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Updated: Aug 15, 2025

Uptake of New Lipid-coated Nanoparticles Containing Falcarindiol by Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
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Cascade Delivery to Golgi Apparatus and On-Site Formation of Subcellular Drug Reservoir for Cancer Metastasis

Liqiang Chen1, Peihang Jiang1, Xinran Shen1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China.

Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|December 30, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces a hybrid nanoparticle that targets the entire cancer metastasis cascade. The nanoparticle delivers a drug to the Golgi apparatus, creating a reservoir that inhibits tumor cell spread.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Nanotechnology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related death.
  • Targeting individual steps of metastasis is insufficient due to alternative dissemination routes.
  • A novel therapeutic strategy is needed to address the entire metastasis cascade.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To design and evaluate a hybrid nanoparticle system for comprehensive targeting of cancer metastasis.
  • To investigate the mechanism of action of the nanoparticle-drug complex in suppressing metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Development of hybrid erythrocyte and tumor cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (Hyb-NP) loaded with monensin.
  • Evaluation of Hyb-NP efficacy in an orthotopic breast cancer model.
  • Subcellular localization and mechanism studies of monensin delivery to the Golgi apparatus.

Main Results:

  • Hyb-NP demonstrated dual functions: increased circulation time and recognition of tumors at all metastatic stages.
  • Monensin delivery to the Golgi apparatus inhibited metastasis.
  • The Golgi apparatus formed a drug reservoir, enhancing drug retention and inhibiting metastasis-related cytokine release and directional migration.

Conclusions:

  • The developed Hyb-NP system effectively targets the entire metastasis cascade.
  • Formation of a Golgi apparatus drug reservoir offers a novel subcellular-level strategy for cancer metastasis suppression.
  • This approach presents a promising therapeutic avenue for combating cancer metastasis.
Keywords:
Golgi apparatus targetingdrug reservoirexocytosis blockademetastasis suppressionmonensin

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