Effectiveness of liposomal paclitaxel against MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Chemoradiotherapy with paclitaxel liposome plus cisplatin for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective analysis

PURPOSE

This single-center retrospective clinical study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of chemoradiotherapy with paclitaxel liposome plus cisplatin for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

Patients with locally advanced ESCC treated with paclitaxel-liposome-based chemoradiotherapy between 2016 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients with locally advanced ESCC were included in this study. The median follow-up time was 31.5 months. The median OS time was 38.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32.1-45.1) months, and the 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 84.6%, 64.1%, and 56.2%, respectively. The median PFS time was 32.1 (95% CI: 25.4-39.0) months, and the 1-, 2-, and 3-year PFS rates were 71.8%, 43.6%, and 43.6%, respectively. The most common Grade IV toxicity was neutropenia (30.8%) followed by lymphopenia (20.5%). There were no cases of Grade III/IV radiation pneumonia, and four patients (10.3%) had Grade III/IV esophagitis.

CONCLUSION

Chemoradiotherapy using paclitaxel liposome and cisplatin is a well-tolerated and effective treatment regimen for locally advanced ESCC.

Microfluidic-assisted fabrication of phosphatidylcholine-based liposomes for controlled drug delivery of chemotherapeutics

Microfluidic enables precise control over the continuous mixing of fluid phases at the micrometre scale, aiming to optimize the processing parameters and to facilitate scale-up feasibility. The optimization of parameters to obtain monodispersed drug-loaded liposomes however is challenging. In this work, two phosphatidylcholines (PC) differing in acyl chain length were selected, and used to control the release of the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin hydrochloride, an effective drug used to treat breast cancer. Microfluidics was used to rapidly screen manufacturing parameters and PC formulations to obtain monodispersed unilamellar liposomal formulations with a reproducible size (i.e. < 200 nm). Cholesterol was included in all liposomal formulations; some formulations also contained DMPC(1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and/or DSPC(1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine). Systematic variations in microfluidics total flow rate (TFR) settings were performed, while keeping a constant flow rate ratio (FRR). A total of six PC-based liposomes were fabricated using the optimal manufacturing parameters (TFR 500 μL/min, FRR 0.1) for the production of reproducible, stable liposome formulations with a narrow size distribution. Liposomes actively encapsulating doxorubicin exhibited high encapsulation efficiencies (>80%) for most of the six formulations, and sustained drug release profiles in vitro over 48 h. Drug release profiles varied as a function of the DMPC/DSPC mol content in the lipid bilayer, with DMPC-based liposomes exhibiting a sustained release of doxorubicin when compared to DSPC liposomes. The PC-based liposomes, with a slower release of doxorubicin, were tested in vitro, as to investigate their cytotoxic activity against three human breast cancer cell lines: the non-metastatic ER+/PR + MCF7 cells, the triple-negative aggressive MDA-MB 231 cells, and the metastatic HER2-overexpressing/PR + BT474 cells. Similar cytotoxicity levels to that of free doxorubicin were reported for DMPC₅ and DMPC₃ binary liposomes (IC₅₀ ~ 1 μM), whereas liposomes composed of a single PC were less cytotoxic (IC₅₀ ~ 3-4 μM). These results highlight that microfluidics is suitable for the manufacture of monodispersed and size-specific PC-based liposomes in a controlled single-step; furthermore, selected PC-based liposome represent promising nanomedicines for the prolonged release of chemotherapeutics, with the aim of improving outcomes for patients.

Insights into Multifunctional Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Glioblastoma Treatment

Glioblastoma (GB) is an aggressive cancer with high microvascular proliferation, resulting in accelerated invasion and diffused infiltration into the surrounding brain tissues with very low survival rates. Treatment options are often multimodal, such as surgical resection with concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The development of resistance of tumor cells to radiation in the areas of hypoxia decreases the efficiency of such treatments. Additionally, the difficulty of ensuring drugs effectively cross the natural blood-brain barrier (BBB) substantially reduces treatment efficiency. These conditions concomitantly limit the efficacy of standard chemotherapeutic agents available for GB. Indeed, there is an urgent need of a multifunctional drug vehicle system that has potential to transport anticancer drugs efficiently to the target and can successfully cross the BBB. In this review, we summarize some nanoparticle (NP)-based therapeutics attached to GB cells with antigens and membrane receptors for site-directed drug targeting. Such multicore drug delivery systems are potentially biodegradable, site-directed, nontoxic to normal cells and offer long-lasting therapeutic effects against brain cancer. These models could have better therapeutic potential for GB as well as efficient drug delivery reaching the tumor milieu. The goal of this article is to provide key considerations and a better understanding of the development of nanotherapeutics with good targetability and better tolerability in the fight against GB.

Paclitaxel antitumor effect improvement in lung cancer and prevention of the painful neuropathy using large pegylated cationic liposomes

Paclitaxel (PTX), a drug widely used in lung cancer, has serious limitations including the development of peripheral neurotoxicity, which may lead to treatment discontinuation and therapy failure. The transport of PTX in large cationic liposomes could avoid this undesirable effect, improving the patient's prognosis. PTX was encapsulated in cationic liposomes with two different sizes, MLV (180-200 nm) and SUV (80-100 nm). In both cases, excellent biocompatibility and improved internalization and antitumor effect of PTX were observed in human and mice lung cancer cells in culture, multicellular spheroids and cancer stem cells (CSCs). In addition, both MLV and SUV with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) shell, induced a greater tumor volume reduction than PTX (56.4 % and 57.1 % vs. 36.7 %, respectively) in mice. Interestingly, MLV-PEG-PTX did not induce either mechanical or heat hypersensitivity whereas SUV-PEG-PTX produced a similar response to free PTX. Analysis of PTX distribution showed a very low concentration of the drug in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) with MLV-PEG-PTX, but not with SUV-PEG-PTX or free PTX. These results support the hypothesis that PTX induces peripheral neuropathy by penetrating the endothelial fenestrations of the DRG (80-100 nm, measured in mice). In conclusion, our larger liposomes (MLV-PEG-PTX) not only showed biocompatibility, antitumor activity against CSCs, and in vitro and in vivo antitumor effect that improved PTX free activity, but also protected from PTX-induced painful peripheral neuropathy. These advantages could be used as a new strategy of lung cancer chemotherapy to increase the PTX activity and reduce its side effects.

Experimental design of a liposomal lipid system: A potential strategy for paclitaxel-based breast cancer treatment

Paclitaxel (PTX) is widely used as a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer; however, its poor water solubility represents a major challenge for parenteral administration. The encapsulation of the PTX in drug-delivery systems with high affinity for tumor sites could improve the uptake and increase its therapeutic efficacy. In this work, long-circulating and pH-sensitive PEG-coated (SpHL-PTX) and PEG-folate-coated liposomes containing PTX (SpHL-FT-PTX) were prepared, and the physicochemical properties and in vitro cytotoxic activity were evaluated. Both formulations presented adequate physicochemical properties, including a mean diameter smaller than 200 nm, zeta potential values near the neutral range, and an encapsulation percentage higher than 93%. Moreover, SpHL-FT-PTX showed a good stability after storage for 100 days at 4 °C. The viability studies on breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) demonstrated cytotoxic activity more pronounced for SpHL-FT-PTX than for SpHL-PTX or free drug for both tumor cell lines. This activity was reduced to a rate comparable to SpHL-PTX when the cells were previously treated with folic acid in order to saturate the receptors. In contrast, in the normal cell line (L929), cell viability was decreased only by free or liposomal PTX in the highest concentrations. A significantly higher selectivity index was obtained after SpHL-FT-PTX treatment compared to SpHL-PTX and free PTX. Therefore, the results of the present work suggest that SpHL-FT-PTX can be a promising formulation for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Cytotoxic and antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds from Tagetes patula flower

CONTEXT

Tagetes patula Linn. (Asteraceae) (French Marigold) flowers are used by local practitioners for cancer treatment; however, it lacks scientific justification.

OBJECTIVE

Identification of bioactive compounds in T. patula flower for cytotoxic and growth inhibition in human cancer cell lines along with its antioxidant properties using chemical and cell based systems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The T. patula flower methanol extract, its seven fractions, and three phenolic compounds including methyl protocatechuate (1), patuletin (2), and patulitrin (3) were evaluated using sulforhodamine-B assay against HeLa, HT-144, NCI-H460, MCF-7, PC-3, and SF-268 human cancer cell lines. In parallel, antioxidant activity was evaluated using chemical (DPPH(·), deoxyribose, and lipid peroxidation assays) and cell-based chemiluminescence systems (human neutrophils and mice macrophages).

RESULTS

The methanol extract and ethyl acetate insoluble fraction exhibited cytotoxic and growth inhibitory effects against HeLa in which 2 exhibited highest cell growth inhibition (GI50: 0.6 ± 0.1 µg/ml) and cytotoxicity (LC50: 2.5 ± 0.1 µg/ml). It also scavenged LOO(·) (IC50: 6.5 ± 0.7 µg/ml) and [Formula: see text] (IC50: 27.5 ± 1.3 μg/ml) in chemical systems and human neutrophils, respectively. However, 1 preferably scavenged H2O2-Cl(-) (IC50: 0.5 ± 0.01 μg/ml) in mice macrophages.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Compound 2 from T. patula flower exhibited both growth inhibitory and cytotoxic properties while 1 and 3 were only growth inhibitory against HeLa. 1-3 also displayed antioxidant properties implying its probable role in growth inhibition/cytotoxic action. The present study provides scientific evidence for the use of T. patula flower in cancer treatment by traditional healer.

Effects of triglycerides on the hydrophobic drug loading capacity of saturated phosphatidylcholine-based liposomes

A high drug-loading capacity is a critical factor for the clinical development of liposomal formulations. The accommodation of hydrophobic drugs within the liposomal membrane is often limited in saturated phosphatidylcholine (PC)-based liposomes owing to the rigidity of the lipid acyl chain. In the current study, we explored the possibility of improving the hydrophobic drug loading capacity of liposomes by incorporating triglyceride into liposomal membranes. Incorporation of Captex 300, a medium chain triglyceride, into liposomes composed of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol greatly increased the fluidity and lamellarity of the resultant liposomes. Liposomal incorporation of medium or long chain, but not short chain, triglycerides greatly enhanced the concentration of loaded paclitaxel (PTX) in saturated PC-based liposomes. The enhancing effect of triglyceride saturated at a triglyceride content corresponding to the amount required to fluidize the liposome structure. In addition, the enhancing effect was not observed in unsaturated PC-based liposomes and was not associated with the solubility of PTX in each triglyceride. Triglycerides also enhanced the loading of docetaxel, another hydrophobic drug. Taken together, our results suggest that triglyceride incorporation in saturated PC-based liposomes provide an improved dosage form that enables increased hydrophobic drug loading by altering the fluidity and structure of liposomal membranes.

microRNA 490-3P enhances the drug-resistance of human ovarian cancer cells

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding, single-stranded small RNAs that regulate gene expression negatively, which is involved in fundamental cellular processes. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-490-3P in the development of drug resistance in ovarian cancer cells.

METHODS

The human ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780 and A2780/Taxol were exposed to paclitaxel in the presence or absence of microRNA 490-3P transfection, after which cell viability were performed by CCK-8 assay. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting were used to assess the mRNA and protein expression levels of GST-π, MDR1 or P-gp.

RESULTS

Our results showed higher miR-490-3P mRNA expression level in A2780/Taxol cells than in A2780 cells (p < 0.05). Following miR-490-3P transfection, both A2780 and A2780/Taxol cells showed decreased sensitivity to paclitaxel. The mRNA expression levels of MDR1, GST-π (p < 0.05) and protein expression levels of P-gp, GST-π were up-regulated [corrected] after miR-490-3P transfection in comparison to mock and negative control cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate for the first time that microRNA 490-3P may be involved in the development of drug resistance in ovarian cancer.

Liposomal antibiotics for the treatment of infectious diseases

INTRODUCTION

Liposomal delivery systems have been utilized in developing effective therapeutics against cancer and targeting microorganisms in and out of host cells and within biofilm community. The most attractive feature of liposome-based drugs are enhancing therapeutic index of the new or existing drugs while minimizing their adverse effects.

AREAS COVERED

This communication provides an overview on several aspects of liposomal antibiotics including the most widely used preparation techniques for encapsulating different agents and the most important characteristic parameters applied for examining shape, size and stability of the spherical vesicles. In addition, the routes of administration, liposome-cell interactions and host parameters affecting the biodistribution of liposomes are highlighted.

EXPERT OPINION

Liposomes are safe and suitable for delivery of variety of molecules and drugs in biomedical research and medicine. They are known to improve the therapeutic index of encapsulated agents and reduce drug toxicity. Recent studies on liposomal formulation of chemotherapeutic and bioactive agents and their targeted delivery show liposomal antibiotics potential in the treatment of microbial infections.

miR-21 modulates paclitaxel sensitivity and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression in human ovarian cancer cells

Drug resistance is a major problem encountered in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Previous studies have demonstrated that in several types of cancer the overexpression of the multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene is mainly associated with drug resistance. The present study aimed to investigate the role of miR-21 in the development of drug resistance in ovarian cancer cells. The expression levels of miR-21 in the ovarian cancer A2780 and A2780/taxol cell lines were detected by stem-loop real-time PCR. A2780 and A2780/taxol cells were transfected with mimics or inhibitors of miR-21 or negative control RNA. The expression levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) proteins were assessed by western blot analysis. Drug sensitivity was analyzed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The expression levels of miR-21 and P-gp were upregulated to a greater extent in the paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer A2780/taxol cell line compared with the parental A2780 cell line. Transfection of A2780/taxol cells with inhibitors of miR-21 decreased the expression levels of the P-gp and HIF-1α proteins, and increased the sensitivity of the A2780/taxol cells to paclitaxel. The expression levels of P-gp were additionally increased; however, the sensitivity of the miR-21 mimic-treated A2780 cells to paclitaxel was decreased. miR-21 may be involved in the development of drug resistance and the regulation of MDR1/P-gp expression, at least in part, by targeting HIF-1α in ovarian cancer cells.

Characterization and in-vitro bioactivity evaluation of paclitaxel-loaded polyester nanoparticles

Paclitaxel, an antimicrotubular agent used in the treatment of ovarian and breast cancer, was encapsulated in nanoparticles of poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) and poly(ε-caprolactone) polymers using the double emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. The morphology, size distribution, drug encapsulation efficiency, thermal degradation and in-vitro drug release profile were characterized. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the drug encapsulation efficiency and in-vitro drug release profile. MCF-7 breast cancer cells were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity (MTT assay), the cellular uptake and the cell cycle. The particle size was in the range of 200-400 nm. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles showed more effective cellular uptake compared with those of poly(ε-caprolactone). Unloaded nanoparticles were found to be cytocompatible on MCF-7 cells and paclitaxel formulations showed efficacy in killing MCF-7 cells. Paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles induced the release of the drug-blocking cells in the G2/M phase. Paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles may be considered a promising drug delivery system in the evaluation of an in-vivo model.

Liposomal paclitaxel formulations

Over the past three decades, taxanes represent one of the most important new classes of drugs approved in oncology. Paclitaxel (PTX), the prototype of this class, is an anti-cancer drug approved for the treatment of breast and ovarian cancer. However, notwithstanding a suitable premedication, present-day chemotherapy employing a commercial preparation of PTX (Taxol®) is associated with serious side effects and hypersensitivity reactions. Liposomes represent advanced and versatile delivery systems for drugs. Generally, both in vivo mice tumor models and human clinical trials demonstrated that liposomal PTX formulations significantly increase a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of PTX which outperform that for Taxol®. Liposomal PTX formulations are in various stages of clinical trials. LEP-ETU (NeoPharm) and EndoTAG®-1 (Medigene) have reached the phase II of the clinical trials; Lipusu® (Luye Pharma Group) has already been commercialized. Present achievements in the preparation of various liposomal formulations of PTX, the development of targeted liposomal PTX systems and the progress in clinical testing of liposomal PTX are discussed in this review summarizing about 30 years of liposomal PTX development.

Paclitaxel in tyrosine-derived nanospheres as a potential anti-cancer agent: in vivo evaluation of toxicity and efficacy in comparison with paclitaxel in Cremophor

Paclitaxel (PTX) has gained widespread clinical use yet its administration is associated with significant toxicity. In the present study, the toxicity and anti-tumor efficacy of tyrosine-derived nanospheres (NSP) for the delivery of PTX was compared to a clinical formulation of PTX in PBS-diluted Cremophor® EL (PTX-CrEL-D). Maximum tolerated dose was determined using a concentration series of PTX in NSP and CrEL-D, with toxicity assessed by measuring changes in body weight. Healthy mice administered PTX-NSP continued to gain weight normally while treatment with PTX-CrEL-D resulted in significant weight loss that failed to recover following treatment. Even at the dose of 50mg/kg, PTX-NSP showed better tolerance than 25mg/kg of PTX-CrEL-D. Xenograft studies of breast cancer revealed that the anti-tumor efficacy of PTX-NSP was equal to that of PTX-CrEL-D in tumors originating from both MDA-MB-435 and ZR-75-1 cancer lines. Larger volume of distribution and longer half-life were measured for PTX-NSP administration compared to those reported in the literature for a CrEL formulation. This trend suggests the potential for improved therapeutic index of PTX when administered via NSP. The findings reported here confirm that the NSP formulation is an efficient method for PTX administration with significant increase in maximum tolerated dose, offering possible clinical implications in the treatment of breast tumors.

The BH3 mimetic ABT-737 increases treatment efficiency of paclitaxel against hepatoblastoma

Background

The primary goal of current chemotherapy in hepatoblastoma (HB) is reduction of tumour volume and vitality to enable complete surgical resection and reduce risk of recurrence or metastatic disease. Drug resistance remains a major challenge for HB treatment. In some malignancies inhibition of anti-apoptotic pathways using small BH3 mimetic molecules like ABT-737 shows synergistic effects in combination with cystotoxic agents in vitro. Now we analysed toxicology and synergistic effects of this approach in HB cells and HB xenografts.

Methods

Viability was monitored in HB cells (HUH6 and HepT1) and fibroblasts treated with paclitaxel, ABT-737 and a combination of both in a MTT assay. HUH6 xenotransplants in NOD/LtSz-scid IL2Rγnull mice (NSG) were treated accordingly. Tumour volume and body weight were monitored. Xenografted tumours were analysed by histology and immunohistochemistry (Ki-67 and TUNEL assay).

Results

ABT-737 reduced viability in HUH6 and HepT1 cells cultures at concentrations above 1 μM and also enhanced the cytotoxic effect of paclitaxel when used in combination. Thereby paclitaxel could be reduced tenfold to achieve similar reduction of viability of tumour cells. In contrast no toxicity in fibroblasts was observed at the same regiments. Subcutaneous HB (HUH6) treated with paclitaxel (12 mg/kg body weight, n = 7) led to delayed tumour growth in the beginning of the experiment. However, tumour volume was similar to controls (n = 5) at day 25. Combination treatment with paclitaxel and ABT-737 (100 mg/kg, n = 8) revealed significantly 10 fold lower relative tumour volumes compared to control and paclitaxel groups. Paclitaxel dependent toxicity was observed in this mice strain.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate enhancement of chemotherapy by using modulators of apoptosis. Further analyses should include improved pharmacological formulations of paclitaxel and BH3 mimetics in order to reduce toxicological effects. Sensitising HB to apoptosis may also render resistant HB susceptible to established chemotherapy regimens.

Subamolide E from Cinnamomum subavenium induces sub-G1 cell-cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis and reduces the migration ability of human melanoma cells

The aim of this work was to investigate the anticancer cytotoxic effects of natural compound subamolide E on the human skin cancer melanoma A375.S2 cells. Subamolide E was isolated from Cinnamomum subavenium and demonstrated cytotoxicities in the cell-growth assay at concentration ranges from 0 to 100 μM at 24 h. Propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry analyses were used to evaluate cell-cycle distribution and found that subamolide E caused DNA damage in the sub-G1 phase with a dose-dependent manner after 24 h of treatment. According to the western blot result, subamolide-E-treated cells with the increase of caspase-dependent apoptotic proteins induced related pathway mechanisms. Subamolide E also showed antimigratory activities of A375.S2 cells on the wound-healing assay. Finally, subamolide E demonstrated minor cytotoxicities to normal human skin cells (keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts); therefore, it is a potential chemotherapeutic agent against skin melanoma.