Few studies have directly compared the efficiencies of gene delivery methods that target normal lung cells versus lung tumor cells. We report the first study directly comparing the efficiency and toxicity of viral [adeno-associated virus (AAV2, 5, 6) and lentivirus], nonviral (Effectene, SuperFect and Lipofectamine 2000) and physical [particle-mediated gene transfer (PMGT)] methods of gene deli...

The toxic side effects of doxorubicin (Dox) limit its long-term use as a lung cancer chemotherapeutic. Additionally, drug delivery to the deep lung is challenging. To address these challenges, isolated rat Sertoli cells (SCs) were preloaded with Dox conjugated to lipid micelle nanoparticles (SC-DLMNs) and delivered to mouse lungs. These immunocompetent cells, when injected intravenously, travel...

Objective: Transient expression of therapeutic genes within lung allografts may modulate the pathological processes following allotransplantation. Whilst ef®cient gene transfer to lungs has been reported with viral vectors, their usefulness is limited on the grounds of safety. Since non-viral systems overcome many of these safety issues, our studies were designed to evaluate the ef®ciency of se...

In recent years, researchers have focused on targeted gene therapy for lung cancer, using nanoparticle carriers to overcome the limitations of conventional treatment methods. The main goal of targeted gene therapy is to develop more efficient therapeutic strategies by improving the bioavailability, stability, and target specificity of gene therapeutics and to reduce off-target effects. Polymer-...

Antenatal exposure to glucocorticoids, amnionitis, intraamniotic interleukin (IL)-1alpha, or endotoxin can improve postnatal lung function after preterm delivery. The relationship between early lung maturation and the dose and duration of a proinflammatory stimulus has not been evaluated. The effects of proinflammatory stimuli on fetal plasma cortisol also have not been evaluated. We hypothesiz...

The respiratory system, as well as the skin, are organs in direct contact with the environment and they represent possible doors for the entrance of therapeutic agents into the body. Because of the increasing incidence of pulmonary diseases with high mortality and morbidity, pulmonary drug delivery is emerging as a non-invasive and attractive approach for the treatment of several pathologies. I...

When faced with a preterm delivery of an extremely premature neonate between 22-24 weeks (EPRN), doctors are confronted by a three-fold uncertainty of age, viability and prognosis that influence their decision whether or not to resuscitate the neonate. Firstly, in the delivery room the preterm neonate’s age is seldom precisely known, and successful resuscitation depends on the neonate’s accurat...

Among the drug delivery and targeting (DDT) routes, lung alveolar epithelium has been given enormous attentions in terms of the delivery of a wide range of macromolecules such as gene- or protein-based nanopharmaceuticals. However, little is known about cellular modulation of lung transport characteristics by endogenous and/or exogenous agents. Thus, in the current study, impact of dexamethason...

*Corresponding author email: [email protected] Cell-based therapy has great potential as an alternative modern treatment for patients with lung diseases. Cellular engraftment hinders the therapeutic benefit of stem cell-based therapies in which infusion of stem cells in the lung has been found not to necessarily being attributed to tissue regeneration. Safety of the stem cell therapies inc...

Background: Breast conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy (RT) has been widely accepted as the standard treatment in early stages of invasive breast cancer. The standard technique of RT includes whole breast irradiation (WBI). Additional tumor bed boost irradiation has also an important role in the local tumor control. But there are various controversial delivery methods. The aim of ...