Proteinoid Polymers and Nanocapsules for Cancer Diagnostics, Therapy and Theranostics: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Abstract

Proteinoids—simple polymers composed of amino acids—were suggested decades ago by Fox and coworkers to form spontaneously by heat. These special polymers may self-assemble in micrometer structures called proteinoid microspheres, presented as the protocells of life on earth. Interest in proteinoids increased in recent years, in particular for nano-biomedicine. They were produced by stepwise polymerization of 3–4 amino acids. Proteinoids based on the RGD motif were prepared for targeting tumors. Nanocapsules form by heating proteinoids in an aqueous solution and slowly cooling to room temperature. Proteinoid polymers and nanocapsules suit many biomedical applications owing to their non-toxicity, biocompatibility and immune safety. Drugs and/or imaging reagents for cancer diagnostic, therapeutic and theranostic applications were encapsulated by dissolving them in aqueous proteinoid solutions. Here, recent in vitro and in vivo studies are reviewed.

Proto-Neurons from Abiotic Polypeptides

“…However, the wide range of realistic characteristics exhibited by even basic thermal proteinoids confirms their usefulness as protocell mimics. The development of advanced compositional control and assembly techniques has allowed for the engineering of proteinoid-based protocells with greater sophistication [59,60]. Integrating light-harvesting proteinoids, for example, can introduce a basic phototrophic metabolism.…”

On Transducing Properties of Kombucha–Proteinoid Complexes

“…15 In addition to being studied in the context of the origin of life, 16 these protein structures formed through heat have various practical applications in modern technology. They have various applications, such as being used as drug capsules 17,18 or as circuit components integrated with electronics. 19 Continuing investigations are focused on delving into the electrical signaling and responses of these programmable protein-like peptides in order to create sensory applications that draw inspiration from the complex signal processing principles observed in biological systems.…”

X-ray Opaque Polymer Drug-Eluting Beads Loaded with Iodized Oil: Preparation and In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations

“…Microspheres are spherical, micrometer-sized spheres with a wide range of applications in medical and industrial fields. ,, Importantly, microspheres exhibit unique physicochemical properties, including specific surface area, porosity, and surface reactivity, which make them attractive for numerous applications, particularly for those related to drug delivery and interventional therapies. Drug-loaded microspheres, also called drug-eluting beads (DEBs), are typically employed to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs directly to the tumor site, leading to tumor cell death and suppressed tumor growth due to chemotherapeutic toxicity, local ischemia, and necrosis. , Microsphere-loaded drugs can be released continuously at the embolized site at a relatively slow rate, thus killing tumor cells over a prolonged period.…”