Shaojian Zou^1,#, Lipeng Zhang^2,#, Xiang Chen^3,#, Zhuomin Wang², Xinhui Zhu², Dandong Luo⁴, Shengxun Mao^2,*, Zhen Zong^2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 3753-3788, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067586 - 27 November 2025

Abstract Traditional cancer therapies have limitations like poor efficacy on advanced tumors, healthy tissue damage, side effects, and drug resistance, creating an urgent need for new strategies. Hydrogels have good biocompatibility and controlled release, while extracellular vesicles (EVs) enable targeting and bioactive transport. This review systematically summarizes hydrogels and EVs, focusing on the construction of hydrogel-EV delivery system, key influencing factors, drug delivery mechanisms, and tumor therapy apps, clarifying their synergies. The system overcomes single-carrier flaws, construction methods/key factors affect performance, preclinical studies have confirmed efficacy in multiple therapies, but large-scale production and in vivo stability challenges More >

Yifei Wang, Xiaoxiao Han^*, Miaomiao Yuan, Yangguang Zhao, Wei Zhu, Feng Chen

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.33, No.2, pp. 1-1, 2025, DOI:10.32604/icces.2025.012585

Abstract With the advancement of the personalised medicine industry, multi-material targeted drug delivery systems have garnered significant attention due to the higher drug bioavailability and synergistic effects of combined drug therapies. However, the fabrication throughput of such systems often fails to satisfy the demands of clinical applications. Volumetric printing, distinguished by its remarkable capability for rapid fabrication, presents a promising approach for fabricating these systems. Nevertheless, during volumetric printing, formed parts are prone to displacement relative to their intended locations due to variations in ink density, viscosity, and other factors, resulting in geometric distortion and complicating… More >

CHIOMA C. EZEUKO^#, SANDANI V. T. WIJERATHNE^#, QIANA L. MATTHEWS^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.9, pp. 1605-1629, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.065474 - 25 September 2025

Abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have arisen as potential therapeutic tools in managing infectious diseases because EVs can regulate cell-to-cell signaling, function as drug transport mechanisms, and influence immune reactions. They are obtained from a myriad of sources, such as plants, humans, and animal cells. EVs like exosomes and ectosomes can be utilized in their native form as therapeutics or engineered to encompass antimicrobials, vaccines, and oligonucleotides of interest with a targeted delivery strategy. An in-depth understanding of host-pathogen dynamics provides a solid foundation for exploiting its full potential in therapeutics against infectious diseases. This review mainly More >

Tri Susanti^1,2, Syahnur Haqiqoh¹, Pratiwi Pudjiastuti^2,*, Siti Wafiroh^2,*, Esti Hendradi³, Oktavia Eka Puspita⁴, Nashriq Jailani⁵

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.9, pp. 1841-1857, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02024-0084 - 22 September 2025

Abstract This study aims to enhance the mechanical properties, disintegration, and dissolution rates of cross-linked carrageenan (CRG) capsule shells by shortening the long chains of CRG through a hydrolysis reaction with citric acid (CA). The hydrolysis of CRG was carried out using varying concentrations of CA, resulting in hydrolyzed CRG (HCRG). This was followed by cross-linking with xanthan gum (XG) and the addition of sorbitol (SOR) as a plasticizer. The results indicated that the optimal swelling capacity of HCRG-XG/SOR hard-shell capsules occurred at a CA concentration of 0.5%, achieving a maximum swelling rate of 445.39% after… More >

MERYEM A. ABDESSALEM, SIRIN A. ADHAM^*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.1, pp. 27-44, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.056955 - 20 December 2024

Abstract Nanotechnology in cancer therapy has significantly advanced treatment precision, effectiveness, and safety, improving patient outcomes and personalized care. Engineered smart nanoparticles and cell-based therapies are designed to target tumor cells, precisely sensing the tumor microenvironment (TME) and sparing normal cells. These nanoparticles enhance drug accumulation in tumors by solubilizing insoluble compounds or preventing their degradation, and they can also overcome therapy resistance and deliver multiple drugs simultaneously. Despite these benefits, challenges remain in patient-specific responses and regulatory approvals for cell-based or nanoparticle therapies. Cell-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) that primarily utilize the immune-recognition principle between… More > Graphic Abstract

HUAN GAO^1,2, JIE ZHANG¹, TONY G. KLEIJN^1,3,4, ZHAOYONG WU⁵, BING LIU^1,6, YUJIN MA⁶, BAOYUE DING^1,*, DONGFENG YIN^2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.4, pp. 769-784, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2023.044276 - 20 March 2024

Abstract Bone metastasis secondary to breast cancer negatively impacts patient quality of life and survival. The treatment of bone metastases is challenging since many anticancer drugs are not effectively delivered to the bone to exert a therapeutic effect. To improve the treatment efficacy, we developed Pluronic P123 (P123)-based polymeric micelles dually decorated with alendronate (ALN) and cancer-specific phage protein DMPGTVLP (DP-8) for targeted drug delivery to breast cancer bone metastases. Doxorubicin (DOX) was selected as the anticancer drug and was encapsulated into the hydrophobic core of the micelles with a high drug loading capacity (3.44%). The… More > Graphic Abstract

Thean Heng Tan¹, Najihah Mohd Hashim², Wageeh Abdulhadi Yehya Dabdawb¹, Mochamad Zakki Fahmi^3,*, Hwei Voon Lee^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.1, pp. 29-43, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.043449 - 23 January 2024

Abstract The study focuses on the development of biocompatible and stable FA-functionalized nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) as a potential drug delivery system for targeting folate receptor-positive cancer cells. The FA-functionalized NCCs were synthesized through a series of chemical reactions, resulting in nanoparticles with favorable properties for biomedical applications. The microstructural analysis revealed that the functionalized NCCs maintained their rod-shaped morphology and displayed hydrodynamic diameters suitable for evading the mononuclear phagocytic system while being large enough to target tumor tissues. Importantly, these nanoparticles possessed a negative surface charge, enhancing their stability and repelling potential aggregation. The binding specificity… More > Graphic Abstract

KENJI TSUJI^*, SHINJI KITAMURA, JUN WADA

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.4, pp. 899-902, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.018594 - 15 December 2021

Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have abilities to mediate tissue protection through mechanisms of anti-apoptosis, anti-oxidative stress and anti-fibrosis as well as tissue regeneration through mechanisms of cell proliferation, differentiation and angiogenesis. These effects by MSCs are mediated by a variety of factors, including growth factors, cytokines and extracellular vesicles (EVs). Among these factors, EVs, containing proteins, mRNA and microRNAs (miRNA), may carry their contents into distant tissues with high stability. Therefore, the treatment with MSC-derived EVs may be promising as ‘natural’ drug delivery systems (DDS). Especially, the treatment of MSC-derived EVs with the manipulation of More >