Antitumor effects and hematotoxicity of C₆₀-Cis-Pt nanocomplex in mice with Lewis lung carcinoma

Cisplatin (Cis-Pt) is a widely used anticancer drug but its therapeutic efficiency is limited by hemato-, cardio-, hepato-, nephro- and neurotoxicity. Complexation of Cis-Pt with C₆₀ fullerene nanoparticle will allow to enhance the antitumor activity of the drug and to reduce its side toxic effects.

To estimate the antitumor effects of С60-Cis-Pt nanocomplex in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) and analyze hematological toxicity in tumor-bearing mice.

Complexation of C₆₀ fullerene and Cis-Pt molecule was studied by computer simulation. С60-Cis-Pt nanocomplex was i.p. injected to LLC-bearing mice in a total dose of 7.5 mg/kg (C₆₀:Cis-Pt as 3.75:3.75 mg/kg). The survival of tumor-bearing mice and the relative reduction of tumor weight was recorded. Blood indices were determined using the Particle Counter PCE-210 automatic hematology analyzer.

Computer simulation demonstrated the formation of С60-Cis-Pt nanocomplex in physiological medium and its stability due to the hydrophobic interactions. Treatment with C₆₀-Cis-Pt nanocomplex increased survival time of LLC-bearing mice by 32%, normalized hemoglobin content (up to 100 g/l), erythrocyte and platelet count as compared to the untreated LLC-bearing mice. Tumor weight decreased by 35.5%; the mitotic index of tumor cells decreased by 78%, and apoptotic index increased by 75%. The revealed effects of the C₆₀-Cis-Pt nanocomplex were more pronounced than the effects of Cis-Pt or C₆₀ fullerene alone in equivalent dose.

Treatment with C₆₀-Cis-Pt nanocomplex prolonged the survival of LLC-bearing mice and reduced anemia in LLC-bearing mice.