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Highlights • HA hydrogel was prepared via hydrazone-/photo- dual crosslinking process. • HA hydrogel had topography and mechanical property similar to breast tumor tissue. • HA hydrogel promoted MCF-7 cells to cluster and secrete VEGF, bFGF and IL-8. • 3D culture enhanced cell migration and invasion potentials and in vivo tumorigenesis. Abstract In tumor biology, it is widely recognized that 3D rather than 2D cell culture can recapitulate key features of solid tumors, including cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions. In this study, to mimick the ECM of breast cancer, hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels were synthesized from two polyvalent HA derivatives through a hydrazone and photo dual crosslinking process. HA hydrogels could be formed within 120 s. The hydrogels had similar topography and mechanical properties to breast tumor and displayed glutathione and hyaluronidase dual-responsive degradation behavior. Biological studies demonstrated that HA hydrogel could support the proliferation and clustering of breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The expression levels of VEGF, IL-8 and bFGF in hydrogel-cultured cells were significantly greater than those in 2D culture. Moreover, cells from hydrogel culture exhibited greater migration/invasion abilities and tumorigenicity than 2D-cultured cells. Therefore, the HA hydrogels are a promising ECM-mimicking matrix for in vitro construction of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-delivery of chemotherapeutic drug and small interfering RNA (siRNA) within a single nanovehicle has emerged as a promising combination therapy approach to treating cancers because of their synergistic effect. Nanocarrier delivery systems with low cytotoxicity and high efficiency are needed for such a purpose. In this study, a novel folate-conjugated PEGylated cationic triblock copolymer, poly(acrylhydrazine)- block -poly(3-dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide)- block -poly(acrylhydrazine) (PAH- b -PDMAPMA- b -PAH), was synthesized and evaluated as a stimuli-sensitive vehicle for the targeted co-delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and Bcl-2 siRNA into breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The synthetic process of the PEGylated triblock copolymer involved sequential reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, PEGylation and removal of tert -butoxy carbamate protecting groups. Folate-conjugated and/or -unconjugated poly(ethylene glycol) segments were grafted onto PAH- b -PDMAPMA- b -PAH via a reduction-sensitive disulfide linkage. The synthetic polymers were characterized by 1 H NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The PEGylated triblock copolymer could chemically conjugate DOX onto PAH blocks via pH-responsive hydrazone bonds and simultaneously complex negatively charged Bcl-2 siRNA with cationic PDMAPMA blocks through electrostatic interactions at N/P ratios ≥ 32:1 to form multifunctional nanomicelleplexes. The nanomicelleplexes exhibited spherical shape, possessed a positively charged surface with a zeta potential of + 22.5 mV and had a desirable and uniform particle size of 187 nm. In vitro release studies revealed that the nanomicelleplexes could release DOX and Bcl-2 siRNA in a reduction and pH dual-sensitive manner and the payload release was significantly enhanced in a reductive acidic environment mimicking the endosomes/lysosomes of cancer cells compared to under physiology conditions. Furthermore, the release of both DOX and siRNA was found to follow Higuchi kinetic model. Confocal laser scanning microscopy, flow cytometry and MTT analyses confirmed that, compared with folate-undecorated nanomicelleplexes, folate-decorated nanomicelleplexes could more effectively co-deliver DOX and Bcl-2 siRNA into MCF-7 cells and showed a stronger cell-killing effect. The pristine PEGylated triblock copolymer exhibited good cytocompatibility. Moreover, co-delivery of DOX and Bcl-2 siRNA achieved a significant synergistic antitumor efficacy. These findings suggested that the folate-decorated PEGylated cationic triblock copolymer might be a promising vehicle for targeted intracellular co-delivery of DOX and siRNA in MCF-7 cells, representing a potential clinical combination therapy for breast cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comb-like amphiphilic copolymer methoxypolyethylene glycol- graft -poly( l -lysine)- block -poly( l -phenylalanine) (mPEG- g -PLL- b -Phe) was successfully synthesized. To synthesize mPEG- g -PLL- b -Phe, diblock copolymer PLL- b -Phe was first synthesized by successive ring-opening polymerization of α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides followed by the removal of benzyloxycarbonyl protecting groups, and then mPEG was grafted onto PLL- b -Phe by reductive amination via Schiff's base formation. The chemical structures of the copolymers were identified by 1 H NMR. mPEG- g -PLL- b -Phe copolymer had a critical micelle concentration of 6.0 mg/L and could self-assemble in an aqueous solution into multicompartment nanomicelles with a mean diameter of approximately 78 nm. The nanomicelles could encapsulate doxorubicin (DOX) through hydrophobic and π–π stacking interactions between DOX molecules and Phe blocks and simultaneously complex P-gp siRNA with cationic PLL blocks via electrostatic interactions. The DOX/P-gp siRNA-loaded nanomicelles showed spherical morphology, possessed narrow particle size distribution and had a mean particle size of 120 nm. The DOX/P-gp siRNA-loaded nanomicelles exhibited pH-responsive release behaviors and displayed accelerated release under acidic conditions. The DOX/P-gp siRNA-loaded nanomicelles were efficiently internalized into MCF-7 cells, and DOX released could successfully reach nuclei. In vitro cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the DOX/P-gp siRNA-loaded nanomicelles showed a much higher cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells than DOX-loaded nanomicelles due to their synergistic killing effect and that the blank nanomicelles had good biocompatibility. Thus, the novel comb-like mPEG- g -PLL- b -Phe nanomicelles could be a promising vehicle for co-delivery of chemotherapeutic drug and genetic material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Copper-based nanomaterials show considerable potential in the chemodynamic therapy of cancers. However, their clinical application is restricted by low catalytic activity in tumor microenvironment and copper-induced tumor angiogenesis. Herein, a novel copper-doxorubicin-anlotinib (CDA) nanoconjugate was constructed by the combination of copper-hydrazide coordination, hydrazone linkage and Schiff base bond. The CDA nanoconjugate consists of a copper-3,3′-dithiobis(propionohydrazide)-doxorubicin core and an anlotinib-hyaluronan shell. Benefiting from hyaluronan camouflage and abundant disulfide bonds and Cu2+, the CDA nanoconjugate possessed excellent tumor-targeting and glutathione-depleting abilities and enhanced chemodynamic efficacy. Released doxorubicin significantly improved copper-mediated chemodynamic therapy by upregulating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 expression to increase intracellular H 2 O 2 level. Furthermore, the nanoconjugate produced excessive •OH to induce lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial dysfunction, thus greatly elevating doxorubicin-mediated chemotherapy. Importantly, anlotinib effectively inhibited the angiogenic potential of copper ions. In a word, the CDA nanoconjugate is successfully constructed by combined coordination and pH-responsive linkages, and displays the great potential of copper-drug conjugate for targeted synergistic chemo/chemodynamic/antiangiogenic triple therapy against cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunotherapy shows great promise in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, the low response rate of HCC patients to immunotherapy caused by inadequately immunogenic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) is a huge challenge. Herein, a donut‐like multifunctional polysaccharide nanoplatform (GH‐PID) is constructed from doxorubicin/aldehyde hyaluronan nanoring, indocyanine green/hydroxyethyl chitosan nanocomplex, and HCC‐bitargeted galactosamine‐hyaluronan conjugate via a facile self‐assembly process. The GH‐PID nanodonuts exhibit excellent HCC‐targeted ability and synergetic photochemotherapy effect with a coefficient index of about 0.44. Moreover, near infrared laser‐irradiated GH‐PID nanodonuts show robust therapeutic efficacy in HCC mouse models by virtue of photochemotherapy‐augmented immunogenic cell death (ICD) effect. The remarkable ICD in combination with programmed death‐1 antibody efficiently eradicates primary tumors and inhibits distant tumor growth and lung metastasis of HCC by maturing dendritic cells, increasing CD8+ T cell infiltration, suppressing the expansion and trafficking of immunosuppressive myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, and ameliorating immunosuppressive TME. This study provides a facile and versatile strategy to construct polysaccharide nanodonuts integrating multifunctionality and highly efficient HCC‐targeted ability, and the nanodonuts‐based ICD inducer holds great promise for potentiating systemic antitumor immunity and programmed death‐1/programmed death‐ligand 1 blockade efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-based immunotherapy is a revolutionary therapeutic strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, tumor immune tolerance and escape severely restrict the therapeutic efficacy of ICB therapy. It is urgent to explore new strategies to potentiate ICB therapy in HCC. Herein, we developed manganese oxide-crosslinked bovine albumin/hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (BHM) by an innovative hydrazide-manganese coordination and desolvation process. Successive loading of doxorubicin (DOX) and indocyanine green (ICG) was achieved via hydrazone linkage and electrostatic interactions, respectively, obtaining DOX/ICG-coloaded BHM nanoplatform (abbreviated as BHMDI). The BHMDI nanoplatform exhibited a high drug content (>46%) and pH/reduction dual-responsive drug release behavior. The nanoplatform could efficiently alleviate tumor hypoxia by catalytic decomposition of intracellular H 2 O 2 to O 2 and significantly improve BHMDI-based photodynamic chemotherapy efficacy. The BHMDI nanoplatform downregulated the proportion of alternatively activated (M2) macrophages in tumors and simultaneously induced immunogenic death of HCC cells, thus promoting the maturation of dendritic cells and ensuing priming of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Importantly, programmed death-1 (PD-1) blockade in combination with BHMDI nanoplatform not only eradicated primary tumors but inhibited tumor recurrence, abscopal tumor growth and lung metastasis of HCC by triggering robust systemic antitumor immunity. This work proved the feasibility of BHMDI-based photodynamic chemotherapy for potentiating PD-1 blockade immunotherapy by reversing hypoxic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Hydrogel-based drug delivery holds great promise in topical tumor treatment. However, the simple construction of multifunctional therapeutic hydrogels under physiological conditions is still a huge challenge. Herein, for the first time, a multifunctional hyaluronan/MnO 2 nanocomposite (HHM) hydrogel with injectable and self-healing capabilities was constructed under physiological conditions through innovative in situ mineralization-triggered Mn-hydrazide coordination crosslinking. The hydrogel formed from Mn2+ and hydrazided hyaluronan under optimized conditions exhibited a high elastic modulus >1 kPa, injectability, self-healing function, stimuli-responsiveness and catalase-like activity. In vitro and in vivo biological experiments demonstrated that our HHM hydrogel could not only efficiently relieve hypoxia by in situ catalytic decomposition of endogenous H 2 O 2 into O 2 but also achieve synergistic photodynamic/photothermal therapy of 4T1 breast cancer in a mouse tumor model. This study presented a novel mineralization-driven metal-hydrazide coordination crosslinking approach and developed a multifunctional therapeutic platform for O 2 -enhanced efficient topical dual-phototherapy of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-based immunotherapy is a revolutionary therapeutic strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, tumor immune tolerance and escape severely restrict the therapeutic efficacy of ICB therapy. It is urgent to explore new strategies to potentiate ICB therapy in HCC. Herein, we developed manganese oxide-crosslinked bovine albumin/hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (BHM) by an innovative hydrazide-manganese coordination and desolvation process. Successive loading of doxorubicin (DOX) and indocyanine green (ICG) was achieved via hydrazone linkage and electrostatic interactions, respectively, obtaining DOX/ICG-coloaded BHM nanoplatform (abbreviated as BHMDI). The BHMDI nanoplatform exhibited a high drug content (>46%) and pH/reduction dual-responsive drug release behavior. The nanoplatform could efficiently alleviate tumor hypoxia by catalytic decomposition of intracellular H 2 O 2 to O 2 and significantly improve BHMDI-based photodynamic chemotherapy efficacy. The BHMDI nanoplatform downregulated the proportion of alternatively activated (M2) macrophages in tumors and simultaneously induced immunogenic death of HCC cells, thus promoting the maturation of dendritic cells and ensuing priming of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Importantly, programmed death-1 (PD-1) blockade in combination with BHMDI nanoplatform not only eradicated primary tumors but inhibited tumor recurrence, abscopal tumor growth and lung metastasis of HCC by triggering robust systemic antitumor immunity. This work proved the feasibility of BHMDI-based photodynamic chemotherapy for potentiating PD-1 blockade immunotherapy by reversing hypoxic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Hydrogel-based drug delivery holds great promise in topical tumor treatment. However, the simple construction of multifunctional therapeutic hydrogels under physiological conditions is still a huge challenge. Herein, for the first time, a multifunctional hyaluronan/MnO 2 nanocomposite (HHM) hydrogel with injectable and self-healing capabilities was constructed under physiological conditions through innovative in situ mineralization-triggered Mn-hydrazide coordination crosslinking. The hydrogel formed from Mn2+ and hydrazided hyaluronan under optimized conditions exhibited a high elastic modulus >1 kPa, injectability, self-healing function, stimuli-responsiveness and catalase-like activity. In vitro and in vivo biological experiments demonstrated that our HHM hydrogel could not only efficiently relieve hypoxia by in situ catalytic decomposition of endogenous H 2 O 2 into O 2 but also achieve synergistic photodynamic/photothermal therapy of 4T1 breast cancer in a mouse tumor model. This study presented a novel mineralization-driven metal-hydrazide coordination crosslinking approach and developed a multifunctional therapeutic platform for O 2 -enhanced efficient topical dual-phototherapy of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuproptosis is a very newly recognized regulated cell death modality that is distinct from known death mechanisms and shows enormous prospect in cancer treatment. However, its efficacy is copper‐dependent and restricted by strictly regulated copper metabolism. Herein, a novel copper/iron hybrid hollow amorphous metal organic framework (HaMOF) is developed as an oxidative stress amplifier and copper/iron metabolic disrupter for synergistic cuproptosis/ferroptosis/apoptosis anticancer therapy. The HaMOF is fabricated from Cu2+, 3,3′‐dithiobis(propionohydrazide) and Fe3+ via an unsaturated coordination‐etching integration strategy, and then doxorubicin is loaded followed by surface decoration with hyaluronan. The obtained DOX@Fe/CuTH exhibits tumor microenvironment‐triggered catalytic therapeutic property, wherein it can amplify cellular oxidative stress by simultaneously boosting H2O2 production and depleting glutathione. Moreover, it can cause mitochondrial dysfunction and downregulate the expressions of copper transporter ATP7A and iron transporter FPN 1, thereby leading to metabolic disorders and high retentions of copper/iron in cytoplasm for •OH generation. The overloaded Cu2+ can cause lipoylated protein dihydrolipoamide S‐acetyltransferase aggregation and lead to cellular cuproptosis. Collectively, both augmented oxidative stress and overloaded copper/iron induce potent ferroptosis, which synergizes with cuproptosis and DOX‐mediated apoptosis to efficiently suppress tumor growth. This bimetallic hollow nanoplatform provides a new therapeutic modality paradigm to boost cuproptosis‐related therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A novel reduction/pH dual-sensitive HA-based polymer–DOX conjugate is synthesized. [•] Hyaluronic acid–DOX conjugate can self-assemble into spherical nanoparticles (150nm). [•] The nanoparticles may release DOX rapidly in simulated intracellular environments. [•] Gal-modified nanoparticles possess good targeting ability to liver tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The novel honeycomb-like poly(ε-caprolactone)/nano-hydroxyapatite whiskers composite (PCL/nHA) scaffolds were fabricated by an innovative biotemplating technique based on the negative NaCl mold of cane. The microstructure, mechanical properties and in vitro cytocompatibility of the scaffolds were characterized using SEM, mechanical tests and MTT assay. SEM revealed the good transformation of cane structure into PCL/nHA composite. The PCL/nHA scaffolds had a bimodal pore distribution with interconnected channels ranging from 50 to 260μm surrounded by micropores of <20μm. The compressive modulus and porosity were 275.1kPa and 95.87%, respectively. The in vitro biological evaluation with MG-63 cells confirmed that the incorporation of nHA whiskers into PCL matrix significantly improved initial cell attachment and proliferation. The results suggest that the novel PCL/nHA scaffolds are promising for application in bone tissue engineering. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Polysaccharide hydrogels are promising candidate matrices for recapitulating the characteristics of extracellular matrix (ECM) in breast tumors in terms of their structure and composition. Herein, to obtain an ECM-mimetic matrix, hydroxyethyl chitosan (HECS) hydrogels were prepared through Schiff-base crosslinking reaction using dialdehyde hyaluronic acid as crosslinker. The obtained HECS hydrogels displayed a highly porous structure, a stiffness comparable to that of breast tissue, and a fast water-absorption speed. The amount of crosslinker had great effects on the swelling and rheological behaviors of the HECS hydrogels. Preliminary results from in vitro biological assessments confirmed that MCF-7 cells incubated within HECS hydrogels preferred to grow into three-dimensional spheroids. Importantly, the cells displayed enhanced migrative capability and upregulated expression levels of MMP-2, TGF-β and VEGF in comparison to two-dimension cultured cells. Hence, the HECS hydrogels show great promise as a biomimetic ECM in constructing breast tumor models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multifunctional PEG-b-polypeptide-decorated gold nanorod nanoplatform was developed. • DOX was conjugated onto the nanoplatform via pH-sensitive hydrazone linkage. • Release behavior of DOX from the nanoplatform was reduction/pH dual-responsive. • Combined photothermal chemotherapy achieved great anti-cancer efficacy in MCF-7 cells. The combination of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy is acknowledged as one of the most promising approaches in cancer treatment. Targeted delivery and controlled drug release are two important factors for combined chemo-photothermal therapy. In this study, a multifunctional nanoplatform based on gold nanorod (GNR) decorated with folate-conjugated poly(ethylene glycol)- b -poly(L-γ-glutamylhydrazine) (FEGGH) containing disulfide linker and dihydroxyphenyl groups was developed for targeted combined chemo-photothermal therapy of breast cancer. FEGGH was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of γ-benzyl- l -glutamate -N- carboxyanhydride using folate/cystamine-heterobifunctionalized poly(ethylene glycol) as an initiator, following by hydrazinolysis and carbodiimide reactions. FEGGH was decorated onto GNR through Au-catechol bonds. Chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded onto the nanoplatform through pH-sensitive hydrazone linkage, obtaining final product FEGGHDOX-GNR. The DOX-loaded nanoplatform displayed excellent photostability and reduction/pH dual-responsive drug release behavior. Cytological studies demonstrated the effective internalization of FEGGHDOX-GNR into MCF-7 cells via folate-mediated endocytosis and additive therapeutic effect of combined photothermal-chemotherapy. These results indicate that our nanoplatform may be a promising strategy for targeted combined chemo-photothermal therapy of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • AHA-decorated bifunctionalized HECS-GNR conjugate was developed. • DOX was loaded onto the conjugate via hydrazone linkage. • The conjugate displayed pH-responsive surface charge reversal and drug release. • The conjugate exhibited synergetic photothermal chemotherapy of breast cancer cells. Abstract Chemo-photothermal combination therapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. In this study, to achieve the combined photothermal-chemotherapy of breast cancer, a pH-sensitive oxidized hyaluronic acid-decorated dihydroxyphenyl/hydrazide bifunctionalized hydroxyethyl chitosan (DHHC)-gold nanorod (GNR) conjugate was developed. DHHC was synthesized by successive dihydroxyphenylation and hydrazidation of hydroxyethyl chitosan through carbodiimide reaction and click chemistry, respectively. The conjugate was obtained by chemically bonding DHHC onto GNR via Au-catechol bonds. Doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded onto the conjugate via an acid-labile hydrazone linkage with a drug loading content of 5.1%. DOX-loaded conjugate displayed good stability in neutral aqueous solutions and exhibited pH-responsive drug release and surface charge reversal behaviors. In vitro biological studies indicated that the conjugate could be effectively internalized by breast cancer MCF-7 cells and synergistic therapeutic effects were demonstrated, suggesting its great potential in combined photothermal-chemotherapy of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Multifunctional hyaluronic acid/hydroxyethyl chitosan nanocomplexes were prepared. • DOX and ALA were loaded into polysaccharide nanocomplexes via Schiff base linkage. • Nanocomplexes displayed pH-responsive surface charge reversal and drug release. • Active targeting enhanced additive effect of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy. Abstract Combination of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy has emerged as a promising anticancer strategy. Polysaccharide-based nanoparticles are being intensively explored as drug carriers for different forms of combination therapy. In this study, novel multifunctional polysaccharide-based nanocomplexes were prepared from aldehyde-functionalized hyaluronic acid and hydroxyethyl chitosan via sequential self-assembly method. Stable nanocomplexes were obtained through both Schiff's base bond and electrostatic interactions. Chemotherapeutics doxorubicin and pro-photosensitizer 5-aminolevulinic acid were chemically conjugated onto the nanocomplexes via Schiff base linkage. Anti-HER2 antibody as targeting moiety was decorated onto the surface of nanocomplexes. The obtained near-spherical shaped nanocomplexes had an average size of 140 nm and a zeta potential of −24.6 mV, and displayed pH-responsive surface charge reversal and drug release. Active targeting strategy significantly enhanced the cellular uptake of nanocomplexes and combined anticancer efficiency of chemo-photodynamic dual therapy in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. These results suggested that the nanocomplexes had great potential for targeted combination therapy of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CIC-Gal nanomissiles were constructed by dual-coordination-driven self-assembly. • CIC-Gal nanomissiles showed prominent size/charge dual-transformability function. • CIC-Gal nanomissiles achieved synergistic chemotherapy/PDT/PTT in HCC. • CIC-Gal nanomissiles could induce ICD and promote CD8+ T cell infiltration into HCC. • CIC-Gal/αPD-1 combination activated robust systemic antitumor immunity in HCC. PD-1 blockade therapy holds great potential for curing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its efficacy is severely restrained by inefficient CD8+ T cells and abundant immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in tumors. Moreover, the solid feature of HCC limits drugs' penetration depth. Herein, cisplatin/indocyanine green (ICG)-coloaded polysaccharide-based nanomissiles (CIC-Gal) with galactose-mediated tumor targeting ability and tumor microenvironment (TME)-responsive size/charge dual-transformability are constructed by coordination-driven self-assembly. The nanoparticles can efficiently accumulate in tumors and exert antitumor effects on HCC via combinational chemotherapy/phototherapy. Importantly, CIC-Gal nanoparticles may protect cisplatin from glutathione-mediated detoxification by depleting glutathione. Photodynamic therapy rather than photothermal therapy plays a predominant role in ICG-mediated phototherapy. Furthermore, CIC-Gal nanoparticles can induce prominent immunogenic cell death (ICD), promote dendritic cells maturation, and activate robust systemic antitumor immunity in combination with αPD-1, which efficiently eradicates primary tumors, inhibits distant tumor growth and lung metastasis, and prolongs survival of tumor-bearing mice by promoting CD8+ T cell infiltration in tumors, suppressing the expansion and trafficking of MDSCs, and reshaping immunostimulatory TME. Collectively, this study provides a drug-based coordination-driven polysaccharide nanomissile construction approach, and the CIC-Gal nanoparticles display a strong immunomicroenvironment-reeducating ability for potentiating HCC immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels fabricated from natural polysaccharides may serve as ideal scaffolds for tissue engineering because of their similarity to the extracellular matrices. In this study, novel hydrogel scaffolds with bubble-like porous structure were prepared from hydroxyethyl chitosan (HECS) and cellulose (CEL) by a combination of chemical crosslinking, particle-leaching using silicon dioxide particles as porogen and freeze-drying method. The morphology, compression stress-strain curves, wettability, and swelling and rheological behaviors of the HECS/CEL scaffolds were characterized by SEM, mechanical test, contact angle measurement and rheometer. HECS/CEL scaffolds had good comprehensive performances and could reach equilibrium swelling state in water within 20s. The results from in vitro biocompatibility evaluated using SEM, live/dead cell viability and MTT assays demonstrated that the HECS/CEL scaffolds could well support the attachment, spreading and proliferation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and showed good biocompatibility. Therefore, the novel HECS/CEL scaffolds may be promising for bone tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though much progress in utilizing tissue engineering technology to investigate tumor development in vitro has been made, the effective management of human melanoma is still a challenge in clinic due to lack of suitable 3D culture systems. In this study, we prepared a poly(γ-benzyl- l -glutamate)/poly(lactic acid) (PBLG/PLA) nanofiber membrane by electrospinning and demonstrated its suitability as a matrix for 3D culture of melanoma cells in vitro . The electrospun PBLG/PLA nanofiber membrane displayed a smooth and uniform fibrous morphology and had a desirable water contact angle of 79.3 ± 0.6°. The average diameter of PBLG/PLA nanofibers was 320.3 ± 95.1 nm that was less than that (516.2 ± 163.3 nm) of pure PLA nanofibers. The addition of PBLG into PLA decreased the cold crystallization peak of PLA fibers from 93 to 75 °C. The in vitro biocompatibility of PBLG/PLA nanofiber membrane was evaluated with B16F10 cells using PLA nanofiber membrane as control. It was found that, compared to PLA nanofiber membrane, PBLG/PLA nanofiber membrane could better support cell viability and proliferation, as indicated by MTT assay and live-dead staining. SEM results revealed that PBLG/PLA rather than PLA nanofiber membrane promoted the generation of tumoroid-like structures. These findings clearly demonstrated that the electrospun PBLG/PLA nanofiber membrane could mimick the extracellular matrix of melanoma microenvironment and be a promising platform for 3D cell culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A pioneering "grafting from" drug coordination polymerization strategy was proposed. • A fully-coordinated and full-active Cu 2 O/drug core/shell nanoplatform was prepared. • Obtained nanoplatform-mediated ROS storm could induce immunogenic cell death. • Nanoplatform/αPD-1 combination could induce robust systemic antitumor immunity. Precise manipulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) breakthrough threshold exhibits great potential in destroying solid tumors, reprogramming "immune-cold" tumor and potentiating immunotherapy. However, it is still challenging to develop efficient ROS initiation devices. Herein, we propose a pioneering "grafting from" drug coordination polymerization strategy and develop a fully-coordinated and full-active Cu 2 O/drug core/shell nanoparticles for multimodal cancer therapy. Chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin (CDDP) and photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG) were loaded onto the surface of hydrazided hyaluronic acid-decorated Cu 2 O (HA-Cu 2 O) nanoparticles through an infinite hydrazide-cisplatin-sulfonic acid coordination mechanism, obtaining CDDP/ICG-coloaded HA-Cu 2 O (HCCI) nanoplatform. The HCCI nanoplatform exhibited a rapid acid-responsive dissociation behavior and released ICG, Cu+ and CDDP to achieve efficient triple combined photodynamic therapy/chemodynamic therapy/chemotherapy. Importantly, such a combination induced efficient immunogenic cell death cascade mediated by powerful ROS storm to reprogram "immune-cold" tumors and potentiate immunotherapy. The combination of HCCI nanoplatform and αPD-1 not only eradicated primary tumors but effectively inhibited distal tumor growth, lung metastasis and tumor recurrence through reprogramming tumor microenvironment and activating CD8+ T cell antitumor immunity. Collectively, we have presented a drug coordination polymerization loading strategy to develop a robust multimodal antitumor nanoplatform, and this study provides a new direction for the design of nanodrug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastasis is the leading cause of death in breast cancer (BC) patients. However, until now, the mechanisms of BC metastasis remain elusive. GATA6 is a member of the GATA transcription factor family that plays critical regulatory roles in tissue development, which has been proposed as an oncogene in many types of tumors; however, its role and underlying mechanisms in BC remain unclear. Here we show that GATA6 is elevated in BC and its expression level is positively correlated with metastasis. In addition Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that high expression of GATA6 was associated with decreased overall survival of BC patients. Overexpression of GATA6 in BC cells increased epithelial–mesenchymal transition. In contrast, silencing GATA6 in aggressive BC cells inhibited this process. Mechanistically, we found GATA6 exerts its function through active slug transcription. Slug knockdown blocked the GATA6-driven EMT. Furthermore, slug expression in human BC is positively correlated with GATA6 expression. Our results, for the first time, portray a pivotal role of GATA6 in regulating metastatic behaviors of BC cells, suggesting GATA6 is a potential therapeutic target in metastatic BCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and all-active aMOF, DOX@FeTH, is developed via a one-step self-assembly strategy. The aMOF can effectively suppress tumor growth via a ferroptosis-apoptosis synergetic therapeutic modality. Moreover, the aMOF has excellent photothermal performance and the hyperthermia can enhance tumor penetration and further improve antitumor effect. Owing to simple ingredients, facile preparation process, and integrated multifunctionalities, DOX@FeTH aMOF holds great potential for clinical translation. [Display omitted] • A novel aMOF with triple-stimuli responsiveness was prepared via one-pot method. • The aMOF with favorable photothermal effect could penetrate deeply into tumor. • Self-supplied Fe2+, inactivated GPX4 and elevated H 2 O 2 co-induced ferroptosis. • The aMOF killed tumor cells via a ferroptosis-apoptosis synergistic modality. The combination of ferroptosis and apoptosis that act with different mechanisms holds enormous potential in cancer treatment. However, how to simply but effectively integrate the two modalities into a single platform is an enormous challenge. Herein, based on our newly discovered Fe(II)-hydrazide coordination self-assembly strategy, we design and develop an all-active amorphous metal organic framework (aMOF) for photothermally boosted ferroptosis-apoptosis synergistic anti-tumor therapy. The aMOF is prepared via one-pot co-assembly of doxorubicin (DOX), Fe2+ ions and 3,3′-dithiobis(propionohydrazide) (TPH) and subsequent decoration with TPH-functionalized hyaluronic acid. The obtained DOX@FeTH is amorphous in structure, and it exhibits favorable photothermal performance and displays pH/GSH/laser triple-responsive degradation behavior. The aMOF can be specifically internalized by CD44-overexpressed 4T1 cells and efficiently inhibit GPX4 activity via disulfide bond-mediated glutathione depletion, elevate intracellular H 2 O 2 level by DOX-induced NOX4 activation, and consequently amplify lipid peroxidation with the assistance of self-supplied Fe2+, resulting in remarkable ferroptotic cell death. Meanwhile, the released DOX causes apoptotic cell death. Moreover, the aMOF-mediated hyperthermia can promote tumor penetration and augment the synergistic efficacy. Hence, the tumors are effectively suppressed by the synergistic treatment of DOX@FeTH with laser. This work provides a new strategy for fabricating aMOFs and opens a new horizon for tumor treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nanozyme-assisted PDT nanoplatform was prepared by an innovative dual coordination. • Obtained nanoplatform showed tri-enzyme activity to potentiate ROS generation efficacy. • Obtained nanoplatform-mediated ROS storm could induce immunogenic cell death. • Nanoplatform/αPD-1 combination could induce robust systemic antitumor immunity. Induction of immunogenic tumor cell death (ICD) is a promising strategy to potentiate immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) efficacy. However, it is still a huge challenge to develop efficient ICD-inducing nanomedicine. Herein, a copper nanozyme-assisted photodynamic therapy (PDT) nanoplatform nHACI was developed to achieve efficient ICD induction and robust systemic antitumor immune response through amplifying intracellular oxidative stress. The nHACI was fabricated from hydrazided hyaluronan and Cu2+ through an innovative hydrazide-copper coordination and in situ mineralization process, followed by loading of photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG) via ICG-copper coordination. The nHACI exhibited superior drug loading efficiency, tumor microenvironment-responsive degradation behavior, and Fenton-like, glutathione oxidase-like and catalase-like triple activities. Importantly, it could not only deplete glutathione and concurrently generate 1O 2 and ·OH that amplified oxidative stress and induced ICD but also downregulate the proportion of M2 macrophages in tumors. The combination of nHACI-based PDT and PD-1 blockade could efficiently eradicate primary tumors, inhibit distant tumor growth and lung metastasis, and prevent tumor recurrence, demonstrating activation of robust systemic antitumor immune response. Collectively, this study presents a novel coordination assembly approach and nHACI holds great potential in eradicating primary tumors and potentiating ICB therapy via inducing ICD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was to examine the effect of Tripartite motif 16 (TRIM16) on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, and its clinical significance in NSCLC. The correlation of TRIM16 expression and clinical features of NSCLC was analyzed in paraffin-embedded archived normal lung tissues and NSCLC tissues by immunohistochemical analysis. The effect of TRIM16 on EMT and metastasis was examined both in vitro and in vivo. The expression of TRIM16 was markedly decreased in NSCLC and correlated with tumor metastasis. Upregulation of TRIM16 significantly inhibited EMT and metastasis of NSCLC cells. In contrast, silencing TRIM16 expression significantly promoted the EMT and metastasis of NSCLC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we demonstrated that downregulation of TRIM16 activated the sonic hedgehog pathway, and that inhibition of the sonic hedgehog pathway by cyclopamine abrogated the effect of TRIM16-downregulation induced EMT and metastasis on NSCLC cells. Our results suggest that TRIM16 is a potential pharmacologic target for the treatment of NSCLC and promotion TRIM16 expression might represent a novel strategy to NSCLC metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is still a huge challenge for concurrent highly efficient loading of chemotherapeutic agent and photosensitizer into single nanocarrier via stimuli-responsive linkages due to their different physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetics. Herein, based on the discovery of unique cisplatin-hydrazide and cisplatin-indocyanine green (ICG) coordination reactions, a multifunctional coordination nanoprodrug, cisplatin/ICG co-loaded hydrazided hyaluronan/bovine serum albumin (HBCI) nanoparticles, was developed by a desolvation-dual coordination process. The nanoprodrug exhibited ultrahigh drug loading efficiency and glutathione/NIR light dual-responsive drug release behavior. In vitro cellular studies demonstrated efficient internalization and apoptosis-inducing ability of the nanoprodrug in HepG2 cells. In vivo results confirmed the efficacious tumor accumulation and biosafety of HBCI nanoprodrug and synergistic effect of HBCI-based combined photodynamic chemotherapy on inhibiting tumor growth. Overall, this work not only provides a novel dual coordination approach for highly efficient loading of cisplatin and ICG but also verifies the therapeutic potential of HBCI nanoprodrug in combating hepatocellular carcinoma. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D cell culture is widely utilized to develop anti-cancer drugs and to explore the mechanisms of cancer tumorigenesis and development. However, the findings obtained from 2D culture often fail to provide guidance for clinical tumor treatments since it cannot precisely replicate the features of real tumors. 3D tumor models capable of recapitulating native tumor microenvironments have been proved to be a promising alternative technique. Herein, we constructed a breast tumor model from novel hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel which was prepared through photocrosslinking of methacrylated HA. The hydrogel was used as a biomimetic extracellular matrix to incubate MCF-7 cells. It was found that methacrylation degree had great effects on hydrogel's microstructure, mechanical performances, and liquid-absorbing and degradation abilities. Optimized hydrogel exhibited highly porous morphology, high equilibrium swelling ratio, suitable mechanical properties, and hyaluronidase-responsive degradation behavior. The results demonstrated that the HA hydrogel facilitated MCF-7 cell proliferation and growth in an aggregation manner. Furthermore, 3D-cultured MCF-7 cells not only up-regulated the expression of VEGF, bFGF and interleukin-8 but exhibited greater invasion and tumorigenesis capabilities compared with 2D-cultured cells. Therefore, the HA hydrogel is a reliable substitute for tumor model construction. [Display omitted] • The hyaluronic acid hydrogel was synthesized by a facile photo-crosslinking approach. • 3D breast tumor models were successfully constructed from hyaluronic acid hydrogels. • 3D-cultured MCF-7 cells efficiently replicated key cellular features of tumor in vivo. • 3D-cultured MCF-7 cells exhibited enhanced tumorigenicity than 2D-cultured ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current recommendation is to reflex test HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) equivocal breast cancer cases with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. Either IHC 3+ or FISH positive cancers are considered HER2 positive (HER2+) and treated with HER2 targeted therapy. This study examined the predictive value of HER IHC or FISH positivity in tumor response to HER2 targeted therapy. Biopsies of 76 HER2+ breast cancer cases were evaluated. All patients were treated with neoadjuvant HER2 targeted therapy and chemotherapy. Tumor response was evaluated on the excisional specimens. Cancers with complete pathologic response (pCR) or MD Anderson residual cancer burden-I (RCB-I) were classified as responders and cancers with RCB-II/III as non-responders. Clinicopathologic parameters were correlated with response. In univariate analysis, small tumor size, low nuclear grade, high Ki67, HER2 IHC 3+, homogenous strong HER2 IHC staining, high HER2/CEP17 ratio, and high HER2 copy number were significantly associated with pCR/RCB-I. In multivariate analysis, homogenous strong HER2 IHC staining pattern was significantly associated with pCR/RCB-I. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) model showed either high HER2/CEP17 ratio or HER2 copy number individually was predictive of tumor response. HER2 IHC staining pattern is significantly associated with tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, reiterating the importance of HER2 IHC evaluation. The ROC model shows either high HER2/CEP17 ratio or high HER2 copy number individually is predictive of tumor response to neoadjuvant HER2 targeted therapy in HER2+ breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• DOX/CDDP-loaded polysaccharide-based nanovehicles were successfully prepared. • CDDP crosslinking enhanced the stability of NPHER2(DOX/CDDP). • CDDP and DOX were loaded onto AHA by chelation and Schiff's base, respectively. • Nanoparticles composed of drug core and polysaccharide shell were fabricated. • Co-delivery of DOX and CDDP achieved great synergistic anticancer effect. Combination chemotherapy has attracted more and more attention in the field of anticancer treatment. Herein, a synergetic targeted combination chemotherapy of doxorubicin (DOX) and cisplatin in breast cancer was realized by HER2 antibody-decorated nanoparticles assembled from aldehyde hyaluronic acid (AHA) and hydroxyethyl chitosan (HECS). Cisplatin and DOX were successively conjugated onto AHA through chelation and Schiff's base reaction, respectively, forming DOX/cisplatin-loaded AHA inner core. The core was sequentially complexed with HECS and targeting HER2 antibody-conjugated AHA. The formed near-spherical nanoplatform had an average size of ∼160 nm and a zeta potential of −28 mV and displayed pH-responsive surface charge reversal and drug release behaviors. HER2 receptor-mediated active targeting significantly enhanced the cellular uptake of nanoplatform. Importantly, DOX and cisplatin exhibited a synergistic cell-killing effect in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. These results clearly indicate that the novel nanoplatform is promising for synergistic combination chemotherapy of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combination of different therapy modalities with multiple tumoricidal mechanisms has emerged as a promising anticancer strategy. Herein, we reported an aldehyde/catechol-functionalized hyaluronic acid (DAHA) and hydroxyethyl chitosan (HECS) decorated gold nanorod (GNR) platform for combined chemo-photothermal therapy of breast cancer. The DAHA was synthesized by conjugating dopamine onto oxidized hyaluronic acid. The nanoplatform was prepared by successively modifying GNR with DAHA via Au-catechol bonds, conjugating DOX onto DAHA moiety through Schiff base linkage, and coating HECS interlayer for charge-reversal and hyaluronic acid corona for tumor cell targeting. The resulting nanoplatform GNR-HADOXCH exhibited acid-triggered surface charge-reversal and pH/NIR dual-responsive drug release behaviors. The nanoplatform could be efficiently internalized into MCF-7 breast cancer cells and displayed greater cancer cell killing than individual modalities. Therefore, polysaccharide decoration could ensure the co-delivery of GNR and DOX into cancer cells, and the developed GNR-HADOXCH holds great potential for breast cancer treatment. Unlabelled Image • The versatile nanoplatform was prepared via a facile and effective self-assembly method. • The nanoplatform exhibited acid-triggered surface charge-reversal property. • The nanoplatform had pH/NIR dual-responsive drug release behavior. • Receptor recognition and charge-reversal dual-enhanced cellular internalization. • MCF-7 cells could be efficiently killed by combined chemo-photothermal therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]