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An Orthotopic Bladder Tumor Model and the Evaluation of Intravesical saRNA Treatment
Published on: July 28, 2012
Biogenic silver nanoparticles: In vitro and in vivo antitumor activity in bladder cancer
Luiz Alberto Bandeira Ferreira1, Fernanda Garcia-Fossa1, Allan Radaic1
1Nano-cell Interactions Lab., Department Biochemistry & Tissue Biology, Biology Institute, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common disease in the United States, and the treatment and alternatives for patients have not changed in the last decades. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) have been used in the treatment of various cancer, mainly because of the antineoplastic activity; however, their use and the molecular mechanisms towards bladder cancer still unexplored. Therefore, this work aims to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antitumoral mechanisms of biogenic silver nanoparticles synthesized from Fusarium sp. First, AgNP showed cytotoxicity in a dose- and time-response relationship and detailed analysis demonstrated the induction of cell death via apoptosis, also inhibiting cell migration and proliferation in bladder carcinoma cell line 5637. Next, it was evaluated the antitumoral activity of AgNP against non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Bladder cancer was chemically induced with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) on C57BL/6JUnib female mice and treated by intravesical route with AgNP concentrations of 0.5, 0.2, and 0.05 mg/mL. Finally, treatment with AgNP (0.05 mg/mL) led to 57.13% of tumor regression, with 14.28% of the animals showing normal urothelium, and 42.85% showing flat hyperplasia, considered to be a benign lesion. Overall, these findings demonstrated that AgNP might be a cost-effective alternative and promising candidate for the treatment of bladder cancer.
Insights
Biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNP) show promise for treating bladder cancer by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting tumor growth. In vivo studies demonstrated significant tumor regression in mice, suggesting AgNP as a potential alternative therapy.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Bladder cancer treatment options have remained stagnant for decades.
- Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) exhibit antineoplastic properties, but their role in bladder cancer is largely unexplored.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of AgNP in bladder cancer is crucial for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro and in vivo antitumoral mechanisms of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNP) synthesized from Fusarium sp.
- To evaluate the efficacy of AgNP in treating non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).
Main Methods:
- In vitro cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction, cell migration, and proliferation assays using the 5637 bladder carcinoma cell line.
- In vivo studies involving chemically induced bladder cancer in C57BL/6JUnib mice treated with AgNP via intravesical administration.
- Tumor regression and histological analysis of urothelium following AgNP treatment.
Main Results:
- AgNP demonstrated dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity against bladder cancer cells, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting migration and proliferation.
- Intravesical administration of AgNP resulted in significant tumor regression (57.13%) in a mouse model of NMIBC.
- A low concentration of AgNP (0.05 mg/mL) led to partial tumor regression and benign urothelial lesions in treated animals.
Conclusions:
- Biogenic silver nanoparticles exhibit significant antitumoral activity against bladder cancer in vitro and in vivo.
- AgNP represent a promising and potentially cost-effective alternative for bladder cancer treatment.
- Further research into the molecular mechanisms and clinical application of AgNP in bladder cancer is warranted.

