Targeted hollow pollen silica nanoparticles for enhanced intravesical therapy of bladder cancer

Lulu Wang1,2, Fan Qi1,3, Luopeng Bi3

  • 1Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, Jilin, China. zhangh@ciac.ac.cn.

Biomaterials Science
|June 14, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Novel pollen-based nanoparticles (THP@CHPS NPs) demonstrate enhanced bladder cancer cell uptake and retention for intravesical therapy. This approach offers improved bladder cancer treatment with reduced recurrence rates.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has high recurrence rates due to poor drug retention and cellular uptake with traditional intravesical therapies.
  • Pollen structures offer unique tissue adhesion properties, distinct from conventional binding methods.
  • Sialic acid residues are overexpressed on bladder cancer cells, presenting a target for drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and evaluate hollow pollen silica (HPS) nanoparticles modified with 4-carboxyphenylboric acid (CPBA) for enhanced bladder cancer intravesical treatment.
  • To investigate the efficacy of pirarubicin (THP)-loaded modified nanoparticles (THP@CHPS NPs) in a bladder cancer mouse model.

Main Methods:

  • Preparation of hollow pollen silica (HPS) nanoparticles and modification with 4-carboxyphenylboric acid (CPBA) to create CHPS nanoparticles.
  • Loading of pirarubicin (THP) onto CHPS nanoparticles to form THP@CHPS nanoparticles.
  • In vitro evaluation of cellular uptake and apoptosis induction in MB49 bladder cancer cells; in vivo assessment of bladder accumulation, therapeutic efficacy, and biocompatibility in a bladder cancer mouse model using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Main Results:

  • THP@CHPS nanoparticles exhibited superior adhesion to tissues and enhanced internalization by MB49 cells compared to free THP, leading to increased apoptosis.
  • Intravesical instillation in a bladder cancer mouse model showed significantly higher bladder accumulation of THP@CHPS NPs than THP at 24 hours.
  • Eight days of treatment resulted in smoother bladder lining, reduced bladder size and weight in the THP@CHPS NP group compared to the THP group, with excellent biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

  • THP@CHPS nanoparticles demonstrate potent adhesion and efficient drug delivery for intravesical bladder cancer therapy.
  • This novel nanoparticle system significantly improves therapeutic outcomes and reduces tumor burden in a preclinical bladder cancer model.
  • THP@CHPS NPs represent a promising platform for overcoming limitations of current intravesical bladder cancer treatments.