Epirubicin inhibits growth and alters the malignant phenotype of the U‑87 glioma cell line

Impedimetric DNA Sensors for Epirubicin Detection Based on Polythionine Films Electropolymerized from Deep Eutectic Solvent

An electrochemically active polymer, polythionine (PTN), was synthesized in natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) via multiple potential scans and characterized using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). NADES consists of citric acid monohydrate, glucose, and water mixed in the molar ratio of 1:1:6. Electrodeposited PTN film was then applied for the electrostatic accumulation of DNA from salmon sperm and used for the sensitive detection of the anticancer drug epirubicin. Its reaction with DNA resulted in regular changes in the EIS parameters that made it possible to determine 1.0-100 µM of epirubicin with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.3 µM. The DNA sensor developed was successfully applied for the detection of epirubicin in spiked samples of artificial and natural urine and saliva, with recovery ranging from 90 to 109%. The protocol of the DNA sensor assembling utilized only one drop of reactants and was performed with a minimal number of steps. Together with a simple measurement protocol requiring 100 µL of the sample, this offers good opportunities for the further use of the DNA sensor in monitoring the drug level in biological samples, which is necessary in oncology treatment and for the pharmacokinetics studies of new antitumor drugs.

MitoQ Prevents Human Breast Cancer Recurrence and Lung Metastasis in Mice

Simple Summary

Entry in the metastatic phase is often devastating for cancer patients. Metastases originate from metastatic progenitor cells that are selected in the primary tumor and which simultaneously possess several phenotypic capabilities, including migration, invasion, and clonogenicity. We previously provided in vitro evidence that these features are collectively enforced by mitochondrial superoxide in a paradigm where mitochondria act as metabolic sensors of the tumor microenvironment and produce subcytotoxic levels of superoxide to prime metastatic progenitor cells. We also showed that these metastatic traits can be collectively countered by MitoQ, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant that selectively deactivates mitochondrial superoxide. Here, we further establish that MitoQ prevents primary tumor recurrence after surgery, tumor take and metastasis as a whole, notably in a model of human breast cancer in mice. Since MitoQ already successfully passed Phase I clinical trials, our findings support the development of this drug as a preventive treatment against breast cancer metastasis.

Abstract

In oncology, the occurrence of distant metastases often marks the transition from curative to palliative care. Such outcome is highly predictable for breast cancer patients, even if tumors are detected early, and there is no specific treatment to prevent metastasis. Previous observations indicated that cancer cell mitochondria are bioenergetic sensors of the tumor microenvironment that produce superoxide to promote evasion. Here, we tested whether mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ is capable to prevent metastasis in the MDA-MB-231 model of triple-negative human breast cancer in mice and in the MMTV-PyMT model of spontaneously metastatic mouse breast cancer. At clinically relevant doses, we report that MitoQ not only prevented metastatic take and dissemination, but also local recurrence after surgery. We further provide in vitro evidence that MitoQ does not interfere with conventional chemotherapies used to treat breast cancer patients. Since MitoQ already successfully passed Phase I safety clinical trials, our preclinical data collectively provide a strong incentive to test this drug for the prevention of cancer dissemination and relapse in clinical trials with breast cancer patients.

Poly-(Lactic-co-Glycolic) Acid Nanoparticles for Synergistic Delivery of Epirubicin and Paclitaxel to Human Lung Cancer Cells

Combination therapy using chemically distinct drugs has appeared as one of the promising strategies to improve anticancer treatment efficiency. In the present investigation, poly-(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles electrostatically conjugated with polyethylenimine (PEI)-based co-delivery system for epirubicin and paclitaxel (PLGA-PEI-EPI-PTX NPs) has been developed. The PLGA-PEI-EPI-PTX NPs exhibited a monodispersed size distribution with an average size of 240.93 ± 12.70 nm as measured through DLS and 70.8-145 nm using AFM. The zeta potential of 41.95 ± 0.65 mV from -17.45 ± 2.15 mV further confirmed the colloidal stability and PEI modification on PLGA nanoparticles. Encapsulation and loading efficiency along with in vitro release of drug for nanoparticles were done spectrophotometrically. The FTIR analysis of PLGA-PEI-EPI-PTX NPs revealed the involvement of amide moiety between polymer PLGA and PEI. The effect of nanoparticles on the cell migration was also corroborated through wound healing assay. The MTT assay demonstrated that PLGA-PEI-EPI-PTX NPs exhibited considerable anticancer potential as compared to the naïve drugs. Further, p53 protein expression analysed through western blot showed enhanced expression. This study suggests that combination therapy using PLGA-PEI-EPI-PTX NPs represent a potential approach and could offer clinical benefits in the future for lung cancer patients.

Hydroxytyrosol Supplementation Modifies Plasma Levels of Tissue Inhibitor of Metallopeptidase 1 in Women with Breast Cancer

The etiology of breast cancer can be very different. Most antineoplastic drugs are not selective against tumor cells and also affect normal cells, leading to a wide variety of adverse reactions such as the production of free radicals by altering the redox state of the organisms. Therefore, the objective of this study was to elucidate if hydroxytyrosol (HT) (an antioxidant present in extra virgin olive oil) has a chemomodulatory effect when combined with the chemotherapeutic drugs epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by taxanes in breast cancer patients. Changes in plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) throughout the chemotherapy treatment were studied. Both molecules are involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, neoangiogenesis, and metastasis in breast cancer patients. Women with breast cancer were divided into two groups: a group of patients receiving a dietary supplement of HT and a control group of patients receiving placebo. The results showed that the plasma levels of TIMP-1 in the group of patients receiving HT were significantly lower than those levels found in the control group after the epirubicin-cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.