Cu2-xSe nanoparticles enhance the anticancer activity of oxaliplatin by inhibiting autophagic degradation

Aim: To confirm Cu2-xSe nanoparticles (NPs) could inhibit autophagic degradation and based on this property to develop a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. Materials & methods: Transmission electronic microscopy and confocal laser-scanning microscope were used to observe the accumulation of autophagosome. Western blot was used to investigate the expression of autophagy-associated proteins. Chemotherapeutic drug oxaliplatin was cotreatment with Cu2-xSe in vivo and in vitro to study therapeutic efficacy of autophagy caused by Cu2-xSe NPs. Results & conclusion: Cu2-xSe NPs significantly induce autophagosome accumulation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and they mainly inhibit the late-stage autophagy degradation through reducing lysosomal cathepsin activity. Moreover, Cu2-xSe NPs enhance the anticancer activity of oxaliplatin in vivo and in vitro through blocking autophagosome degradation.