Metabolism-targeted therapy in NSCLC - A new theranostics inhalation approach using lactate functionalized and...

Lung cancer is one of the most lethal cancers globally, primarily due to delayed diagnosis and lack of specific and effective therapy. Increased lactate production and consumption, along with cysteine metabolic reliance, are features identified in NSCLC in our recent studies. Cancer metabolic remodeling leads to excessive ROS production, triggering oxidative stress, promoting angiogenesis, causing cellular and tissue damage, and contributing to various pathophysiological changes. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of selenium-chrysin (SeChry), a cysteine metabolism inhibitor, and its delivery targeted at MCT1 by encapsulation in fourth-generation polyurea dendrimers functionalized with lactic acid (PURE_G4-LA₂₄), the nanoformulation SeChry@PURE_G4-LA₂₄, in NSCLC. We explored the impact of SeChry nanoformulation on cell death mechanisms, including ferroptosis, and its influence on angiogenesis in in vitro and in vivo models. SeChry@PURE_G4-LA₂₄ induces cell death through the induction of intracellular ROS and lipid peroxides, resulting in distinct expression patterns of ferroptosis-associated genes across cell lines. Experiments using chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and mouse orthotopic xenograft models revealed a trend toward decreased tumor growth and angiogenesis with SeChry@PURE_G4-LA₂₄ administration. These findings suggest the potential of SeChry@PURE_G4-LA₂₄ as an innovative therapeutic approach for NSCLC, highlighting its impact on cell death mechanisms and anti-angiogenic effects.