Enhanced targeted liposomal delivery of imiquimod via aptamer functionalization for head and neck cancer therapy.
Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces
; 243: 114121, 2024 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39094208
ABSTRACT
The incidence of head and neck cancers, particularly those associated with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections, has been steadily increasing. Conventional therapies exhibit limitations and drawbacks, prompting the exploration of new strategies over the years, with nanomedicine approaches, especially liposomes gaining relevance. Additionally, the functionalization of liposomes with aptamers enables selective delivery to target cells. For instance, AT11 can serve as a targeting moiety for cancer cells due to its high affinity for nucleolin, a protein overexpressed on the cancer cell's surface. In this study, liposomes functionalized with AT11 are proposed as drug delivery systems for imiquimod (IQ), aiming to maximize its potential as an anticancer agent for HPV-related cancers. To this end, firstly liposomes were produced through the ethanol injection method, functionalized with AT11-TEG-Cholesteryl, and characterized using dynamic light scattering. The obtained liposomes presented suitable properties for cancer therapy (with sizes from 120 to 140â¯nm and low polydispersity PDI < 0.16) and were further evaluated in terms of potential anticancer effects. AT11 IQ-associated liposomes allowed a selective delivery of IQ towards a tongue cancer cell line (UPCI-SCC-154) relative to the non-malignant cell line (Het1A). Specifically, they induced a selective reduction of the cell viability (â¼52â¯% versus â¼113â¯%; p < 0.0001), proliferation (â¼68â¯% versus â¼102â¯%; p<0.0001) and increased cell death (â¼7-fold increase; p < 0.0001)). Additionally, they decreased the migration (from â¼24â¯% to â¼8â¯%; p < 0.0001) and invasion (to 11â¯%; p = 0.0047) capacities of the cancer cells. In summary, the produced liposomes represent a promising approach to enhance the anticancer potential of IQ in head and neck cancer, particularly in tongue cancer.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Sistemas de Liberação de Medicamentos
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Aptâmeros de Nucleotídeos
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Imiquimode
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Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço
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Lipossomos
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Antineoplásicos
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces
Assunto da revista:
QUIMICA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de publicação:
Holanda