Silver Nimesulide Complex in Bacterial Cellulose Membranes as an Innovative Therapeutic Method for Topical Treatment

Tuany Zambroti Candido1, Raphael Enoque Ferraz de Paiva2, Mariana Cecchetto Figueiredo3

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Oncology and Radiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil.

Pharmaceutics
|February 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

A novel silver(I) complex with nimesulide (AgNMS) in a bacterial cellulose membrane (AgNMS@BCM) effectively treated skin squamous cell carcinoma (SSCC) in mice. This topical treatment demonstrated significant tumor reduction without toxicity, showing promise for human SSCC therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Dermatology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Skin squamous cell carcinoma (SSCC) development is influenced by oxidative stress and inflammation.
  • Current SSCC treatment, primarily surgical resection, can lead to adverse sequelae.
  • Silver ions exhibit anti-tumor properties, while nimesulide possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a silver(I) complex with nimesulide (AgNMS) incorporated into a bacterial cellulose membrane (AgNMS@BCM) for topical SSCC treatment.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro antiproliferative and apoptosis assays (phosphatidylserine exposure, multicaspase activation) of AgNMS complex on SSCC cell lines (SCC4, SCC15, FaDu).
  • In vivo evaluation of AgNMS@BCM in a DMBA/TPA-induced SSCC mouse model.
  • Assessment of toxicity and tumor size reduction in the animal model.

Main Results:

  • AgNMS complex demonstrated antiproliferative activity against SCC15 and FaDu cell lines.
  • AgNMS complex induced multicaspase activation in FaDu cells, indicating apoptosis.
  • AgNMS@BCM treatment resulted in up to 100% tumor size reduction in the SSCC mouse model without observable toxicity.

Conclusions:

  • The AgNMS@BCM formulation is an effective and safe topical treatment for SSCC in a preclinical mouse model.
  • This novel AgNMS@BCM holds potential as a safe and effective agent for the topical treatment of human SSCC.

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