Common chemotherapy is unable to eliminate the heterogeneous side population of cancer cells (such as cancer stem-like cells), resulting in poor prognosis. The heterogeneity of cancer cells causes an extensive multi...Common chemotherapy is unable to eliminate the heterogeneous side population of cancer cells (such as cancer stem-like cells), resulting in poor prognosis. The heterogeneity of cancer cells causes an extensive multidrug resistance through the aberrantly active Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Cyclopamine is a chemical compound that can block Hh signaling pathway, and a combination use of cyclopamine with anticancer drug would be beneficial for killing heterogeneous cancer cells. In the present study, we aimed to develop a kind type of fimctional drug liposomes for eliminating heterogeneous cancer, The study was performed on human breast cancer cells. A distearoylphosphoethanolamine polyethylene glycol (DSPE-PEG2000)-cyclopamine conjugate was newly synthesized by a nucleophilic substitution reaction, and confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass. An HPLC method was established and validated for qualification of epirubicin. Functional epimbicin liposomes were successful constructed by modifying with DSPE-PEG2o00-cyclopamine, displaying a particle size in nano-scale (approximately 98 nm) and a high epirubicin encapsulation (〉97%). The CD44+/CD24-side population was characterized in defining heterogeneous breast cancer cells. As compared with regular epirubicin liposomes, fimctional epirubicin liposomes exhibited an evidently enhanced cellular drug uptake and a significant killing effect in overall breast cancer cells. In conclusion, the functional epirubicin liposomes could be a useful drug delivery carrier for eliminating heterogeneous breast cancer cells.展开更多
基金National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program,Grant No.2013CB932501)the National Science Foundation of China(Grant No.81373343,81673367)
文摘Common chemotherapy is unable to eliminate the heterogeneous side population of cancer cells (such as cancer stem-like cells), resulting in poor prognosis. The heterogeneity of cancer cells causes an extensive multidrug resistance through the aberrantly active Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Cyclopamine is a chemical compound that can block Hh signaling pathway, and a combination use of cyclopamine with anticancer drug would be beneficial for killing heterogeneous cancer cells. In the present study, we aimed to develop a kind type of fimctional drug liposomes for eliminating heterogeneous cancer, The study was performed on human breast cancer cells. A distearoylphosphoethanolamine polyethylene glycol (DSPE-PEG2000)-cyclopamine conjugate was newly synthesized by a nucleophilic substitution reaction, and confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass. An HPLC method was established and validated for qualification of epirubicin. Functional epimbicin liposomes were successful constructed by modifying with DSPE-PEG2o00-cyclopamine, displaying a particle size in nano-scale (approximately 98 nm) and a high epirubicin encapsulation (〉97%). The CD44+/CD24-side population was characterized in defining heterogeneous breast cancer cells. As compared with regular epirubicin liposomes, fimctional epirubicin liposomes exhibited an evidently enhanced cellular drug uptake and a significant killing effect in overall breast cancer cells. In conclusion, the functional epirubicin liposomes could be a useful drug delivery carrier for eliminating heterogeneous breast cancer cells.