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The long circulation time and targeting drug delivery at tumor sites are still the main challenges of nanodrug delivery systems for antitumor activity. Herein, a cancer cell membrane-coated biomimetic nanodrug delivery system was fabricated. The paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles (PPNs) were used as the inner cores and 4T1 cancer cell membranes were coated on the surface of PPNs as the outer shells. The biomimetic platform was noted as CPPNs. The CPPNs exhibited proper sizes for the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and could maintain stability in a simulated physiological environment. The CPPNs exhibited a better antitumor effect than PPNs and free PTX

The development of nano drug delivery systems (NDDSs) provides new approaches to fighting against diseases. The NDDSs are specially designed to serve as carriers for the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to their target sites, which would certainly extend the benefit of their unique physicochemical characteristics, such as prolonged circulation time, improved targeting and avoiding of drug-resistance. Despite the remarkable progress achieved over the last three decades, the understanding of the relationships between the in vivo pharmacokinetics of NDDSs and their safety profiles is insufficient. Analysis of NDDSs is far more complicated than the monitoring of small molecular drugs in terms of structure, composition and aggregation state, whereby almost all of the conventional techniques are inadequate for accurate profiling their pharmacokinetic behavior in vivo. Herein, the advanced bioanalysis for tracing the in vivo fate of NDDSs is summarized, including liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) fluorophore, aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorophores, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiolabeling, fluorescence spectroscopy, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma MS (LA-ICP-MS), and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Based on these technologies, a comprehensive survey of monitoring the dynamic changes of NDDSs in structure, composition and existing form in system (i.e. carrier polymers, released and encapsulated drug) with recent progress is provided. We hope that this review will be helpful in appropriate application methodology for investigating the pharmacokinetics and evaluating the efficacy and safety profiles of NDDSs., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • The analytical techniques used for bioassay of NDDSs in vivo are summarized. • An overview of the application by these technologies for monitoring NDDSs releasing in system with recent progresses were provided. • The measurement strategies and results for the carrier polymer of NDDSs and their biodistribution were enumerated.

Early detection of kidney disease is of vital importance due to their current prevalence worldwide. Fluorescence imaging, especially in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) has been regarded as a promising technique for the early diagnosis of kidney disease due to the superior resolution and sensitivity. However, the reported NIR-II organic renal-clearable probes are hampered by their low brightness (e max Φ f>1000 nm 1000 nm ~ 60 M -1 cm -1 ), which is about 10-fold higher than that of previously reported NIR-II renal-clearable probes. FBP 912 exhibits an average diameter of ~ 4 nm and high renal clearance efficiency (~65% excretion through the kidney within 12 h), showing superior performance for non-invasively diagnosis of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIR) earlier than clinical serum-based protocols. Additionally, the high molecular weight polymer brush enables FBP 912 with prolonged circulation time ( t 1/2 ~ 6.1 h) and higher brightness than traditional PEGylated renal-clearable control fluorophores ( t 1/2 < 2 h), facilitating for 4T1 tumor passive targeted imaging and renal cell carcinoma active targeted imaging with higher signal-to-noise ratio and extended retention time.

Abnormal expression of miRNAs is often detected in various human cancers. DNAzyme machines combined with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) hold promise for detecting specific miRNAs in living cells but show short circulation time due to the fragility of catalytic core. Using miRNA-21 as the model target, by introducing a circular bulging DNA shield into the middle of the catalytic core, we report herein a self-protected DNAzyme (E) walker capable of fully stepping on the substrate (S)-modified AuNP for imaging intracellular miRNAs. The DNAzyme walker exhibits 5-fold enhanced serum resistance and more than 8-fold enhanced catalytic activity, contributing to the capability to image miRNAs much higher than commercial transfection reagent and well-known FISH technique. Diseased cells can accurately be distinguished from healthy cells. Due to its universality, DNAzyme walker can be extended for imaging other miRNAs only by changing target binding domain, indicating a promising tool for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging can produce three-dimensional and high-resolution anatomical images without invasion, which is extremely useful for disease diagnosis in the clinic. However, its applications are still severely limited by the intrinsic drawbacks of contrast media (mainly iodinated water-soluble molecules), such as rapid clearance, serious toxicity, inefficient targetability and poor sensitivity. Due to their high biocompatibility, flexibility in preparation and modification and simplicity for drug loading, organic nanoparticles (NPs), including liposomes, nanoemulsions, micelles, polymersomes, dendrimers, polymer conjugates and polymeric particles, have demonstrated tremendous potential for use in the efficient delivery of iodinated contrast media (ICMs). Herein, we comprehensively summarized the strategies and applications of organic NPs, especially polymer-based NPs, for the delivery of ICMs in CT imaging. We mainly focused on the use of polymeric nanoplatforms to prolong circulation time, reduce toxicity and enhance the targetability of ICMs. The emergence of some new technologies, such as theragnostic NPs and multimodal imaging and their clinical translations, are also discussed.

Developments of novel drug delivery vehicles are sought-after to augment the therapeutic effectiveness of standard drugs. An urgency to design novel drug delivery vehicles that are sustainable, biocompatible, have minimized cytotoxicity, no immunogenicity, high stability, long circulation time, and are capable of averting recognition by the immune system is perceived. In this pursuit for an ideal candidate for drug delivery vehicles, zwitterionic materials have come up as fulfilling almost all these expectations. This comprehensive review is presenting the progress made by zwitterionic polymeric architectures as prospective sustainable drug delivery vehicles. Zwitterionic polymers with varied architecture such as appending protein conjugates, nanoparticles, surface coatings, liposomes, hydrogels, etc, used to fabricate drug delivery vehicles are reviewed here. A brief introduction of zwitterionic polymers and their application as reliable drug delivery vehicles, such as zwitterionic polymer-protein conjugates, zwitterionic polymer-based drug nanocarriers, and stimulus-responsive zwitterionic polymers are discussed in this discourse. The prospects shown by zwitterionic architecture suggest the tremendous potential for them in this domain. This critical review will encourage the researchers working in this area and boost the development and commercialization of such devices to benefit the healthcare fraternity.

The presence of heavy metal mercury (Hg2+) in liquid waste has caused serious problems to environmental pollution. One of the most effective method to reduce the levels of heavy metals mercury (Hg2+) in liquid waste is adsorption. Rice husk ash is highly potential to adsorb heavy metals in water because it is a porous material with a high silica content. Therefore, rice husk ash can be used as an adsorbent for heavy metals in liquid waste. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of mercury (Hg2+) that can be adsorbed from the column adsorption process using adsorbent of rice husk ash and to determine the optimum mass of rice husk ash as an adsorbent. The research was conducted using a series of simple adsorption column tools with a circulation time of 120 minutes. While the independent variables were adsorbent particle size of 50, 100, and 200 mesh. Measurement of mercury (Hg2+) levels was carried out on samples before and after treatment with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results showed a significant decrease in Hg2+ levels with the optimum adsorbent particle size of 200 mesh. The value of the adsorbed Hg2+ ion content reached 101.670 mg/L in the adsorption process using adsorbent with 200 mesh particle size .

It was difficult for nanodrugs to simultaneously meet the contradictory requirements of prolonged circulation time, augmented cellular uptake, rapid lysosome escape, precise drug release, and tumor penetration in tumor drug delivery. We prepared a nanotransformer (DTIG) through assembling doxorubicin, tannic acid, and indocyanine green to overcome this dilemma. Hydrophilic DTIG showed prolonged blood circulation time. Besides, DTIG could be efficiently internalized by tumor cells through transforming into hydrophobic particles in an acidic tumor microenvironment. Subsequently, oversized hydrophobic particles were further formed in acidic lysosomes to escape from it through rupturing the lysosome. These hydrophobic DTIGs could rapidly revert to a smaller hydrophilic nanoassembly and release the payloads in cytoplasm. Similar to denaturation and renaturation of protein, these high-efficiency instantaneous transformations were activated by proton. Besides, photothermal therapy of DTIG promoted drug penetration efficiency in tumor. This optimized drug delivery process of DTIG finally offered potent antitumor efficacy and an obvious advantage on prognosis.

Lipid Nanoparticles have gained increased attention during the last few decades. These carrier systems offer many advantages over conventional drug delivery system, including protection of the entrapped active ingredient from environmental (pH) or physiological (immune system, enzymes) degradations, improved bioavailability, prolonged circulation time, sustained release of drug and site specific drug delivery, reduced dose and side effects. Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN), has been reported as an alternative carrier system to liposomes. However, SLN show some disadvantages such as drug expulsion during storage, low drug loading and aggregation of the particles. Nanostructured lipid carriers are evolved as second generation lipid nanoparticles to overcome the limitations of SLN, by modifying SLN by incorporating liquid lipid to the solid matrix for better drug accommodation to increase drug loading and prevent drug leakage while preserving the physical stability of the formulation. This article describes the features, various preparation techniques, characterization techniques and the therapeutic applications of NLCs in topical drug delivery, brain, oral and pulmonary delivery.

Personalized medicine offers great potential benefits for disease management but requires continuous monitoring of drugs and drug targets. For instance, the therapeutic window for lithium therapy of bipolar disorder is very narrow, and more frequent monitoring of sodium levels could avoid toxicity. In this work, we developed and validated a platform for long-term, continuous monitoring of systemic analyte concentrations in vivo. First, we developed sodium microsensors that circulate directly in the bloodstream. We used “red blood cell mimicry” to achieve long sensor circulation times of up to 2 wk, while being stable, reversible, and sensitive to sodium over physiologically relevant concentration ranges. Second, we developed an external optical reader to detect and quantify the fluorescence activity of the sensors directly in circulation without having to draw blood samples and correlate the measurement with a phantom calibration curve to measure in vivo sodium. The reader design is inherently scalable to larger limbs, species, and potentially even humans. In combination, this platform represents a paradigm for in vivo drug monitoring that we anticipate will have many applications in the future.

Biomimetic magnetite nanoparticles (BMNPs) synthesized in the presence of MamC, a magnetosome-associated protein from Magnetoccus marinus MC-1, have gained interest for biomedical applications because of their unique magnetic properties. However, their behavior in biological systems, like their interaction with proteins, still has to be evaluated prior to their use in clinics. In this study, doxorubicin (DOXO) as a model drug was adsorbed onto BMNPs to form nanoassemblies. These were incubated with human plasma to trigger protein corona (PC) formation. Proteins from the human plasma stably attached to either BMNPs or DOXO-BMNP nanoassemblies. In particular, fibrinogen was detected as the main component in the PC of DOXO-BMNPs that potentially provides advantages, e.g. protecting the particles from phagocytosis, thus prolonging their circulation time. Adsorption of PC to the BMNPs did not alter their magnetic properties but improved their colloidal stability, thus reducing their toxicity in human macrophages. In addition, PC formation enhanced cellular internalization and did not interfere with DOXO activity. Overall, our data indicate that the adsorption of PC onto DOXO-BMNPs in biological environment even increases their efficiency as drug carrier systems.

Pharmaceutical agents, drugs of abuse, and toxic substances have a large impact, positive and negative, on modern society. Efforts to mitigate the side effects of pharmaceuticals and counteract the life threatening effects of drugs of abuse and toxins can occur either by pharmacodynamic (PD) approaches based on bioreceptor•drug antagonism or by pharmacokinetic (PK) approaches that seek to reduce the concentration of free drug. In this tutorial review, we present the use of supramolecular hosts (cyclodextrins, calixarenes, (acyclic) cucurbiturils, and pillararenes) as in vivo sequestration agents for neuromuscular blockers, drugs of abuse (methamphetamine and fentanyl), anesthetics, neurotoxins, the pesticide paraquat, and heparin anti-coagulants by the PK approach. The review presents the basic physical and molecular recognition features of the supramolecular hosts and some of the principles used in their selection and structural optimization for in vivo sequestration applications. The influence of host•guest complexation on other relevant in vivo properties of drugs (e.g. distribution, circulation time, excretion, redox properties) are also mentioned. The article concludes with a discussion of future directions.

Introduction: Porous silicon (PSi) nanoparticles are capable of delivering therapeutic payloads providing targeted delivery and sustained release of the payloads. In this work we describe the development and proof-of-concept in vivo evaluation of thermally hydrocarbonized porous silicon (PSi) nanoparticles that are implanted with radioactive $^{155}$Tb atoms and coated with red blood cell (RBC) membrane ($^{155}$Tb-THCPSi). The developed nanocomposites can be utilized as an intravenous delivery platform for theranostic radionuclides. Methods: THCPSi thin films were implanted with $^{155}$Dy ions that decay to 155Tb at the ISOLDE radioactive ion-beam (RIB) facility at CERN. The films were processed to nanoparticles by ball-milling and sonication, and subsequently coated with either a solid lipid and RBC membrane or solely with RBC membrane. The nanocomposites were evaluated in vitro for stability and in vivo for circulation half-life and ex vivo for biodistribution in Balb/c mice. Results: Nanoporous THCPSi films were successfully implanted with $^{155}$Tb and processed to coated nanoparticles. The in vitro stability of the particles in plasma and buffer solutions was not significantly different between the particle types, and therefore the RBC membrane coated particles with less laborious processing method were chosen for the biological evaluation. The RBC membrane coating enhanced significantly the blood halflife compared to bare THCPSi particles. In the ex vivo biodistribution study a pronounced accumulation to the spleen was found, with lower uptake in the liver and a minor uptake in the lung, gall bladder and bone marrow. Conclusions: We have demonstrated, using $^{155}$Tb RIB-implanted PSi nanoparticles coated with mouse RBC membranes, the feasibility of using such a theranostic nanosystem for the delivery of RIB based radionuclides with prolonged circulation time. Advances in knowledge and implications for patient care: For the first time, the RIB implantation technique has been utilized to produce PSi nanoparticle with a surface modified for better persistence in circulation. When optimized, these particles could be used in targeted radionuclide therapy with a combination of chemotherapeutic payload within the PSi structure.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have attracted much attention in cancer treatment as carriers for drug delivery and imaging contrast agents due to their distinctive performances based on their magnetic properties and nanoscale structure. In this review, we aim to comprehensively dissect how the applications of MNPs in targeted therapy and magnetic resonance imaging are achieved and their specificities by focusing on the following aspects: (1) several important preparation parameters (pH, temperature, ratio of the reactive substances, etc.) that have crucial effects on the properties of MNPs, (2) indispensable treatments to improve the biocompatibility, stability, and targeting ability of MNPs and prolong their circulation time for biomedical applications, (3) the mechanism for MNPs to deliver and release medicine to the desired sites and be applied in magnetic hyperthermia as well as related updated research advancements, (4) comparatively promising research directions of MNPs in magnetic resonance imaging, and (5) perspectives in the further optimization of their preparations, pre-treatments and applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Graphical abstract, Zwitterions consist of equal molar cationic and anionic moieties and thus exhibit overall electroneutrality. Zwitterionic materials include phosphorylcholine, sulfobetaine, carboxybetaine, zwitterionic amino acids/peptides, and other mix-charged zwitterions that could form dense and stable hydration shells through the strong ion–dipole interaction among water molecules and zwitterions. As a result of their remarkable hydration capability and low interfacial energy, zwitterionic materials have become ideal choices for designing therapeutic vectors to prevent undesired biosorption especially nonspecific biomacromolecules during circulation, which was termed antifouling capability. And along with their great biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, negligible immunogenicity, systematic stability and long circulation time, zwitterionic materials have been widely utilized for the delivery of drugs and therapeutic genes. In this review, we first summarized the possible antifouling mechanism of zwitterions briefly, and separately introduced the features and advantages of each type of zwitterionic materials. Then we highlighted their applications in stimuli-responsive “intelligent” drug delivery systems as well as tumor-targeting carriers and stressed the multifunctional role they played in therapeutic gene delivery.

A peptic ulcer is a chronic and recurrent disease, massively effect on the morbidity and mortality and almost 20% of the world human population experiences from this illness. The main factors lead to peptic ulcer is the infection of Helicobacter pylori bacteria and regular intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Huge development has been accomplished in deciding the pathogenesis of this disease and finding the right biomarkers are mandatory with understanding the current scenario. The existence and form of ulcers cannot be anticipated precisely from the signs and the differential diagnosis is comprehensive. Ultimately, diagnostics on H. pylori have been in front of the beneficial health of human and a special focus in the future. On the other hand, nanoencapsulation is an advanced methodology, can be applied in peptic ulcer treatment from the natural sources. Indeed, nanocellulose particles have been proposed and studied as novel formulations to enhance the stability and solubility of phytochemicals, improve their absorption, protect them from untimely degradation in the body and lengthen their circulation time. Merging the current prospects of diagnostics and nanotechnological approaches are necessary for the remedy from peptic ulcer.

Protein–polymer conjugates, typically consisting of one or more polymers covalently attached to a protein, are an increasingly common component in biotechnology. Polymers can increase circulation time, alter immune responses, and influence the self-assembly of proteins to which they are attached. To understand and take full advantage of the benefits that protein–polymer conjugates provide, there is a strong need for structural characterization of both the conjugates and their self-assembled structures. Although X-ray crystallography is suitable for determining protein structure, protein–polymer conjugates do not generally crystallize, requiring the use of alternative techniques. Small-angle scattering, with neutrons in particular, is one such technique. In this article, we review recent work in the area of protein–polymer conjugates and highlight the important role that structure plays. We then highlight shape-dependent and shape-independent approaches for structural characterization of protein–polymer conjugates and future directions in small-angle scattering interpretation. We conclude by introducing a new model that we suggest may be useful in the future to acquire more detailed structural properties.

Acute stent recoil or radial collapse of a stent is a rare phenomenon leading to subsequent acute stent thrombosis or in-stent restenosis as delayed sequelae. Reduced strut thickness, a larger stent/vessel ratio, and a larger balloon/stent ratio are factors leading to stent recoil. Here, we report a case of acute recoil or radial collapse of Promus Element Plus, a third-generation everolimus-eluting stent with thin stent struts in a 66 year-old male who underwent bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention of left anterior descending artery (LAD) and diagonal branch (D1). Following kissing balloon inflation at 16 atm pressure after deployment of stents in LAD and D1, acute radial collapse of stent in proximal LAD was noted. It was successfully bailed out by further multiple, short sequential inflations using same size noncompliant balloon. Acute radial collapse probably occurred due to inflation at higher pressure with an oversized balloon, and relatively thin struts of the stent.

Background: Tumor metastasis is responsible for most cancer death worldwide, which lacks curative treatment. Purpose: The objective of this study was to eliminate tumor and control the development of tumor metastasis. Methods: Herein, we demonstrated a smart nano-enabled platform, in which 2-[2-[2-chloro-3-[(1,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-1-propyl-2h-indol-2-ylidene)ethylidene]-1-cyclohexen-1-yl]ethenyl]-3,3-dimethyl-1-propylindolium iodide (IR780) and tirapazamine (TPZ) were co-loaded in poly(e-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PCL) to form versatile nanoparticles (PEG-PCL-IR780-TPZ NPs). Results: The intelligence of the system was reflected in the triggered and controlled engineering. Specially, PEG-PCL not only prolonged the circulation time of IR780 and TPZ but also promoted tumor accumulation of nanodrugs through enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by IR780 armed by an 808 nm laser irradiation evoked a cargo release. Meanwhile, IR780, as a mitochondria-targeting phototherapy agent exacerbated tumor hypoxic microenvironment and activated TPZ for accomplishing hypoxia-activated chemotherapy. Most significantly, IR780 was capable of triggering immunogenic cell death (ICD) during the synergic treatment. ICD biomarkers as a "danger signal" accelerated dendritic cells (DCs) maturation, and subsequently activated toxic T lymphocytes. Conclusion: Eventually, antitumor immune responses stimulated by combinational phototherapy and hypoxia-activated chemotherapy revolutionized the current landscape of cancer treatment, strikingly inhibiting tumor metastasis and providing a promising prospect in the clinical application.

This study reports a new multiphase apparatus, the external-loop airlift reactor (EL-ALR), with the RMF generators in the riser and downcomer columns, which shows the enhancement of hydrodynamic parameters (downcomer liquid velocity; mean liquid circulation velocity; mean circulation time and mixing time) in comparison to ALR without the application of magnetic field (MF). The results show that the usage of RMF generators leads to the improvement of the downcomer liquid velocity and mean liquid circulation velocity. It is also presented that the mean circulation time and mixing time under the RMF action have significantly lower values of these parameters in comparison with convectional ALR. The present study provides the comprehensive assessment of applying the RMF for improving the performance of EL-ALR.

[Image: see text] Chronic transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) to patients with β-thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and other acquired anemic disorders generates significant amounts of bioactive iron deposits in the body. The inactivation and excretion of redox active iron(III) from the blood pool and organs are critical to prevent organ damage, and are the focus of iron chelation therapy (ICT) using low molecular weight Fe(III) specific chelators. However, the current ICT is suboptimal because of the short circulation time of chelators, toxicity, severe side effects, difficult regime of administration, and patient noncompliance. To address this issue, we have designed long circulating and biodegradable nanoconjugates with enhanced circulation time and well-defined biodegradability to improve iron excretion and avoid nonspecific organ accumulation. A series of iron chelating nanoconjugates were generated with deferoxamine (DFO) as the iron(III) specific chelator using polymer scaffolds containing structurally different acidic pH sensitive ketal groups. The type of degradation linkages used in the polymer scaffold significantly influenced the vascular residence time, biodistribution, and mode of excretion of chelators in mice. Remarkably, the conjugate, BGD-60 (140 kDa; R(h), 10.6 nm; cyclic ketal), exhibited the long circulation half-life (t(1/2β), 64 h), a 768-fold increase compared to DFO, and showed minimal polymer accumulation in major organs. The nanoconjugates were found to be nontoxic and excreted iron significantly better than DFO in iron overloaded mice. BGD-60 showed greater iron mobilization from plasma (p = 0.0390), spleen (p < 0.0001), and pancreas (p < 0.0001) whereas BDD-200 (340 kDa; R(h), 13.7 nm; linear ketal) mobilized iron significantly better from the spleen, liver, and pancreas (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, and p < 0.0001, respectively) compared to DFO at equivalent doses. The nanoconjugate’s favorable long blood circulation time, biodegradability, and iron excretion profiles highlight their potential for future clinical translation.

Nanocarriers are nanostructured vehicles employed to deliver anticancer drugs to the targeted tumor sites in the body. Nanocarriers have been successfully employed to circumvent certain limitations of conventional anticancer drug delivery while providing greater bioavailability, prolonged circulation time and higher tumor accumulation for enhanced therapeutic outcomes in cancer treatment. Nanocarriers are also responsive to functionalization to tailor their pharmaco-kinetics and achieve enhanced therapeutic outcomes in cancer therapy. Among organic, inorganic and hybrid type, several nanocarriers have gained approval for use in cancer patients, while many more are under clinical development. For the last two decades, cancer immunotherapy-based advanced targeting approaches such as monoclonal antibodies, antibody drug conjugates and immune checkpoint inhibitors that utilize human immune system functions have vastly developed which furnish better treatment options in several intractable cancers compared with traditional cancer therapies. This review discusses the imperative role of tumor vasculature in passive and active targeting of anticancer drugs using organic and inorganic nanocarriers and the current research efforts underway. The advanced targeting approaches for treatment of various cancers and their most recent clinical development scenario have been comprehensively explored. Further, potential challenges associated with each type of nanocarrier, and their translational obstacles are addressed.

Immune cells can actively regulate tumors or inflammatory sites and have good biocompatibility and safety. Currently, they are one of the most promising candidates for drug delivery systems. Moreover, immune cells can significantly extend the circulation time of nanoparticles and have broad-spectrum tumor-targeting properties. This article first introduces the immune cell types most commonly used in recent years, analyzes their advantages and disadvantages, and elucidates their application in anti-tumor therapy. Next, the various ways of loading nanoparticles on immune cells that have been used in recent years are summarized and simply divided into two categories: backpacks and Trojan horses. Finally, the two “mountains” that stand in front of us when using immune cells as cell carriers, off-target problems and effective release strategies, are discussed.

Vectors and carriers play an indispensable role in gene therapy and drug delivery. Non-viral vectors are widely developed and applied in clinical practice due to their low immunogenicity, good biocompatibility, easy synthesis and modification, and low cost of production. This review summarized a variety of non-viral vectors and carriers including polymers, liposomes, gold nanoparticles, mesoporous silica nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes from the aspects of physicochemical characteristics, synthesis methods, functional modifications, and research applications. Notably, non-viral vectors can enhance the absorption of cargos, prolong the circulation time, improve therapeutic effects, and provide targeted delivery. Additional studies focused on recent innovation of novel synthesis techniques for vector materials. We also elaborated on the problems and future research directions in the development of non-viral vectors, which provided a theoretical basis for their broad applications.

Currently, cancer is among the most challenging diseases due to its ability to continuously evolve into a more complex muldimentional system, in addition to its high capability to spread to other organs and tissues. In this context, the relevance of nanobiomaterials (NBMs) for the development of new more effective and less harmful treatments is increasing. NBMs provide the possibility of combining several functionalities on a single system, expectedly in a synergic way, to better perform the treatment and cure. However, the control of properties such as colloidal stability, circulation time, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution, assuring the concentration in specific target tissues and organs, while keeping all desired properties, tends to be dependent on subtle changes in surface chemistry. Hence, the behavior of such materials in different media/environments is of uttermost relevance and concern since it can compromise their efficiency and safety on application. Given the bright perspectives, many efforts have been focused on the development of nanomaterials fulfilling the requirements for real application. These include robust and reproducible preparation methods to avoid aggregation while preserving the interaction properties. The possible impact of nanomaterials in different forms of diagnosis and therapy has been demonstrated in the past few years, given the perspectives on how revolutionary they can be in medicine and health. Considering the high biocompatibility and suitability, this review is focused on titanium dioxide– and iron oxide–based nanoagents highlighting the current trends and main advancements in the research for cancer therapies. The effects of phenomena, such as aggregation and agglomeration, the formation of the corona layer, and how they can compromise relevant properties of nanomaterials and their potential applicability, are also addressed. In short, this review summarizes the current understanding and perspectives on such smart nanobiomaterials for diagnostics, treatment, and theranostics of diseases.

Gadolinium (Gd) based contrast agents (CAs) (Gd-CAs) represent one of the most advanced developments in the application of Gd for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Current challenges with existing CAs generated an urgent requirement to develop multimodal CAs with good biocompatibility, low toxicity, and prolonged circulation time. This review discussed the Gd-CAs used in bioimaging applications, addressing their advantages and limitations. Future research is required to establish the safety, efficacy and theragnostic capabilities of Gd-CAs. Nevertheless, these Gd-CAs offer extraordinary potential as imaging CAs and promise to benefit bioimaging applications significantly.

Following Plasmodium falciparum infection, individuals can remain asymptomatic, present with mild fever in uncomplicated malaria cases, or show one or more severe malaria symptoms. Several studies have investigated associations between parasite transcription and clinical severity, but no broad conclusions have yet been drawn. Here, we apply a series of bioinformatic approaches based on P. falciparum’s tightly regulated transcriptional pattern during its ~48-hour intraerythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC) to publicly available transcriptomes of parasites obtained from malaria cases of differing clinical severity across multiple studies. Our analysis shows that within each IDC, the circulation time of infected erythrocytes without sequestering to endothelial cells decreases with increasing parasitaemia or disease severity. Accordingly, we find that the size of circulating infected erythrocytes is inversely related to parasite density and disease severity. We propose that enhanced adhesiveness of infected erythrocytes leads to a rapid increase in parasite burden, promoting higher parasitaemia and increased disease severity., To understand malaria symptoms, several studies investigate association between parasite’s transcriptome and disease severity. Here, Thomson-Luque et al. reanalyze available transcriptomic data of P. falciparum and find that longer circulation of infected erythrocytes without sequestering to endothelial cells associates with decreasing parasitaemia and less severe disease.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a localized dilatation of the aorta related to the regional weakening of the wall structure, resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality with the aortic ruptures as complications. Ruptured AAA is a dramatic catastrophe, and aortic emergencies constitute one of the leading causes of acute death in older adults. AAA management has been centered on surgical repair of larger aneurysms to mitigate the risks of rupture, and curative early diagnosis and effective pharmacological treatments for this condition are still lacking. Nanoscience provided a possibility of more targeted imaging and drug delivery system. Multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) may be modified with ligands or biomembranes to target agents' delivery to the lesion site, thus reducing systemic toxicity. Furthermore, NPs can improve drug solubility, circulation time, bioavailability, and efficacy after systemic administration. The varied judiciously engineered nano-biomaterials can exist stably in the blood vessels for a long time without being taken up by cells. Here, in this review, we focused on the NP application in the imaging and treatment of AAA. We hope to make an overview of NP-assisted diagnoses and therapy in AAA and discussed the potential of NP-assisted treatment.

Graphical abstract The CR780RGD-NPs can easily penetrate the blood-brain-barrier and actively target the brain tumor, where the strong optoacoustic generation from CR780RGD-NPs can be efficiently monitored by multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT)., Contrast enhancement in optoacoustic (photoacoustic) imaging can be achieved with agents that exhibit high absorption cross-sections, high photostability, low quantum yield, low toxicity, and preferential bio-distribution and clearance profiles. Based on advantageous photophysical properties of croconaine dyes, we explored croconaine-based nanoparticles (CR780RGD-NPs) as highly efficient contrast agents for targeted optoacoustic imaging of challenging preclinical tumor targets. Initial characterization of the CR780 dye was followed by modifications using polyethylene glycol and the cancer-targeting c(RGDyC) peptide, resulting in self-assembled ultrasmall particles with long circulation time and active tumor targeting. Preferential bio-distribution was demonstrated in orthotopic mouse brain tumor models by multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) imaging and histological analysis. Our findings showcase particle accumulation in brain tumors with sustainable strong optoacoustic signals and minimal toxic side effects. This work points to CR780RGD-NPs as a promising optoacoustic contrast agent for potential use in the diagnosis and image-guided resection of brain tumors.