Mucopenetrating Janus Nanoparticles (JNPs) Targeting Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive cancer associated with high morbidity and mortality. Preemptive interventions and localized drug delivery systems have shown potential in enhancing treatment outcomes; however, the development of broadly applicable and efficient local delivery systems remains a significant barrier. In response to these challenges, bi-compartmental (Janus) nanoparticles (JNPs) present a novel therapeutic solution by improving targeted drug delivery, reducing side effects, and enabling sustained release. JNPs possess a unique dual-compartment structure, allowing for the simultaneous delivery of two distinct therapeutic agents. Additionally, they can be engineered to include imaging agents for real-time monitoring of drug distribution and efficacy.
In this study, we report the development of a mucopenetrating JNPs system, designed for dual-drug loading and sustained release in OSCC treatment. JNPs are fabricated through Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) co-jetting, which utilizes laminar flow of two parallel streams through capillary needles without convective mixing. EHD co-jetting efficiently creates JNPs by preserving the initial arrangement of input polymers during solvent evaporation. Characterization of the JNPs including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed an average diameter of approximately 400 nm. Drug release studies conducted via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and customized ELISA demonstrated controlled, sustained release of retinoid and antibody drugs. These findings underscore the potential of JNPs to enhance targeted drug delivery and improve therapeutic outcomes in OSCC patients.