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Xiao C, Wang X, Li S, Zhang Z, Li J, Deng Q, Chen X, Yang X, Li Z. A cuproptosis-based nanomedicine suppresses triple negative breast cancers by regulating tumor microenvironment and eliminating cancer stem cells. Biomaterials 2024; 313:122763. [PMID: 39180917 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Cuproptosis is a new kind of cell death that depends on delivering copper ions into mitochondria to trigger the aggradation of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle proteins and has been observed in various cancer cells. However, whether cuproptosis occurs in cancer stem cells (CSCs) is unexplored thus far, and CSCs often reside in a hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) of triple negative breast cancers (TNBC), which suppresses the expression of the cuproptosis protein FDX1, thereby diminishing anticancer efficacy of cuproptosis. Herein, a ROS-responsive active targeting cuproptosis-based nanomedicine CuET@PHF is developed by stabilizing copper ionophores CuET nanocrystals with polydopamine and hydroxyethyl starch to eradicate CSCs. By taking advantage of the photothermal effects of CuET@PHF, tumor hypoxia is overcome via tumor mechanics normalization, thereby leading to enhanced cuproptosis and immunogenic cell death in 4T1 CSCs. As a result, the integration of CuET@PHF and mild photothermal therapy not only significantly suppresses tumor growth but also effectively inhibits tumor recurrence and distant metastasis by eliminating CSCs and augmenting antitumor immune responses. This study presents the first evidence of cuproptosis in CSCs, reveals that disrupting hypoxia augments cuproptosis cancer therapy, and establishes a paradigm for potent cancer therapy by simultaneously eliminating CSCs and boosting antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Xiao
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Shiyou Li
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Zhijie Zhang
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Jiayuan Li
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Qingyuan Deng
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Xiangliang Yang
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medical, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China.
| | - Zifu Li
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medical, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China.
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2
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Pan Y, Yu L, Liu L, Zhang J, Liang S, Parshad B, Lai J, Ma LM, Wang Z, Rao L. Genetically engineered nanomodulators elicit potent immunity against cancer stem cells by checkpoint blockade and hypoxia relief. Bioact Mater 2024; 38:31-44. [PMID: 38699238 PMCID: PMC11061653 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Rapid development of checkpoint inhibitors has provided significant breakthroughs for cancer stem cell (CSC) therapy, while the therapeutic efficacy is restricted by hypoxia-mediated tumor immune evasion, especially hypoxia-induced CD47 overexpression in CSCs. Herein, we developed a genetically engineered CSC membrane-coated hollow manganese dioxide (hMnO2@gCMs) to elicit robust antitumor immunity by blocking CD47 and alleviating hypoxia to ultimately achieve the eradication of CSCs. The hMnO2 core effectively alleviated tumor hypoxia by inducing decomposition of tumor endogenous H2O2, thus suppressing the CSCs and reducing the expression of CD47. Cooperating with hypoxia relief-induced downregulation of CD47, the overexpressed SIRPα on gCM shell efficiently blocked the CD47-SIRPα "don't eat me" pathway, synergistically eliciting robust antitumor-mediated immune responses. In a B16F10-CSC bearing melanoma mouse model, the hMnO2@gCMs showed an enhanced therapeutic effect in eradicating CSCs and inhibiting tumor growth. Our work presents a simple, safe, and robust platform for CSC eradication and cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanwei Pan
- The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450014, China
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Ling Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Lujie Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
- Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Shuang Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Badri Parshad
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Jialin Lai
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Li-Min Ma
- Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zhaohui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Lang Rao
- The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450014, China
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
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Chu X, Tian W, Ning J, Xiao G, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Zhai Z, Tanzhu G, Yang J, Zhou R. Cancer stem cells: advances in knowledge and implications for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:170. [PMID: 38965243 PMCID: PMC11224386 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01851-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small subset of cells in tumors that are characterized by self-renewal and continuous proliferation, lead to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and maintain tumor heterogeneity. Cancer continues to be a significant global disease burden. In the past, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were the main cancer treatments. The technology of cancer treatments continues to develop and advance, and the emergence of targeted therapy, and immunotherapy provides more options for patients to a certain extent. However, the limitations of efficacy and treatment resistance are still inevitable. Our review begins with a brief introduction of the historical discoveries, original hypotheses, and pathways that regulate CSCs, such as WNT/β-Catenin, hedgehog, Notch, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, TGF-β, PI3K/AKT, PPAR pathway, and their crosstalk. We focus on the role of CSCs in various therapeutic outcomes and resistance, including how the treatments affect the content of CSCs and the alteration of related molecules, CSCs-mediated therapeutic resistance, and the clinical value of targeting CSCs in patients with refractory, progressed or advanced tumors. In summary, CSCs affect therapeutic efficacy, and the treatment method of targeting CSCs is still difficult to determine. Clarifying regulatory mechanisms and targeting biomarkers of CSCs is currently the mainstream idea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjing Chu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Wentao Tian
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jiaoyang Ning
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yunqi Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Zhuofan Zhai
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Guilong Tanzhu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410008, China.
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Yu B, Wang W, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Li C, Liu Q, Zhen X, Jiang X, Wu W. Enhancing the tumor penetration of multiarm polymers by collagenase modification. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:2302-2311. [PMID: 38497169 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm02123h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Tumor penetration is a critical determinant of the therapy efficacy of nanomedicines. However, the dense extracellular matrix (ECM) in tumors significantly hampers the deep penetration of nanomedicines, resulting in large drug-untouchable areas and unsatisfactory therapy efficacy. Herein, we synthesized a third-generation PAMAM-cored multiarm copolymer and modified the polymer with collagenase to enhance its tumor penetration. Each arm of the copolymer was a diblock copolymer of poly(glutamic acid)-b-poly(carboxybetaine), in which the polyglutamic acid block with abundant side groups was used to link the anticancer agent doxorubicin through the pH-sensitive acylhydrazone linkage, and the zwitterionic poly(carboxybetaine) block provided desired water solubility and anti-biofouling capability. The collagenase was conjugated to the ends of the arms via the thiol-maleimide reaction. We demonstrated that the polymer-bound collagenase could effectively catalyze the degradation of the collagen in the tumor ECM, and consequently augmented the tumor penetration and antitumor efficacy of the drug-loaded polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yu
- MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, and College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P.R. China.
| | - Weijie Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, and College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P.R. China.
| | - Yongmin Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, and College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P.R. China.
| | - Ying Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, and College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P.R. China.
| | - Cheng Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, and College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P.R. China.
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Xu Zhen
- MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, and College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P.R. China.
| | - Xiqun Jiang
- MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, and College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P.R. China.
| | - Wei Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, and College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P.R. China.
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5
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Gao Y, Cai X, Zou W, Tang X, Jiang L, Hao J, Zheng Y, Ye X, Ying T, Li A. Self-supplying Cu 2+ and H 2O 2 synergistically enhancing disulfiram-mediated melanoma chemotherapy. RSC Adv 2024; 14:13180-13189. [PMID: 38655468 PMCID: PMC11036371 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra01075b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Disulfiram (DSF) can target and kill cancer cells by disrupting cellular degradation of extruded proteins and has therefore received particular attention for its tumor chemotherapeutic potential. However, the uncontrollable Cu2+/DSF ratio reduces the efficacy of DSF-mediated chemotherapy. Herein, self-supplying Cu2+ and oxidative stress synergistically enhanced DSF-mediated chemotherapy is proposed for melanoma-based on PVP-coated CuO2 nanodots (CPNDs). Once ingested, DSF is broken down to diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC), which is delivered into a tumor via the circulation. Under the acidic tumor microenvironment, CPNDs produce sufficient Cu2+ and H2O2. DTC readily chelates Cu2+ ions to generate CuET, which shows antitumor efficacy. CuET-mediated chemotherapy can be enhanced by H2O2. Sufficient Cu2+ generation can guarantee the maximum efficacy of DSF-mediated chemotherapy. Furthermore, released Cu2+ can be reduced to Cu+ by glutathione (GSH) and O2- in tumor cells, and Cu+ can react with H2O2 to generate toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH) via a Fenton-like reaction, promoting the efficacy of CuET. Therefore, this study hypothesizes that employing CPNDs instead of Cu2+ ions could enhance DSF-mediated melanoma chemotherapy, providing a simple but efficient strategy for achieving chemotherapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqian Gao
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing Jiangsu China
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu China
| | - Xiaojun Cai
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Weijuan Zou
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Xiuzhen Tang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Lixian Jiang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Junnian Hao
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Yuanyi Zheng
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Xinhua Ye
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing Jiangsu China
| | - Tao Ying
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Ao Li
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing Jiangsu China
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6
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Sun S, Yang Q, Jiang D, Zhang Y. Nanobiotechnology augmented cancer stem cell guided management of cancer: liquid-biopsy, imaging, and treatment. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:176. [PMID: 38609981 PMCID: PMC11015566 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02432-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent both a key driving force and therapeutic target of tumoral carcinogenesis, tumor evolution, progression, and recurrence. CSC-guided tumor diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance are strategically significant in improving cancer patients' overall survival. Due to the heterogeneity and plasticity of CSCs, high sensitivity, specificity, and outstanding targeting are demanded for CSC detection and targeting. Nanobiotechnologies, including biosensors, nano-probes, contrast enhancers, and drug delivery systems, share identical features required. Implementing these techniques may facilitate the overall performance of CSC detection and targeting. In this review, we focus on some of the most recent advances in how nanobiotechnologies leverage the characteristics of CSC to optimize cancer diagnosis and treatment in liquid biopsy, clinical imaging, and CSC-guided nano-treatment. Specifically, how nanobiotechnologies leverage the attributes of CSC to maximize the detection of circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor cells, and exosomes, to improve positron emission computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and to enhance the therapeutic effects of cytotoxic therapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy therapy, and radioimmunotherapy are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Qiang Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Dawei Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, the Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Wang Q, Li S, Xu C, Wang X, Yang T, Wang C, Xiong Y, Zhang Z, Yang X, Li Z. Glutaminolysis inhibition boosts photodynamic therapy to eliminate cancer stem cells. Biomaterials 2024; 306:122497. [PMID: 38310827 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
High reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels provide a therapeutic opportunity to eradicate cancer stem cells (CSCs), a population of cells responsible for tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and recurrence. However, enhanced antioxidant systems in this population of cells attenuate ROS-inducing therapies. Here, we developed a nanoparticle-assisted combination therapy to eliminate CSCs by employing photodynamic therapy (PDT) to yield ROS while disrupting ROS defense with glutaminolysis inhibition. Specifically, we leveraged an oleic acid-hemicyanine conjugate (CyOA) as photosensitizer, a new entity molecule HYL001 as glutaminolysis inhibitor, and a biocompatible folic acid-hydroxyethyl starch conjugate (FA-HES) as amphiphilic surfactant to construct cellular and mitochondrial hierarchical targeting nanomedicine (COHF NPs). COHF NPs inhibited glutaminolysis to reduce intracellular ROS scavengers, including glutathione (GSH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), and to blunt oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) for oxygen-conserved PDT. Compared to COLF NPs without glutaminolysis inhibitor, COHF NPs exhibited higher phototoxicity to breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) both in vitro and in vivo. More importantly, we corroborated that marketed glutaminolysis inhibitors, such as CB839 and V9302, augment the clinically used photosensitizer (Hiporfin) for BCSCs elimination. This study develops a potent CSCs targeting strategy by combining glutaminolysis inhibition with PDT and provides significant implications for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Shiyou Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Chen Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Xing Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Tian Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Chong Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Yuxuan Xiong
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Zhijie Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Xiangliang Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medical, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Zifu Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medical, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China.
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8
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Xiao C, Li J, Hua A, Wang X, Li S, Li Z, Xu C, Zhang Z, Yang X, Li Z. Hyperbaric Oxygen Boosts Antitumor Efficacy of Copper-Diethyldithiocarbamate Nanoparticles against Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by Regulating Cancer Stem Cell Metabolism. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2024; 7:0335. [PMID: 38766644 PMCID: PMC11100349 DOI: 10.34133/research.0335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Cuproptosis-based cancer nanomedicine has received widespread attention recently. However, cuproptosis nanomedicine against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is severely limited by cancer stem cells (CSCs), which reside in the hypoxic stroma and adopt glycolysis metabolism accordingly to resist cuproptosis-induced mitochondria damage. Here, we leverage hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) to regulate CSC metabolism by overcoming tumor hypoxia and to augment CSC elimination efficacy of polydopamine and hydroxyethyl starch stabilized copper-diethyldithiocarbamate nanoparticles (CuET@PH NPs). Mechanistically, while HBO and CuET@PH NPs inhibit glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, respectively, the combination of HBO and CuET@PH NPs potently suppresses energy metabolism of CSCs, thereby achieving robust tumor inhibition of PDAC and elongating mice survival importantly. This study reveals novel insights into the effects of cuproptosis nanomedicine on PDAC CSC metabolism and suggests that the combination of HBO with cuproptosis nanomedicine holds significant clinical translation potential for PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Xiao
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Jiayuan Li
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Ao Hua
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Shiyou Li
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Zhijie Zhang
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Xiangliang Yang
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medical,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Zifu Li
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biopharmaceuticals, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medical,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
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9
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Wang S, Wang J, Chen Z, Luo J, Guo W, Sun L, Lin L. Targeting M2-like tumor-associated macrophages is a potential therapeutic approach to overcome antitumor drug resistance. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:31. [PMID: 38341519 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00522-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor drug resistance emerges from the interaction of two critical factors: tumor cellular heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) constitute essential components of the TME. M2-like TAMs are essential in facilitating tumor metastasis as well as augmenting the drug resistance of tumors. This review encapsulates the mechanisms that M2-like TAMs use to promote tumor drug resistance. We also describe the emerging therapeutic strategies that are currently targeting M2-like TAMs in combination with other antitumor drugs, with some still undergoing clinical trial evaluation. Furthermore, we summarize and analyze various existing approaches for developing novel drugs that target M2-like TAMs to overcome tumor resistance, highlighting how targeting M2-like TAMs can effectively stop tumor growth, metastasis, and overcome tumor drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujing Wang
- The First Clinical Medical School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingrui Wang
- The First Clinical Medical School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- The First Clinical Medical School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiamin Luo
- The First Clinical Medical School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Guo
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingling Sun
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lizhu Lin
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Clinical Research Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
- Lingnan Medical Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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10
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Zhong Q, Wang H, Yang J, Tu R, Li A, Zeng G, Zheng Q, Yu Liu Z, Shang‐Guan Z, Bo Huang X, Huang Q, Li Y, Zheng H, Lin G, Huang Z, Xu K, Qiu W, Jiang M, Zhao Y, Lin J, Huang Z, Huang J, Li P, Xie J, Zheng C, Chen Q, Huang C. Loss of ATOH1 in Pit Cell Drives Stemness and Progression of Gastric Adenocarcinoma by Activating AKT/mTOR Signaling through GAS1. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301977. [PMID: 37824217 PMCID: PMC10646280 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) are self-renewing tumor cells that govern chemoresistance in gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC), whereas their regulatory mechanisms remain elusive. Here, the study aims to elucidate the role of ATOH1 in the maintenance of GCSCs. The preclinical model and GAC sample analysis indicate that ATOH1 deficiency is correlated with poor GAC prognosis and chemoresistance. ScRNA-seq reveals that ATOH1 is downregulated in the pit cells of GAC compared with those in paracarcinoma samples. Lineage tracing reveals that Atoh1 deletion strongly confers pit cell stemness. ATOH1 depletion significantly accelerates cancer stemness and chemoresistance in Tff1-CreERT2; Rosa26Tdtomato and Tff1-CreERT2; Apcfl/fl ; p53fl/fl (TcPP) mouse models and organoids. ATOH1 deficiency downregulates growth arrest-specific protein 1 (GAS1) by suppressing GAS1 promoter transcription. GAS1 forms a complex with RET, which inhibits Tyr1062 phosphorylation, and consequently activates the RET/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by ATOH1 deficiency. Combining chemotherapy with drugs targeting AKT/mTOR signaling can overcome ATOH1 deficiency-induced chemoresistance. Moreover, it is confirmed that abnormal DNA hypermethylation induces ATOH1 deficiency. Taken together, the results demonstrate that ATOH1 loss promotes cancer stemness through the ATOH1/GAS1/RET/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in GAC, thus providing a potential therapeutic strategy for AKT/mTOR inhibitors in GAC patients with ATOH1 deficiency.
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11
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Du H, Meng S, Geng M, Zhao P, Gong L, Zheng X, Li X, Yuan Z, Yang H, Zhao Y, Dai L. Detachable MOF-Based Core/Shell Nanoreactor for Cancer Dual-Starvation Therapy With Reversing Glucose and Glutamine Metabolisms. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2303253. [PMID: 37330663 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-dependent glucose and glutamine metabolisms are essential for maintaining survival, while the accordingly metabolic suppressive therapy is limited by the compensatory metabolism and inefficient delivery efficiency. Herein, a functional metal-organic framework (MOF)-based nanosystem composed of the weakly acidic tumor microenvironment-activated detachable shell and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive disassembled MOF nanoreactor core is designed to co-load glycolysis and glutamine metabolism inhibitors glucose oxidase (GOD) and bis-2-(5-phenylacetmido-1,2,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) ethyl sulfide (BPTES) for tumor dual-starvation therapy. The nanosystem excitingly improves tumor penetration and cellular uptake efficiency via integrating the pH-responsive size reduction and charge reversal and ROS-sensitive MOF disintegration and drug release strategy. Furthermore, the degradation of MOF and cargoes release can be self-amplified via additional self-generation H2 O2 mediated by GOD. Last, the released GOD and BPTES collaboratively cut off the energy supply of tumors and induce significant mitochondrial damage and cell cycle arrest via simultaneous restriction of glycolysis and compensatory glutamine metabolism pathways, consequently realizing the remarkable triple negative breast cancer killing effect in vivo with good biosafety via the dual starvation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiping Du
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Siyu Meng
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Meijuan Geng
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Pan Zhao
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Liyang Gong
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Xinmin Zheng
- School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xian, 710072, China
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xian, 710072, China
| | - Zhang Yuan
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Hui Yang
- School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xian, 710072, China
| | - Yanli Zhao
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore, 637371, Singapore
| | - Liangliang Dai
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
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12
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Wang Q, Yang T, Li S, Xu C, Wang C, Xiong Y, Wang X, Wan J, Yang X, Li Z. Unimolecular Self-Assembled Hemicyanine-Oleic Acid Conjugate Acts as a Novel Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor to Amplify Photodynamic Therapy and Eliminate Cancer Stem Cells. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0223. [PMID: 37680304 PMCID: PMC10482163 DOI: 10.34133/research.0223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy with reactive oxygen species production is a prospective treatment to combat cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the innate drawbacks, including short lifetime and diffusion distance of reactive oxygen species and hypoxia within solid tumors, have become bottlenecks for clinical applications of photodynamic therapy. Here, we develop a mitochondria-targeting hemicyanine-oleic acid conjugate (CyOA), which can self-assemble into supramolecular nanoparticles (NPs) without any exogenous excipients. CyOA is also shown for targeting the mitochondrial complex II protein succinate dehydrogenase to inhibit oxidative phosphorylation and reverse tumor hypoxia, resulting in 50.4-fold higher phototoxicity against breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) compared to SO3-CyOA NPs that cannot target to mitochondria. In 4T1 and BCSC tumor models, CyOA NPs achieve higher tumor inhibition and less lung metastasis nodules compared to the clinically used photosensitizer Hiporfin. This study develops a self-assembled small molecule that can serve as both oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor and photosensitizer for eradication of CSCs and treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Tian Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Shiyou Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Chen Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Chong Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Yuxuan Xiong
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Xing Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Jiangling Wan
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Xiangliang Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medical,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Zifu Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medical,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
- Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
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13
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Wang H, Zhang Z, Ruan S, Yan Q, Chen Y, Cui J, Wang X, Huang S, Hou B. Regulation of iron metabolism and ferroptosis in cancer stem cells. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1251561. [PMID: 37736551 PMCID: PMC10509481 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1251561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of cancer stem cells (CSCs) to self-renew, differentiate, and generate new tumors is a significant contributor to drug resistance, relapse, and metastasis. Therefore, the targeting of CSCs for treatment is particularly important. Recent studies have demonstrated that CSCs are more susceptible to ferroptosis than non-CSCs, indicating that this could be an effective strategy for treating tumors. Ferroptosis is a type of programmed cell death that results from the accumulation of lipid peroxides caused by intracellular iron-mediated processes. CSCs exhibit different molecular characteristics related to iron and lipid metabolism. This study reviews the alterations in iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and lipid peroxide scavenging in CSCs, their impact on ferroptosis, and the regulatory mechanisms underlying iron metabolism and ferroptosis. Potential treatment strategies and novel compounds targeting CSC by inducing ferroptosis are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailiang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Weihai Central Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Weihai, China
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhongyan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Heyuan People’s Hospital, Heyuan, China
| | - Shiye Ruan
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Heyuan People’s Hospital, Heyuan, China
| | - Qian Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Heyuan People’s Hospital, Heyuan, China
| | - Yubin Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Heyuan People’s Hospital, Heyuan, China
| | - Jinwei Cui
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Heyuan People’s Hospital, Heyuan, China
| | - Xinjian Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Weihai Central Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Weihai, China
| | - Shanzhou Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Heyuan People’s Hospital, Heyuan, China
- Department of General Surgery, South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baohua Hou
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Heyuan People’s Hospital, Heyuan, China
- Department of General Surgery, South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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14
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Liu H, Liu M, Zhao Y, Mo R. Nanomedicine strategies to counteract cancer stemness and chemoresistance. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:630-656. [PMID: 37720349 PMCID: PMC10501898 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) identified by self-renewal ability and tumor-initiating potential are responsible for tumor recurrence and metastasis in many cancers. Conventional chemotherapy fails to eradicate CSCs that hold a state of dormancy and possess multi-drug resistance. Spurred by the progress of nanotechnology for drug delivery and biomedical applications, nanomedicine has been increasingly developed to tackle stemness-associated chemotherapeutic resistance for cancer therapy. This review focuses on advances in nanomedicine-mediated therapeutic strategies to overcome chemoresistance by specifically targeting CSCs, the combination of chemotherapeutics with chemopotentiators, and programmable controlled drug release. Perspectives from materials and formulations at the nano-scales are specifically surveyed. Future opportunities and challenges are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huayu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mingqi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ran Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China
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15
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Gong L, Lu Y, Wang J, Li X, Zhao J, Chen Y, Ma R, Ma J, Liu T, Han S. Cocktail hepatocarcinoma therapy by a super-assembled nano-pill targeting XPO1 and ATR synergistically. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:603-615. [PMID: 37440910 PMCID: PMC10334348 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Intensive cancer treatment with drug combination is widely exploited in the clinic but suffers from inconsistent pharmacokinetics among different therapeutic agents. To overcome it, the emerging nanomedicine offers an unparalleled opportunity for encapsulating multiple drugs in a nano-carrier. Herein, a two-step super-assembled strategy was performed to unify the pharmacokinetics of a peptide and a small molecular compound. In this proof-of-concept study, the bioinformatics analysis firstly revealed the potential synergies towards hepatoma therapy for the associative inhibition of exportin 1 (XPO1) and ataxia telangiectasia mutated-Rad3-related (ATR), and then a super-assembled nano-pill (gold nano drug carrier loaded AZD6738 and 97-110 amino acids of apoptin (AP) (AA@G)) was constructed through camouflaging AZD6738 (ATR small-molecule inhibitor)-binding human serum albumin onto the AP-Au supramolecular nanoparticle. As expected, both in vitro and in vivo experiment results verified that the AA@G possessed extraordinary biocompatibility and enhanced therapeutic effect through inducing cell cycle arrest, promoting DNA damage and inhibiting DNA repair of hepatoma cell. This work not only provides a co-delivery strategy for intensive liver cancer treatment with the clinical translational potential, but develops a common approach to unify the pharmacokinetics of peptide and small-molecular compounds, thereby extending the scope of drugs for developing the advanced combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuyun Gong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Yinliang Lu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Xinyue Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215000, China
| | - Yuetong Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Rongze Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jinlu Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Tianya Liu
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biodiagnosis and Biotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Suxia Han
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
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16
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Martins-Neves SR, Sampaio-Ribeiro G, Gomes CMF. Self-Renewal and Pluripotency in Osteosarcoma Stem Cells' Chemoresistance: Notch, Hedgehog, and Wnt/β-Catenin Interplay with Embryonic Markers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098401. [PMID: 37176108 PMCID: PMC10179672 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is a highly malignant bone tumor derived from mesenchymal cells that contains self-renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are responsible for tumor progression and chemotherapy resistance. Understanding the signaling pathways that regulate CSC self-renewal and survival is crucial for developing effective therapies. The Notch, Hedgehog, and Wnt/β-Catenin developmental pathways, which are essential for self-renewal and differentiation of normal stem cells, have been identified as important regulators of osteosarcoma CSCs and also in the resistance to anticancer therapies. Targeting these pathways and their interactions with embryonic markers and the tumor microenvironment may be a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome chemoresistance and improve the prognosis for osteosarcoma patients. This review focuses on the role of Notch, Hedgehog, and Wnt/β-Catenin signaling in regulating CSC self-renewal, pluripotency, and chemoresistance, and their potential as targets for anti-cancer therapies. We also discuss the relevance of embryonic markers, including SOX-2, Oct-4, NANOG, and KLF4, in osteosarcoma CSCs and their association with the aforementioned signaling pathways in overcoming drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Martins-Neves
- iCBR-Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Gabriela Sampaio-Ribeiro
- iCBR-Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- CACC-Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Célia M F Gomes
- iCBR-Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- CACC-Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
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17
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An iron oxyhydroxide-based nanosystem sensitizes ferroptosis by a "Three-Pronged" strategy in breast cancer stem cells. Acta Biomater 2023; 160:281-296. [PMID: 36822484 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The anti-apoptotic mechanism of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) makes it an obstacle to traditional apoptosis as the primary way of death. Ferroptosis is a recently reported mode of programmed cell death caused by the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation (LPO) in cells. High dependence on iron makes BCSCs more sensitive to ferroptosis. However, the high level of the Prominin2 protein and high concentration of GSH in BCSCs make BCSCs able to efflux excess iron ions and clear LPO, which limits the therapeutic efficacy of ferroptosis in BCSCs. To overcome this obstacle, we designed a hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated siProminin2-loaded FeOOH nanoparticle (FeOOH/siPROM2@HA) to amplify ferroptosis. The FeOOH/siPROM2@HA is stable under physiologically neutral conditions but generates Fe3+ in an acidic microenvironment; meanwhile, the released siProminin2 inhibits its efflux, and then Fe3+ undergoes a redox reaction with endogenous GSH to produce Fe2+, which initiates the Fenton reaction-based ferroptosis by LPO elevation. Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that these pH-sensitive NPs significantly inhibited tumor growth by downregulating glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Overall, this work demonstrates a "three-pronged" strategy for amplified ferroptotic therapy by simultaneously promoting intracellular iron, inhibiting iron efflux, and depleting GSH, which presents a potential strategy for CSC-targeted cancer therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: As the root of recurrence and metastasis, breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are resistant to traditional apoptotic death, so it is urgent to explore a new death mode for BCSCs. It has been reported that BCSCs are highly iron-dependent and, therefore, more sensitive to ferroptosis; however, the therapeutic efficacy is greatly limited by the overexpression of Prominin2 in BCSCs, which is correlated with resistance to ferroptosis by exocytosis of iron ions. In this work, we designed a hyaluronic acid-coated siProminin2-loaded FeOOH nano-drug (FeOOH/siPROM2@HA) to accelerate ferroptosis of BCSCs by simultaneously increasing iron ion content, inhibiting iron efflux, and scavenging GSH. This "three-pronged" strategy has significant implications for BCSC-targeted cancer therapy.
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18
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Wang Q, Li S, Xu C, Hua A, Wang C, Xiong Y, Deng Q, Chen X, Yang T, Wan J, Ding ZY, Zhang BX, Yang X, Li Z. A novel lonidamine derivative targeting mitochondria to eliminate cancer stem cells by blocking glutamine metabolism. Pharmacol Res 2023; 190:106740. [PMID: 36958408 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been blamed as the main culprit of tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, chemoresistance, and recurrence. However, few anti-CSCs agents have achieved clinical success so far. Here we report a novel derivative of lonidamine (LND), namely HYL001, which selectively and potently inhibits CSCs by targeting mitochondria, with 380-fold and 340-fold lower IC50 values against breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) and hepatocellular carcinoma stem cells (HCSCs), respectively, compared to LND. Mechanistically, we reveal that HYL001 downregulates glutaminase (GLS) expression to block glutamine metabolism, blunt tricarboxylic acid cycle, and amplify mitochondrial oxidative stress, leading to apoptotic cell death. Therefore, HYL001 displays significant antitumor activity in vivo, both as a single agent and combined with paclitaxel. Furthermore, HYL001 represses CSCs of fresh tumor tissues derived from liver cancer patients. This study provides critical implications for CSCs biology and development of potent anti-CSCs drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Shiyou Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Chen Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Ao Hua
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Chong Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Yuxuan Xiong
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Qingyuan Deng
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Tian Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Jiangling Wan
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Ze-Yang Ding
- Hepatic Surgery Center and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Bi-Xiang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Xiangliang Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medical, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China; GBA Research Innovation Institute for Nanotechnology, Guangdong, 510530, P. R. China; Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Zifu Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medical, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China; Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China; Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.
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19
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Hydroxyethyl starch stabilized copper-diethyldithiocarbamate nanocrystals for cancer therapy. J Control Release 2023; 356:288-305. [PMID: 36870542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been recognized as the culprit for tumor progression, treatment resistance, metastasis, and recurrence while redox homeostasis represents the Achilles' Heel of CSCs. However, few drugs or formulations that are capable of elevating oxidative stress have achieved clinical success for eliminating CSCs. Here, we report hydroxyethyl starch stabilized copper-diethyldithiocarbamate nanoparticles (CuET@HES NPs), which conspicuously suppress CSCs not only in vitro but also in numerous tumor models in vivo. Furthermore, CuET@HES NPs effectively inhibit CSCs in fresh tumor tissues surgically excised from hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Mechanistically, we uncover that hydroxyethyl starch stabilized copper-diethyldithiocarbamate nanocrystals via copper‑oxygen coordination interactions, thereby promoting copper-diethyldithiocarbamate colloidal stability, cellular uptake, intracellular reactive oxygen species production, and CSCs apoptosis. As all components are widely used in clinics, CuET@HES NPs represent promising treatments for CSCs-rich solid malignancies and hold great clinical translational potentials. This study has critical implications for design of CSCs targeting nanomedicines.
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20
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Wang T, Liu K, Wang J, Xiang G, Hu X, Bai H, Lei W, Tao TH, Feng Y. Spatiotemporal Regulation of Injectable Heterogeneous Silk Gel Scaffolds for Accelerating Guided Vertebral Repair. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202210. [PMID: 36465008 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Osteoporotic vertebral fracture is jeopardizing the health of the aged population around the world, while the hypoxia microenvironment and oxidative damage of bone defect make it difficult to perform effective tissue regeneration. The balance of oxidative stress and the coupling of vessel and bone ingrowth are critical for bone regeneration. In this study, an injectable heterogeneous silk gel scaffold which can spatiotemporally and sustainedly release bone mesenchymal stem cell-derived small extracellular vesicles, HIF-1α pathway activator, and inhibitor is developed for bone repair and vertebral reinforcement. The initial enhancement of HIF-1α upregulates the expression of VEGF to promote angiogenesis, and the balance of reactive oxygen species level is regulated to effectively eliminate oxidative damage and abnormal microenvironment. The subsequent inhibition of HIF-1α avoids the overexpression of VEGF and vascular overgrowth. Meanwhile, complex macroporous structures and suitable mechanical support can be obtained within the silk gel scaffolds, which will promote in situ bone regeneration. These findings provide a new clinical translation strategy for osteoporotic vertebral augmentation on basis of hypoxia microenvironment improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianji Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Keyin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Geng Xiang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Xiaofan Hu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Hao Bai
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Wei Lei
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Tiger H Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China.,Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.,School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 200031, China.,Institute of Brain-Intelligence Technology, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai, 200031, China.,Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yafei Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
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21
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Xiang L, Li Y, Gu X, Li S, Li J, Li J, Yi Y. Nucleolin recognizing silica nanoparticles inhibit cell proliferation by activating the Bax/Bcl-2/caspase-3 signalling pathway to induce apoptosis in liver cancer. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1117052. [PMID: 36843953 PMCID: PMC9947157 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1117052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Multifunctional nanocarrier platforms have shown great potential for the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. Here, a novel nucleolin-responsive nanoparticle platform was constructed for the concurrent detection of nucleolin and treatment of liver cancer. The incorporation of AS1411 aptamer, icaritin (ICT) and FITC into mesoporous silica nanoparticles, labelled as Atp-MSN (ICT@FITC) NPs, was the key to offer functionalities. The specific combination of the target nucleolin and AS1411 aptamer caused AS1411 to separate from mesoporous silica nanoparticles surface, allowing FITC and ICT to be released. Subsequently, nucleolin could be detected by monitoring the fluorescence intensity. In addition, Atp-MSN (ICT@FITC) NPs can not only inhibit cell proliferation but also improve the level of ROS while activating the Bax/Bcl-2/caspase-3 signalling pathway to induce apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, our results demonstrated that Atp-MSN (ICT@FITC) NPs had low toxicity and could induce CD3+ T-cell infiltration. As a result, Atp-MSN (ICT@FITC) NPs may provide a reliable and secure platform for the simultaneous identification and treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangliang Xiang
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Li
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinyu Gu
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shujie Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Junwei Li
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinlong Li
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China,*Correspondence: Jinlong Li, ; Yongxiang Yi,
| | - Yongxiang Yi
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China,*Correspondence: Jinlong Li, ; Yongxiang Yi,
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22
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Hydroxyethyl starch-folic acid conjugates stabilized theranostic nanoparticles for cancer therapy. J Control Release 2023; 353:391-410. [PMID: 36473606 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.11.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Small molecular prodrug-based nanomedicines with high drug-loading efficiency and tumor selectivity have attracted great attention for cancer therapy against solid tumors, including triple negative breast cancers (TNBC). However, abnormal tumor mechanical microenvironment (TMME) severely restricts antitumor efficacy of prodrug nanomedicines by limiting drug delivery and fostering cancer stem cells (CSCs). Herein, we employed carbamate disulfide bridged doxorubicin dimeric prodrug as pharmaceutical ingredient, marketed IR780 iodide as photothermal agent, and biocompatible hydroxyethyl starch-folic acid conjugates as amphiphilic surfactant to prepare a theranostic nanomedicine (FDINs), which could actively target at TNBC 4T1 tumor tissues and achieve reduction-responsive drug release with high glutathione concentration in cancer cells and CSCs. Importantly, in addition to directly causing damage to cancer cells and sensitizing chemotherapy, FDINs-mediated photothermal effect regulates aberrant TMME via reducing cancer associated fibroblasts and depleting extracellular matrix proteins, thereby normalizing intratumor vessel structure and function to facilitate drug and oxygen delivery. Furthermore, FDINs potently eliminate CSCs by disrupting unique CSCs niche and consuming intracellular GSH in CSCs. As a result, FDINs significantly suppress tumor growth in both subcutaneous and orthotopic 4T1 tumors. This study provides novel insights on rational design of prodrug nanomedicines for superior therapeutic effect against stroma- and CSCs-rich solid malignancies.
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23
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Yong T, Wei Z, Gan L, Yang X. Extracellular-Vesicle-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Enhanced Antitumor Therapies through Modulating the Cancer-Immunity Cycle. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2201054. [PMID: 35726204 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202201054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Although immunotherapy harnessing activity of the immune system against tumors has made great progress, the treatment efficacy remains limited in most cancers. Current anticancer immunotherapy is primarily based on T-cell-mediated cellular immunity, which highly relies on efficiency of triggering the cancer-immunity cycle, namely, tumor antigen release, antigen presentation by antigen presenting cells, T cell activation, recruitment and infiltration of T cells into tumors, and recognition and killing of tumor cells by T cells. Unfortunately, these immunotherapies are restricted by inefficient drug delivery and acting on only a single step of the cancer-immunity cycle. Due to high biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, intrinsic cell targeting, and easy chemical and genetic manipulation, extracellular vesicle (EV)-based drug delivery systems are widely used to amplify anticancer immune responses by serving as an integrated platform for multiple drugs or therapeutic strategies to synergistically activate several steps of cancer-immunity cycle. This review summarizes various mechanisms related to affecting cancer-immunity cycle disorders. Meanwhile, preparation and application of EV-based drug delivery systems in modulating cancer-immunity cycle are introduced, especially in the improvement of T cell recruitment and infiltration into tumors. Finally, opportunities and challenges of EV-based drug delivery systems in translational clinical applications are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuying Yong
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Zhaohan Wei
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Lu Gan
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Xiangliang Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
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24
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Liao W, Li Y, Wang J, Zhao M, Chen N, Zheng Q, Wan L, Mou Y, Tang J, Wang Z. Natural Products-Based Nanoformulations: A New Approach Targeting CSCs to Cancer Therapy. Int J Nanomedicine 2022; 17:4163-4193. [PMID: 36134202 PMCID: PMC9482958 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s380697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) lead to the occurrence and progression of cancer due to their strong tumorigenic, self-renewal, and multidirectional differentiation abilities. Existing cancer treatment methods cannot effectively kill or inhibit CSCs but instead enrich them and produce stronger proliferation, invasion, and metastasis capabilities, resulting in cancer recurrence and treatment resistance, which has become a difficult problem in clinical treatment. Therefore, targeting CSCs may be the most promising approach for comprehensive cancer therapy in the future. A variety of natural products (NP) have significant antitumor effects and have been identified to target and inhibit CSCs. However, pharmacokinetic defects and off-target effects have greatly hindered their clinical translation. NP-based nanoformulations (NPNs) have tremendous potential to overcome the disadvantages of NP against CSCs through site-specific delivery and by improving their pharmacokinetic parameters. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of NPNs targeting CSCs in cancer therapy, looking forward to transforming preclinical research results into clinical applications and bringing new prospects for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Liao
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuchen Li
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.,College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bishan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Maoyuan Zhao
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Nianzhi Chen
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiao Zheng
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina Wan
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Mou
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianyuan Tang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.,TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhilei Wang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.,TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
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25
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Yan J, Long X, Liang Y, Li F, Yu H, Li Y, Li Z, Tian Y, He B, Sun Y. Nanodrug delivery systems and cancer stem cells: From delivery carriers to treatment. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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26
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Cui Y, Zhao M, Yang Y, Xu R, Tong L, Liang J, Zhang X, Sun Y, Fan Y. Reversal of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Inhibition of Tumor Stemness of Breast Cancer Cells Through Advanced Combined Chemotherapy. Acta Biomater 2022; 152:380-392. [PMID: 36028199 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The abnormal activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in drug-resistant tumor cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs) stimulate tumor metastasis and recurrence. Here, a promising combined chemotherapeutic strategy of salinomycin (SL) and doxorubicin (DOX) with specific inhibition of tumor stemness by a targeted co-delivery nanosystem was developed to overcome this abnormal progression. This strategy could be benefit drugs to effectively penetrate and infiltrate into spheres of 3D-cultured breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). The expression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related genes (β-catenin, LRP6, LEF1, and TCF12) and target genes (Cyclin D1, Cmyc, and Fibronectin) as well as CSC stemness-related genes (Oct4, Nanog, and Hes1) was downregulated by redox-sensitive co-delivery micelles decorated with oligohyaluronic acid as the active targeting moiety. The changes in EMT-associated gene expression (E-cadherin and Vimentin) in vitro showed that the EMT process was also effectively inverted. This strategy achieved a strong inhibitory effect on solid tumor growth and an effective reduction in the risk of tumor metastasis in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice in vivo and effectively alleviated splenomegaly caused by the malignant tumor. Immunohistochemical staining analysis of E-cadherin, Vimentin, and β-catenin confirmed that the inversion of the EMT was also achieved in solid tumors. These results highlight the potential of SL and DOX combined chemotherapeutic strategy for eliminating breast carcinoma. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cancer stem cells (CSCs), as an important part of tumor heterogeneity, can survive against conventional chemotherapy and initiate tumorigenesis, recurrence, and metastasis. Moreover, non-CSCs can convert into the CSC state through the abnormal Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which is closely related to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Here, redox-degradable binary drug-loaded micelles (PPH/DOX+SL) were designed to target CSCs and overcome drug resistance of breast cancer cells. The combined chemotherapy of salinomycin (SL) and doxorubicin (DOX) reversed drug resistance, while the PPH/DOX+SL micelles enhanced the intracellular accumulation and drug penetration of BCSC spheres. The introduction of SL downregulated the expression of tumor stemness genes and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related genes and inverted the EMT process. PPH/DOX+SL continuously inhibited tumor growth and invasion in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yani Cui
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China
| | - Mingda Zhao
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China
| | - Yuedi Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China
| | - Ruiling Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China
| | - Lei Tong
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China
| | - Jie Liang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; Sichuan Testing Centre for Biomaterials and Medical Devices, No.29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610064, China
| | - Xingdong Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China
| | - Yong Sun
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China.
| | - Yujiang Fan
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China.
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27
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Fan T, Kuang G, Long R, Han Y, Wang J. The overall process of metastasis: From initiation to a new tumor. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188750. [PMID: 35728735 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis-a process that involves the migration of cells from the primary site to distant organs-is the leading cause of cancer-associated death. Improved technology and in-depth research on tumors have furthered our understanding of the various mechanisms involved in tumor metastasis. Metastasis is initiated by cancer cells of a specific phenotype, which migrate with the assistance of extracellular components and metastatic traits conferred via epigenetic regulation while modifying their behavior in response to the complex and dynamic human internal environment. In this review, we have summarized the general steps involved in tumor metastasis and their characteristics, incorporating recent studies and topical issues, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells, neutrophil extracellular traps, pre-metastatic niche, extracellular vesicles, and dormancy. Several feasible treatment directions have also been summarized. In addition, the correlation between cancer metastasis and lifestyle factors, such as obesity and circadian rhythm, has been illustrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyue Fan
- Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Guicheng Kuang
- Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Runmin Long
- Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yunwei Han
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China.
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28
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Tang Y, Yang X, Wang Q, Huang H, Wang Q, Jiang M, Yuan C, Huang Y, Chen Y. ING4 Promotes Stemness Enrichment of Human Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells Through Inhibiting DUSP4 Expression to Activate the p38 MAPK/type I IFN-Stimulated Gene Signaling Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:845097. [PMID: 35496267 PMCID: PMC9046557 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.845097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) recurs frequently due to high metastatic spread, resulting in a high mortality. Cancer stem cells play a critical role in initiating the tumor metastasis. Inhibitor of growth 4 (ING4) is a member of the ING family, but its impact on cancer stem cells in RCC is still unknown. In this study, we found that ING4 significantly promoted the sphere-forming size and number of RCC cells under an ultralow-attachment culture condition in vitro, tumor growth and metastasis in vivo, and the expression of some stem-like or pluripotent biomarkers CD44, MYC, OCT4, and NANOG, indicating that ING4 increased the stemness enrichment of RCC cells. Mechanistically, the ING4-activated p38 MAPK pathway possibly upregulated the expression of type I IFN-stimulated genes to promote the formation of RCC stem cells. ING4 could inhibit the expression of DUSP4 to activate p38 MAPK. In addition, selective pharmacological p38 MAPK inhibitors could significantly inhibit stemness enrichment only in ING4-overexpressed RCC cells, suggesting that the p38 MAPK inhibitors might be effective in patients with high ING4 expression in RCC tissue. Taken together, our findings proposed that ING4 might serve as a potential therapeutic target for metastatic RCC, particularly RCC stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tang
- Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xinyue Yang
- Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Haoyu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Qinzhi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Min Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Chunluan Yuan
- Department of Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
| | - Yefei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yansu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yansu Chen,
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