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Fatani AS, Schätzlein AG, Uchegbu IF. Targeting Intracranial Tumours with a Combination of RNA and Chemotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:829. [PMID: 38931949 PMCID: PMC11207522 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumour, which remains largely resistant to treatment; the prognosis for patients is poor, with a median survival time of about 12-18 months, post diagnosis. In an effort to bring more efficacious treatments to patients, we targeted the down regulation of ITCH, an E3 ligase that is overexpressed in a variety of cancers, and which inhibits P73, a tumour suppressor gene. 6-O-glycolchitosan (GC) was used to deliver siRNA ITCH (GC60-siRNA-ITCH) and gemcitabine via the nose to brain route in CD-1 nude mice which had previously been implanted intracranially with U87-MG-luc2 cells. Prior to this in vivo study, an in vitro study established the synergistic effect of siRNA-ITCH in combination with a chemotherapy drug-gemcitabine. A downregulation of ITCH, an upregulation of p73 and enhanced apoptosis were observed in vitro in U87-MG cells, using qPCR, Western blot analysis, confocal laser scanning microscopy, flow cytometry and cytotoxicity assays. When GC60-siRNA-ITCH was combined with gemcitabine, there was a resultant decrease in cell proliferation in vitro. In CD1 mice, the administration of siRNA-ITCH (7 doses of 0.081 mg/kg) alone did not significantly affect animal survival (increasing mean survival from 29 to 33 days when compared to untreated animals), whereas intranasal gemcitabine had a significant effect on survival (increasing survival from 29 to 45 days when compared to untreated animals, p < 0.01). The most significant effect was seen with combination therapy (GC60-siRNA-ITCH plus gemcitabine), where survival increased by 89%, increasing from 29 to 54 days (p < 0.01). Our data demonstrate that siRNA chemosensitises brain tumours to gemcitabine and that the nose-to-brain delivery route may be a viable route for the treatment of intracranial tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulhamid S. Fatani
- UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (A.S.F.); (A.G.S.)
| | - Andreas G. Schätzlein
- UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (A.S.F.); (A.G.S.)
- Nanomerics Ltd., Block Y, Northwick Park and St Mark’s Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow HA1 3UJ, UK
| | - Ijeoma F. Uchegbu
- UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (A.S.F.); (A.G.S.)
- Nanomerics Ltd., Block Y, Northwick Park and St Mark’s Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow HA1 3UJ, UK
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Khokhlova TD, Wang YN, Son H, Totten S, Whang S, Ha Hwang J. Chronic effects of pulsed high intensity focused ultrasound aided delivery of gemcitabine in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer. ULTRASONICS 2023; 132:106993. [PMID: 37099937 PMCID: PMC10225358 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2023.106993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Pulsed high intensity focused ultrasound (pHIFU) is a non-invasive method that allows to permeabilize pancreatic tumors through inertial cavitation and thereby increase the concentration of systemically administered drug. In this study the tolerability of weekly pHIFU-aided administrations of gemcitabine (gem) and their influence on tumor progression and immune microenvironment were investigated in genetically engineered KrasLSL.G12D/þ; p53R172H/þ; PdxCretg/þ (KPC) mouse model of spontaneously occurring pancreatic tumors. KPC mice were enrolled in the study when the tumor size reached 4-6 mm and treated once a week with either ultrasound-guided pHIFU (1.5 MHz transducer, 1 ms pulses, 1% duty cycle, peak negative pressure 16.5 MPa) followed by administration of gem (n = 9), gem only (n = 5) or no treatment (n = 8). Tumor progression was followed by ultrasound imaging until the study endpoint (tumor size reaching 1 cm), whereupon the excised tumors were analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and gene expression profiling (Nanostring PanCancer Immune Profiling panel). The pHIFU + gem treatments were well tolerated; the pHIFU-treated region of the tumor turned hypoechoic immediately following treatment in all mice, and this effect persisted throughout the observation period (2-5 weeks) and corresponded to areas of cell death, according to histology and IHC. Enhanced labeling by Granzyme-B was observed within and adjacent to the pHIFU treated area, but not in the non-treated tumor tissue; no difference in CD8 + staining was observed between the treatment groups. Gene expression analysis showed that the pHIFU + gem combination treatment lead to significant downregulation of 162 genes related to immunosuppression, tumorigenesis, and chemoresistance vs gem only treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yak-Nam Wang
- Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Helena Son
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Stephanie Totten
- Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Stella Whang
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Joo Ha Hwang
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
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3
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Raza F, Evans L, Motallebi M, Zafar H, Pereira-Silva M, Saleem K, Peixoto D, Rahdar A, Sharifi E, Veiga F, Hoskins C, Paiva-Santos AC. Liposome-based diagnostic and therapeutic applications for pancreatic cancer. Acta Biomater 2023; 157:1-23. [PMID: 36521673 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the harshest and most challenging cancers to treat, often labeled as incurable. Chemotherapy continues to be the most popular treatment yet yields a very poor prognosis. The main barriers such as inefficient drug penetration and drug resistance, have led to the development of drug carrier systems. The benefits, ease of fabrication and modification of liposomes render them as ideal future drug delivery systems. This review delves into the versatility of liposomes to achieve various mechanisms of treatment for pancreatic cancer. Not only are there benefits of loading chemotherapy drugs and targeting agents onto liposomes, as well as mRNA combined therapy, but liposomes have also been exploited for immunotherapy and can be programmed to respond to photothermal therapy. Multifunctional liposomal formulations have demonstrated significant pre-clinical success. Functionalising drug-encapsulated liposomes has resulted in triggered drug release, specific targeting, and remodeling of the tumor environment. Suppressing tumor progression has been achieved, due to their ability to more efficiently and precisely deliver chemotherapy. Currently, no multifunctional surface-modified liposomes are clinically approved for pancreatic cancer thus we aim to shed light on the trials and tribulations and progress so far, with the hope for liposomal therapy in the future and improved patient outcomes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Considering that conventional treatments for pancreatic cancer are highly associated with sub-optimal performance and systemic toxicity, the development of novel therapeutic strategies holds outmost relevance for pancreatic cancer management. Liposomes are being increasingly considered as promising nanocarriers for providing not only an early diagnosis but also effective, highly specific, and safer treatment, improving overall patient outcome. This manuscript is the first in the last 10 years that revises the advances in the application of liposome-based formulations in bioimaging, chemotherapy, phototherapy, immunotherapy, combination therapies, and emergent therapies for pancreatic cancer management. Prospective insights are provided regarding several advantages resulting from the use of liposome technology in precision strategies, fostering new ideas for next-generation diagnosis and targeted therapies of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Raza
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Lauren Evans
- Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 99 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RD, UK
| | - Mahzad Motallebi
- Immunology Board for Transplantation And Cell-based Therapeutics (Immuno_TACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 7616911319, Iran; Nanomedicine Research Association (NRA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hajra Zafar
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Miguel Pereira-Silva
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Sta. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Sta. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kalsoom Saleem
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Diana Peixoto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Sta. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Sta. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Abbas Rahdar
- Department of Physics, University of Zabol, Zabol 98613-35856, Iran
| | - Esmaeel Sharifi
- Cancer Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Francisco Veiga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Sta. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Sta. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Clare Hoskins
- Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 99 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RD, UK
| | - Ana Cláudia Paiva-Santos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Sta. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Sta. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
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Liu Z, Parveen N, Rehman U, Aziz A, Sheikh A, Abourehab MAS, Guo W, Huang J, Wang Z, Kesharwani P. Unravelling the enigma of siRNA and aptamer mediated therapies against pancreatic cancer. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:8. [PMID: 36635659 PMCID: PMC9835391 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01696-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a fatal disease that has a poor 5-year survival rate. The poor prognosis can be attributed to both troublesome detections at the initial stage, which makes the majority of the treatment options largely unsuccessful and leads to extensive metastasis, as well as to its distinct pathophysiological characteristics, such as rich desmoplastic tumours bounded by dysplastic and hypo perfused vessels restricting the mobility of therapeutic agents. Continued attempts have been made to utilise innovative measures for battling PC to increase the therapeutic effectiveness of therapies and overcome their cytotoxicity. Combined cancer targeting and gene silencing approach has shown improved outcomes in patients' survival rates and quality of life, offering a potential solution to therapeutic complications. It particularly targets various barriers to alleviate delivery problems and diminish tumour recurrence and metastasis. While aptamers, a type of single-stranded nucleic acids with strong binding affinity and specificity to target molecules, have recently surfaced as a viable PC strategy, siRNA can interfere with the expression of certain genes. By concurrently suppressing genes and boosting targeted approach, the cocktail of siRNA/Aptamer and other therapeutic drugs can circumvent the multi-drug resistance phenomena. Additionally, combination therapy with additive or synergistic effects can considerably increase the therapeutic efficacy of anti-cancer medications. This study outlines the primary difficulties in treating PC, along with recent developments in siRNA/Aptamer mediated drug delivery to solve the major hiccup of oncology field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Liu
- Department of Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Neha Parveen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Urushi Rehman
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Aisha Aziz
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Afsana Sheikh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Mohammed A S Abourehab
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Junhao Huang
- Department of Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhenning Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155N. Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China.
- Institute of Health Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China.
| | - Prashant Kesharwani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India.
- Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Department Of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Chennai, India.
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Deciphering the Role of p53 and TAp73 in Neuroblastoma: From Pathogenesis to Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246212. [PMID: 36551697 PMCID: PMC9777536 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is an embryonic cancer that develops from neural crest stem cells, being one of the most common malignancies in children. The clinical manifestation of this disease is highly variable, ranging from spontaneous regression to increased aggressiveness, which makes it a major therapeutic challenge in pediatric oncology. The p53 family proteins p53 and TAp73 play a key role in protecting cells against genomic instability and malignant transformation. However, in NB, their activities are commonly inhibited by interacting proteins such as murine double minute (MDM)2 and MDMX, mutant p53, ΔNp73, Itch, and Aurora kinase A. The interplay between the p53/TAp73 pathway and N-MYC, a known biomarker of poor prognosis and drug resistance in NB, also proves to be decisive in the pathogenesis of this tumor. More recently, a strong crosstalk between microRNAs (miRNAs) and p53/TAp73 has been established, which has been the focused of great attention because of its potential for developing new therapeutic strategies. Collectively, this review provides an updated overview about the critical role of the p53/TAp73 pathway in the pathogenesis of NB, highlighting encouraging clues for the advance of alternative NB targeted therapies.
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Alamoudi AA, Méndez PA, Workman D, Schätzlein AG, Uchegbu IF. Brain Gene Silencing with Cationic Amino-Capped Poly(ethylene glycol) Polyplexes. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092182. [PMID: 36140283 PMCID: PMC9496157 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic gene silencing in the brain is usually achieved using highly invasive intracranial administration methods and/or comparatively toxic vectors. In this work, we use a relatively biocompatible vector: poly(ethylene glycol) star-shaped polymer capped with amine groups (4APPA) via the nose to brain route. 4APPA complexes anti- itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (anti-ITCH) siRNA to form positively charged (zeta potential +15 ± 5 mV) 150 nm nanoparticles. The siRNA-4APPA polyplexes demonstrated low cellular toxicity (IC50 = 13.92 ± 6 mg mL−1) in the A431 cell line and were three orders of magnitude less toxic than Lipofectamine 2000 (IC50 = 0.033 ± 0.04 mg mL−1) in this cell line. Cell association and uptake of fluorescently labelled siRNA bound to siRNA-4APPA nanoparticles was demonstrated using fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), respectively. Gene silencing of the ITCH gene was observed in vitro in the A431 cell line (65% down regulation when compared to the use of anti-ITCH siRNA alone). On intranasal dosing with fluorescently labelled siRNA-4APPA polyplexes, fluorescence was seen in the cells of the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex and mid-brain regions. Finally, down regulation of ITCH was seen in the brain cells (54 ± 13% ITCH remaining compared to untreated controls) in a healthy rat model, following intranasal dosing of siRNA-4APPA nanoparticles (0.15 mg kg−1 siRNA twice daily for 3 days). Gene silencing in the brain may be achieved by intranasal administration of siRNA- poly(ethylene glycol) based polyplexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah A. Alamoudi
- UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Paula A. Méndez
- UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
- Materials Science Research Group, Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, Calle 70 N° 52-21, A.A 1226, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - David Workman
- UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Andreas G. Schätzlein
- UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
- Nanomerics Ltd., 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU, UK
| | - Ijeoma F. Uchegbu
- UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
- Nanomerics Ltd., 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU, UK
- Correspondence:
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7
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Aghamiri S, Raee P, Talaei S, Mohammadi-Yeganeh S, Bayat S, Rezaee D, Ghavidel AA, Teymouri A, Roshanzamiri S, Farhadi S, Ghanbarian H. Nonviral siRNA delivery systems for pancreatic cancer therapy. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 118:3669-3690. [PMID: 34170520 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The serious drawbacks of the conventional treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) such as nonspecific toxicity and high resistance to chemo and radiation therapy, have prompted the development and application of countless small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based therapeutics. Recent advances in drug delivery systems hold great promise for improving siRNA-based therapeutics and developing a new class of drugs, known as nano-siRNA drugs. However, many fundamental questions, regarding toxicity, immunostimulation, and poor knowledge of nano-bio interactions, need to be addressed before clinical translation. In this review, we provide recent achievements in the design and development of various nonviral delivery vehicles for pancreatic cancer therapy. More importantly, codelivery of conventional anticancer drugs with siRNA as a new revolutionary pancreatic cancer combinational therapy is completely discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahin Aghamiri
- Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pourya Raee
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sam Talaei
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Mohammadi-Yeganeh
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shiva Bayat
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Delsuz Rezaee
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afshin A Ghavidel
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Teymouri
- Department of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheil Roshanzamiri
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shohreh Farhadi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Ghanbarian
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell SciencesSchool of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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8
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Hu X, Xia F, Lee J, Li F, Lu X, Zhuo X, Nie G, Ling D. Tailor-Made Nanomaterials for Diagnosis and Therapy of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2002545. [PMID: 33854877 PMCID: PMC8025024 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202002545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide due to its aggressiveness and the challenge to early diagnosis and treatment. In recent decades, nanomaterials have received increasing attention for diagnosis and therapy of PDAC. However, these designs are mainly focused on the macroscopic tumor therapeutic effect, while the crucial nano-bio interactions in the heterogeneous microenvironment of PDAC remain poorly understood. As a result, the majority of potent nanomedicines show limited performance in ameliorating PDAC in clinical translation. Therefore, exploiting the unique nature of the PDAC by detecting potential biomarkers together with a deep understanding of nano-bio interactions that occur in the tumor microenvironment is pivotal to the design of PDAC-tailored effective nanomedicine. This review will introduce tailor-made nanomaterials-enabled laboratory tests and advanced noninvasive imaging technologies for early and accurate diagnosis of PDAC. Moreover, the fabrication of a myriad of tailor-made nanomaterials for various PDAC therapeutic modalities will be reviewed. Furthermore, much preferred theranostic multifunctional nanomaterials for imaging-guided therapies of PDAC will be elaborated. Lastly, the prospects of these nanomaterials in terms of clinical translation and potential breakthroughs will be briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Hu
- Department of Clinical PharmacyZhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Drug Evaluation and Clinical Researchthe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhou310003China
| | - Fan Xia
- Institute of PharmaceuticsZhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti‐Cancer Drug ResearchHangzhou Institute of Innovative MedicineCollege of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Jiyoung Lee
- Institute of PharmaceuticsZhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti‐Cancer Drug ResearchHangzhou Institute of Innovative MedicineCollege of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Fangyuan Li
- Institute of PharmaceuticsZhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti‐Cancer Drug ResearchHangzhou Institute of Innovative MedicineCollege of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of EducationCollege of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Xiaoyang Lu
- Department of Clinical PharmacyZhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Drug Evaluation and Clinical Researchthe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhou310003China
| | - Xiaozhen Zhuo
- Department of Cardiologythe First Affiliated HospitalXi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'an710061China
| | - Guangjun Nie
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and NanosafetyCAS Center for Excellence in NanoscienceNational Center for Nanoscience and TechnologyNo.11 Zhongguancun BeiyitiaoBeijing100190China
- GBA Research Innovation Institute for NanotechnologyGuangzhou510700China
| | - Daishun Ling
- Institute of PharmaceuticsZhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti‐Cancer Drug ResearchHangzhou Institute of Innovative MedicineCollege of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of EducationCollege of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
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Noske S, Karimov M, Aigner A, Ewe A. Tyrosine-Modification of Polypropylenimine (PPI) and Polyethylenimine (PEI) Strongly Improves Efficacy of siRNA-Mediated Gene Knockdown. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E1809. [PMID: 32927826 PMCID: PMC7557430 DOI: 10.3390/nano10091809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNA) is an efficient method for gene silencing through the induction of RNA interference (RNAi). It critically relies, however, on efficient vehicles for siRNA formulation, for transfection in vitro as well as for their potential use in vivo. While polyethylenimines (PEIs) are among the most studied cationic polymers for nucleic acid delivery including small RNA molecules, polypropylenimines (PPIs) have been explored to a lesser extent. Previous studies have shown the benefit of the modification of small PEIs by tyrosine grafting which are featured in this paper. Additionally, we have now extended this approach towards PPIs, presenting tyrosine-modified PPIs (named PPI-Y) for the first time. In this study, we describe the marked improvement of PPI upon its tyrosine modification, leading to enhanced siRNA complexation, complex stability, siRNA delivery, knockdown efficacy and biocompatibility. Results of PPI-Y/siRNA complexes are also compared with data based on tyrosine-modified linear or branched PEIs (LPxY or PxY). Taken together, this establishes tyrosine-modified PPIs or PEIs as particularly promising polymeric systems for siRNA formulation and delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Achim Aigner
- Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology, Leipzig University, Faculty of Medicine, 04107 Leipzig, Germany; (S.N.); (M.K.)
| | - Alexander Ewe
- Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology, Leipzig University, Faculty of Medicine, 04107 Leipzig, Germany; (S.N.); (M.K.)
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10
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Jin JO, Kim G, Hwang J, Han KH, Kwak M, Lee PCW. Nucleic acid nanotechnology for cancer treatment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188377. [PMID: 32418899 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most prevalent potentially lethal diseases. With the increase in the number of investigations into the uses of nanotechnology, many nucleic acid (NA)-based nanostructures such as small interfering RNA, microRNA, aptamers, and immune adjuvant NA have been applied to treat cancer. Here, we discuss studies on the applications of NA in cancer treatment, recent research trends, and the limitations and prospects of specific NA-mediated gene therapy and immunotherapy for cancer treatment. The NA structures used for cancer therapy consist only of NA or hybrids comprising organic or inorganic substances integrated with functional NA. We also discuss delivery vehicles for therapeutic NA and anti-cancer agents, and recent trends in NA-based gene therapy and immunotherapy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-O Jin
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China; Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea.
| | - Gyurin Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, South Korea
| | - Juyoung Hwang
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea
| | - Kyung Ho Han
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul 05505, South Korea
| | - Minseok Kwak
- Department of Chemistry, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, South Korea; DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen 52056, Germany.
| | - Peter C W Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul 05505, South Korea.
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11
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Meng J, Tagalakis AD, Hart SL. Silencing E3 Ubiqutin ligase ITCH as a potential therapy to enhance chemotherapy efficacy in p53 mutant neuroblastoma cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1046. [PMID: 31974512 PMCID: PMC6978385 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57854-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
P53 mutations are responsible for drug-resistance of tumour cells which impacts on the efficacy of treatment. Alternative tumour suppressor pathways need to be explored to treat p53- deficient tumours. The E3 ubiquitin ligase, ITCH, negatively regulates the tumour suppressor protein TP73, providing a therapeutic target to enhance the sensitivity of the tumour cells to the treatment. In the present study, two p53-mutant neuroblastoma cell lines were used as in vitro models. Using immunostaining, western blot and qPCR methods, we firstly identified that ITCH was expressed on p53-mutant neuroblastoma cell lines. Transfection of these cell lines with ITCH siRNA could effectively silence the ITCH expression, and result in the stabilization of TP73 protein, which mediated the apoptosis of the neuroblastoma cells upon irradiation treatment. Finally, in vivo delivery of the ITCH siRNA using nanoparticles to the neuroblastoma xenograft mouse model showed around 15-20% ITCH silencing 48 hours after transfection. Our data suggest that ITCH could be silenced both in vitro and in vivo using nanoparticles, and silencing of ITCH sensitizes the tumour cells to irradiation treatment. This strategy could be further explored to combine the chemotherapy/radiotherapy treatment to enhance the therapeutic effects on p53-deficient neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhong Meng
- Ryboquin Ltd, Ettrick Riverside, Dunsdale Road, Selkirk, TD7 5EB, UK
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Aristides D Tagalakis
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, L39 4QP, UK
| | - Stephen L Hart
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK.
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12
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Rodríguez N, Peláez A, Barderas R, Domínguez G. Clinical implications of the deregulated TP73 isoforms expression in cancer. Clin Transl Oncol 2017; 20:827-836. [PMID: 29230693 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-017-1802-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
TP73 is a member of the TP53 family whose expression has been observed altered in most human cancers and associated with the prognosis. TP73 translates into a complex number of isoforms with both oncogenic and tumour-suppressor functions and presents a complex cross-talk with other members of the family (TP53 and TP63). In this revision, we focus on the evidence that may support TP73 variants as prognostic markers in cancer. Nowadays, most publications in this topic highlight the association between overexpression of the oncogenic variants and failure to respond to chemotherapy and/or shorter survival. In addition, we comment on the putative possibilities that the detection through a liquid biopsy of TP73 variants may provide, and finally, the significance of determining the value of the combined alteration of the TP53 family members in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Rodríguez
- Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Universitario La Paz, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Peláez
- Servicio de Anatomía Patológica and Molecular Pathology and Therapeutic Targets Group, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - R Barderas
- UFIEC, ISCIII, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - G Domínguez
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols", CSIC-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Gutiérrez-Lovera C, Vázquez-Ríos AJ, Guerra-Varela J, Sánchez L, de la Fuente M. The Potential of Zebrafish as a Model Organism for Improving the Translation of Genetic Anticancer Nanomedicines. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:E349. [PMID: 29182542 PMCID: PMC5748667 DOI: 10.3390/genes8120349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last few decades, the field of nanomedicine applied to cancer has revolutionized cancer treatment: several nanoformulations have already reached the market and are routinely being used in the clinical practice. In the case of genetic nanomedicines, i.e., designed to deliver gene therapies to cancer cells for therapeutic purposes, advances have been less impressive. This is because of the many barriers that limit the access of the therapeutic nucleic acids to their target site, and the lack of models that would allow for an improvement in the understanding of how nanocarriers can be tailored to overcome them. Zebrafish has important advantages as a model species for the study of anticancer therapies, and have a lot to offer regarding the rational development of efficient delivery of genetic nanomedicines, and hence increasing the chances of their successful translation. This review aims to provide an overview of the recent advances in the development of genetic anticancer nanomedicines, and of the zebrafish models that stand as promising tools to shed light on their mechanisms of action and overall potential in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gutiérrez-Lovera
- Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology Department Veterinary Faculty, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo 27002, Spain.
- Nano-Oncology Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Clinical University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), CIBERONC, Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain.
| | - A J Vázquez-Ríos
- Nano-Oncology Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Clinical University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), CIBERONC, Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain.
| | - J Guerra-Varela
- Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology Department Veterinary Faculty, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo 27002, Spain.
- Geneaqua S.L., Lugo 27002, Spain.
| | - L Sánchez
- Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology Department Veterinary Faculty, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo 27002, Spain.
| | - M de la Fuente
- Nano-Oncology Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Clinical University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), CIBERONC, Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain.
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14
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Limiting the level of tertiary amines on polyamines leads to biocompatible nucleic acid vectors. Int J Pharm 2017; 526:106-124. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.04.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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15
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Zhu L, Staley C, Kooby D, El-Rays B, Mao H, Yang L. Current status of biomarker and targeted nanoparticle development: The precision oncology approach for pancreatic cancer therapy. Cancer Lett 2017; 388:139-148. [PMID: 27916607 PMCID: PMC5318282 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality. The majority of pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed at the advanced stage with unresectable and drug resistant tumors. The new treatments with the combination of chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have shown modest effects on therapeutic efficacy and survival of the patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective therapeutic approaches targeting highly heterogeneous pancreatic cancer cells and tumor microenvironments. Recent advances in biomarker targeted cancer therapy and image-guided drug delivery and monitoring treatment response using multifunctional nanoparticles, also referred to as theranostic nanoparticles, offer a new opportunity of effective detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Increasing evidence from preclinical studies has shown the potential of applications of theranostic nanoparticles for designing precision oncology approaches for pancreatic cancer therapy. In this review, we provide an update on the current understanding and strategies for the development of targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer using nanoparticle drug carriers. We address issues concerning drug delivery barriers in stroma rich pancreatic cancer and the potential approaches to improve drug delivery efficiency, therapeutic responses and tumor imaging. Research results presented in this review suggest the development of an integrated therapy protocol through image-guided and targeted drug delivery and therapeutic effect monitoring as a promising precision oncology strategy for pancreatic cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Charles Staley
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - David Kooby
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Bassel El-Rays
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Hui Mao
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Lily Yang
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
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16
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Bongiorno-Borbone L, Giacobbe A, Compagnone M, Eramo A, De Maria R, Peschiaroli A, Melino G. Anti-tumoral effect of desmethylclomipramine in lung cancer stem cells. Oncotarget 2016. [PMID: 26219257 PMCID: PMC4627282 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most feared of all cancers because of its heterogeneity and resistance to available treatments. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the cell population responsible for lung cancer chemoresistance and are a very good model for testing new targeted therapies. Clomipramine is an FDA-approved antidepressant drug, able to inhibit in vitro the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch and potentiate the pro-apoptotic effects of DNA damaging induced agents in several cancer cell lines. Here, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect of desmethylclomipramine (DCMI), the active metabolite of Clomipramine, on the CSCs homeostasis. We show that DCMI inhibits lung CSCs growth, decreases their stemness potential and increases the cytotoxic effect of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. Being DCMI an inhibitor of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch, we also verified the effect of Itch deregulation on CSCs survival. We found that the siRNA-mediated depletion of Itch induces similar anti-proliferative effects on lung CSCs, suggesting that DCMI might exert its effect, at least in part, by inhibiting Itch. Notably, Itch expression is a negative prognostic factor in two primary lung tumors datasets, supporting the potential clinical relevance of Itch inhibition to circumvent drug resistance in the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucilla Bongiorno-Borbone
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Giacobbe
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirco Compagnone
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana Eramo
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, Rome, Italy.,Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Hodgkin Building, Leicester University, Leicester, United Kingdom
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17
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Nicolai S, Pieraccioli M, Peschiaroli A, Melino G, Raschellà G. Neuroblastoma: oncogenic mechanisms and therapeutic exploitation of necroptosis. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e2010. [PMID: 26633716 PMCID: PMC4720889 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial childhood tumor classified in five stages (1, 2, 3, 4 and 4S), two of which (3 and 4) identify chemotherapy-resistant, highly aggressive disease. High-risk NB frequently displays MYCN amplification, mutations in ALK and ATRX, and genomic rearrangements in TERT genes. These NB subtypes are also characterized by reduced susceptibility to programmed cell death induced by chemotherapeutic drugs. The latter feature is a major cause of failure in the treatment of advanced NB patients. Thus, proper reactivation of apoptosis or of other types of programmed cell death pathways in response to treatment is relevant for the clinical management of aggressive forms of NB. In this short review, we will discuss the most relevant genomic rearrangements that define high-risk NB and the role that destabilization of p53 and p73 can have in NB aggressiveness. In addition, we will propose a strategy to stabilize p53 and p73 by using specific inhibitors of their ubiquitin-dependent degradation. Finally, we will introduce necroptosis as an alternative strategy to kill NB cells and increase tumor immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nicolai
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - M Pieraccioli
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - A Peschiaroli
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology (IBCN), CNR, Via E. Ramarini 32, Rome 00015, Italy
| | - G Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy.,Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Hodgkin Building, Leicester University, Lancaster Road, PO Box 138, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK
| | - G Raschellà
- ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Laboratory of Biosafety and Risk Assessment, Via Anguillarese, 301, Rome 00123, Italy
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