1
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Logan A, Howard CB, Huda P, Kimpton K, Ma Z, Thurecht KJ, McCarroll JA, Moles E, Kavallaris M. Targeted delivery of polo-like kinase 1 siRNA nanoparticles using an EGFR-PEG bispecific antibody inhibits proliferation of high-risk neuroblastoma. J Control Release 2024; 367:806-820. [PMID: 38341177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
High-risk neuroblastoma has poor survival due to treatment failure and off-target side effects of therapy. Small molecule inhibitors have shown therapeutic efficacy at targeting oncogenic cell cycle dysregulators, such as polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1). However, their clinical success is limited by a lack of efficacy and specificity, causing off-target toxicity. Herein, we investigate a new treatment strategy whereby a bispecific antibody (BsAb) with dual recognition of methoxy polyethylene glycol (PEG) and a neuroblastoma cell-surface receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), is combined with a PEGylated small interfering RNA (siRNA) lipid nanoparticle, forming BsAb-nanoparticle RNA-interference complexes for targeted PLK1 inhibition against high-risk neuroblastoma. Therapeutic efficacy of this strategy was explored in neuroblastoma cell lines and a tumor xenograft model. Using ionizable lipid-based nanoparticles as a low-toxicity and clinically safe approach for siRNA delivery, we identified that their complexing with EGFR-PEG BsAb resulted in increases in cell targeting (1.2 to >4.5-fold) and PLK1 gene silencing (>2-fold) against EGFR+ high-risk neuroblastoma cells, and enhancements correlated with EGFR expression on the cells (r > 0.94). Through formulating nanoparticles with PEG-lipids ranging in diffusivity, we further identified a highly diffusible PEG-lipid which provided the most pronounced neuroblastoma cell binding, PLK1 silencing, and significantly reduced cancer growth in vitro in high-risk neuroblastoma cell cultures and in vivo in a tumor-xenograft mouse model of the disease. Together, this work provides an insight on the role of PEG-lipid diffusivity and EGFR targeting as potentially relevant variables influencing the therapeutic efficacy of siRNA nanoparticles in high-risk neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Logan
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; UNSW Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, Faculty of Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; UNSW RNA Institute, Faculty of Science, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; UNSW Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Christopher B Howard
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLsD, 4072, Australia
| | - Pie Huda
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLsD, 4072, Australia
| | - Kathleen Kimpton
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Zerong Ma
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; UNSW Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, Faculty of Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; UNSW RNA Institute, Faculty of Science, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Kristofer J Thurecht
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLsD, 4072, Australia; Centre for Advanced Imaging, ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Joshua A McCarroll
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; UNSW Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, Faculty of Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; UNSW RNA Institute, Faculty of Science, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Ernest Moles
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; UNSW Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, Faculty of Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; UNSW RNA Institute, Faculty of Science, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; UNSW Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, Faculty of Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; UNSW RNA Institute, Faculty of Science, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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2
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Wang C, Lan X, Zhu L, Wang Y, Gao X, Li J, Tian H, Liang Z, Xu W. Construction Strategy of Functionalized Liposomes and Multidimensional Application. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2309031. [PMID: 38258399 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202309031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Liposomes are widely used in the biological field due to their good biocompatibility and surface modification properties. With the development of biochemistry and material science, many liposome structures and their surface functional components have been modified and optimized one by one, pushing the liposome platform from traditional to functionalized and intelligent, which will better satisfy and expand the needs of scientific research. However, a main limiting factor effecting the efficiency of liposomes is the complicated environmental conditions in the living body. Currently, in order to overcome the above problem, functionalized liposomes have become a very promising strategy. In this paper, binding strategies of liposomes with four main functional elements, namely nucleic acids, antibodies, peptides, and stimuli-responsive motif have been summarized for the first time. In addition, based on the construction characteristics of functionalized liposomes, such as drug-carrying, targeting, long-circulating, and stimulus-responsive properties, a comprehensive overview of their features and respective research progress are presented. Finally, the paper critically presents the limitations of these functionalized liposomes in the current applications and also prospectively suggests the future development directions, aiming to accelerate realization of their industrialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyun Wang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17, Qinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Beijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xinyue Lan
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Beijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Longjiao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Beijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yanhui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Beijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xinru Gao
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17, Qinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jie Li
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17, Qinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Beijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hongtao Tian
- College of Food Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China
| | - Zhihong Liang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17, Qinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Wentao Xu
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17, Qinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Beijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100191, China
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3
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Kon E, Ad-El N, Hazan-Halevy I, Stotsky-Oterin L, Peer D. Targeting cancer with mRNA-lipid nanoparticles: key considerations and future prospects. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:739-754. [PMID: 37587254 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00811-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Harnessing mRNA-lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to treat patients with cancer has been an ongoing research area that started before these versatile nanoparticles were successfully used as COVID-19 vaccines. Currently, efforts are underway to harness this platform for oncology therapeutics, mainly focusing on cancer vaccines targeting multiple neoantigens or direct intratumoural injections of mRNA-LNPs encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this Review, we describe the opportunities of using mRNA-LNPs in oncology applications and discuss the challenges for successfully translating the findings of preclinical studies of these nanoparticles into the clinic. We critically appraise the potential of various mRNA-LNP targeting and delivery strategies, considering physiological, technological and manufacturing challenges. We explore these approaches in the context of the potential clinical applications best suited to each approach and highlight the obstacles that currently need to be addressed to achieve these applications. Finally, we provide insights from preclinical and clinical studies that are leading to this powerful platform being considered the next frontier in oncology treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edo Kon
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nitay Ad-El
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Inbal Hazan-Halevy
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lior Stotsky-Oterin
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dan Peer
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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4
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Digiacomo L, Renzi S, Quagliarini E, Pozzi D, Amenitsch H, Ferri G, Pesce L, De Lorenzi V, Matteoli G, Cardarelli F, Caracciolo G. Investigating the mechanism of action of DNA-loaded PEGylated lipid nanoparticles. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2023; 53:102697. [PMID: 37507061 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2023.102697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
PEGylated lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are commonly used to deliver bioactive molecules, but the role of PEGylation in DNA-loaded LNP interactions at the cellular and subcellular levels remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of action of DNA-loaded PEGylated LNPs using gene reporter technologies, dynamic light scattering (DLS), synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCS). We found that PEG has no significant impact on the size or nanostructure of DNA LNPs but reduces their zeta potential and interaction with anionic cell membranes. PEGylation increases the structural stability of LNPs and results in lower DNA unloading. FCS experiments revealed that PEGylated LNPs are internalized intact inside cells and largely shuttled to lysosomes, while unPEGylated LNPs undergo massive destabilization on the plasma membrane. These findings can inform the design, optimization, and validation of DNA-loaded LNPs for gene delivery and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Digiacomo
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Renzi
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Quagliarini
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Pozzi
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Heinz Amenitsch
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Gianmarco Ferri
- Laboratorio NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Pesce
- Laboratorio NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Matteoli
- Laboratorio NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Giulio Caracciolo
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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5
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Lee DY, Amirthalingam S, Lee C, Rajendran AK, Ahn YH, Hwang NS. Strategies for targeted gene delivery using lipid nanoparticles and cell-derived nanovesicles. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:3834-3856. [PMID: 37496613 PMCID: PMC10368001 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00198a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of many diseases. However, the effective delivery of the cargo without degradation in vivo is one of the major hurdles. With the advent of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and cell-derived nanovesicles (CDNs), gene delivery holds a very promising future. The targeting of these nanosystems is a prerequisite for effective transfection with minimal side-effects. In this review, we highlight the emerging strategies utilized for the effective targeting of LNPs and CDNs, and we summarize the preparation methodologies for LNPs and CDNs. We have also highlighted the non-ligand targeting of LNPs toward certain organs based on their composition. It is highly expected that continuing the developments in the targeting approaches of LNPs and CDNs for the delivery system will further promote them in clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Yup Lee
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Sivashanmugam Amirthalingam
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
- Institute of Engineering Research, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Changyub Lee
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Arun Kumar Rajendran
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Hyun Ahn
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
- Bio-MAX/N-Bio Institute, Institute of Bio-Engineering, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Nathaniel S Hwang
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
- Bio-MAX/N-Bio Institute, Institute of Bio-Engineering, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
- Institute of Engineering Research, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
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6
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Swart LE, Fens MHAM, van Oort A, Waranecki P, Mata Casimiro LD, Tuk D, Hendriksen M, van den Brink L, Schweighart E, Seinen C, Nelson R, Krippner-Heidenreich A, O'Toole T, Schiffelers RM, Kooijmans S, Heidenreich O. Increased Bone Marrow Uptake and Accumulation of Very-Late Antigen-4 Targeted Lipid Nanoparticles. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1603. [PMID: 37376052 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have evolved rapidly as promising delivery systems for oligonucleotides, including siRNAs. However, current clinical LNP formulations show high liver accumulation after systemic administration, which is unfavorable for the treatment of extrahepatic diseases, such as hematological disorders. Here we describe the specific targeting of LNPs to hematopoietic progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Functionalization of the LNPs with a modified Leu-Asp-Val tripeptide, a specific ligand for the very-late antigen 4 resulted in an improved uptake and functional siRNA delivery in patient-derived leukemia cells when compared to their non-targeted counterparts. Moreover, surface-modified LNPs displayed significantly improved bone-marrow accumulation and retention. These were associated with increased LNP uptake by immature hematopoietic progenitor cells, also suggesting similarly improved uptake by leukemic stem cells. In summary, we describe an LNP formulation that successfully targets the bone marrow including leukemic stem cells. Our results thereby support the further development of LNPs for targeted therapeutic interventions for leukemia and other hematological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Swart
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel H A M Fens
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anita van Oort
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Piotr Waranecki
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - L Daniel Mata Casimiro
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - David Tuk
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn Hendriksen
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Luca van den Brink
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth Schweighart
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cor Seinen
- CDL Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ryan Nelson
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Tom O'Toole
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond M Schiffelers
- CDL Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Kooijmans
- CDL Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Olaf Heidenreich
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RY, UK
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7
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Li YN, Shi X, Sun D, Han S, Zou Y, Wang L, Yang L, Li Y, Shi Y, Guo J, O'Driscoll CM. Delivery of melarsoprol using folate-targeted PEGylated cyclodextrin-based nanoparticles for hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Pharm 2023; 636:122791. [PMID: 36863541 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, and has become one of the most lethal malignancies in the world. Although chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of cancer therapy, the number of chemotherapeutic drugs approved for HCC is low, and emerging therapeutics are needed. Melarsoprol (MEL) is an arsenic-containing drug, and has been applied in the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis at the late stage. In this study, the potential of MEL for HCC therapy was investigated for the first time using in vitro and in vivo experimental approaches. A folate-targeted polyethylene glycol-modified amphiphilic cyclodextrin nanoparticle was developed for safe, efficient and specific delivery of MEL. Consequently, the targeted nanoformulation achieved cell-specific uptake, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and migration inhibition in HCC cells. Furthermore, the targeted nanoformulation significantly prolonged the survival of mice with orthotopic tumor, without causing toxic signs. This study indicates the potential of the targeted nanoformulation as an emerging chemotherapy option for treating HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xiaoju Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Dandan Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Shulan Han
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yifang Zou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Lingzhi Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Leilei Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yutong Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Ying Shi
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Jianfeng Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Caitriona M O'Driscoll
- Pharmacodelivery Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork T12 YN60, Ireland
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