To facilitate combined doxorubicin and photothermal treatments, we developed doxorubicin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-gold half-shell nanoparticles (DOX-loaded PLGA-Au H-S NPs) by depositing Au films on DOX-loaded PLGA NPs. As the PLGA NPs biodegraded, DOX was released, and heat was locally generated upon near-infrared (NIR) irradiation due to NIR resonance of DOX-loaded PLGA H-S NPs. Compared with chemotherapy or photothermal treatment alone, the combined treatment demonstrated a synergistic effect, resulting in higher therapeutic efficacy and shorter treatment times. Since our NPs selectively deliver both heat and drug to tumorigenic regions, they may improve the therapeutic effectiveness with minimal side effects.

Recently, gene-based cytokine treatment has been actively pursued as a new promising approach in treating cancer. In an effort to augment the efficiency of antitumor effect by cytokine-mediated immunotherapy, we selected both interleukin (IL)-12 and 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL) as suitable cytokines to fully activate the type-1 immune response. Coexpression of IL-12 and 4-1BBL mediated by oncolytic adenovirus (Ad) greatly enhanced the antitumor effect. Further, synergistic enhancement in interferon (IFN)-γ levels were seen in mice treated with oncolytic Ad expressing both IL-12 and 4-1BBL. Next, to improve the overall antitumor immune response, we coadministered IL-12- and 4-1BBL-coexpressing oncolytic Ad with dendritic cells (DCs). Combination treatment of IL-12- and 4-1BBL-coexpressing oncolytic Ad and DCs elicited greater antitumor and antimetastatic effects than either treatment alone. Moreover, enhanced type-1 antitumor immune response and higher migratory abilities of DCs in tumors were also observed in the combination arms. The nature of the enhanced antitumor immune response seems to be mediated through the enhanced cytolytic activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and IFN-γ-releasing immune cells. Taken together, these data highlight the potential therapeutic benefit of combining IL-12- and 4-1BBL-coexpressing oncolytic Ad with DCs and warrants further evaluation in the clinic.

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The immune-response of macrophages is an important area of investigation since it represents the major pathway by which early-stage defense barriers are established in skin, lungs, and mucosal systems to counteract foreign objects. In this study, we have examined the size-dependent inflammatory and toxicological effects of nanostructured silver particles (nano-Ag) on macrophage immune cells.

The enhanced photocatalytic effects of TiO2 nanoparticles for biomedical applications are presented. The synthesis of water‐soluble single‐crystalline TiO2 nanoparticles (see image) through surface modifications and their enhanced photocatalytic effects for skin‐cancer cell therapeutics compared to those of commercially available TiO2 nanoparticles are also demonstrated.