Nanocontructs based on Cyclodextrin: Design, Advances in Combined Drug Delivery and Theranostic Approaches

Here, we report main results on the design, characterization, self-assembly and delivery properties of cyclodextrins (CDs) forming nanoassemblies, or grafted on carbon nanomaterials and metal nanoparticles for therapy and diagnosis, or on fabric supports leading to drug-eluiting implants. In particular, our interest was focused on biodegradable amphiphilic cyclodextrins (aCDs), able to host, deliver and especially target a drug in the sites of action. These nanocarriers have a size compatible with i.v. injection and posses high potential to optimize drug distribution in the body, and selectively deliver anticancer [1], photosensitiser for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and Antimicrobial PDT (aPDT) [2.3], DNA for gene therapy [4] or combined dose of phototherapeutics [5] and/or conventional anticancer drugs [6]. Also, poly(carboxylic acid)-CD/anionic porphyrin finished fabrics as photosensitizer releasers for aPDT were reported [7]. Recently, aCDs were also utilized to cover/stabilize metal nanoparticles, leading to stimuli-responsive multifunctional nanoconstructs activable from light, redox reactions or magnetic field for theranostic applications. In this scenario, dispositives fabricated by immobilizing aCD nanoparticles on polycrystalline gold were proposed for electrical release of neurotransmitters [8]. Futhermore, nanomagnets of aCD were proposed for detection in solution of Alzheimer Disease biomarker (i.e. Amyloid-?). Finally, a proper grafting of CDs on graphene or carbon nanotubes, were designed to give nanoplatform for antiviral delivery or dual plasmids-antiviral delivery [9]. Accordingly, recent investigations and harmonized results on design, supramolecular assembly, delivery and cellular response will be here discussed.