The p53 gene has the highest mutation frequency in tumors, and its inactivation can lead to malignant transformation, such as cell cycle arrest and apoptotic inhibition. Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer. P53 was inactivated by HPV oncoprotein E6, promoting abnormal cell proliferation and carcinogenesis. To study the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer by restoring p53 expression and inactivating HPV oncoprotein, and to verify the effectiveness of nano drugs based on nucleic acid delivery in cancer treatment, we developed poly (beta-amino ester)537, to form biocompatible and degradable nanoparticles with plasmids (expressing p53 and targeting E7). In vitro and in vivo experiments show that nanoparticles have low toxicity and high transfection efficiency. Nanoparticles inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors and successfully reversed HPV transgenic mice’s cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Our work suggests that the restoration of p53 expression and the inactivation of HPV16 E7 are essential for blocking the development of cervical cancer. This study provides new insights into the precise treatment of HPV-related cervical lesions.
Jinfeng Xiong,Songwei Tan,Long Yu,Hui Shen,Shen Qu,Chong Zhang,Ci Ren,Da Zhu,Hui Wang
Introduction Persistent HR-HPV (high-risk human papillomavirus) infection is the main cause of cervical cancer. The HPV oncogene E7 plays a key role in HPV tumorigenesis. At present, HPV preventive vaccines are not effective for patients who already have a cervical disease, and implementation of the recommended regular cervical screening is difficult in countries and regions lacking medical resources. Therefore, patients need medications to treat existing HPV infections and thus block the progression of cervical disease. Methods In this study, we developed nanoparticles (NPs) composed of the non-viral vector PBAE546 and a CRISPR/Cas9 recombinant plasmid targeting HPV16 E7 as a vaginal treatment for HPV infection and related cervical malignancies. Results Our NPs showed low toxicity and high biological safety both in vitro (cell line viability) and in vivo (various important organs of mice). Our NPs significantly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors derived from cervical cancer cell lines in nude mice and significantly reversed the cervical epithelial malignant phenotype of HPV16 transgenic mice. Conclusion Our NPs have great potential to be developed as a drug for the treatment of HPV-related cervical cancer and precancerous lesions.