A siramesine-loaded metal organic framework nanoplatform for overcoming multidrug resistance with efficient cancer

Jiahui Liu1, Menghuan Tang1, Yanghao Zhou2

  • 1Key Laboratory of Luminescent and Real-Time Analytical Chemistry (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University Chongqing 400715 P. R. China zhenghz@swu.edu.cn.

RSC Advances
|May 2, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Repurposing the central nervous system drug siramesine into a targeted nanoplatform effectively kills cancer cells, including multidrug-resistant types. This novel drug delivery system shows promise for overcoming chemotherapy resistance and advancing cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nanomedicine
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a significant challenge in cancer chemotherapy, limiting treatment efficacy and patient survival.
  • Developing novel anticancer agents is difficult, making drug repurposing a valuable strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of repurposing siramesine, a central nervous system drug, for cancer therapy.
  • To develop a metal-organic framework (MOF)-based nanoplatform for targeted delivery and pH-responsive release of siramesine.

Main Methods:

  • Construction of a MOF-based nanoplatform encapsulating siramesine.
  • Modification of the nanoplatform with folic acid for enhanced cancer cell targeting.
  • Evaluation of intracellular drug accumulation, pH-responsive release, and anticancer efficacy in vitro.
  • Assessment of the mechanism of action, including lysosomal membrane permeabilization and apoptosis induction.

Main Results:

  • The developed nanoplatform demonstrated effective intracellular accumulation and triggered siramesine release in response to acidic pH.
  • Folic acid modification ensured good biocompatibility and efficient targeting of cancer cells.
  • The siramesine-loaded nanoplatform exhibited enhanced anticancer efficacy against both conventional and multidrug-resistant cancer cells in vitro.
  • The drug delivery system induced cancer cell apoptosis via lysosomal membrane permeabilization and cathepsin leakage.

Conclusions:

  • The MOF-based nanoplatform offers a promising approach for siramesine delivery in cancer therapy.
  • This strategy effectively overcomes multidrug resistance, presenting significant potential for clinical applications.
  • The targeted drug delivery system provides a novel avenue for developing advanced anticancer agents.