ADAM 8 as a novel target for doxorubicin delivery to TNBC cells using magnetic thermosensitive liposomes.

Metastatic breast cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death in women worldwide. The transmembrane metalloprotease-disintegrin (ADAM8) protein is highly overexpressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and potentiates tumor cell invasion and extracellular matrix remodeling. Exploiting the high expression levels of ADAM8 in TNBC cells by delivering anti-ADAM8 antibodies efficiently to the targeted site can be a promising strategy for therapy of TNBC. For instance, a targeted approach with the aid of ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging (UHF-MRI) activatable thermosensitive liposomes (LipTS-GD) could specifically increase the intracellular accumulation of cytotoxic drugs. The surface of doxorubicin-loaded LipTS-GD was modified by covalent coupling of MAB1031 antibody (LipTS-GD-MAB) in order to target the overexpressed ADAM8 in ADAM8 positive MDA-MB-231 cells. Physicochemical characterization of these liposomes was performed using size, surface morphology and UHF-MRI imaging analysis. In vitro cell targeting was investigated by the washing and circulation method. Intracellular trafficking and lysosomal colocalization were assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Cell viability, biocompatibility and in-ovo CAM assays were performed to determine the effectiveness and safety profiles of liposome formulations. Our results show specific binding and induction of doxorubicin release after LipTS-GD-MAB treatment caused a higher cytotoxic effect at the cellular target site.

Magnetic resonance activatable thermosensitive liposomes for controlled doxorubicin delivery.

To limit the massive cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, it is desirable to establish an appropriate subtle blend of formulation design based on a dual-responsive strategy. In this study, a combined therapeutic platform based on magnetic thermosensitive liposomes (LipTS-GD) was developed. The incorporation of chelated-gadolinium imparted magnetic properties to thermosensitive liposomes (LipTS). The application of an ultra high field magnetic resonance imaging (UHF-MRI) induced hyperthermia, thus provided an improved chemotherapeutic effect of Doxorubicin (DOX). The paramagnetic platform demonstrated thermal sensitivity over a narrow temperature range starting at 37.8 °C, hence the release of DOX from LipTS-GD can be well triggered by inducing hyperthermia using UHF-MRI application. The prepared LipTS-GD were below 200 nm in diameter and an adequate release of DOX reaching 68% was obtained after 1 h UHF-MRI exposure. Profoundly, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells that were treated with LipTS-GD and subjected thereafter to UHF-MRI exposure for 60 min showed 36% viability. Hemocompatibility studies of LipTS-GD showed a physiological coagulation time and minimal hemolytic potential. Conclusively, LipTS-GD guided local delivery of DOX to solid tumors will potentially raise the therapeutic index, thus reducing the required dose and frequency of DOX administered systemically without influencing the adjacent tissues.

Stabilized tetraether lipids based particles guided prophyrins photodynamic therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) that involves ergonomically delivered light in the presence of archetypical photosensitizer such as Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) is a time-honored missile strategy in cancer therapeutics. Yet, the premature release of PpIX is one of the most abundant dilemma encounters the therapeutic outcomes of PDT due to associated toxicity and redistribution to serum proteins. In this study, ultrastable tetraether lipids (TELs) based liposomes were developed. PpIX molecules were identified to reside physically in the monolayer; thereby the inherent π-π stacking that leads to aggregation of PpIX in aqueous milieu was dramatically improved. TEL29.9 mol% and TEL62mol% based liposomes revealed PpIX sustained release diffusion pattern from spherical particles as confirmed by converged fitting to Baker & Lonsdale model. Stability in presence of human serum albumins, a key element for PDT accomplishment was emphasized. The epitome candidates were selected for vascular photodynamic (vPDT) in in-Ovo chick chorioallantoic membrane. Profoundly, TEL62mol% based liposomes proved to be the most effective liposomes that demonstrated localized effect within the irradiated area without eliciting quiescent vasculatures damages. Cellular photodynamic therapy (cPDT) revealed that various radiant exposure doses of 134, 202, 403 or 672 mJ.cm-2 could deliberately modulate the photo-responses of PpIX in TEL-liposomes.

Photo-responsive tetraether lipids based vesicles for prophyrin mediated vascular targeting and direct phototherapy.

Tetraether lipids (TELs) derived from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius are dominated by polyisoprenoid skeleton. The unique molecular stability of TELs is attributed to the presence of cyclopentane rings, methyl side groups and sugar residues that create extensive hydrogen bond network. In addition, the presence of ether linkages and the lacking of double bonds make them an epitome candidate for photodynamic therapy (PDT). A subtle blend of formulation design to trigger efficient photo responses of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) exploiting TELs was developed. The platform has demonstrated in principle a practical potential in PDT in terms of prompt Vascular Targeting Photodynamic therapy (VTP) in-ovo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Short PpIX-light interval was associated with thrombosis and massive vascular occlusion in and out the irradiated area after TEL9mol% liposomes have been intravenously injected. Profoundly, TEL62mol% liposomes have proved to be the most effective liposomes that demonstrated localized suppression of angiogenesis in the irradiated area without quiescent vasculature damage. The massive thrombotic effect was no longer observed and eventually the chick has survived. After long PpIX-light interval, TEL62mol% has deliberately gained metronomic PDT at low rate of PpIX dosimetry and the radiant exposure doses in human ovarian carcinoma (SKOV-3) cells as determined by PpIXIC50. These findings could be explained by the fact that TELs impart a remarkable stability to the liposomal bilayer that makes them a potential platform for photodynamic applications.

Bipolar tetraether lipids derived from thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius for membrane stabilization of chlorin e6 based liposomes for photodynamic therapy.

The initial burst release of water-soluble photosensitizers is one of the major problems encountered the development of controlled release formulations. In this study, the freely water soluble chlorin e6 (Ce6) was assembled with cationic lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) to improve its loading efficiency in the liposomal bilayer. Tetraether lipids (TELs) derived from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius were added to DOTAP:Ce6 assembly in a concentration range of 2.5×10(-4)-1.6×10(-3)M to stabilize the membrane rigidity of the liposomes and to provide controlled release system. From the comparative spectroscopic experiments, it has been shown that the assembled DOTAP:Ce6 along with addition of TELs have improved the loading efficiency of Ce6 in TELs-liposomes and obviously modified the release profile of Ce6. The in vitro cell viability of Ce6 in mouse neuro-blastoma (Neuro-2a) and ovarian cell carcinoma (SK-OV-3) confirmed neglected dark cytotoxicity and presented potential photo-induced cytotoxicity with the effect was being more pronounced in Neuro 2a than in SK-OV-3. In-situ IV-injection of chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) showed hemorrhage and necrosis 30 min post irradiation at 1.8 mol% TELs (19.9J/cm(2)). Higher TELs of 2.2 and 3.7 mol% in particular demonstrated localized vascular destruction within the irradiated area. Our results suggest that TELs favored slower release rates of Ce6. This, in turn, tetraether lipids can be considered as a versatile class of lipids for photodynamic modality for destruction of cancer cells and tumor vasculature while sparing the quiescent ones.

Leukocytic-vascular endothelial growth factor and integrin alphavbeta3 in acute myeloid leukemia: relation to clinical outcome.

Different signaling routes seem to be simultaneously triggered in leukemia, with distinct and overlapping activities. Different reports emphasize the interaction between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and integrin alphavbeta3 as a key control system of angiogenesis, oncogenesis and metatasis. The current study was undertaken to investigate leukocytic-VEGF and integrin alphavbeta3 as correlated with clinical outcome in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The study groups included 10 newly diagnosed AML patients before the start of any chemotherapeutic medication and 10 normal healthy control subjects. The level of VEGF was estimated in culture supernatant of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMN) of both groups using commercially available ELISA kit. The degree of integrin alphavbeta3 expression on PBMN was estimated by indirect immunoflourescence. Obtained results showed that the level of VEGF and degree of expression of integrin alphavbeta3 were significantly higher in AML patients than in normal healthy subjects. However, no significant correlation was observed between the levels of VEGF and the degree of expression of integrin alphavbeta3. When clinical findings were concerned, there was a significant positive correlation between VEGF and the percentage of blasts, both in peripheral blood & bone marrow. On the other hand, such correlations were not observed in case of integrin alphavbeta3. In addition no significant correlation was observed between either VEGF or integrin alphavbeta3 and clinical staging, age, and sex. In conclusion, our results proved the importance of VEGF and integrin alphavbeta3 in the pathogenesis of AML. However, the per se increased production or/and secretion of VEGF and integrin alphavbeta3 by leukemic PBMN cells, respectively can not be used as independent predictor (s) for clinical outcome in AML patients. It is more comprehensive to study changes of intracellular signaling pathways when such critically interacting factors are concerned in the leukemic process.