Fischell Department of Bioengineering Research Works

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/6627

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    Immunological and Toxicological Considerations for the Design of Liposomes
    (MDPI, 2020-01-22) Inglut, Collin T.; Sorrin, Aaron J.; Kuruppu, Thilinie; Vig, Shruti; Cicalo, Julia; Ahmad, Haroon; Huang, Huang-Chiao
    Liposomes hold great potential as gene and drug delivery vehicles due to their biocompatibility and modular properties, coupled with the major advantage of attenuating the risk of systemic toxicity from the encapsulated therapeutic agent. Decades of research have been dedicated to studying and optimizing liposomal formulations for a variety of medical applications, ranging from cancer therapeutics to analgesics. Some effort has also been made to elucidate the toxicities and immune responses that these drug formulations may elicit. Notably, intravenously injected liposomes can interact with plasma proteins, leading to opsonization, thereby altering the healthy cells they come into contact with during circulation and removal. Additionally, due to the pharmacokinetics of liposomes in circulation, drugs can end up sequestered in organs of the mononuclear phagocyte system, affecting liver and spleen function. Importantly, liposomal agents can also stimulate or suppress the immune system depending on their physiochemical properties, such as size, lipid composition, pegylation, and surface charge. Despite the surge in the clinical use of liposomal agents since 1995, there are still several drawbacks that limit their range of applications. This review presents a focused analysis of these limitations, with an emphasis on toxicity to healthy tissues and unfavorable immune responses, to shed light on key considerations that should be factored into the design and clinical use of liposomal formulations.
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    Exploiting Unique Features of Microneedles to Modulate Immunity
    (Wiley, 2023-06-28) Edwards, C.; Shah, S. A.; Gebhardt, T.; Jewell, C. M.
    Microneedle arrays (MNAs) are small patches containing hundreds of short projections that deliver signals directly to dermal layers without causing pain. These technologies are of special interest for immunotherapy and vaccine delivery because they directly target immune cells concentrated in the skin. The targeting abilities of MNAs result in efficient immune responses—often more protective or therapeutic—compared to conventional needle delivery. MNAs also offer logistical benefits, such as self-administration and transportation without refrigeration. Thus, numerous preclinical and clinical studies are exploring these technologies. Here we discuss the unique advantages of MNA, as well as critical challenges – such as manufacturing and sterility issues – the field faces to enable widespread deployment. We explain how MNA design parameters can be exploited for controlled release of vaccines and immunotherapies, and the application to preclinical models of infection, cancer, autoimmunity, and allergies. We also discuss specific strategies to reduce off-target effects compared to conventional vaccine delivery routes, and novel chemical and manufacturing controls that enable cargo stability in MNAs across flexible intervals and temperatures. We then examine clinical research using MNAs. We conclude with drawbacks of MNAs and the implications, and emerging opportunities to exploit MNAs for immune engineering and clinical use.
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    Nanoparticle-assisted, image-guided laser interstitialthermal therapy for cancer treatment
    (Wiley, 2022-06-23) Pang, Sumiao; Kapur, Anshika; Zhou, Keri; Anastasiadis, Pavlos; Ballirano, Nicholas; Kim, Anthony J.; Winkles, Jeffrey A.; Woodworth, Graeme F.; Huang, Huang-Chiao
    Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a new treatment option for patients with brain and non-central nervous system (non-CNS) tumors. MRI guidance allows for precise placement of optical fiber in the tumor, while MR thermometry provides real-time monitoring and assessment of thermal doses during the procedure. Despite promising clinical results, LITT complications relating to brain tumor procedures, such as hemorrhage, edema, seizures, and thermal injury to nearby healthy tissues, remain a significant concern. To address these complications, nanoparticles offer unique prospects for precise interstitial hyperthermia applications that increase heat transport within the tumor while reducing thermal impacts on neighboring healthy tissues. Furthermore, nanoparticles permit the co-delivery of therapeutic compounds that not only synergize with LITT, but can also improve overall effectiveness and safety. In addition, efficient heat-generating nanoparticles with unique optical properties can enhance LITT treatments through improved real-time imaging and thermal sensing. This review will focus on (1) types of inorganic and organic nanoparticles for LITT; (2) in vitro, in silico, and ex vivo studies that investigate nanoparticles' effect on light–tissue interactions; and (3) the role of nanoparticle formulations in advancing clinically relevant image-guided technologies for LITT.