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Disulfiram-Loaded Niosomes Reduces Cancerous Phenotypes in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
Melika Zangeneh Motlagh1,2, Nazanin Mahdavi1,3, Zohreh Miri-Lavasani2
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Objective:
Surgery and chemotherapy are the most common therapeutic strategies proposed for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, some of the disadvantages associated with the current methods like unwanted side effects and poor drug response lead the scientist to seek for novel modalities and delivery approaches to enhance the efficacy of treatments. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of disulfiram (DSF)-loaded Niosomes on cancerous phenotypes of the OSCC cells.
Materials And Methods:
In this experimental study, an optimum formulation of DSF-loaded Niosomes was developed for the treatment of OSCC cells to reduce drug doses and improve the poor stability of DSF in the OSCC environment. The design expert software was utilized to optimize the particles in terms of size, polydispersity index (PDI), and entrapment efficacy (EE).
Results:
Acidic pH increased the release rate of DSF from these formulations. The size, PDI, and EE of Niosomes were more stable at 4°C compared to 25°C. The results indicated that DSF-loaded Niosomes could induce apoptosis (P=0.019) in the OSCC cells compared to the control group. Moreover, it could reduce colony formation ability (P=0.0046) and also migration capacity of OSCC cells (P=0.0015).
Conclusion:
Our findings indicated that the application of proper dose of DSF-loaded Niosomes (12.5 μg/ml) increases apoptosis, decreases colony formation capacity and declines the migration ability of OSCC cells.
Insights
Disulfiram (DSF)-loaded Niosomes show promise in treating oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by enhancing apoptosis and reducing cancer cell migration and colony formation, offering a novel therapeutic approach.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology in Medicine
- Cancer Therapeutics
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treatment faces challenges with conventional surgery and chemotherapy due to side effects and limited efficacy.
- Novel drug delivery systems are needed to improve treatment outcomes for OSCC.
- Disulfiram (DSF) is a potential therapeutic agent, but its stability and delivery in the OSCC environment require enhancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of disulfiram (DSF)-loaded Niosomes against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell phenotypes.
- To optimize DSF-loaded Niosome formulation for improved stability and targeted delivery.
- To assess the impact of DSF-loaded Niosomes on OSCC cell viability, proliferation, and migration.
Main Methods:
- Formulation and optimization of DSF-loaded Niosomes using Design Expert software.
- Characterization of Niosomes for size, polydispersity index (PDI), and entrapment efficacy (EE).
- In vitro assessment of DSF release kinetics at different pH and temperature conditions.
- Evaluation of DSF-loaded Niosomes' effect on OSCC cell apoptosis, colony formation, and migration.
Main Results:
- DSF release from Niosomes was enhanced under acidic pH conditions.
- Niosome formulations exhibited better stability at 4°C compared to 25°C.
- DSF-loaded Niosomes significantly induced apoptosis (P=0.019) in OSCC cells.
- A significant reduction in colony formation (P=0.0046) and migration capacity (P=0.0015) was observed.
Conclusions:
- DSF-loaded Niosomes represent a promising strategy for OSCC treatment.
- A specific dose of 12.5 μg/ml DSF-loaded Niosomes effectively increased apoptosis and reduced OSCC cell proliferation and migration.
- Niosome-based drug delivery enhances the therapeutic potential of DSF for OSCC.
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