Narrow Results

This study outlines a drug delivery mechanism that utilizes two independent vehicles, allowing for delivery of chemically and physically distinct agents. The mechanism was utilized to deliver a new anti-cancer combination therapy consisting of piperlongumine (PL) and TRAIL to treat PC3 prostate cancer and HCT116 colon cancer cells. PL, a small-molecule hydrophobic drug, was encapsulated in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles. TRAIL was chemically conjugated to the surface of liposomes. PL was first administered to sensitize cancer cells to the effects of TRAIL. PC3 and HCT116 cells had lower survival rates in vitro after receiving the dual nanoparticle therapy compared to each agent individually. In vivo testing involved a subcutaneous mouse xenograft model using NOD-SCID gamma mice and HCT116 cells. Two treatment cycles were administered over 48 hours. Higher apoptotic rates were observed for HCT116 tumor cells that received the dual nanoparticle therapy compared to individual stages of the nanoparticle therapy alone.

Stress detection and monitoring have attracted substantial research interests due to stress being a risk factor for health disorders and economic burdens. In particular, the steroid hormone cortisol plays an important role both as an indicator of stress and a coordinator of downstream physiological responses. Recent years have witnessed a flourishing of cortisol biosensors and bioassays based on various physical principles. In this review, we first provide an overview of cortisol function and its presence in different biological matrices. Next, we discuss the existing range of cortisol biosensors, from their sensing principles (i.e. chromogenic, nanoparticle-based colorimetric and fluorometric, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, surface plasma resonance spectroscopy, and electrochemical sensors), performances (sensitivity, selectivity, portability, etc.), and applications. We particularly correlate the sensing performances and their suitability for point-of-care diagnostics with sensor principles and the use of different affinity ligands, such as antibodies, aptamers, molecular imprint, and even 2D materials such as MXenes. Finally, we discuss the challenges and perspectives of future high-performing cortisol sensors for a wider range of applications in human and animal stress monitoring.