Platinum-loaded, selenium-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles selectively reduce proliferation of prostate and breast cancer cells co-cultured in the presence of stem cells

Chemotherapeutic treatment of patients with bone tumors or bone metastases often leads to severe side effects such as high drug toxicity, lack of tumor specificity and induced drug resistance. A novel strategy to treat early stages of bone metastases involves local co-delivery of multiple chemotherapeutic agents to synergistically improve the curative effect and overcome shortcomings of traditional chemotherapy. Herein we show that selenite-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles loaded with a hydroxyapatite-binding anti-tumor platinum complex (PtPP-HASe) selectively reduce proliferation of cancer cells without reducing proliferation of bone marrow stem cells. These PtPP-HASe particles were nanocrystalline with selenium (Se) and platinum (Pt) contents ranging between 0-10 and 1.5-3 wt%, respectively. Release kinetics of Se and Pt from PtPP-HASe nanoparticles resulted in a cumulative release of ∼10 and ∼66 wt% after 7 days, respectively. At a Pt/Se ratio of 8, released Pt and Se species selectively reduced cell number of human prostate (PC3) and human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) by a factor of >10 with limited effects on co-cultured human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSc). These novel nanoparticles demonstrate high anti-cancer selectivity, which offers ample opportunities for the design of novel biomaterials with potent and selective chemotherapeutic efficacy against cancer cells.

Preclinical evaluation of platinum-loaded hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in an embryonic zebrafish xenograft model

Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles are commonly used as building blocks in the design of bone-substituting biomaterials. Recently, these nanoparticles have been considered for the treatment of metastasis disease, since their pH-dependent dissolution behavior allows for precise tuning of release kinetics of loaded cargo. Herein we show that the capacity of drug-loaded nanoparticles stabilized with citrate ions reduce cancer cell survival in an embryonic zebrafish xenograft model. In particular, in vitro studies demonstrate that PtPP-loaded HA nanoparticles exhibit anti-proliferative activity against breast cancer cells at reduced pH. In vivo studies using an embryonic zebrafish xenograft model reveal that PtPP co-delivered with human breast cancer cells strongly reduce cancer cell survival. Similarly, co-injection of breast cancer cells with citrate-functionalized and PtPP-loaded HA nanoparticles into zebrafish significantly reduces survival of cancer cells due to release of chemotherapeutically active kiteplatin species. These results demonstrate the preclinical efficacy of drug-loaded nanoparticles against human breast cancer cells in a xenogenic embryonic in vivo model.

Bisphosphonate-Functionalized Imaging Agents, Anti-Tumor Agents and Nanocarriers for Treatment of Bone Cancer

Bone metastases result from the invasion of primary tumors to bone. Current treatment modalities include local treatments such as surgery and radiotherapy, while systemic treatments include chemotherapy and (palliative) treatment of skeletal metastases. Nevertheless, once bone metastases have been established they remain incurable leading to morbidity and mortality. Bisphosphonates are a well-established class of drugs, which are increasingly applied in the treatment of bone cancers owing to their effective inhibition of tumor cells and suppression of bone metastases. The increased understanding of the mechanism of action of bisphosphonates on bone and tumor cells has prompted the development of novel bisphosphonate-functionalized imaging and therapeutic agents. This review provides an update on the preclinical efficacy of bisphosphonate-functionalized fluorophore, anti-tumor agents and nanocarriers for the treatment of bone metastases. After an overview of the general characteristics of bisphosphonates and their mechanisms of action, an outline is provided on the various conjugation strategies that have become available to functionalize imaging agents, anti-tumor agents and nanocarriers with bisphosphonates. Finally, the efficacy of these bisphosphonate-modified agents and carriers in preclinical studies is evaluated by reviewing their potential to target tumors and inhibit tumor growth in clinically relevant animal models for the treatment of bone cancer.

Radiolabelled Polymeric Materials for Imaging and Treatment of Cancer: Quo Vadis?

Owing to their tunable blood circulation time and suitable plasma stability, polymer-based nanomaterials hold a great potential for designing and utilising multifunctional nanocarriers for efficient imaging and effective treatment of cancer. When tagged with appropriate radionuclides, they may allow for specific detection (diagnosis) as well as the destruction of tumours (therapy) or even customization of materials, aiming to both diagnosis and therapy (theranostic approach). This review provides an overview of recent developments of radiolabelled polymeric nanomaterials (natural and synthetic polymers) for molecular imaging of cancer, specifically, applying nuclear techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Different approaches to radiolabel polymers are evaluated from the methodical radiochemical point of view. This includes new bifunctional chelating agents (BFCAs) for radiometals as well as novel labelling methods. Special emphasis is given to eligible strategies employed to evade the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) in view of efficient targeting. The discussion encompasses promising strategies currently employed as well as emerging possibilities in radionuclide-based cancer therapy. Key issues involved in the clinical translation of radiolabelled polymers and future scopes of this intriguing research field are also discussed.