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Published on: December 15, 2010
Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Disruption with Key Nanodroplets for Effective Ferroptosis in Triple-Negative Breast
Rui Liu1, Dandan Shi1, Lu Guo1
1Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China.
Introduction:
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known to be the most aggressive form of breast cancer. Due to its high recurrence and mortality rates, the treatment of TNBC is a significant challenge for the medical community. Besides, ferroptosis is an emerging regulatory cell death that may provide new insights into the treatment of TNBC. As a central inhibitor of the ferroptosis process, the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is its classical therapeutic target. However, inhibition of GPX4 expression is quite detrimental to normal tissues. Ultrasound contrast agents, as an emerging visualization precision treatment, may provide a solution to the existing problem.
Methods:
In this study, nanodroplets (NDs) carrying simvastatin (SIM) were constructed using the homogeneous/emulsification method. Then, the characterization of SIM-NDs was systematically evaluated. Meanwhile, in this study, the ability of SIM-NDs combined with ultrasound-targeted microbubble disruption (UTMD) to initiate ferroptosis and its respective mechanisms of ferroptosis induction were verified. Finally, the antitumor activity of SIM-NDs was investigated in vitro and in vivo using MDA-MB-231 cells and TNBC animal models.
Results:
SIM-NDs exhibited excellent pH- and ultrasound-responsive drug release and noticeable ultrasonographic imaging ability, also showing good biocompatibility and biosafety. UTMD could promote increased intracellular reactive oxygen species and consume intracellular glutathione. However, SIM-NDs were efficiently internalized into cells under ultrasound irradiation, followed by the rapid release of SIM, which inhibited intracellular mevalonate production, and synergistically downregulated GPX4 expression, thereby promoting ferroptosis. Moreover, this combined treatment demonstrated strong antitumor ability in vitro and in vivo.
Conclusion:
The combination of UTMD and SIM-NDs presents a promising avenue for harnessing ferroptosis in the treatment of malignant tumors.
Insights
This study introduces simvastatin-loaded nanodroplets combined with ultrasound-targeted microbubble disruption to treat triple-negative breast cancer by inducing ferroptosis. This novel approach shows significant antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is aggressive with high mortality.
- Ferroptosis offers a new therapeutic strategy for TNBC.
- Targeting glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) for ferroptosis has limitations due to toxicity to normal tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop simvastatin-loaded nanodroplets (SIM-NDs) for targeted cancer therapy.
- To investigate the efficacy of SIM-NDs combined with ultrasound-targeted microbubble disruption (UTMD) in inducing ferroptosis in TNBC.
- To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of this combined treatment.
Main Methods:
- Construction and characterization of SIM-NDs using homogeneous/emulsification method.
- Evaluation of SIM-NDs' pH- and ultrasound-responsive drug release and ultrasonographic imaging.
- Verification of ferroptosis induction mechanisms by SIM-NDs combined with UTMD in MDA-MB-231 cells and TNBC animal models.
Main Results:
- SIM-NDs demonstrated good biocompatibility, biosafety, and controlled drug release.
- UTMD enhanced intracellular reactive oxygen species and glutathione consumption.
- SIM-NDs with UTMD inhibited mevalonate production, downregulated GPX4, induced ferroptosis, and showed strong antitumor effects.
Conclusions:
- The combination of UTMD and SIM-NDs effectively induces ferroptosis.
- This approach presents a promising strategy for treating TNBC.
- Targeted ferroptosis induction via SIM-NDs and UTMD offers a potential solution for TNBC treatment challenges.
