Lipid nanoparticles/liposomes (LNPs) represent a highly adaptable nanocarrier system that has gained significant traction in oncology for both therapeutic and diagnostic (theranostic) purposes. Their structural flexibility, biocompatibility, and capacity to encapsulate diverse therapeutic agents ranging from chemotherapeutics to nucleic acids and imaging tracers have enabled targeted cancer treatment with improved efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity. This review critically examines liposome-based platforms across a broad spectrum of cancers, including melanoma, lung, colorectal, liver, breast, ovarian, pancreatic, brain tumors, sarcoma, neuroblastoma, and leukemia. It outlines recent advances in ligand-mediated targeting, pH- and temperature-responsive release systems, and multifunctional LNPs capable of delivering combined therapeutic and imaging payloads. Moreover, the review discusses preclinical outcomes, current clinical trial status, and the challenges hindering clinical translation. By integrating recent innovations and emphasizing translational potential, this work highlights the pivotal role of LNPs in advancing precision cancer therapeutics and diagnostics.

Neuropilin-1 (NRP1), initially identified as a neuronal guidance protein, has emerged as a multifaceted regulator in cancer biology. Beyond its role in axonal guidance and angiogenesis, NRP1 is increasingly recognized for its significant impact on tumor progression and therapeutic outcomes. This review explores the diverse functions of NRP1 in cancer, encompassing its influence on tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. NRP1 interacts with several key signaling pathways, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), semaphorins, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), modulating the tumor microenvironment and promoting angiogenesis. Moreover, NRP1 expression correlates with poor prognosis in various malignancies, underscoring its potential as a prognostic biomarker. Therapeutically, targeting NRP1 holds promise as a novel strategy to inhibit tumor growth and enhance the efficacy of regular treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Strategies involving NRP1-targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, and gene silencing techniques, are being actively investigated in preclinical and clinical settings. Despite challenges in specificity and delivery, advances in understanding NRP1 biology offer new avenues for personalized cancer therapy. Although several types of cancer cells can express NRPs, the role of NRPs in tumor pathogenesis is largely unknown. Future investigations are needed to enhance our understanding of the effects and mechanisms of NRPs on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of neuronal, endothelial, and cancer cells. The novel frameworks or multi-omics approaches integrate data from multiple databases to better understand cancer’s molecular and clinical features, develop personalized therapies, and help identify biomarkers. This review highlights the pivotal role of NRP1 in cancer pathogenesis and discusses its implications for developing targeted therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes, highlighting the role of OMICS in targeting cancer patients for personalized therapy.

Aim: To assess the chemo-immunomodulatory effects of doxorubicin-loaded cerium oxide nanoparticles coated with oleyl amine-linked cyclic RGDfK peptide (CeNP+Dox+RGD) to target both gliomas and its tumor microenvironment (TME) via integrin receptors. Materials & methods: CeNP+Dox+RGD nanoparticles are synthesized by the sequential addition of cerium III chloride heptahydrate, beta-cyclodextrin, oleic acid, and F127 micelle (CeNP). Doxorubicin was then loaded into CeNPs and coated with oleyl amine-linked cyclic RGDfK peptide to form stable CeNP+Dox+RGD nanoparticles. Results: CeNP+Dox+RGD nanoparticles crossed blood-brain barrier (BBB) effectively and demonstrated threefold enhanced survivability in glioma-bearing mice. The IHC profiling of glial tumor cross-sections showed increased CD80 expression (M1 TAMs) and decreased arginase-1 expression (M2 TAMs). Conclusion: CeNP+Dox+RGD can be an immunotherapeutic treatment option to combat glioblastoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease where standard-of-care chemotherapeutic drugs have limited efficacy due to the development of drug resistance and poor drug delivery caused by a highly desmoplastic tumor microenvironment. Combining multiple drugs in a tumor-targeting carrier would be a favorable approach to overcome these limitations. Hence, a tumor-targeted peptide (TTP) conjugated amphiphilic tri-block copolymer was developed to make targeted polymer nanoparticles (TTP-PNPs) serving as a vehicle for carrying gemcitabine (Gem), paclitaxel (PTX), and their combination (Gem + PTX). The TTP-PNPs in the form of empty polymer (P), single drug-loaded [P(Gem) and P(PTX)], and dual drug-loaded [P(Gem + PTX)] polymer nanoformulations exhibited stable and homogenous spherical shapes with 110–160 nm size. These nanoformulations demonstrated excellent stability under in vitro physiological conditions and led to an efficient release of the drugs in the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH). The efficacy of these nanoparticles was thoroughly evaluated in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating a notable capacity to selectively target and restrict PDAC cells (PANC-1 and KPC) growth. The cellular uptake and biodistribution study showed a significantly higher tumor-targeting ability of TTP-PNPs than PNPs without TTP. Notably, P(Gem + PTX) exhibited the lowest IC₅₀ compared to all other controls and showed heightened synergistic effects in both cell lines. Furthermore, P(Gem + PTX) showed a significantly better tumor reduction and median overall survival in mouse models than single drug-loaded TTP-PNPs or a combination of free drugs (Gem + PTX). In summary, our TTP-PNP system shows great promise as a novel platform for delivering Gem + PTX specifically to pancreatic cancer (PC), maximizing the therapeutic benefits with lower concentrations of the drugs and potentially reducing toxic side effects.

Background: Thymoquinone (TQ) has potential anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anticancer effects but its clinical use is limited by its low solubility, poor bioavailability and rapid clearanc...