Thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are reported having residual citrate groups on the surface resulting from their synthesis via the Turkevich method. These PNIPAM coated AuNPs have dual stabilisation by the polymer chains and the charges, which we exploit for the development of temperature and salt sensors of which the sensing regime can be tuned by variation of salt concentration and temperature, respectively.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a class of pattern recognition receptors that play a critical role in innate and adaptive immunity. Toll-like receptor agonists (TLRa) as vaccine adjuvant candidates have become one of the recent research hotspots in the cancer immunomodulatory field. Nevertheless, numerous current systemic deliveries of TLRa are inappropriate for clinical adoption due to their low efficiency and systemic adverse reactions. TLRa-loaded nanoparticles are capable of ameliorating the risk of immune-related toxicity and of strengthening tumor suppression and eradication. Herein, we first briefly depict the patterns of TLRa, followed by the mechanism of agonists at those targets. Second, we summarize the emerging applications of TLRa-loaded nanomedicines as state-of-the-art strategies to advance cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, we outline perspectives related to the development of nanomedicine-based TLRa combined with other therapeutic modalities for malignancies immunotherapy.

Owing to its rationale of targeting the drug to the site of action and minimizing systemic toxic effects of the drug, intra-articular drug delivery system has gained growing interests. In this study, emphasis was placed on intra-articular Lornoxicam -loaded PLGA microspheres (Lnxc-PLGA-MS) preparation and improving the targeting of lornoxicam (Lnxc) in knee joint. The microspheres were prepared by a process involving solid-in-oil-in-water(S/O/W) emulsion, and evaluated for physicochemical properties. Joint cavity′s drug leakage into systemic circulation in rabbits was examined to define the drug stagnation. Meanwhile, drug retention in synovial fluid in rats was investigated to further validate the drug targeting. The microspheres were spherical as evidenced by the SEM photographs with mean size of 7.47μm, and encapsulation efficiency was observed 82.22% along with drug loading 12.17%. DSC revealed that the drug in the microspheres existed in the phase of uncrystallization. The formulated microspheres could prolong the drug release up to 32 days in vitro. Comparing with animals injected with lornoxicam solution, the plasma drug concentration decreased in rabbits and retention time increased in rats’ synovial fluid with intra-articular injections of microspheres, revealing good targeting efficiency. In conclusion, PLGA microspheres could be used to deliver lornoxicam following intra-articular administration for enhancing targeting efficiency.