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Published on: April 16, 2018
In Situ Silver-Based Electrochemical Oncolytic Bioreactor
Yong Huang1, Liping Zhong1, Xiaotong Li1
1National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
Researchers developed a novel silver-based electrochemical oncolytic bioreactor (SEOB) that uses reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to convert Ag+ prodrugs into therapeutic silver nanoparticles. This system effectively inhibits tumor growth and shows excellent biosafety, increasing its clinical translation potential.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) exhibits a significantly higher catalysis rate for Ag+ reduction compared to graphene oxide.
- Tumor microenvironments present unique conditions, including the presence of H2O2, that can be leveraged for targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a tumor microenvironment-enabled in situ silver-based electrochemical oncolytic bioreactor (SEOB).
- To investigate the efficacy of SEOB in converting Ag+ prodrugs into silver nanoparticles for cancer treatment.
- To evaluate the anti-tumor effects and biosafety of the SEOB system.
Main Methods:
- Utilized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a catalyst for Ag+ reduction.
- Engineered an in situ electrochemical oncolytic bioreactor (SEOB) activated by the tumor microenvironment (H2O2).
- Incorporated aptamers for targeted delivery and enhanced silver nanoparticle production within tumor cells, with Vitamin C as a supplementary H2O2 source.
Main Results:
- Achieved over 95% transition rate of Ag+ prodrugs into therapeutic silver nanoparticles in situ.
- Demonstrated significant inhibition of tumor growth in various models, including subcutaneous HepG2, A549, and orthotopic HepG2 liver tumors in nude mice.
- Induction of apoptosis and pyroptosis observed, contributing to elevated anti-tumor effects.
- Exhibited excellent biosafety in non-human primates, with no observed tissue damage.
Conclusions:
- The SEOB system effectively generates therapeutic silver nanoparticles intratumorally, leading to potent anti-cancer activity.
- The targeted nature and specific nanoparticle production of SEOB contribute to its high biosafety profile.
- SEOB demonstrates significant clinical translation potential for effective and safe cancer therapy.
