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Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) poses a significant challenge in local treatment, primarily attributed to its intricate tumor immune microenvironment. The immunosuppression of natural killer (NK) cells within the microenvironment, exacerbated by selenium (Se) deficiency, constitutes a pivotal treatment bottleneck. Building upon prior investigations, this study delves into the impact and mechanisms of functionalized lentinan selenium nanoparticles (LET‐SeNPs) on NK cells in MPE, presenting a novel local treatment strategy for lung adenocarcinoma with malignant pleural effusion (MPE‐LA). The synergistic application of LET‐SeNPs serves to replenish Se levels in MPE, modulate NK cells, augment their quantity, restore and enhance their functionality. Additionally, LET‐SeNPs facilitate NK cells activation through the TrxR1‐IL18RAP‐pSTAT3 pathway, resulting in effective lung cancer cell eradication and reduced pleural effusion production. Furthermore, pre‐stimulation of NK cells by LET‐SeNPs, combined with CAR‐NK cell therapy, harnesses the innate immune system, exhibiting a potent anti‐tumor effect. This research introduces a compelling strategy to advance the clinical implementation of targeted nanomaterials or lead compounds with explicit targets and mechanisms, thereby enhancing NK cell therapy for comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of MPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucocorticoid (GC)‐induced osteoporosis (GIO) is a concurrent disease commonly appeared in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease patients. Stereoselective recognition between chiral drugs and homochiral biological molecules could directly affect their distribution, adhesion and transport. Herein, trace element selenium (Se) with bone formation‐regulating activity, is employed to construct cysteine‐decorated chiral nanoparticles (Cys@SeNPs) to attenuate GIO. Interestingly, comparing with the racemic (DL‐Cys@SeNPs) and D‐Cys@SeNPs, the L‐Cys@SeNPs displays higher uptake in osteoblast cells and could lessen reactive oxygen species overproduction to block dexamethasone (Dex)‐induced osteoblasts cells apoptosis. Intracellular L‐Cys@SeNPs could be predominantly transformed to selenocystine to upregulate the expression levels of antioxidative selenoproteins to effectively scavenge Dex‐induced excessive ROS accumulation in osteoblasts, and thus reduce the undesirable apoptosis through activating Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Consistently, L‐Cys@SeNPs significantly alleviates the main osteoporosis symptoms of bone trabeculae destruction and decreased bone density in vivo, and also reduces the weight gain and fatty liver formation in Dex‐exposed mice, thus suppressing the overall side effects of Dex. This study not only demonstrates an effective strategy for treatment of GIO by using chiral Se nanomedicine, but also elucidates the important roles of selenoproteins in alleviating osteoporosis, which could help for future Se‐based drug design through chirality control engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer are among the highest in the world. Traditional treatment methods include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Although rapid progress has been achieved in the past decade, treatment limitations remain. It is therefore imperative to identify safer and more effective therapeutic methods, and research is currently being conducted to identify more efficient and less harmful drugs. In recent years, the discovery of antitumor drugs based on the essential trace element selenium (Se) has provided good prospects for lung cancer treatments. In particular, compared to inorganic Se (Inorg-Se) and organic Se (Org-Se), Se nanomedicine (Se nanoparticles; SeNPs) shows much higher bioavailability and antioxidant activity and lower toxicity. SeNPs can also be used as a drug delivery carrier to better regulate protein and DNA biosynthesis and protein kinase C activity, thus playing a role in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. SeNPs can also effectively activate antigen-presenting cells to stimulate cell immunity, exert regulatory effects on innate and regulatory immunity, and enhance lung cancer immunotherapy. This review summarizes the application of Se-based species and materials in lung cancer diagnosis, including fluorescence, MR, CT, photoacoustic imaging and other diagnostic methods, as well as treatments, including direct killing, radiosensitization, chemotherapeutic sensitization, photothermodynamics, and enhanced immunotherapy. In addition, the application prospects and challenges of Se-based drugs in lung cancer are examined, as well as their forecasted future clinical applications and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bladder cancer (BC) is a common malignancy in the genitourinary system and the current theranostic approaches are unsatisfactory. Sensitivity and specificity of current diagnosis methods are not ideal and high recurrence and progression rates after initial treatment indicate the urgent need for management improvements in clinic. Nanotechnology has been proposed as an effective method to improve theranosis efficiency for both non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). For example, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been developed for simple, fast and sensitive urinary sample test for bladder cancer diagnosis. Nanoparticles targeting bladder cancers can facilitate to distinguish the normal and abnormal bladder tissues during cystoscopy and thus help with the complete removal of malignant lesions. Both intravenous and intravesical agents can be modified by nanotechnology for targeted delivery, high anti-tumor efficiency and excellent tolerability, exhibiting encouraging potential in bladder cancer treatment. Photosensitizers and biological agents can also be delivered by nanotechnology, intermediating phototherapy and targeted therapy. The management of bladder cancer remained almost unchanged for decades with unsatisfactory effect. However, it is likely to change with the fast-developed nanotechnology. Herein we summarized the current utility of nanotechnology in bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment, providing insights for the future designing and discovering novel nanoparticles for bladder cancer management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: 2D Sn nanosheets (SnNSs) were prepared through the combination of cryogenic exfoliation and liquid-phase exfoliation. The functionalized 2D SnNSs have good stability, superior biocompatibility, high photothermal conversion efficiency, and multimode imaging capability.Stanene (Sn)-based materials have been extensively applied in industrial production and daily life, but their potential biomedical application remains largely unexplored, which is due to the absence of the appropriate and effective methods for fabricating Sn-based biomaterials. Herein, we explored a new approach combining cryogenic exfoliation and liquid-phase exfoliation to successfully manufacture two-dimensional (2D) Sn nanosheets (SnNSs). The obtained SnNSs exhibited a typical sheet-like structure with an average size of ~ 100 nm and a thickness of ~ 5.1 nm. After PEGylation, the resulting PEGylated SnNSs (SnNSs@PEG) exhibited good stability, superior biocompatibility, and excellent photothermal performance, which could serve as robust photothermal agents for multi-modal imaging (fluorescence/photoacoustic/photothermal imaging)-guided photothermal elimination of cancer. Furthermore, we also used first-principles density functional theory calculations to investigate the photothermal mechanism of SnNSs, revealing that the free electrons in upper and lower layers of SnNSs contribute to the conversion of the photo to thermal. This work not only introduces a new approach to fabricate 2D SnNSs but also establishes the SnNSs-based nanomedicines for photonic cancer theranostics. This new type of SnNSs with great potential in the field of nanomedicines may spur a wave of developing Sn-based biological materials to benefit biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photothermal therapy has attracted much interest for use in cancer treatment in recent years. In this study, Cu2Se nanoparticles as a novel photothermal agent modified by chitosan (CS-Cu2SeNPs) were successfully synthesized through a facile route at room temperature. The as-synthesized CS-Cu2SeNPs exhibited good water solubility and significant stability. CS-Cu2SeNPs can efficiently convert near-infrared (NIR) light into heat and exhibit excellent thermostability. In vitro experiments showed that CS-Cu2SeNPs had selective cellular uptake between cancer and normal cells and expressed clear anticancer activity on A375 and HeLa human cancer cells. In addition, the anticancer activity was increased to about 400 % by combination with a laser at 808 nm, which acted through induction of apoptosis with the involvement of intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. CS-Cu2SeNPs irradiated with a laser effectively triggered the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction that promoted cell apoptosis. Therefore, the developed CS-Cu2SeNPs could be used as a novel phototherapeutic agent for the photothermal therapy of human cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of metal complexes in cancer treatment is hampered by the insufficient accumulation in tumor regions and observable systemic toxicity due to their nonspecificity in vivo . Herein we present a cancer-targeted DNA origami as biocompatible nanocarrier of metal complexes to achieve advanced antitumor effect. The formation of unique tetrahedral nanostructure of DNA cages effectively enhances the interaction between ruthenium polypyridyl complexes (RuPOP) and the cages, thus increasing the drug loading efficacy. Conjugation of biotin to the DNA-based nanosystem (Bio-cage@Ru) enhances its specific cellular uptake, drug retention and cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells. Different from free RuPOP and the cage itself, Bio-cage@Ru translocates to cell nucleus after internalization, where it undergoes self-immolative cleavage in response to DNases, leading to triggered drug release and induction of ROS-mediated cell apoptosis. Moreover, in the nude mice model, the nanosystem specifically accumulates in tumor sites, thus exhibits satisfactory in vivo antitumor efficacy, and alleviates the damage of liver, kidney, lung and heart function of nude mice induced by RuPOP and tumor xenografts. Collectively, this study demonstrates a strategy for construction of biocompatible and cancer-targeted DNA origami with enhanced anticancer efficacy and reduced toxicity for next-generation cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction of bioresponsive drug-delivery nanosystems could enhance the anticancer efficacy of anticancer agents and reduce their toxic side effects. Herein, by using transferrin (Tf) as a surface decorator, we constructed a cancer-targeted nanographene oxide (NGO) nanosystem for use in drug delivery. This nanosystem (Tf-NGO@HPIP) drastically enhanced the cellular uptake, retention, and anticancer efficacy of loaded drugs but showed much lower toxicity to normal cells. The nanosystem was internalized through receptor-mediated endocytosis and triggered pH-dependent drug release in acidic environments and in the presence of cellular enzymes. Moreover, Tf-NGO@HPIP effectively induced cancer-cell apoptosis through activation of superoxide-mediated p53 and MAPK pathways along with inactivation of ERK and AKT. Taken together, this study demonstrates a good strategy for the construction of bioresponsive NGO drug-delivery nanosystems and their use as efficient anticancer drug carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance of cancer to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy is one of the important reasons of clinical treatment failure and recurrence. Chemoradiation is an optional method to over-coming of radioresistance and chemoresistance. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) with special chemical and physical properties, has been identified as a novel nanocarrier and therapy agent with broad-spectrum anticancer activities due to generate ROS in cells. Herein, X-ray responsive selenium nanoparticles were facilely fabricated by using PEG as surface decorator and template. This nanosystem (PEG-SeNPs) demonstrated X-ray responsive property that was attributed to its amorphous characteristic. Interestingly, the nanosystem demonstrated significant radiosensitization effects with X-ray. Specifically, co-treatment of cancer cells with PEG-SeNPs and X-ray significantly and synergistically enhanced the cells growth inhibition through induction of cell apoptosis, as evidenced by DNA fragmentation and activation of caspase-3. In the cell model, we found that internalized nanoparticles could degrade upon X-ray exposure, which further confirm the X-ray responsive property of the nanoparticles. Moreover, the nanosystem could significantly induced intracellular ROS generation in a time-dependent manner, which peaked at about 40 min and gradually decreased thereafter. As a results, ROS overproduction led to mitochondria fragmentation and the cell apoptosis. Taken together, this study provides a novel strategy for rational design and facile synthesis of chemo-radio therapeutic radiosensitization nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer-surface decoration has been found to be an effective strategy to enhance the biological activities of nanomedicine. Herein, three different types of polymers with a cancer-targeting ligand Arg-Gly-Asp peptide (RGD) have been used to decorate mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and the functionalized nanosystems were used as drug carriers of oxaliplatin (OXA). The results showed that polymer-surface decoration of the MSNs nanosystem by poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) significantly enhanced the anticancer efficacy of OXA, which was much higher than that of chitosan (CTS). This effect was closely related to the enhancement of the cellular uptake and cellular drug retention. Moreover, PEI@MSNs-OXA possessed excellent advantages in penetrating ability and inhibitory effects on SW480 spheroids that were used to simulate the in vivo tumor environments. Therefore, this study provides useful information for the rational design of a cancertargeted MSNs nanosystem with polymer-surface decoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study not only provides a simple method for synthesis of a specific DNA-SeNPs, which is a simple and cost-saving nanosystem, for recognition and removal of anti-dsDNA autoantibodies both in serum from 128 clinically identified systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and kidney from 36 clinically identified lupus nephritis (LN) patients, but also sheds light on the possible action mechanisms of anti-dsDNA antibodies in the pathogenesis and progression of SLE. [Display omitted] • SLE-specific targeting DNA-SeNPs with perfect biocompatibility. • DNA-SeNPs highly efficient remove anti-dsDNA autoantibodies in serum of SLE patients. • DNA-SeNPs could visualize the distribution of anti-dsDNA antibodies in the LN. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with increasing morbidity and mortality rate is characterized by multisystem damage and diverse autoantibodies production, such as anti-double stranded (ds) DNA antibodies. It is noted that anti-dsDNA antibodies are essential in the pathogenesis and progression of SLE and lupus nephritis (LN), however; anti-dsDNA antibodies could not be specifically recognized and quickly removed in clinic. Therefore, it is urgently needed to develop SLE-specific targeting agents to improve the diagnose and treatment of SLE. Herein, a selenium nanosystem (DNA-SeNPs) with surface decoration of calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) was constructed to specifically recognize and remove anti-dsDNA autoantibodies in the serums of 128 SLE patients and in the kidneys of 36 LN patients. The nanotherapeutics exhibited perfect biocompatibility and safety in patients to directly eliminate anti-dsDNA antibodies. In addition, the clearance ratio of anti-dsDNA antibodies by DNA-SeNPs was notably higher than other products widely used in clinical practice, implying that the excellent removal efficiency of this nanotherapeutics. Importantly, DNA-SeNPs not only help to visualize the distribution of anti-dsDNA antibodies in the lesions of kidney, but also semi-quantify the deposition of these antibodies, which are the key cause of the local damage. To sum up, this study provides a simple approach for rational design of nanoscale SLE-targeting nanomedicine to improve the diagnose and treatment of SLE, also sheds light on the possible mechanisms of anti-dsDNA antibodies in the pathogenesis and progression of SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein a bioactive component of mannose-rich oligosaccharides with potent anti-inflammatory capacity was employed to functionalize SeNPs to achieve high stability, biocompatibility and therapeutic potential by promoting macrophages reprogramming leading to inflammation resolution. This study not only provides strategy for functionalization of nanomedicines using structure-optimized MRO, but also reveals the action mechanism on successful treatment of IBD and other intestinal diseases. [Display omitted] • Bioactive mannose-rich oligosaccharides were produced by enzymatic hydrolysis. • Functionalized MRO-SeNPs reprograms macrophage towards M2 polarization. • MRO-SeNPs effectively alleviates DSS-induced colitis in mice. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a global disease and usually classified into Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), in which the inflammatory response is known to play a pivotal role. Herein, a bioactive component of mannose-rich oligosaccharides (MRO) was produced by enzymatic hydrolysis with most potent anti-inflammation and employed to functionalize selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), aming to solve of inflammation in UC by accelerating the reprogramming of macrophages. In this study, SeNPs was prepared by selenite and MRO with ascorbic acid reduction. The stability and biocompatibility of SeNPs was obviously improved by the functionalization of MRO, resulting in spheres (2 µM Se) carrying around 26 ng/ml MRO (MRO-SeNPs) with an average diameter of 70 nm remained stable in 60 d. In addition, efficient cellular uptake of MRO-SeNPs in macrophages was detected by contribution of MRO targeted to the receptors of macrophages. As expected, MRO-SeNPs exhibited improvement of macrophage reprogramming in vitro , thus leading to a typical M2 polarization profile of cytokine expression. Furthermore, in DSS-induced mouse colitis model, MRO-SeNPs effectively mitigated colitis by suppressing the pro-inflammatory such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12 and MCP-1 cytokines in situ , and exerted salient antioxidant capacity in colon tissues. As a result, MRO-SeNPs exhibited therapeutic potential by promoting macrophages reprogramming leading to inflammation resolution. Taken together, this study not only provides strategy for functionalization of nanomedicines using structure-optimized MRO, but also reveals the action mechanism on successful treatment of IBD and other intestinal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonspecific absorption and clearance of nanomaterials during circulation is the major cause for treatment failure in nanomedicine‐based cancer therapy. Therefore, herein bioinspired red blood cell (RBC) membrane is employed to camouflage 2D MoSe2 nanosheets with high photothermal conversion efficiency to achieve enhanced hemocompatibility and circulation time by preventing macrophage phagocytosis. RBC–MoSe2‐potentiated photothermal therapy (PTT) demonstrates potent in vivo antitumor efficacy, which triggers the release of tumor‐associated antigens to activate cytotoxic T lymphocytes and inactivate the PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway to avoid immunologic escape. Furthermore, in the ablated tumor microenvironment, the tumor‐associated macrophages are effectively reprogrammed to tumoricidal M1 phenotype to potentiate the antitumor action. Taken together, this biomimetic functionalization thus provides a substantial advance in personalized PTT‐triggered immunotherapy for clinical translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A valid tactic for facile synthesis of multifunctional tellurium nanorods to achieve simultaneous chemophotohermal combination cancer therapy is reported by Tianfeng Chen and co‐workers in article number 1701388. In combination with near‐infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, the tellurium nanorods exhibit good photothermal conversion ability from NIR light to heat energy, and show excellent chemo‐photothermal efficiency and low toxicity to normal organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]