A photosensitizing nanosystem based on PEGylated PLGA nanoparticles doped with luminescent molybdenum-iodide nanoclusters displays advantageous features for photodynamic therapy of ovarian cancer.

Objective:At the present study, relationship between phagocytosis of PLGA particles and combined effects of particle size and surface PEGylation was investigated.  Materials and Methods:Microspheres and nanospheres (3500 nm and 700 nm) were prepared from three types of PLGA polymers (non-PEGylated and PEGylation percents of 9% and 15%). These particles were prepared by solvent evaporation metho...

In contrast to the general assumption that polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-conjugated substances lack immunogenicity and antigenic, it has been reported that they can elicit antibodies against PEG (mainly anti-PEG immunoglobulin M (IgM)). In patients, the presence of anti-PEG antibodies may limit therapeutic efficacy of PEGylated substances as a consequence of inducing rapid clearance of and neutraliz...

The cross-administration of nanocarriers modified by poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), named PEGylated nanocarriers, a type of combination therapy, is becoming an increasingly important method of long-term drug delivery, to decrease side effects, avoid multidrug resistance, and increase therapeutic efficacy. However, repeated injections of PEGylated nanocarriers induces the accelerated blood clearan...

The term prodrug was first used by Albert [1]. Prodrug can be defined as an agent that is transformed after administration, either by metabolism or by spontaneous chemical breakdown, to form a pharmacologically active drug. The prodrug itself is inactive or less active and is converted to active agent in vivo. Targeted prodrug approach is one of the new trends in the treatment of cancer. A lot ...

A biodegradable and reduction-cleavable gemcitabine (GEM) polymeric prodrug with in vivo near-infrared (NIR) imaging ability was reported. This theranostic GEM prodrug PEG-b-[PLA-co-PMAC-graft-(IR820-co-GEM)] was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization and "click" reaction. The as-prepared reduction-sensitive prodrug could self-assemble into prodrug micelles in aqueous solution confirmed by ...

Objective(s): The central role of molecular imaging modalities in cancer management is an undeniable fact that could help to diagnose cancer tumors in early stages. The main aim of this study is to prepare a novel targeted molecular imaging nanoprobe of CD24-PEGylated Au NPs to improve the ability of Computed tomography scanning (CT scan) outputs for both in vitro and in vivo detection of breas...

We prepared a new glucuronide prodrug of cyclopamine designed to target selectively the Hedgehog signalling pathway of cancer cells. This prodrug includes a novel self-immolative linker bearing a hydrophilic side chain that can be easily introduced via"click chemistry". With this design, the prodrug exhibits reduced toxicity compared to the free drug on U87 glioblastoma cells. However, in the p...

Long-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) therapy has been associated with several adverse effects such as gastric ulceration and cardiovascular events. Among the molecular modifications strategies, the prodrug approach is a useful tool to discover new safe NSAIDs. The 1-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)indolin-2-one is a diclofenac prodrug which demonstrated relevant anti-inflammatory proper...