Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Published on: June 21, 2024
An iGlu receptor antagonist and its simultaneous use with an anticancer drug for cancer therapy
Si Yu Tan1, Chung Yen Ang, Zhong Luo
1Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371 (Singapore) http://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/zhaoyanli/Homepage: http://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/zhaoyanli/
Abstract:
Glutamate receptor antagonists have been known to play a crucial role in the treatment of many neuronal diseases. Recently, these antagonists have also shown therapeutic effects in the treatment of cancer. In this study, an ionotropic glutamate (iGlu) receptor antagonist, 4-hydroxyphenylacetyl spermine (L1), was used concurrently with a common anticancer drug, doxorubicin (Dox), for simultaneous cancer therapy. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) were employed as the delivery vehicle for both L1 and Dox by conjugating the iGlu receptor antagonist on the surface and encapsulating Dox within the mesopores. Dox was then trapped within the mesopores by functionalizing a redox-cleavable capping group on the MSNP surface, and it could be released upon exposure to the reductive glutathione. In vitro studies on B16F10 and NIH3T3 cell lines revealed that the iGlu receptor antagonist L1 exhibited therapeutic as well as targeting effects. In addition, the simultaneous use of therapeutic L1 and Dox proved to be synergistic in the treatment of cancer. The present work demonstrated the feasibility of employing a delivery system to deliver both neuroprotective drug and anticancer drug for efficient anticancer treatment.
Insights
This study developed a novel drug delivery system using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) to combine a glutamate receptor antagonist (L1) and doxorubicin (Dox) for synergistic cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
Background:
- Glutamate receptor antagonists show promise in cancer treatment.
- Doxorubicin is a widely used chemotherapy drug.
- Developing effective drug delivery systems is crucial for cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a dual-drug delivery system for simultaneous cancer treatment.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of an ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonist (L1) and doxorubicin (Dox).
- To utilize mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) for targeted drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- Conjugating L1 to MSNP surfaces and encapsulating Dox within mesopores.
- Utilizing a redox-cleavable capping group for controlled Dox release.
- Conducting in vitro studies on B16F10 and NIH3T3 cell lines.
Main Results:
- L1 demonstrated therapeutic and targeting effects in cancer cells.
- The combination of L1 and Dox showed synergistic anticancer activity.
- MSNPs successfully delivered both drugs for enhanced cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
- The developed MSNP system is feasible for co-delivering neuroprotective and anticancer drugs.
- This approach offers an efficient strategy for simultaneous cancer therapy.
- Further research into this dual-drug delivery system is warranted.
More Related Videos
15:04Potentiation of Anticancer Antibody Efficacy by Antineoplastic Drugs: Detection of Antibody-drug Synergism Using the Combination Index Equation
Published on: January 19, 2019
06:19Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches
Published on: June 16, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism