Nanobiopolymer for direct targeting and inhibition of EGFR expression in triple negative breast cancer.

Treatment options for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) are generally limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Recently, anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy has been introduced for TNBC patients. We engineered a novel nanobioconjugate based on a poly(ß-L-malic acid) (PMLA) nanoplatform for TNBC treatment. The nanobioconjugate carries anti-tumor nucleosome-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2C5 to target breast cancer cells, anti-mouse transferrin receptor (TfR) antibody for drug delivery through the host endothelial system, and Morpholino antisense oligonucleotide (AON) to inhibit EGFR synthesis. The nanobioconjugates variants were: (1) P (BioPolymer) with AON, 2C5 and anti-TfR for tumor endothelial and cancer cell targeting, and EGFR suppression (P/AON/2C5/TfR), and (2) P with AON and 2C5 (P/AON/2C5). Controls included (3) P with 2C5 but without AON (P/2C5), (4) PBS, and (5) P with PEG and leucine ester (LOEt) for endosomal escape (P/mPEG/LOEt). Drugs were injected intravenously to MDA-MB-468 TNBC bearing mice. Tissue accumulation of injected nanobioconjugates labeled with Alexa Fluor 680 was examined by Xenogen IVIS 200 (live imaging) and confocal microscopy of tissue sections. Levels of EGFR, phosphorylated and total Akt in tumor samples were detected by western blotting. In vitro western blot showed that the leading nanobioconjugate P/AON/2C5/TfR inhibited EGFR synthesis significantly better than naked AON. In vivo imaging revealed that 2C5 increased drug-tumor accumulation. Significant tumor growth inhibition was observed in mice treated with the lead nanobioconjugate (1) [P = 0.03 vs. controls; P<0.05 vs. nanobioconjugate variant (2)]. Lead nanobioconjugate (1) also showed stronger inhibition of EGFR expression and Akt phosphorylation than other treatments. Treatment of TNBC with the new nanobioconjugate results in tumor growth arrest by inhibiting EGFR and its downstream signaling intermediate, phosphorylated Akt. The nanobioconjugate represents a new generation of nanodrugs for treatment of TNBC.

Reversal of multidrug resistance by co-delivery of tariquidar (XR9576) and paclitaxel using long-circulating liposomes.

One of the major obstacles to the success of cancer chemotherapy is the multidrug resistance (MDR) often resulting due to the overexpression of drug efflux transporter pumps such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Highly efficacious third generation P-gp inhibitors, like tariquidar, have shown promising results in overcoming the MDR. However, P-gp is also expressed in normal tissues like blood brain barrier, gastrointestinal track, liver, spleen and kidney. To maximize the efficacy of P-gp inhibitor and reduce the systemic toxicity, it is important to limit the exposure of P-gp inhibitors and the anticancer drugs to normal tissues and increase their co-localization with tumor cells. In this study, we have investigated the co-delivery of the P-gp inhibitor, tariquidar, and cytotoxic drug, paclitaxel, into tumor cells to reverse the MDR using long-circulating liposomes. Tariquidar- and paclitaxel-loaded long-circulating liposomes showed significant resensitization of the resistant variant for paclitaxel, which could be correlated with an increased accumulation of paclitaxel in tumor cells. These results suggest that the co-delivery of the P-gp inhibitor, tariquidar, and the cytotoxicity inducer, paclitaxel, looks like a promising approach to overcome the MDR.

Quantum dot loaded immunomicelles for tumor imaging.

BACKGROUND: Optical imaging is a promising method for the detection of tumors in animals, with speed and minimal invasiveness. We have previously developed a lipid coated quantum dot system that doubles the fluorescence of PEG-grafted quantum dots at half the dose. Here, we describe a tumor-targeted near infrared imaging agent composed of cancer-specific monoclonal anti-nucleosome antibody 2C5, coupled to quantum dot (QD)-containing polymeric micelles, prepared from a polyethylene glycol/phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-PE) conjugate. Its production is simple and involves no special equipment. Its imaging potential is great since the fluorescence intensity in the tumor is twofold that of non-targeted QD-loaded PEG-PE micelles at one hour after injection. METHODS: Para-nitrophenol-containing (5%) PEG-PE quantum dot micelles were produced by the thin layer method. Following hydration, 2C5 antibody was attached to the PEG-PE micelles and the QD-micelles were purified using dialysis. 4T1 breast tumors were inoculated subcutaneously in the flank of the animals. A lung pseudometastatic B16F10 melanoma model was developed using tail vein injection. The contrast agents were injected via the tail vein and mice were depilated, anesthetized and imaged on a Kodak Image Station. Images were taken at one, two, and four hours and analyzed using a methodology that produces normalized signal-to-noise data. This allowed for the comparison between different subjects and time points. For the pseudometastatic model, lungs were removed and imaged ex vivo at one and twenty four hours. RESULTS: The contrast agent signal intensity at the tumor was double that of the passively targeted QD-micelles with equally fast and sharply contrasted images. With the side views of the animals only tumor is visible, while in the dorsal view internal organs including liver and kidney are visible. Ex vivo results demonstrated that the agent detects melanoma nodes in a lung pseudometastatic model after a 24 hours wash-out period, while at one hour, only a uniform signal is detected. CONCLUSIONS: The targeted agent produces ultrabright tumor images and double the fluorescence intensity, as rapidly and at the same low dose as the passively targeted agents. It represents a development that may potentially serve to enhance early detection for metastases.

Organized shells on clay nanotubes for controlled release of macromolecules.

The use of tubular halloysite clay as a nanotemplate for layer-by-layer (LbL) shell assembly and its utilization for controlled release of drug macromolecules are studied. The LbL nanoshell allowed additional control for the sustained release of drug loaded halloysite tubes. The number of polymeric layers in the shell and molecular weight of the assembled polymers influences the drug release rate. Three bilayer shells of chitosan and gelatin of 15 nm thicknesses gave the best encapsulation and retardation in the release rate of dexamethasone. An encapsulation of the macromolecules inside the lumen of the biocompatible clay nanotubes coupled with the polyelectrolyte shell formation provides a novel formulation for the controlled release of bioactive agents.

ATP-loaded immunoliposomes specific for cardiac myosin provide improved protection of the mechanical functions of myocardium from global ischemia in an isolated rat heart model.

Earlier demonstrated cardio-protection by ATP-loaded liposomes (ATP-L) was further improved by attachment of cardiac myosin-specific monoclonal 2G4 antibody onto the surface of ATP-L. ATP-IL were infused for 1 min duration before starting the global ischemia for 25 min followed by reperfusion for 30 min in an isolated rat heart. The left ventricular developed pressure at the end of reperfusion in ATP-IL group significantly recovered to above 80% of the baseline compared to ca 25% in the Kreb's-Henseleit (KH) buffer, ca 60% in the IL, and ca 70% in the ATP-L treated groups. At the end of the reperfusion, left ventricular end diastolic pressure significantly reduced to 15 +/- 2 mmHg in ATP-IL group compared to 59 +/- 6 mmHg in the KH buffer, 31 +/- 4 mmHg in the IL and 23 +/- 3 mmHg in the ATP-L controls. The extent of preservation depended on the amount of the antibody present on the surface of the ATP-IL.

Preparation and in vitro synergistic anticancer effect of vitamin K3 and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene in poly(ethylene glycol)-diacyllipid micelles.

Polymeric micelles consisting of poly(ethylene glycol)-distearoyl phosphoethanolamine conjugates (PEG-DSPE) loaded with Vitamin K3 (VK3) to 0.2 mg of drug/mg of carrier and with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene (DBU) to 0.06 mg of drug/mg of carrier were prepared. These micelles were stable for as long as 6 months during storage at 4 degrees C and did not change their size or release the incorporated drugs. Co-encapsulation of VK3 and DBU into PEG-DSPE micelles resulted in synergistic anticancer effects against both murine and human cancer cells in vitro. The synergism may be explained by the fact that the presence of DBU promotes the escape of drug-loaded micelles from the endosomes of cancer cells directly into the cytoplasm as demonstrated by fluorescent microscopy.