This review provides a summary of recent progress in the development of different nano-platforms for the efficient synergistic effect between photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy. In particular, this review focuses on various methods in which photosensitizers and chemotherapeutic agents are co-delivered to the targeted tumor site. In many cases, the photosensitizers act as drug carriers, but this review, also covers different types of appropriate nanocarriers that aid in the delivery of photosensitizers to the tumor site. These nanocarriers include transition metal, silica and graphene-based materials, liposomes, dendrimers, polymers, metal–organic frameworks, nano emulsions, and biologically derived nanocarriers. Many studies have demonstrated various benefits from using these nanocarriers including enhanced water solubility, stability, longer circulation times, and higher accumulation of therapeutic agents/photosensitizers at tumor sites. This review also describes novel approaches from different research groups that utilize various targeting strategies to increase treatment efficacy through simultaneous photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy.

In The present project, a variety of MnFe₂O₄ (Mn) and Cr₂Fe₆O₁₂ (Cr)-based nanocarriers (NCs) were synthesized as photosensitizer and NCs for delivery of chemotherapeutic curcumin (CUR) and provide a new structure for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). For determining efficiency of NCs release study, MTT assay, lethal dose test and hemolysis assay were carried out. The release study showed the release of CUR from NCs was pH-dependent, but, every NCs had its own behavior for releasing the drug. The data acquired from the release study showed the CUR release from Mn can reach to over 90% at acidic media instead of 41% at neutral media. However, the CUR released from Cr were approximately equal as Cr had equal zeta potential at both media. Hemolysis activity and lethal dose test displayed the cytotoxicity of NCs was neglectable at both in vitro and in vivo study. Also, the results of anti-cancer activity assay (MTT assay) showed that both of Cr and Mn NCs are suitable systems for PDT. Therefore, the results demonstrated that Mn is suitable NCs for PDT and anticancer drugs delivery of therapeutic drugs.

Miktoarm star copolymers are relatively considered to be a new and unique class of macromolecules, and are a new topical area due to the unique properties by varying their polymer arms. This macromolecules with the A_mB_n architecture, have m arms of polymer A and n arms of polymer B connected at one central junction point. Over the past decade, miktoarms have been used in biomedical applications such as drug delivery, gene delivery, tissue engineering, diagnosis, and antibacterial/antifouling biomaterials. The intensified interest in miktoarms is attributed to their unique topological structures and attractive physical/chemical properties, including low critical micelle concentration (CMC) in solutions, encapsulation capability, internal and peripheral functionality, and enhanced stimuli-responsiveness. This review outlines the advances in the use of miktoarms in drug delivery for their good performance in biocompatibility, biodegradability and sustained, controlled and targeted drug delivery during the past decade and some unique self-assembly behaviors of miktoarm star copolymers have been reported. Graphical Abstract

Purpose: In this study, methoxy poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (ε-caprolactone) (mPEG–PCL) di-block copolymers were synthesized. The purpose of this work is to investigate the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of simvastatin-loaded micelles. Methods: The structure of synthesized copolymers was characterized by using HNMR, FTIR, and GPC techniques. Simvastatin was encapsulated in micelles through a single-step nano-precipitation method, leading to the formation of simvastatin-loaded mPEG–PCL (simvastatin-mPEG–PCL) micelles. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of simvastatin/mPEG–PCL micelles versus indomethacin were investigated in acute inflammation-induced rats. The paw edema thickness was measured 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after injection of formulation. The inhibition of edema in various groups were calculated and reported by percentages. Results: The results showed that the zeta potential of micelles was about −14.9 ± 0.47 mV and the average size was in range of 66.10 ± 0.34 nm. Simvastatin was encapsulated in mPEG–PCL micelles with a loading capacity of 9.63 ± 0.87% and an encapsulation efficiency of 64.20 ± 0.79%. Simvastatin and simvastatin-mPEG–PCL micelles showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in the present study. Conclusions: This study revealed that simvastatin and simvastatin/mPEG–PCL micelles both have anti-inflammatory effects and suggested that statins have potential anti-inflammatory activity along with their lipid lowering properties.