Sophorolipids as anticancer agents: progress and challenges

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

• Sophorolipids (SLs) are effective biosurfactants with demonstrated anticancer activity against breast, lung, liver, cervical, and colon cancers.
• SLs function by targeting apoptosis through caspase enzymes, modulating Bcl-family proteins, and altering mitochondrial membrane permeability.
• SLs enhance intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, activating pro-apoptotic JNK and p38 MAPK pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide updated concepts on Sophorolipid (SL) formulations, properties, and anticancer mechanisms.
• To explore the application of SLs in nanotechnology for targeted drug delivery systems.
• To review recent advancements in integrating anticancer drugs with SL-based nanoparticles (SLNPs).

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on Sophorolipid (SL) formulations and their anticancer mechanisms.
• Analysis of SLs' impact on apoptosis-related pathways, including caspase activation and mitochondrial integrity.
• Examination of SL-based nanoparticles (SLNPs) for enhanced drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy.

Main Results:

• SLs induce apoptosis by modulating Bax, APAF1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-x expression, leading to cytochrome c release and caspase-3/9 activation.
• SLs increase ROS levels, activating JNK and p38 MAPK, further inducing apoptosis via caspase (3, 6, 7) pathways.
• SLNPs enhance the stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs like doxorubicin, showing promise in resistant cancer cells.

Conclusions:

• Sophorolipids (SLs) are promising anticancer agents with multifaceted mechanisms of action.
• Nanotechnology-based delivery systems, such as SLNPs, significantly improve SL efficacy and drug delivery.
• Further research is needed to address challenges in SL stability, cancer cell targeting, and clinical translation.