Paclitaxel/Luteolin Coloaded Dual-Functional Liposomes for Esophageal Cancer Therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Therapy

Background:

• Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treatment faces challenges in tumor-specific drug delivery.
• Combination therapy with chemotherapeutics and natural compounds shows promise but requires effective co-delivery.
• Paclitaxel (PTX) and luteolin (LUT) exhibit synergistic effects in ESCC, but controlling their delivery is difficult.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a targeted nanocarrier for co-delivering paclitaxel and luteolin to ESCC.
• To leverage the EA2 aptamer for specific targeting of Catenin Alpha 1 (CTNNA1) in ESCC cells.
• To evaluate the efficacy and immune-modulating effects of the developed nanocarrier in ESCC treatment.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of nanosized EA2-modified pH-sensitive liposomes (EA2-PSL-PTX/LUT) for co-loading PTX and LUT.
• Characterization of liposome properties including loading, release kinetics, and biostability.
• In vitro and in vivo evaluation of cellular uptake, tumor targeting, drug release, anti-cancer efficacy, and immune microenvironment modulation.

Main Results:

• EA2-PSL-PTX/LUT demonstrated stimuli-triggered release in acidic tumor environments and specific uptake by ESCC cells.
• In vivo imaging confirmed precise tumor localization, deep penetration, and prolonged retention of the nanocarrier.
• The nanocarrier potentiated synergistic anti-tumor effects, remodeled the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and promoted anti-tumor immunity.

Conclusions:

• EA2-modified pH-sensitive liposomes enable precise co-delivery of PTX and LUT for ESCC treatment.
• This targeted delivery strategy enhances synergistic anti-cancer efficacy and modulates the tumor immune microenvironment.
• The developed nanocarrier offers a promising approach for targeted combination therapy in ESCC.