Xiang Chen

Peptide ligand and PEG-mediated long-circulating liposome targeted to FGFR overexpressing tumor in vivo.

Background and methods Paclitaxel, a widely used antitumor agent, has limited clinical application due to its hydrophobicity and systemic toxicity. To achieve sustained and targeted delivery of paclitaxel to tumor sites, liposomes composed of egg phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and distearolyphosphatidyl ethanolamine-N-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG2000) were prepared by a lipid film method. In addition, the liposomes also contained truncated fibroblast growth factor fragment-PEG-cholesterol as a ligand targeting the tumor marker fibroblast growth factor receptor. Physicochemical characteristics, such as particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and release profiles were investigated. Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution were evaluated in C57BL/6 J mice bearing B16 melanoma after intravenous injection of paclitaxel formulated in Cremophor EL (free paclitaxel), conventional liposomes (CL-PTX), or in targeted PEGylated liposomes (TL-PTX). Results Compared with CL-PTX and free paclitaxel, TL-PTX prolonged the half-life of paclitaxel by 2.01-fold and 3.40-fold, respectively, in plasma and improved the AUC0→t values of paclitaxel by 1.56-fold and 2.31-fold, respectively, in blood. Biodistribution studies showed high accumulation of TL-PTX in tumor tissue and organs containing the mononuclear phagocyte system (liver and spleen), but a considerable decrease in other organs (heart, lung, and kidney) compared with CL-PTX and free paclitaxel. Conclusion The truncated fibroblast growth factor fragment-conjugated PEGylated liposome has promising potential as a long-circulating and tumor-targeting carrier system.

A novel truncated basic fibroblast growth factor fragment-conjugated poly (ethylene glycol)-cholesterol amphiphilic polymeric drug delivery system for targeting to the FGFR-overexpressing tumor cells

Targeted uptake of therapeutic nanoparticles in tumor cells-specific manner represents a potentially powerful technology in cancer therapy. In present study, we proposed a drug delivery system formulated with biocompatible and biodegradable cholesterol-block-poly (ethylene glycol) (Chol-PEG(2000)-COOH) polymer. And the surface of the polymer was chemically linked with truncated bFGF fragments (tbFGF). The tbFGF could recognize fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) that are highly expressed by a variety of human cancer cells. The micelles had a size distribution of about 10-50 nm and significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel to LL/2 cells as demonstrated by MTT test (IC₅₀=0.21 μg/mL for tbFGF conjugated Chol-PEG(2000)-COOH micelles (tbFGF-M-PTX) versus 26.43 μg/mL for free paclitaxel, respectively). Flow cytometry revealed the cellular uptake of rhodamine B encapsulated in the tbFGF-conjugated micelles was increased by 6.6-fold for HepG2, 6.2-fold for A549, 2.9-fold for C26 and 2.7-fold for LL/2 tumor cells, respectively, compared with micelles without tbFGF. The fluorescence spectroscopy images further demonstrated that the tbFGF conjugated micelles could specifically bind to the tumor cells that over-expressed FGFRs and then release rhodamine B into the cytoplasm. Our results suggest the tbFGF conjugated Chol-PEG(2000)-COOH micelles have great potential application for tumor targeting therapy.

Deguelin—An inhibitor to tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis by downregulation of vascular endothelial cell growth factor-D in lung tumor model

Deguelin, a rotenoid of the flavonoid family, has been reported to possess antiproliferative and anticarcinogenic activities in several cell lines and tumor models. However, it is still unclear whether deguelin effectively inhibits tumor‐associated lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis. Since tumor production of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF)‐D was associated with tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis, we established the mouse lymphatic metastasis model by transfecting high expression VEGF‐D into LL/2 Lewis lung cells (VEGF‐D‐LL/2) and explored the effects of deguelin on lymphatic metastasis in the immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice. Our results indicated that deguelin inhibited proliferation, migration of VEGF‐D‐LL/2 cells via downregulating AKT and mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway and interfered tube formation of lymphatic vascular endothelial cells on matrigel at nanomolar concentrations. Deguelin significantly downregulated the expression of VEGF‐D both at mRNA and protein levels in VEGF‐D‐LL/2 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. In the in vivo study, intraperitoneal administration of deguelin (4 mg/kg) remarkably inhibited the tumor‐associated lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis. The rates of lymph node and lung metastasis in deguelin‐treated mice were 0 and 16.7% compared with 58.3 and 83.3% in control group mice, respectively. Deguelin also resulted in a remarkable delay of tumor growth and prolongation of life span. Immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against VEGF‐D, LYVE‐1 and VEGFR‐3 revealed fewer positive vessel‐like structures in deguelin‐treated mice compared with control group mice. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time that deguelin suppresses tumor‐associated lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis by downregulation of VEGF‐D both in vitro and in vivo.

Intratumoral Expression of Mature Human Neutrophil Peptide-1 Mediates Antitumor Immunity in Mice

Purpose: Human neutrophil peptides (HNP1-3), small molecular antimicrobial peptides, are expressed within tumors and associated with tumor necrosis and inhibition of angiogenesis. Recent investigations have suggested that HNP1-3 are likely to be involved in the host immune responses to tumors. Experimental Design: We used recombinant pSec-HNP1, which expresses a secretable form of HNP1, to obtain expression of HNP1 in the tumor milieu in immunocompetent mice to explore the possible roles of HNP1 in tumor immunity. The antitumor effects were investigated in established CT26 colon cancer and 4T1 breast cancer models. Results: HNP1-mediated chemotactic and activating effects on immature dendritic cells were detected both in vitro and in vivo. Intratumoral expression of HNP1 resulted in not only significant tumor growth inhibition but also increased CTL infiltration within tumors. Adoptive transfer of splenocytes and a 51Cr release assay revealed specific cellular immune responses. Furthermore, increased antibodies were also found in sera from pSec-HNP1treated mice supporting specific humoral immune responses. Increased apoptosis and decreased angiogenesis were also shown in treated tumors. Conclusions: These findings indicate that HNP1 can exert multiple antitumor effects through different mechanisms; more importantly, HNP1 mediates host immune responses to tumors in situ through the recruitment and subsequent activation of immature dendritic cells and thus shows promising potential in cancer therapy. (Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(22):690111)

Enhancement of cisplatin sensitivity in lewis lung carcinoma by liposome-mediated delivery of a survivin mutant

BackgroundA high concentration of cisplatin (CDDP) induces apoptosis in many tumor cell lines. CDDP has been administered by infusion to avoid severe toxicity. Recently, it has been reported that changes in survivin expression or function may lead to tumor sensitization to chemical and physical agents. The aim of this study was to determine whether a dominant-negative mouse survivin mutant could enhance the anti-tumor activity of CDDP.MethodsA plasmid encoding the phosphorylation-defective dominant-negative mouse survivin threonine 34→alanine mutant (survivin T34A) complexed to a DOTAP-chol liposome (Lip-mS) was administered with or without CDDP in Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) cells and in mice bearing LLC tumors, and the effects on apoptosis, tumor growth and angiogenesis were assessed. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA), and a value of P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.ResultsLLC cells treated with a combination of Lip-mS and CDDP displayed increased apoptosis compared with those treated with Lip-mS or CDDP alone. In mice bearing LLC tumors and treated with intravenous injections of Lip-mS and/or CDDP, combination treatment significantly reduced the mean tumor volume compared with either treatment alone. Moreover, the antitumor effect of Lip-mS combined with CDDP was greater than their anticipated additive effects.ConclusionThese data suggest that the dominant-negative survivin mutant, survivin T34A, sensitized LLC cells to chemotherapy of CDDP. The synergistic antitumor activity of the combination treatment may in part result from an increase in the apoptosis of tumor cells, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and induction of a tumor-protective immune response.

Truncated bFGF-mediated cationic liposomal paclitaxel for tumor-targeted drug delivery: Improved pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in tumor-bearing mice†

Fibroblast growth factor receptors, overexpressed on the surface of a variety of tumor cells and on tumor neovasculature, are potential targets for tumor- and vascular-targeting therapy. The purpose of our present study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of a novel truncated basic fibroblast growth factor peptide-mediated cationic liposomal paclitaxel (tbFGF-LPs-PTX) with free paclitaxel (F-PTX) and cationic liposomal paclitaxel (LPs-PTX) in tumor-bearing mice. In plasma, tbFGF-LPs-PTX exhibited similar pharmacokinetic properties to LPs-PTX but different with F-PTX. The AUC(0→∞) values were about 1.38-fold and one fold compared with those of F-PTX and LPs-PTX, respectively. TbFGF-LPs-PTX showed significant difference in biodistribution characteristics and displayed high accumulation in tumor and spleen in comparison with other two formulations. The AUC(0→∞) values achieved, respectively, about 7.17-fold and 2.60-fold accumulation in tumor, and about 4.28-fold and 2.25-fold increase in spleen compared with those of F-PTX and LPs-PTX. In contrast, the AUC(0→∞) values were much lower in liver compared with those of F-PTX and LPs-PTX. Our data indicated that tbFGF-LPs-PTX significantly increased the accumulation in tumor and prolonged the retention time, suggesting that it was a promise tumor-targeted delivery system and might provide a new treatment strategy for tumors.

Synergistic effects of eukaryotic coexpression plasmid carrying LKB1 and FUS1 genes on lung cancer in vitro and in vivo

PurposeLKB1 and FUS1 are two kinds of new tumor suppressor genes as well as early-stage genes in lung cancer. Recent studies showed that LKB1 and FUS1 play important roles in lung carcinogenesis process. We hypothesized that combined gene therapy with LKB1 and FUS1 could inhibit lung cancer growth and development synergistically.MethodsIn this study, two kinds of tumor suppressor genes, LKB1 and FUS1, were constructed in an eukaryotic coexpression plasmid pVITRO2, and then, we evaluated the synergistic effects of the two genes on anticancer activity and explored the relevant molecular mechanisms.ResultsWe defined coexpression of LKB1 and FUS1 could synergistically inhibited lung cancer cells growth, invasion and migration and induced the cell apoptosis and arrested cell cycle in vitro. Intratumoral administration of liposomes: pVITRO2–LKB1–FUS1 complex (LPs–pVITRO2–LKB1–FUS1) into subcutaneous lung tumor xenograft resulted in more significant inhibition of tumor growth. Furthermore, intravenous injection of LPs–pVITRO2–LKB1–FUS1 into mice bearing experimental A549 lung metastasis demonstrated synergistic decrease in the number of metastatic tumor nodules. Finally, combined treatment with LKB1 and FUS1 prolonged overall survival in lung tumor-bearing mice. Further study showed that the synergistic anti-lung cancer effects of coexpression of LKB1 and FUS1 might be related to upregulation of p-p53, p-AMPK and downregulation of p-mTOR, p-FAK, MMPs, NEDD9, VEGF/R and PDGF/R.ConclusionsOur results suggest that combined therapy with eukaryotic coexpression plasmid carrying LKB1 and FUS1 genes may be a novel and efficient treatment strategy for human lung cancer.

Inhibition of lymphatic metastases by a survivin dominant-negative mutant.

Metastasis is the most lethal attribute of human malignancy. High-level expression of survivin is involved in both carcinogenesis and angiogenesis in cancer. Previous studies indicate that a mutation of the threonine residue at position 34 (Thr34Ala) of survivin generates a dominant-negative mutant that induces apoptosis, inhibits angiogenesis, and suppresses highly metastatic breast carcinoma in mouse models. We investigated the efficacy of gene therapy with a survivin dominant-negative mutant and possible factors related to lymph node metastasis. The metastasis rate was compared between each group in order to find a survivin-targeted therapy against lymphangiogenesis in its earliest stages. We established lymph node metastasis models and treated animals with H22 tumors with Lip-mSurvivinT34A (Lip-mS), Lip-plasmid (Lip-P), or normal saline (NS). Eight days after the last dose, five randomly chosen mice from each group were sacrificed. We detected the apoptotic index, microvessel density (MVD), lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD), and the expression of VEGF-D with immunohistochemistry. After the remaining animals were sacrificed, we compared the tumor-infiltrated lymph nodes in each group. Administration of mSurvivinT34A plasmid complexed with cationic liposome (DOTAP/chol) resulted in the efficacious inhibition of tumor growth and lymph node metastasis within the mouse H22 tumor model. These responses were associated with tumor cell apoptosis, and angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis inhibition. Our results suggested that Lip-mSurvivinT34A induced apoptosis and inhibited tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, thus suppressing tumor growth and lymphatic metastasis. The mSurvivinT34A survivin mutant is a promising strategy of gene therapy to inhibit lymphatic metastasis.

Efficient inhibition of lung cancer in murine model by plasmid-encoding VEGF short hairpin RNA in combination with low-dose DDP

BackgroundVEGF is a well-validated target for antiangiogenic intervention in cancer. To date, RNAi technology has been proven to be a promising approach for targeted therapy. DDP is frequently used as a first-line drug in chemotherapy for lung cancer but usually causes severe toxicity. In this study, we investigated a novel strategy of administering and combining RNAi mediated VEGF-targeted therapy with DDP for treatment of lung cancer, with the aim of increasing efficacy and decreasing toxicity.MethodsIn this study, a plasmid encoding VEGF shRNA was constructed to knockdown VEGF both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, specificity and potency of the targeting sequence were validated in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells by RT-PCR and ELISA assays. In vivo, therapy experiments were conducted on nude mice bearing A549 xenograft tumors. The VEGF shRNA expressing plasmids were administered systemically in combination with low-dose DDP on a frequent basis. The tumor volume and weight were measured. MVD, the number of apoptotic cells and proliferation index in tumor tissues were assessed by CD31, TUNEL and PCNA immunostaining.ResultsThe VEGF shRNA was highly effective in attenuating VEGF expression both in vitro and in vivo. The treatment with the VEGF shRNA alone reduced the mean tumor weight by 49.40% compared with the blank control (P < 0.05). The treatment with the VEGF shRNA plus DDP yielded maximal benefits by reducing the mean tumor weight by 83.13% compared with the blank control (P < 0.01). The enhanced antitumor efficacy was associated with decreased angiogenesis and increased induction of apoptosis.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated synergistic antitumor activity of combined VEGF shRNA expressing plasmids and low-dose DDP with no overt toxicity, suggesting potential applications of the combined approach in the treatment of lung cancer.

Development and validation of a UPLC-MS/MS method for quantification of SKLB010, an investigational anti-inflammatory compound, and its application to pharmacokinetic studies in beagle dogs.

SKLB010 is currently under development as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of acute hepatitis and rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the pre-clinical pharmacokinetics of SKLB010 in beagle dogs. An ultra performance liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectroscopy (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of SKLB010 in dog plasma, using rosiglitazone as the internal standard (I.S.). Plasma samples were prepared by a simple solid phase extraction (SPE) method. The analyte and internal standard were separated by an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 (2.1 mm × 50 mm) column with a mobile phase of methanol-water (80/20, v/v) over 2 min. Detection was based on the multiple reaction monitoring with the precursor-to-product ion transitions m/z 234.10→147.92 (SKLB010) and m/z 356.15→150.00 (I.S.). The method was validated according to FDA guidelines on bio-analytical method validation. The selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, extraction recovery, ion suppression and stability were within the acceptable ranges. The method described above was successfully applied to reveal the single- and multi-pharmacokinetic profiles of SKLB010 in beagle dogs and should be extendable to pharmacokinetic studies in other species as well.