administration poses the challenge of overcoming the mechanical, chemical, and immunological defenses of the respiratory tract that prevent the inhaled drug from properly penetrating the lungs. To overcome these drawbacks, the use of nanoparticles in inhaler formulations may be a promising strategy. Nanoparticles can assist in minimizing drug clearance, increasing penetration into the lung epithelium, and enhancing cellular uptake. They can also facilitate increased drug stability, promote controlled drug release, and delivery to target sites, such as the tumor environment. Among them, chitosan-based nanoparticles demonstrate advantages over other polymeric nanocarriers due to their unique biological properties, including antitumor activity and mucoadhesive capacity. These properties have the potential to enhance the efficacy of the drug when administered via the pulmonary route. In view of the above, this paper provides an overview of the research conducted on the delivery of anticancer drug-loaded chitosan-based nanoparticles incorporated into inhaled drug delivery devices for the treatment of lung cancer. Furthermore, the article addresses the use of emerging technologies, such as siRNA (small interfering RNA), in the context of lung cancer therapy. Particularly, recent studies employing chitosan-based nanoparticles for siRNA delivery via the pulmonary route are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer represents the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, accounting for approximately one in eight cancers diagnosed. Despite significant advances in the diagnosis and detection of this disease, there is still a great need for more effective therapies to combat the invasive forms, especially those with a high incidence of metastasis. For that reason, bioactive molecules as peptides, including bovine lactoferricin (LfcinB), have been investigated. In this sense, there are reports that 20RRWQWR25 motif derivate from the LfcinB has shown activity against different cancer cell lines. Thus, current studies are being carried out with synthetic derivatives (linear, palindromic, dimer and tetrameric structures) that contain the 20RRWQWR25 motif in order to increase its activity against cancer cell lines by altering its hydrophobicity and net positive charge. In this regard, studies have focused on the use of LfcinB derivatives to combat breast cancer cell lines, with encouraging results. Therefore, in this mini-review, we present the state of the art regarding the activity of LfcinB and its analogs against breast cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many dermatological diseases still do not have an adequate treatment, such as melanoma. The treatments are usually lengthy, complex, with low cure rates and with severe side effects. This leads to low patient compliance, generating recurrence and/or worsening of the disease. Ethosomes, which are phospholipid-based vesicles containing ethanol, have shown great potential as drug delivery systems for the treatment of melanoma and other skin diseases. The unique structure of ethosomes allows for enhanced skin penetration and efficient delivery of therapeutic agents to the target site, improving the efficacy of treatment. The use of ethosomes in melanoma treatment holds promise for overcoming the limitations of conventional therapies, offering the potential for improved patient outcomes, reduced treatment duration, and minimized side effects. In this mini-review we present the advances, challenges, limitations and advantages, and future perspectives of the use of ethosomes in the treatment of the melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Novel nanostructured lipid carriers based on seed lipids were developed. • NLC containing finasteride was applied in vivo to treat androgenetic alopecia. • Increased active bulbs and hair restoration were observed in treated group. • Absence of systemic absorption and side effects after topical administration. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common hair loss disorder, affecting millions of men and women worldwide. Current formulations used to treat this condition often lead to a wide variety of side effects, ranging from allergies to sexual disfunction, especially when those drugs are administered orally. In this study, we developed and tested unique formulations containing nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) composed of lipids extracted from fruit seeds, carrying finasteride to enhance efficacy of AGA treatment. By stabilizing the hydrophobic compounds in the solid matrix, three formulations of NLC were engineered and successfully prepared. Further an in vivo model of AGA was induced in rats by the administration of testosterone, as a platform to evaluate the efficiency of the formulations. The chosen formulation exhibited high bioavailability, medium size of 124.5 nm and PdI of 0.143, without systemic absorption. In addition, it promoted efficient and significant follicle restoration in AGA induced rats by increasing number of active bulbs and showed to be a safe formulation for topical application. The results of this research indicate that the presented formulation has significant potential to yield improved outcomes in AGA treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To isolate licochalcone A (LicoA) from licorice, prepare LicoA-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (L-SLNs) and evaluate the L-SLNs in vitro and in vivo against Schistosoma mansoni. Materials & methods: LicoA was obtained by chromatographic fractionation and encapsulated in SLNs by a modified high shear homogenization method. Results: L-SLNs showed high encapsulation efficiency, with satisfactory particle size, polydispersity index and Zeta potential. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that L-SLNs were rounded and homogenously distributed. Toxicity studies revealed that SLNs decreased the hemolytic and cytotoxic properties of LicoA. Treatment with L-SLNs showed in vivo efficacy against S. mansoni. Conclusion: L-SLNs are efficient in reducing worm burden and SLNs may be a promising delivery system for LicoA to treat S. mansoni infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]