• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.39-43
• /
• 1986

Bovine serum albumin microspheres containing cytarabine were prepared using cross-linking agent, formaldehyde. The shape and the size distribution of them were observed. The shape of them was spherical and the susrface was compact and smooth. The size distribution of them was affected by dispersion forces during emulsfication. The release of cytarabine from albumin microspheres was dependent upon cross-linking time, amount of cross-linking agent and drug/albumin ratio. However, the difference of drug release by the dispersion forces was not great. After release test, the shape of albumin microspheres was nonspherical and the albumin matrix seemed to be a little relaxed. The degradation tests of albumin microspheres by the proteolytic enzyme showed that albumin microspheres were progressively digested according to the cross-linking degree.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
• /
• v.20 no.12
• /
• pp.2395-2400
• /
• 2016

Conventional drug carriers such as liposomes, nanoparticles, polymer micelles, polymeric conjugate and lipid microemulsion for cancer chemotherapy shield normal tissues from toxic drugs to treat cancer cells in tumors. However, inaccurate tumor targeting uncontrolled drug release from the carriers and unwanted accumulation in healthy sites can limit treatment efficacy with current conventional drug carriers with insufficient concentrations of drugs in the tumors and unexpected side effects as a result. Sickle red blood cells show natural tumor preferential accumulation without any manipulation due to the adhesive interaction between molecular receptors on the membrane surface and counter-receptor on endothelial cells. In addition, structural changes of microvascular in tumor sites enhances polymerization of sickle red blood cells. In this research, we examined the use of sickle red blood cells as a new drug carrier with novel tumor targeting and controlled release properties to quantify its therapeutic effects.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.296-306
• /
• 2014

There is growing evidence that crosstalk between mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cells and stromal microenvironments, such as bone marrow and secondary lymphoid tissues, promotes tumor progression by enhancing survival and growth as well as drug resistance of MCL cells. Recent advances in the understanding of lymphoma microenvironment have led to the identification of crucial factors involved in the crosstalk and subsequent generation of their targeted agents. In the present study, we evaluated the combinatory effect of blocking antibodies (Ab) targeting CXCR4 and VLA-4, both of which were known to play significant roles in the induction of environment-mediated drug resistance (EMDR) in MCL cell line, Jeko-1. Simultaneous treatment with anti-CXCR4 and anti-VLA-4 Ab not only reduced the migration of Jeko-1 cells into the protective stromal cells, but also enhanced sensitivity of Jeko-1 to a chemotherapeutic agent to a greater degree than with either Ab alone. These combinatorial effects were associated with decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2, AKT and NF-${\kappa}B$. Importantly, drug resistance could not be overcome once the adhesion of Jeko-1 to the stromal occurred despite the combined use of Abs, suggesting that the efforts to mitigate migration of MCLs should be attempted as much as possible. Our results provide a basis for a future development of therapeutic strategies targeting both CXCR4 and VLA-4, such as Ab combinations or bispecific antibodies, to improve treatment outcomes of MCL with grave prognosis.

• Biomaterials Research
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.290-302
• /
• 2018

Background: The main purpose of drug delivery systems is to deliver the drugs at the appropriate concentration to the precise target site. Recently, the application of a thin film in the field of drug delivery has gained increasing interest because of its ability to safely load drugs and to release the drug in a controlled manner, which improves drug efficacy. Drug loading by the thin film can be done in various ways, depending on type of the drug, the area of exposure, and the purpose of drug delivery. Main text: This review summarizes the various methods used for preparing thin films with drugs via Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. Furthermore, additional functionalities of thin films using surface modification in drug delivery are briefly discussed. There are three types of methods for preparing a drug-carrying multilayered film using LbL assembly. First methods include approaches for direct loading of the drug into the pre-fabricated multilayer film. Second methods are preparing thin films using drugs as building blocks. Thirdly, the drugs are incorporated in the cargo so that the cargo itself can be used as the materials of the film. Conclusion: The appropriate designs of the drug-loaded film were produced in consideration of the release amounts and site of the desired drug. Furthermore, additional surface modification using the LbL technique enabled the preparation of effective drug delivery carriers with improved targeting effect. Therefore, the multilayer thin films fabricated by the LbL technique are a promising candidate for an ideal drug delivery system and the development possibilities of this technology are infinite.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.547-552
• /
• 2007

Water soluble polymer, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) was chosen to conjugate with 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-(succinyl) (N-succinyl DPPE) to make a new drug delivery system. PVP with an amine group (amino-PVP) was polymerized by free radical polymerization. The amine group of amino-PVP was conjugated with the carboxylic group of N-succinyl DPPE. The resultant conjugate could form nanoparticles in the aqueous solution; these nanoparticles were termed a lipid-polymer system. The critical aggregation concentration was measured with pyrene to give a value of $1{\times}10^{-3}g/L$. The particle size of the lipid-polymer system, as measured by DLS, AFM and TEM, was about 70 nm. Lipophilic component in the inner part of the lipid-polymer system could derive the physical interaction with hydrophobic drugs. Griseofulvin was used as a model drug in this study. The loading efficiency and release profile of the drug were measured by HPLC. The loading efficiency was about 54%. The release behavior was sustained for a prolonged time of 12 days. The proposed lipid-polymer system with biodegradable and biocompatible properties has promising potential as a passive-targeting drug delivery carrier because of its small particle size.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.779-784
• /
• 2013

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis of global concern caused by Leptospira interrogans. The availability of ligand libraries has facilitated the search for novel drug targets using chemogenomics approaches, compared with the traditional method of drug discovery, which is time consuming and yields few leads with little intracellular information for guiding target selection. Recent subtractive genomics studies have revealed the putative drug targets in peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathways in Leptospira interrogans. Aligand library for the murD ligase enzyme in the peptidoglycan pathway has also been identified. Our approach in this research involves screening of the pre-existing ligand library of murD with related protein family members in the putative drug target assembly in the peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway. A chemogenomics approach has been implemented here, which involves screening of known ligands of a protein family having analogous domain architecture for identification of leads for existing druggable protein family members. By means of this approach, one murC and one murF inhibitor were identified, providing a platform for developing an anti-leptospirosis drug targeting the peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway. Given that the peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway is exclusive to bacteria, the in silico identified mur ligase inhibitors are expected to be broad-spectrum Gram-negative inhibitors if synthesized and tested in in vitro and in vivo assays.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.15 no.7
• /
• pp.646-655
• /
• 2007

To achieve targeted drug delivery for chemotherapy, a ligand-mediated nanoparticulate drug carrier was designed, which could identity a specific receptor on the surfaces of tumor cells. Biodegradable poly(ethylene oxide)/poly$({\varepsilon}-caprolactone)$ (PEG/PCL) amphiphilic block copolymers coupled to biotin ligands were synthesized with a variety of PEG/PCL compositions. Block copolymeric nanoparticles harboring the anticancer drug paclitaxel were prepared via micelle formation in aqueous solution. The size of the biotin-conjugated PEG/PCL nanoparticles was determined by light scattering measurements to be 88-118 nm, depending on the molecular weight of the block copolymer, and remained less than 120 nm even after paclitaxel loading. From an in vitro release study, biotin-conjugated PEG/PCL nanoparticles containing paclitaxel evidenced sustained release profiles of the drug with no initial burst effect. The biotin-conjugated PEG/PCL block copolymer itself evidenced no significant adverse effects on cell viability at $0.005-1.0{\mu}g/mL$ of nanoparticle suspension regardless of cell type (normal human fibroblasts and HeLa cells). However, biotin-conjugated PEG/PCL harboring paclitaxel evidenced a much higher cytotoxicity for cancer cells than was observed in the PEG/PCL nanoparticles without the biotin group. These results showed that the biotin-conjugated nanoparticles could improve the selective delivery of paclitaxel into cancer cells via interactions with over-expressed biotin receptors on the surfaces of cancer cells.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.153-172
• /
• 1983

The use of carrier systems for the delivery of drugs to areas in the body in need of pharmacological intervention is now the subject of intense research in many laboratories. Because of its obvious advantages (e.g. protection of drugs from hostile environments, facilitated target penetration and avoidance of side effects), drug delivery is expected to ease the pressure and expense of new drug development by making better use of drugs in existence. Generally, carrier-mediated delivery has been envisaged either as direct transport of drugs to a biological target by a carrier that will associate with it selectively, or as release of drugs from a carrier circulating in the blood or immobilized in tissues, at rates compatible with optimal action. One system that has attracted considerable attention is the use of liposomes as carriers of pharmacologically active agents. 154 references were reviewed with special emphasis on the targeting of drugs by use of liposomes in this respect. Recent advances in the other carrier systems and in methods for the preparation of liposomes were also reviewed briefly.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 2008.04a
• /
• pp.77-86
• /
• 2008

It's been known that overexpression of the oncoprotein Her2 (eu/ErbB2), transmembrane receptor protein, occurs in human breast cancer. Her2-positive breast cancer patients who have Her2 overexpression show less therapeutic efficacy with enhanced metathesis and increased resistance to chemotherapy. So far, a humanized monoclonal antibody against Her2 protein called Herceptin is the only drug approved by Food and Drug Administration for treatment of Her2-overexpressing breast tumors. However, antibody therapy of Herceptin may not be ideal method for therapeutic intervention of Her2 protein expression. The therapeutic intervention of Her2 protein expression may be more efficiently achieved by inhibiting the expression of Her2 gene rather than by down-regulating the Her2 protein already overexpressed. Here, we found that the interaction of two proteins of ESX (an epithelial-restricted transcription factor) and DRIP130/CRSP130/Sur2 (a Ras-linked subunit of human mediator complexes) mediates the expression of Her2 gene. The association of ESX with Sur2 is mediated by a small hydrophobic face of 8-amino acid helix in ESX, suggesting that the ESX-Sur2 interaction can be a new novel target for Her2-positive cancer. The process to develop potent ESX-Sur2 interaction inhibitors targeting for Her2-positive cancer therapeutics will be discussed.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2002.04a
• /
• pp.139-144
• /
• 2002

Two types of alginate gel beads capable of floating in the gastric cavity were prepared. The first, alginate gell bead containing olive oil(Al-Oil), is a hydrogel bead and its buoyancy is attributable to olive oil held in the alginate gel matrix. The model drug, metronidazole(MZ), contained in Al-Oil was released gradually into artificial gastric fluid. The profiles of MZ release from Al-Oil shown initial burst and after 90 min they were about 100%. The second, alginate gel bead containing curdlan microsphere(Al-C), is a gel bead with curdlan-MZ microsphere in the matrix. To sustained release rate of drug, alginate bead were prepared curdlan microsphere containing MZ. Results demonstrated that sustained delivery of MZ over 2h can be easily achieved while the bead remained float. The release properties of prepared alginate beads are applicable not only for sustained release of drugs but also for targeting the gastric mucosa.