Pub Date : 2025-10-02DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2025.115700
Kurt D. Ristroph , Nathalie M. Pinkerton , Chester E. Markwalter , Suzanne M. D'Addio , Marian E. Gindy , Robert F. Pagels
In the twenty years since the development of Flash NanoPrecipitation (FNP) technology, an antisolvent precipitation technique that uses rapid turbulent mixing to drive self-assembly of polymeric or lipid nanoparticles, the platform has been used for a wide variety of drug delivery applications in research and industry – most notably as the enabling technology for the global manufacture of the Pfizer-BioNTech COMIRNATY® mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Importantly, this makes FNP the only publicly-known manufacturing technology for global commercial-scale lipid nanoparticle formulation. This situation makes the technique remarkable and noteworthy and worth discussing broadly, which this article aims to do. It also sets FNP mixing as the benchmark technology against which other LNP manufacturing processes should be compared. Here we review the principles underpinning this continuous antisolvent precipitation technique, its scalability and use with downstream unit operations, and its utility in nanomedicine research. We discuss the current intellectual property landscape surrounding FNP technology and give examples of its industrial implementation for SARS-CoV-2 and low-cost antimalarial formulations. We end with a survey on recent improvements and extensions to the platform that enable the encapsulation of new classes of molecules and greater flexibility in manufacturing as FNP moves into its third decade.
{"title":"20 years of Flash NanoPrecipitation – from controlled precipitation to global medicine","authors":"Kurt D. Ristroph , Nathalie M. Pinkerton , Chester E. Markwalter , Suzanne M. D'Addio , Marian E. Gindy , Robert F. Pagels","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115700","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115700","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the twenty years since the development of Flash NanoPrecipitation (FNP) technology, an antisolvent precipitation technique that uses rapid turbulent mixing to drive self-assembly of polymeric or lipid nanoparticles, the platform has been used for a wide variety of drug delivery applications in research and industry – most notably as the enabling technology for the global manufacture of the Pfizer-BioNTech COMIRNATY® mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Importantly, this makes FNP the only publicly-known manufacturing technology for global commercial-scale lipid nanoparticle formulation. This situation makes the technique remarkable and noteworthy and worth discussing broadly, which this article aims to do. It also sets FNP mixing as the benchmark technology against which other LNP manufacturing processes should be compared. Here we review the principles underpinning this continuous antisolvent precipitation technique, its scalability and use with downstream unit operations, and its utility in nanomedicine research. We discuss the current intellectual property landscape surrounding FNP technology and give examples of its industrial implementation for SARS-CoV-2 and low-cost antimalarial formulations. We end with a survey on recent improvements and extensions to the platform that enable the encapsulation of new classes of molecules and greater flexibility in manufacturing as FNP moves into its third decade.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 115700"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145203245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-08-06DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2025.115662
Kelsey E Hern, Arthur Prindle
The known roles of human-associated microbes in health and disease have expanded in recent years. While the gut microbiome is the most well studied, the airway microbiome is gaining attention as an important gatekeeper of respiratory health. Compared to the gut, the airway microbiome has lower species complexity, greater niche stability, and represents an immediate point of contact with the outside world. These features make it an attractive target for improving respiratory health. As respiratory disease continues to increase among humans, it will be critical to develop novel approaches to combat new and emergent bacterial infections, viruses, and cancers for which we do not currently have treatments. This review seeks to define strategies for airway microbiome engineering-the intentional manipulation of airway associated microbes to restore species balance, enhance protective functions, or treat disease. We summarize the growing body of literature linking the airway microbiome to respiratory health and discuss both broad-spectrum and high precision technologies that hold particular promise for further development. We argue that inhaled probiotics and bacteriophage are among the most attractive technologies for clinical translation of airway microbiome engineering to improve respiratory health.
{"title":"Towards airway microbiome engineering for improving respiratory health.","authors":"Kelsey E Hern, Arthur Prindle","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115662","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115662","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The known roles of human-associated microbes in health and disease have expanded in recent years. While the gut microbiome is the most well studied, the airway microbiome is gaining attention as an important gatekeeper of respiratory health. Compared to the gut, the airway microbiome has lower species complexity, greater niche stability, and represents an immediate point of contact with the outside world. These features make it an attractive target for improving respiratory health. As respiratory disease continues to increase among humans, it will be critical to develop novel approaches to combat new and emergent bacterial infections, viruses, and cancers for which we do not currently have treatments. This review seeks to define strategies for airway microbiome engineering-the intentional manipulation of airway associated microbes to restore species balance, enhance protective functions, or treat disease. We summarize the growing body of literature linking the airway microbiome to respiratory health and discuss both broad-spectrum and high precision technologies that hold particular promise for further development. We argue that inhaled probiotics and bacteriophage are among the most attractive technologies for clinical translation of airway microbiome engineering to improve respiratory health.</p>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":" ","pages":"115662"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12344571/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144783228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2025.115702
Cecília Ferreira , Bruno Sarmento , Cláudia Martins
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal brain cancer in adults, with a dismal prognosis and no curative therapies available. The treatment landscape remains largely stagnant, relying on tumor resection, temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, which are hampered by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that limits drug blood-to-brain permeability and, consequently, therapeutic efficacy. Over 98 % of potential therapeutic candidates fail to penetrate the BBB, significantly contributing to the high recurrence rates of GBM. The urgent need for improved drug delivery strategies is compounded by the limitations of current preclinical models, which often inadequately mimic the complex BBB-GBM interaction. This review discusses recent advancements in the development of in vitro models that accurately replicate the BBB and GBM interplay, ranging from simplified two-dimensional (2D) systems to sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) constructs. Innovations such as microfluidic devices and multicellular spheroid cultures are highlighted as promising methods to enhance physiological relevance and predictive value in drug testing. By emphasizing the interplay between GBM and its microenvironment with the BBB, these models aim to accelerate the discovery and efficacy testing of novel anti-GBM agents. Ultimately, this review underscores the critical need for more representative in vitro platforms that not only reduce reliance on animal models but also adhere to the principles of the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement) in biomedical research, paving the way for more effective therapeutic interventions against GBM.
{"title":"In vitro models of the interplay between glioblastoma and blood–brain barrier for stratifying drug efficacy","authors":"Cecília Ferreira , Bruno Sarmento , Cláudia Martins","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115702","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115702","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal brain cancer in adults, with a dismal prognosis and no curative therapies available. The treatment landscape remains largely stagnant, relying on tumor resection, temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, which are hampered by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that limits drug blood-to-brain permeability and, consequently, therapeutic efficacy. Over 98 % of potential therapeutic candidates fail to penetrate the BBB, significantly contributing to the high recurrence rates of GBM. The urgent need for improved drug delivery strategies is compounded by the limitations of current preclinical models, which often inadequately mimic the complex BBB-GBM interaction. This review discusses recent advancements in the development of <em>in vitro</em> models that accurately replicate the BBB and GBM interplay, ranging from simplified two-dimensional (2D) systems to sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) constructs. Innovations such as microfluidic devices and multicellular spheroid cultures are highlighted as promising methods to enhance physiological relevance and predictive value in drug testing. By emphasizing the interplay between GBM and its microenvironment with the BBB, these models aim to accelerate the discovery and efficacy testing of novel anti-GBM agents. Ultimately, this review underscores the critical need for more representative <em>in vitro</em> platforms that not only reduce reliance on animal models but also adhere to the principles of the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement) in biomedical research, paving the way for more effective therapeutic interventions against GBM.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 115702"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145194952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-26DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2025.115699
Valery V. Tuchin , Tianhong Dai , Luís M. Oliveira
{"title":"Optical technologies in monitoring mobility and delivery of drugs and metabolic agents1","authors":"Valery V. Tuchin , Tianhong Dai , Luís M. Oliveira","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115699","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115699","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"226 ","pages":"Article 115699"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145153606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-25DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2025.115695
Stefana Duca , Sara Jamshidi Parvar , Luke Kumeta , Tracey D. Bradshaw , Weng C. Chan , Felicity de Cogan , Karolina Dziemidowicz , Pavel Gershkovich , Maria Marlow , Christopher J. Morris , David Shorthouse , Andrew L. Lewis
Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) are a highly aggressive and inoperable type of paediatric brain tumours, with a median survival of less than one year. Therapeutic progress has been hindered by the tumour’s anatomical location, its extensive molecular heterogeneity, and the restrictive nature of the blood brain barrier (BBB) in drug delivery. This article explores the current therapeutic landscape of DMG and evaluates emerging drug delivery strategies, including oral, intravenous and intrathecal administration, convection-enhanced delivery (CED), and intranasal approaches, designed to improve drug access to the brain. Advancements in these methods, combined with targeted therapies tailored to the tumour’s unique molecular features, represent a critical pathway towards improving clinical outcomes for DMG patients.
{"title":"Drug delivery strategies for paediatric diffuse midline gliomas","authors":"Stefana Duca , Sara Jamshidi Parvar , Luke Kumeta , Tracey D. Bradshaw , Weng C. Chan , Felicity de Cogan , Karolina Dziemidowicz , Pavel Gershkovich , Maria Marlow , Christopher J. Morris , David Shorthouse , Andrew L. Lewis","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115695","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115695","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) are a highly aggressive and inoperable type of paediatric brain tumours, with a median survival of less than one year. Therapeutic progress has been hindered by the tumour’s anatomical location, its extensive molecular heterogeneity, and the restrictive nature of the blood brain barrier (BBB) in drug delivery. This article explores the current therapeutic landscape of DMG and evaluates emerging drug delivery strategies, including oral, intravenous and intrathecal administration, convection-enhanced delivery (CED), and intranasal approaches, designed to improve drug access to the brain. Advancements in these methods, combined with targeted therapies tailored to the tumour’s unique molecular features, represent a critical pathway towards improving clinical outcomes for DMG patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"226 ","pages":"Article 115695"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145134377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-25DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2025.115698
Marta Łaszcz , Magdalena Urbanowicz , Ewelina Baran , Piotr Kulinowski
The potential advantages of pharmaceutical additive manufacturing (AM) are thoroughly described in the literature. Challenges related to pharmaceutical AM are less discussed. Selective laser sintering (SLS) is one of the AM methods possible for pharmaceutical applications. The article addresses aspects of SLS that are not typically explored in pharmaceutical studies. The literature research was conducted in parallel for both non-pharmaceutical (technical) and pharmaceutical SLS. As a result, in-depth studies on the temperature-dependent properties (rheological and optical) and thermal properties of powders for general technical printing are presented, along with the characterization of the laser sintering process. Special attention is given to the development of the “processing window” and “energy density” terms, as they continue to evolve. An application of a wide range of thermal analysis techniques is presented, including fast differential calorimetry, hot-stage microscopy, thermovision, and dielectric thermal analysis. Next, the complexity, regarding crystalline/semicrystalline/amorphous substances combination and their melt miscibility for pharmaceutical powders is marked. Pharmaceutical SLS studies are also analyzed, with emphasis on thermal aspects. Generally, pharmaceutical studies lack meaningful temperature-dependent and thermal analysis. The only significant exception is studies on drug substance amorphization during the SLS process. The main message is that pharmaceutical SLS should benefit from the methods and ideas developed for technical SLS. In particular, the research directions should include: (1) conscious powder design regarding the specificity of SLS manufacturing method, which completely different from powder compression (API - excipients matching), (2) extending the set of research methods, (3) consolidation process elucidation, (4) powder reusing or powder reusing avoiding, (5) searching for potential new carriers/excipients dedicated to pharmaceutical SLS process.
{"title":"Toward pharmaceutical selective laser sintering 3D printing - a thermal and temperature-dependent analysis perspective","authors":"Marta Łaszcz , Magdalena Urbanowicz , Ewelina Baran , Piotr Kulinowski","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115698","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115698","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The potential advantages of pharmaceutical additive manufacturing (AM) are thoroughly described in the literature. Challenges related to pharmaceutical AM are less discussed. Selective laser sintering (SLS) is one of the AM methods possible for pharmaceutical applications. The article addresses aspects of SLS that are not typically explored in pharmaceutical studies. The literature research was conducted in parallel for both non-pharmaceutical (technical) and pharmaceutical SLS. As a result, in-depth studies on the temperature-dependent properties (rheological and optical) and thermal properties of powders for general technical printing are presented, along with the characterization of the laser sintering process. Special attention is given to the development of the “processing window” and “energy density” terms, as they continue to evolve. An application of a wide range of thermal analysis techniques is presented, including fast differential calorimetry, hot-stage microscopy, thermovision, and dielectric thermal analysis. Next, the complexity, regarding crystalline/semicrystalline/amorphous substances combination and their melt miscibility for pharmaceutical powders is marked. Pharmaceutical SLS studies are also analyzed, with emphasis on thermal aspects. Generally, pharmaceutical studies lack meaningful temperature-dependent and thermal analysis. The only significant exception is studies on drug substance amorphization during the SLS process. The main message is that pharmaceutical SLS should benefit from the methods and ideas developed for technical SLS. In particular, the research directions should include: (1) conscious powder design regarding the specificity of SLS manufacturing method, which completely different from powder compression (API - excipients matching), (2) extending the set of research methods, (3) consolidation process elucidation, (4) powder reusing or powder reusing avoiding, (5) searching for potential new carriers/excipients dedicated to pharmaceutical SLS process.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 115698"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145140546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-25DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2025.115692
Yingying Li , Tatiana N. Zamay , Natalia A. Luzan , Evgeny A. Pryakhin , Elena V. Styazhkina , Liubov A. Osminkina , Olga S. Kolovskaya , Maya A. Dymova , Elena V. Kuligina , Vladimir A. Richter , Alena G. Bkhattachariia , Dmitry A. Bydanov , Alexander V. Galantsev , Ivan A. Vostrov , Zhenbao Liu , Galina S. Zamay , Anna S. Kichkailo , Xue-Qiang Wang
Cancer treatment has transitioned from traditional chemotherapy to the molecular medicine era, emphasizing personalized therapy at the molecular level. Aptamers, also known as ’chemical antibodies’, play a pivotal role in advancing molecular medicine. Utilizing the SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) technique, these aptamers exhibit exceptional affinity for a wide range of targets, ranging from picomolar to nanomolar levels. Their exceptional characteristics, including ease of preparation, small size, low immunogenicity, remarkable chemical stability, and convenient modification, make them highly versatile for precise cancer therapy. Notably, aptamers have been successfully combined with therapeutic agents, such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and small molecule toxins for diverse research purposes. This review article will primarily focus on recent progress in aptamer-based targeted therapy for cancer, offering readers a comprehensive insight into the latest developments in aptamer-based cancer treatment.
{"title":"Aptamers as a new frontier in targeted cancer therapy","authors":"Yingying Li , Tatiana N. Zamay , Natalia A. Luzan , Evgeny A. Pryakhin , Elena V. Styazhkina , Liubov A. Osminkina , Olga S. Kolovskaya , Maya A. Dymova , Elena V. Kuligina , Vladimir A. Richter , Alena G. Bkhattachariia , Dmitry A. Bydanov , Alexander V. Galantsev , Ivan A. Vostrov , Zhenbao Liu , Galina S. Zamay , Anna S. Kichkailo , Xue-Qiang Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115692","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115692","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cancer treatment has transitioned from traditional chemotherapy to the molecular medicine era, emphasizing personalized therapy at the molecular level. Aptamers, also known as ’chemical antibodies’, play a pivotal role in advancing molecular medicine. Utilizing the SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) technique, these aptamers exhibit exceptional affinity for a wide range of targets, ranging from picomolar to nanomolar levels. Their exceptional characteristics, including ease of preparation, small size, low immunogenicity, remarkable chemical stability, and convenient modification, make them highly versatile for precise cancer therapy. Notably, aptamers have been successfully combined with therapeutic agents, such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and small molecule toxins for diverse research purposes. This review article will primarily focus on recent progress in aptamer-based targeted therapy for cancer, offering readers a comprehensive insight into the latest developments in aptamer-based cancer treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"226 ","pages":"Article 115692"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145134376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-12DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2025.115696
Paul Cressey, Shazwan Bin Abd Shukor, Maya Thanou
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is an emerging therapeutic modality against hard-to-treat tumours. It involves the use of ultrasound (US) to excite sono-sensitive moieties to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induce tumour cell death. SDT employs the synergetic application of enabling chemicals named sonosensitizers and low-intensity ultrasound. Compared with photodynamic therapy, SDT has the significant advantages of deeper tissue penetration, higher accuracy, and potentially fewer adverse effects if well-designed. There are multiple suggested mechanisms for activating sonosensitizers for SDT, including sonoluminescence, pyrolysis and direct mechanical activation. However, a highly reported mechanism of action and the focus for this review is sonoluminescence (SL). SL is defined as the light generated by catastrophic implosions of oscillating bubbles in a liquid under exposure to ultrasound (US). SL has been shown to interact with sensitising molecules similar to photodynamic therapy to generate ROS. This mechanism involves delocalisation of the excited electron and subsequent transfer from excited sonosensitizers to nearby oxygen molecules (H2O and O2) in the surrounding tissues to produce ROS such as superoxides, peroxides, singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals. In SDT, both SL and sonosensitizers play a role in generating enough ROS to initiate the observed anticancer effects. These effects have been investigated in in vitro, in vivo and recently applied in clinical settings. There are several questions pertaining to the efficiency and safety of SDT and sonosensitizers for anticancer treatment, especially in hard-to-treat tumours, which are discussed here. Although the application of SDT has rapidly reached the clinical phase, fundamental studies are still needed to address and understand the complex mechanisms involved in the anticancer effect of SDT.
{"title":"Sonodynamic therapy: transforming sound into light for hard-to-treat tumours","authors":"Paul Cressey, Shazwan Bin Abd Shukor, Maya Thanou","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115696","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115696","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is an emerging therapeutic modality against hard-to-treat tumours. It involves the use of ultrasound (US) to excite sono-sensitive moieties to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induce tumour cell death. SDT employs the synergetic application of enabling chemicals named sonosensitizers and low-intensity ultrasound. Compared with photodynamic therapy, SDT has the significant advantages of deeper tissue penetration, higher accuracy, and potentially fewer adverse effects if well-designed. There are multiple suggested mechanisms for activating sonosensitizers for SDT, including sonoluminescence, pyrolysis and direct mechanical activation. However, a highly reported mechanism of action and the focus for this review is sonoluminescence (SL). SL is defined as the light generated by catastrophic implosions of oscillating bubbles in a liquid under exposure to ultrasound (US). SL has been shown to interact with sensitising molecules similar to photodynamic therapy to generate ROS. This mechanism involves delocalisation of the excited electron and subsequent transfer from excited sonosensitizers to nearby oxygen molecules (H<sub>2</sub>O and O<sub>2</sub>) in the surrounding tissues to produce ROS such as superoxides, peroxides, singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals. In SDT, both SL and sonosensitizers play a role in generating enough ROS to initiate the observed anticancer effects. These effects have been investigated in <em>in vitro</em>, <em>in vivo</em> and recently applied in clinical settings. There are several questions pertaining to the efficiency and safety of SDT and sonosensitizers for anticancer treatment, especially in hard-to-treat tumours, which are discussed here. Although the application of SDT has rapidly reached the clinical phase, fundamental studies are still needed to address and understand the complex mechanisms involved in the anticancer effect of SDT.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"226 ","pages":"Article 115696"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-12DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2025.115697
Dharini Srinivasan , Johann Gout , Alexander Kleger , Elodie Roger
In the past decade, single-cell-resolved approaches have uncovered the extensive heterogeneity of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), reshaping our understanding of this complex solid tumor. PDAC entities exhibit both intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity at the tumor and stromal levels, translating into distinct ecosystems and functions, ultimately impacting disease progression and treatment response. Increasing evidence highlights how specific genetic alterations drive unique tumor microenvironment landscapes, affecting fibroblast programming, immune cell contexture and extracellular matrix remodeling. In this review, we emphasize the importance of deciphering and stratifying heterogeneous tumor-stroma networks and provide an overview on the intricate crosstalk linking tumor identity and stromal phenotype. We further discuss the concept of multicellular subtyping and the role of spatial organization in shaping patient outcomes to refine prognostic and therapeutic stratification. Lastly, we explore existing and potential therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting both tumor-intrinsic and stromal-extrinsic vulnerabilities, offering insights into approaches that could enhance the efficacy of tailored treatment schemes. By integrating these perspectives, we aim to provide a comprehensive framework for advancing precision medicine in PDAC.
{"title":"Tumor microenvironment subtyping in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: New avenues for personalized therapeutic strategies","authors":"Dharini Srinivasan , Johann Gout , Alexander Kleger , Elodie Roger","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115697","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115697","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the past decade, single-cell-resolved approaches have uncovered the extensive heterogeneity of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), reshaping our understanding of this complex solid tumor. PDAC entities exhibit both intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity at the tumor and stromal levels, translating into distinct ecosystems and functions, ultimately impacting disease progression and treatment response. Increasing evidence highlights how specific genetic alterations drive unique tumor microenvironment landscapes, affecting fibroblast programming, immune cell contexture and extracellular matrix remodeling. In this review, we emphasize the importance of deciphering and stratifying heterogeneous tumor-stroma networks and provide an overview on the intricate crosstalk linking tumor identity and stromal phenotype. We further discuss the concept of multicellular subtyping and the role of spatial organization in shaping patient outcomes to refine prognostic and therapeutic stratification. Lastly, we explore existing and potential therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting both tumor-intrinsic and stromal-extrinsic vulnerabilities, offering insights into approaches that could enhance the efficacy of tailored treatment schemes. By integrating these perspectives, we aim to provide a comprehensive framework for advancing precision medicine in PDAC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"226 ","pages":"Article 115697"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-07DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2025.115685
Agbor Otu Egbe Vydaline , Sergei Rozhkov , German Sosa , Prabodhika Mallikaratchy
Targeted drug delivery significantly enhances therapeutic efficacy across various diseases, particularly in cancer treatments, where conventional approaches such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy often cause severe side effects. In this context, nucleic acid aptamers—short, single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides capable of binding specific targets with high affinity—have emerged as promising tools for precision drug delivery and therapy. Aptamers can be selected against whole, living cells using SELEX and chemically modified for diverse applications. Their chemical versatility and specific binding capabilities allow aptamers to be engineered into aptamer-drug conjugates, nanoparticles, DNA origami structures, and bi-/multivalent or bispecific constructs. These platforms enable selective recognition of unique molecular signatures on cells or small molecules, facilitating highly targeted drug delivery and controlled release at the disease site. Such precision reduces systemic toxicity and enhances therapeutic outcomes. Compared to antibodies, aptamers offer several advantages, including faster tissue penetration, lower immunogenicity, greater chemical stability, and improved bioavailability in vivo. This review highlights recent advances in aptamer modification strategies—both covalent and non-covalent—for conjugation with chemotherapeutic agents, gold nanoparticles (GNPs), and photosensitizers. We further assess their potential as drug delivery vehicles and therapeutic agents and discuss how these innovations are driving progress in precision medicine.
{"title":"Aptamers as target-specific recognition elements in drug delivery","authors":"Agbor Otu Egbe Vydaline , Sergei Rozhkov , German Sosa , Prabodhika Mallikaratchy","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115685","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115685","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Targeted drug delivery significantly enhances therapeutic efficacy across various diseases, particularly in cancer treatments, where conventional approaches such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy often cause severe side effects. In this context, nucleic acid aptamers—short, single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides capable of binding specific targets with high affinity—have emerged as promising tools for precision drug delivery and therapy. Aptamers can be selected against whole, living cells using SELEX and chemically modified for diverse applications. Their chemical versatility and specific binding capabilities allow aptamers to be engineered into aptamer-drug conjugates, nanoparticles, DNA origami structures, and bi-/multivalent or bispecific constructs. These platforms enable selective recognition of unique molecular signatures on cells or small molecules, facilitating highly targeted drug delivery and controlled release at the disease site. Such precision reduces systemic toxicity and enhances therapeutic outcomes. Compared to antibodies, aptamers offer several advantages, including faster tissue penetration, lower immunogenicity, greater chemical stability, and improved bioavailability in vivo. This review highlights recent advances in aptamer modification strategies—both covalent and non-covalent—for conjugation with chemotherapeutic agents, gold nanoparticles (GNPs), and photosensitizers. We further assess their potential as drug delivery vehicles and therapeutic agents and discuss how these innovations are driving progress in precision medicine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"226 ","pages":"Article 115685"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145007231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}