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Safety and Efficacy Evaluation In Vivo of a Cationic Nucleolipid Nanosystem for the Nanodelivery of a Ruthenium(III) Complex with Superior Anticancer Bioactivity. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205164. [PMID: 34680314 PMCID: PMC8534243 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The availability of selective, effective, and safe anticancer agents is a major challenge in the field of cancer research. As part of a multidisciplinary research project, in recent years our group has proposed an original class of nanomaterials for the delivery of new anticancer drugs based on ruthenium(III) complexes. In cellular models, these nanosystems have been shown to be effective in counteracting growth and proliferation of human breast cancer cells. Compared to conventional metallochemotherapeutics such as platinum-based agents whose clinical practice is associated with serious undesirable effects, ruthenium complexes share improved biochemical profiles making them more selective towards cancer cells and less cytotoxic to healthy cells. Their combination with biocompatible nanocarriers further enhances these promising features, as here showcased by our research carried out in an animal model which underscores the efficacy and safety in vivo of one of our most promising ruthenium-based nanosystems. Abstract Selectivity and efficacy towards target cancer cells, as well as biocompatibility, are current challenges of advanced chemotherapy powering the discovery of unconventional metal-based drugs and the search for novel therapeutic approaches. Among second-generation metal-based chemotherapeutics, ruthenium complexes have demonstrated promising anticancer activity coupled to minimal toxicity profiles and peculiar biochemical features. In this context, our research group has recently focused on a bioactive Ru(III) complex—named AziRu—incorporated into a suite of ad hoc designed nucleolipid nanosystems to ensure its chemical stability and delivery. Indeed, we proved that the structure and properties of decorated nucleolipids can have a major impact on the anticancer activity of the ruthenium core. Moving in this direction, here we describe a preclinical study performed by a mouse xenograft model of human breast cancer to establish safety and efficacy in vivo of a cationic Ru(III)-based nucleolipid formulation, named HoThyRu/DOTAP, endowed with superior antiproliferative activity. The results show a remarkable reduction in tumour with no evidence of animal suffering. Blood diagnostics, as well as biochemical analysis in both acute and chronic treated animal groups, demonstrate a good tolerability profile at the therapeutic regimen, with 100% of mice survival and no indication of toxicity. In addition, ruthenium plasma concentration analysis and tissue bioaccumulation were determined via appropriate sampling and ICP-MS analysis. Overall, this study supports both the efficacy of our Ru-containing nanosystem versus a human breast cancer model and its safety in vivo through well-tolerated animal biological responses, envisaging a possible forthcoming use in clinical trials.
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Gou Y, Huang G, Li J, Yang F, Liang H. Versatile delivery systems for non-platinum metal-based anticancer therapeutic agents. Coord Chem Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2021.213975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Luchini A, Vitiello G. Mimicking the Mammalian Plasma Membrane: An Overview of Lipid Membrane Models for Biophysical Studies. Biomimetics (Basel) 2020; 6:biomimetics6010003. [PMID: 33396534 PMCID: PMC7838988 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics6010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell membranes are very complex biological systems including a large variety of lipids and proteins. Therefore, they are difficult to extract and directly investigate with biophysical methods. For many decades, the characterization of simpler biomimetic lipid membranes, which contain only a few lipid species, provided important physico-chemical information on the most abundant lipid species in cell membranes. These studies described physical and chemical properties that are most likely similar to those of real cell membranes. Indeed, biomimetic lipid membranes can be easily prepared in the lab and are compatible with multiple biophysical techniques. Lipid phase transitions, the bilayer structure, the impact of cholesterol on the structure and dynamics of lipid bilayers, and the selective recognition of target lipids by proteins, peptides, and drugs are all examples of the detailed information about cell membranes obtained by the investigation of biomimetic lipid membranes. This review focuses specifically on the advances that were achieved during the last decade in the field of biomimetic lipid membranes mimicking the mammalian plasma membrane. In particular, we provide a description of the most common types of lipid membrane models used for biophysical characterization, i.e., lipid membranes in solution and on surfaces, as well as recent examples of their applications for the investigation of protein-lipid and drug-lipid interactions. Altogether, promising directions for future developments of biomimetic lipid membranes are the further implementation of natural lipid mixtures for the development of more biologically relevant lipid membranes, as well as the development of sample preparation protocols that enable the incorporation of membrane proteins in the biomimetic lipid membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Luchini
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Giuseppe Vitiello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
- CSGI-Center for Colloid and Surface Science, via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
- Correspondence:
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Ferraro MG, Piccolo M, Misso G, Maione F, Montesarchio D, Caraglia M, Paduano L, Santamaria R, Irace C. Breast Cancer Chemotherapeutic Options: A General Overview on the Preclinical Validation of a Multi-Target Ruthenium(III) Complex Lodged in Nucleolipid Nanosystems. Cells 2020; 9:E1412. [PMID: 32517101 PMCID: PMC7349411 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review we have showcased the preclinical development of original amphiphilic nanomaterials designed for ruthenium-based anticancer treatments, to be placed within the current metallodrugs approach leading over the past decade to advanced multitarget agents endowed with limited toxicity and resistance. This strategy could allow for new options for breast cancer (BC) interventions, including the triple-negative subtype (TNBC) with poor therapeutic alternatives. BC is currently the second most widespread cancer and the primary cause of cancer death in women. Hence, the availability of novel chemotherapeutic weapons is a basic requirement to fight BC subtypes. Anticancer drugs based on ruthenium are among the most explored and advanced next-generation metallotherapeutics, with NAMI-A and KP1019 as two iconic ruthenium complexes having undergone clinical trials. In addition, many nanomaterial Ru complexes have been recently conceived and developed into anticancer drugs demonstrating attractive properties. In this field, we focused on the evaluation of a Ru(III) complex-named AziRu-incorporated into a suite of both zwitterionic and cationic nucleolipid nanosystems, which proved to be very effective for the in vivo targeting of breast cancer cells (BBC). Mechanisms of action have been widely explored in the context of preclinical evaluations in vitro, highlighting a multitarget action on cell death pathways which are typically deregulated in neoplasms onset and progression. Moreover, being AziRu inspired by the well-known NAMI-A complex, information on non-nanostructured Ru-based anticancer agents have been included in a precise manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Ferraro
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.G.F.); (M.P.); (F.M.)
| | - Marialuisa Piccolo
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.G.F.); (M.P.); (F.M.)
| | - Gabriella Misso
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy; (G.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Francesco Maione
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.G.F.); (M.P.); (F.M.)
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cintia 421, 80126 Naples, Italy; (D.M.); (L.P.)
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy; (G.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Luigi Paduano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cintia 421, 80126 Naples, Italy; (D.M.); (L.P.)
| | - Rita Santamaria
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.G.F.); (M.P.); (F.M.)
| | - Carlo Irace
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.G.F.); (M.P.); (F.M.)
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Caterino M, Herrmann M, Merlino A, Riccardi C, Montesarchio D, Mroginski MA, Musumeci D, Ruffo F, Paduano L, Hildebrandt P, Kozuch J, Vergara A. On the pH-Modulated Ru-Based Prodrug Activation Mechanism. Inorg Chem 2019; 58:1216-1223. [PMID: 30614697 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.8b02667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The RuIII-based prodrug AziRu efficiently binds to proteins, but the mechanism of its release is still disputed. Herein, in order to test the hypothesis of a reduction-mediated Ru release from proteins, a Raman-assisted crystallographic study on AziRu binding to a model protein (hen egg white lysozyme), in two different oxidation states, RuII and RuIII, was carried out. Our results indicate Ru reduction, but the Ru release upon reduction is dependent on the reducing agent. To better understand this process, a pH-dependent, spectroelectrochemical surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) study was performed also on AziRu-functionalized Au electrodes as a surrogate and simplest model system of RuII- and RuIII-based drugs. This SERS study provided a p Ka of 6.0 ± 0.4 for aquated AziRu in the RuIII state, which falls in the watershed range of pH values separating most cancer environments from their physiological counterparts. These experiments also indicate a dramatic shift of the redox potential E0 by >600 mV of aquated AziRu toward more positive potentials upon acidification, suggesting a selective AziRu reduction in cancer lumen but not in healthy ones. It is expected that the nature of the ligands (e.g., pyridine vs imidazole, present in well-known RuIII complex NAMI-A) will modulate the p Ka and E0, without affecting the underlying reaction mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Caterino
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Mona Herrmann
- Institut für Chemie , Technische Universität Berlin , Straße des 17 Juni 135 , Berlin 10623 , Germany
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Maria A Mroginski
- Institut für Chemie , Technische Universität Berlin , Straße des 17 Juni 135 , Berlin 10623 , Germany
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Francesco Ruffo
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Luigi Paduano
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Peter Hildebrandt
- Institut für Chemie , Technische Universität Berlin , Straße des 17 Juni 135 , Berlin 10623 , Germany
| | - Jacek Kozuch
- Institut für Chemie , Technische Universität Berlin , Straße des 17 Juni 135 , Berlin 10623 , Germany
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy.,CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a.r.l.m. , via G Salvatore , Naples I-80131 , Italy
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