Metabolic intervention liposome for targeting glutamine-addiction of breast cancer

Ming Wu1, Qizhi Wang2, Sai Chen1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China.

Insights

Dual inhibition of glucose and glutamine metabolism using liposome-loaded Glucose oxidase and Telaglenastat (Lip@GOx&Tel) effectively suppressed breast cancer growth and metastasis. This nanomedicine approach targets tumor cell metabolism and disrupts redox homeostasis for enhanced anti-cancer effects.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nanomedicine
  • Metabolic Pathways

Background:

  • Tumor cells rely on glycolysis and glutamine metabolism for growth and proliferation, exhibiting metabolic plasticity.
  • Metabolic compensation enables cancer cells to adapt to nutrient deprivation and therapeutic interventions.
  • Targeting key metabolic pathways offers a promising strategy for cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dual inhibition of glycolysis and glutamine metabolism using liposome-encapsulated Glucose oxidase and Telaglenastat (Lip@GOx&Tel) against breast cancer.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of Lip@GOx&Tel in reducing tumor growth and metastasis.
  • To explore the potential of nanomedicine in overcoming limitations of combined drug delivery.

Main Methods:

  • Liposomes were loaded with Glucose oxidase (GOx) and Telaglenastat (Tel) to create Lip@GOx&Tel nanoparticles.
  • The anti-tumor and anti-metastasis effects of Lip@GOx&Tel were assessed in a 4T1 breast cancer model.
  • Mechanisms including ATP production, biosynthesis precursor supply, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and glutathione (GSH) levels were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Lip@GOx&Tel effectively inhibited both glycolysis and glutamine metabolism in tumor cells.
  • Dual metabolic inhibition reduced ATP production and biosynthesis precursors, leading to anti-tumor and anti-metastasis effects.
  • Lip@GOx&Tel treatment resulted in an 82% tumor suppression rate by up-regulating ROS and down-regulating GSH, disrupting redox homeostasis.

Conclusions:

  • Lip@GOx&Tel demonstrates significant anti-cancer efficacy through dual metabolic intervention and redox homeostasis disruption.
  • This study highlights the potential of liposome-based nanomedicine for combined delivery of protein and small molecule drugs in vivo.
  • Metabolic intervention using nanomedicine offers a novel therapeutic strategy for breast cancer treatment.