One-Pot Synthesis of Epirubicin-Capped Silver Nanoparticles and Their Anticancer Activity against Hep G2 Cells

Epirubicin-capped silver nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized through a one-pot method by using epirubicin as both the functional drug and the reducing agent of Ag⁺ to Ag⁰. The preparation process was accomplished in 1 h. In addition, the obtained epirubicin-capped silver nanoparticle was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that a layer of polymer epirubicin had formed around the silver nanoparticle, which was 30-40 nm in diameter. We further investigated the antitumor activity of the prepared epirubicin-capped silver nanoparticle, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) against Hep G2 cells was 1.92 μg/mL, indicating a good antitumor property of the nanoparticle at low dosage.

Comparison of blood dynamics of anticancer drugs (cisplatin, mitomycin C, epirubicin) in treatment groups of hepatic arterial infusion, hepatic arterial infusion with lipiodol and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with lipiodol plus gelatin sponge particles in a swine model

AIM

  To compare the blood dynamics of anticancer drugs (cisplatin, mitomycin, epirubicin) and the negative effect on normal liver tissue among the following procedures: hepatic arterial infusion (HAI), HAI with lipiodol (Lp-HAI) and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with Lp plus particles (Lp-TACE).

METHODS

  Nine swine were divided into three groups: (i) HAI group animals were infused with 5 mg/mL cisplatin, 1 mg/mL mitomycin and 4 mg/mL epirubicin in 0.1 mL/kg contrast medium; (ii) Lp-HAI group animals, with the same doses in 0.1 mL emulsified fluid (0.05 mL/kg, Lp); and (iii) Lp-TACE group animals, with the same doses in 0.1 mL emulsified fluid plus gelatin sponge particles. Outflow ratio (area under plasma concentration curve [AUC(0-60) ] / total infused dose of anticancer drug) and necrosis volume ratio (necrosis volume / total slice volume × 100) were explored.

RESULTS

  Outflow ratios (AUC(0-60) /mg) of cisplatin, mitomycin and epirubicin, and the necrosis volume ratio (%) of the livers, were 2.30, 6.91, 0.97 and 0, respectively, in the HAI group; 1.71, 5.43, 0.79 and 1.37, respectively, in the Lp-HAI group; and 1.23, 3.37, 0.47 and 20.88, respectively, in the Lp-TACE group. The significantly lowest outflow ratio for each anticancer drug (P = 0.05/3) and the significantly highest necrosis volume ratio (P = 0.05/3) were found in Lp-TACE, followed by Lp-HAI and HAI.

CONCLUSION

  Although the necrosis volume ratio of the liver was tolerable, Lp-TACE caused the greatest delay in outflow ratio for each cancer drug and the greatest negative effect to liver in a swine model.

Evaluation of the role of cisplatin-conjugated-soluble gelatin sponge: feasibility study in a swine model

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and the delivery function of cisplatin-conjugated-soluble gelatin sponge in a swine model.

METHODS

Fifteen healthy young swine were assigned into three groups: transarterial cisplatin infusion group, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with cisplatin-conjugated 120-min soluble gelatin sponge (TACE-120) group, and TACE with cisplatin-conjugated 360-min soluble gelatin sponge (TACE-360) group. A total volume of 0.8 mL/kg cisplatin in each group and 8 mg/kg soluble gelatin sponge in TACE-120 and TACE-360 groups were injected from the left hepatic artery in small increments for 10 min. Common hepatic angiography and whole-blood sampling via the left hepatic vein were conducted to explore recanalization immediately after the procedure and again at 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, and 420 min later. The area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) of non-protein-bound platinum was compared among the three groups. Each liver was removed and cut into 10-cm-thick sections for calculating liver-damaged volume ratio.

RESULTS

Sequential angiography depicted gradual recanalization of the occluded hepatic artery and total recanalization at 120 and 360 min after embolization in the TACE-120 and TACE-360 groups, respectively. Of the three groups, AUC(0-30), AUC(30-120), and AUC(120-420) were significantly highest in the transarterial cisplatin infusion group (p < 0.001), the TACE-120 group (p < 0.001), and the TACE-360 group (p < 0.001), respectively. The liver-damaged volume ratio in the TACE-360 group was small (8.20 %) but significantly higher than that in the TACE-120 group (2.67%, p = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

Cisplatin-conjugated soluble gelatin sponge functions as a cisplatin carrier and is associated with tolerable liver damage.