Wang Mingdong,Yin Jizhong,Han Qianyu,Li Bing,Zhao Xue-Wei,Xue Lei
Background: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) ranks as a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, necessitating the urgent search for cost-effective and efficient anti-NSCLC drugs. Our preliminary research has demonstrated that arsenic trioxide (ATO) significantly inhibits NSCLC
angiogenesis, exerting anti-tumor effects. In conjunction with existing literature reports, the Nrf2-IL-33 pathway is emerging as a novel mechanism in NSCLC angiogenesis. Objective: This study aimed to elucidate whether ATO can inhibit NSCLC angiogenesis through the Nrf2-IL-33 pathway.
Methods: Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression of Nrf2, IL-33, and CD31 in tumor tissues from patients with NSCLC. DETA-NONOate was used as a nitric oxide (NO) donor to mimic high levels of NO in the tumor microenvironment. Western blot, quantitative real-time PCR,
and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were utilized to evaluate the expression of Nrf2 and IL-33 in the NCI-H1299 cell line. Subcutaneous xenograft models were established in nude mice by implanting NCI-H1299 cells to assess the anti-tumor efficacy of ATO. Results: High expression levels
of Nrf2 and IL-33 were observed in tumor samples from patients with NSCLC, and Nrf2 expression positively correlated with microvascular density in NSCLC. In vitro, NO (released from 1mM DETA-NONOate) promoted activation of the Nrf2-IL-33 signaling pathway in NCI-H1299 cells, which was
reversed by ATO. Additionally, both Nrf2 deficiency and ATO treatment significantly attenuated NOinduced IL-33 expression. In vivo, both ATO and the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on angiogenesis tumor growth. Conclusion: Nrf2-IL-33 signaling is
usually activated in NSCLC and positively correlates with tumor angiogenesis. ATO effectively disrupts the activation of the Nrf2-IL-33 pathway in NSCLC and thus inhibits angiogenesis, suggesting its potential as an anti-angiogenic agent for use in the treatment of NSCLC.
Vessel normalization has proved imperative in tumor growth inhibition. In this work, biopolymer-based hybrid nanospheres capable of normalizing blood vessels were designed to improve the therapeutic effect of chemotherapeutic drugs. Zn 0.4 Fe 2.6 O 4 nanoparticles (ZFO NPs) were synthesized, and were encapsulated in cross-inked chitosan (CS) along with a nitric oxide (NO) precursor, DETA NONOate, forming hybrid ZFO/NO@CS nanospheres highly stable in physiological environment. The structure, morphology and size of the nanospheres were characterized. The ZFO/NO@CS nanospheres could release NO under acidic conditions typical of intratumoral and intracellular environment. The results of related factors expression, wound healing and tube formation assays demonstrated that both the encapsulated ZFO NPs and the released NO were able to inhibit angiogenesis in tumors. The ZFO/NO@CS nanospheres enhanced the antitumor efficacy of the chemotherapeutic drug DOX by normalizing tumor vessels, as evidenced by in vivo experiments for CT26 tumor-bearing mice. By analyzing the contents of Fe in the tumor and different organs, the nanospheres were found to accumulate primarily at the tumor site. The blood analysis showed little side effect of the nanospheres. The ZFO/NO@CS nanospheres have great potential in improving tumor therapeutic effect when used in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs.
Ding Wang,Cheng-Jie Qiu,Yaoqing Chu,Anzhuo Zhang,Ran Huang,Si-Jian Pan,Lianjiang Tan
Lung cancer remains a great threat to human health despite the rapid development of various therapeutic methods. Chemotherapy continues to be the most commonly employed treatment for lung cancer; however, it often suffers from low drug delivery efficiency and severe side effects. To enhance the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy, we developed a novel strategy that integrates tumor vasculature normalization with the co-delivery of therapeutic agents. This strategy employs a diblock polymeric vesicle with a reduction-sensitive linkage. Paclitaxel (PTX) is encapsulated in the bilayer, while an acid-sensitive nitric oxide (NO) precursor, DETA NONOate, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are loaded into the central cavity. The resulting nanosystem, (ZnO,NONO)@Ves-PTX, is designed to release NO under the acidic conditions typical of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and intracellular environment. The released NO in the TME inhibits angiogenesis, thereby facilitating the delivery and distribution of therapeutic agents. Upon internalization by tumor cells, (ZnO,NONO)@Ves-PTX decomposes in response to intracellular glutathione (GSH), releasing the loaded agents. DETA NONOate and ZnO NPs generate NO and Zn2+ ions, respectively, at the intracellular pH, which synergistically inhibit tumor growth alongside PTX. This combined therapeutic approach demonstrated remarkable potential in improving the chemotherapeutic efficacy for lung cancer, offering a promising direction for future cancer treatments.