Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged in recent years as a potential option for drug delivery, due to their high functionalization capacity. Biocompatibility and selectivity using tissue-specific biomolecules can optimize the specificity, pharmacokinetics and stability of the drug. In this study, we design, develop and characterize a drug nanovector (oxCNTs-HA-CPT) conjugating oxidated multi-wall carbon nanotubes (oxCNTs) with hyaluronate (HA) and carboplatin (CPT) as a treatment in a lung cancer model in vitro. Subsequently, we exposed TC–1 and NIH/3T3 cell lines to the nanovectors and measured cell uptake, cell viability, and oxidative stress induction. The characterization of oxCNTs-HA-CPT reveals that on their surface, they have HA. On the other hand, oxCNTs-HA-CPT were endocytosed in greater proportion by tumor cells than by fibroblasts, and likewise, the cytotoxic effect was significantly higher in tumor cells. These results show the therapeutic potential that nanovectors possess; however, future studies should be carried out to determine the death pathways involved, as well as their effect on in vivo models.
Cancer is a major global public health problem and conventional chemotherapy has several adverse effects and deficiencies. As a valuable option for chemotherapy, nanomedicine requires novel agents to increase the effects of antineoplastic drugs in multiple cancer models. Since its discovery, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are intensively investigated for their use as carriers in drug delivery applications. This study shows the development of a nanovector generated with commercial carbon nanotubes (cCNTs) that were oxidized (oxCNTs) and chemically functionalized with hyaluronic acid (HA) and loaded with carboplatin (CPT). The nanovector, oxCNTs–HA–CPT, was used as a treatment against HeLa and MDA–MB-231 human tumor cell lines. The potential antineoplastic impact of the fabricated nanovector was evaluated in human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) and mammary adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231). The oxCNTs–HA–CPT nanovector demonstrate to have a specific antitumor effect in vitro. The functionalization with HA allows that nanovector bio–directed towards tumor cells, while the toxicity effect is attributed mainly to CPT in a dose-dependent manner.
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) or of interest (VOIs) causing vaccine breakthrough infections pose an increased risk to worldwide public health. An observational case-control study was performed of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine breakthrough infections in hospitalized or ambulatory patients in Monterrey, Mexico, from April through August 2021. Vaccination breakthrough was defined as a SARS-CoV-2 infection that occurred any time after 7 days of inoculation with partial (e.g., first dose of two-dose vaccines) or complete immunization (e.g., second dose of two-dose vaccines or single-dose vaccine, accordingly). Case group patients (n = 53) had partial or complete vaccination schemes with CanSino (45%), Sinovac (19%), Pfizer/BioNTech (15%), and AstraZeneca/Oxford (15%). CanSino was administered most frequently in ambulatory patients (p < 0.01). The control group (n = 19) received no COVID-19 vaccines. Among SARS-CoV-2 variants detected by whole-genome sequencing, VOC Delta B.1.617.2 predominated in vaccinated ambulatory patients (p < 0.01) and AY.4 in hospitalized patients (p = 0.04); VOI Mu B.1.621 was detected in four (7.55%) vaccinated patients. SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections in our hospital occurred mostly in patients vaccinated with CanSino due to the higher prevalence of CanSino vaccine administration in our population. These patients developed mild COVID-19 symptoms not requiring hospitalization. The significance of this study lies on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants compromising the efficacy of local immunization therapies in Monterrey, Mexico.
The
research of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has contributed to basic
science and is playing leading roles in potential applications, including
nanomedicine. In particular, CNTs have been proposed as nanocarriers
for cancer therapeutics. This study reviews the advantages and potential
challenges of using CNTs in chemotherapy drug-delivery formulations.
We mainly focus on tumor-targeted systems prepared with hyaluronic
acid and folic acid because of their biocompatibility, low cost, ease
of conjugation to targeting agents, and specificity for pathologic
cells. The relevance of these CNTs-based tumor-targeted drug-delivery
systems is discussed for cisplatin, carboplatin, doxorubicin, gemcitabine,
salinomycin, chlorin e6, and paclitaxel. An extensive and diversified
list of methodologies for preparing these drug-delivery systems provides
a rationale for definite protocols to attain comparability between
conjugates prepared from different formulations. Hence, the scope
of various CNTs-based tumor-targeted drug-delivery systems was reviewed
from a perspective relating to the opportunities of using CNTs in
chemotherapeutics and the challenges associated with developing formulations
for human use.
Information regarding the efficacy of the recombinant adenovirus type-5-vectored (CanSino Bio) vaccine against the COVID-19 disease in a real-life setting is limited. A retrospective cohort study was carried out in the teaching university community of the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico, through a four-section survey, and during the COVID-19 delta wave. Determination of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein was performed in a subset of participants vaccinated with CanSino Bio. A total of 7468 teachers responded to the survey, and 6695 of them were fully vaccinated. Of those, 72.7% had CanSino Bio, 10.3% Pfizer, 8.4% AstraZeneca, 1.2% Moderna, and 2.7% others. Symptomatic breakthrough infections were recorded in those vaccinated with CanSino Bio (4.1%), AstraZeneca (2.1%), and Pfizer (2.2%). No difference was found between CanSino Bio and other vaccines regarding hospitalization, the need for mechanical ventilation, and death. For CanSino Bio recipients, anti-S antibodies were >50 AU/mL in 73.2%. In conclusion, primary breakthrough symptomatic infections were higher in the CanSino vaccinated group compared to other brands. Individuals with a previous infection had higher antibody levels than those who were reinfected and without infection. A boosted dose of CanSino is recommended for those individuals without a previous infection.
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