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Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro
Published on: March 18, 2014
A New Paclitaxel Formulation Based on Secretome Isolated from Mesenchymal Stem Cells Shows a Significant Cytotoxic
Alessia Giovanna Santa Banche Niclot1, Elena Marini1, Ivana Ferrero2
1Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, The University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Torino, Italy.
Background:
Osteosarcoma (OS) represents a rare cancer with an unfavorable prognosis that needs innovative treatment. The aim was to isolate a secretome from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that are treated with paclitaxel (PTX)-containing microvesicles as a drug delivery system and analyze its cytotoxic effects on OS cell lines (SJSA, MG63, and HOS).
Methods:
Three batches of secretome (SECR-1, SECR-2, and SECR-3) were produced from three bone marrow (BM) MSCs samples treated for 24 h with 15 µg/mL of PTX or with a standard medium. The viability of the OS cell lines after 5 days of exposure to SECR-1-2-3 (pure and diluted to 1:2 and 1:4) was analyzed with an MTT assay. The same SECR batches were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and with a nanoparticle tracking assay (NTA).
Results:
A statistically significant decrease in the viability of all OS cell lines was observed after treatment with SECR-PTX 1-2-3 in a dose-response manner. The NTA analyses showed the presence of nanoparticles (NPs) with a mean size comparable to that of extracellular vesicles (EVs). The HPLC analyses detected the presence of PTX in minimal doses in all SECR batches.
Conclusions:
This proof-of-concept study showed that the conditioned medium isolated from MSCs loaded with PTX had a strong cytotoxic effect on OS cell lines, due to the presence of EV and PTX.
Insights
This study shows that a special medium derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) loaded with paclitaxel (PTX) effectively kills osteosarcoma (OS) cells. This novel approach utilizes extracellular vesicles (EVs) and PTX for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare cancer with poor outcomes, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer potential as a drug delivery system for cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and analyze the cytotoxic effects of a secretome from paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded microvesicles derived from MSCs on OS cell lines.
- To evaluate the potential of MSC-derived secretomes as a novel therapeutic approach for osteosarcoma.
Main Methods:
- Secretomes were produced from bone marrow MSCs treated with PTX or standard medium.
- Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT assays on SJSA, MG63, and HOS cell lines.
- Secretome composition was analyzed using HPLC and nanoparticle tracking assay (NTA).
Main Results:
- A significant, dose-dependent decrease in OS cell viability was observed with the PTX-loaded secretome (SECR-PTX).
- NTA confirmed the presence of nanoparticles (NPs) similar in size to extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the secretome.
- HPLC detected minimal amounts of PTX in all analyzed secretome batches.
Conclusions:
- The conditioned medium from PTX-loaded MSCs exhibits potent cytotoxic effects against osteosarcoma cell lines.
- Extracellular vesicles and paclitaxel are key components contributing to the observed anti-cancer activity.
- This study provides a proof-of-concept for using MSC-derived secretomes as a potential therapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma.
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