ROS-Responsive Nano-Encapsulated Selenium Targeting Cervical Cancer Cell via PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Oncology

Background:

• Current cervical cancer treatments often suffer from significant off-target toxicity and inefficient drug delivery, limiting patient quality of life.
• Selenium nanoparticles possess inherent anticancer properties but require optimized delivery systems to overcome these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop targeted ROS-responsive selenium nanoparticles (FA-ReRSeNPs) for enhanced cervical cancer therapy.
• To overcome the challenges of off-target toxicity and inefficient delivery associated with conventional treatments.
• To leverage selenium's anticancer properties through advanced nanoengineering.

Main Methods:

• FA-ReRSeNPs were synthesized and characterized for physicochemical and biological properties.
• In vitro assays using human cervical cancer cells (Hela and SiHa) and in vivo studies with a SiHa subcutaneous xenograft nude mouse model were employed.
• Mechanistic studies investigated the anti-tumor activity and signaling pathways involved.

Main Results:

• FA-ReRSeNPs significantly reduced the required selenium dose for anticancer activity while minimizing off-target damage to normal tissues.
• Anticancer effects were achieved through the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, leading to tumor cell apoptosis and proliferation restraint.
• In vitro and in vivo analyses demonstrated superior tumor-inhibitory potential and high targeting specificity of FA-ReRSeNPs.

Conclusions:

• FA-ReRSeNPs represent a precision-driven nanotherapeutic for cervical cancer management.
• The combination of active targeting and ROS-responsive release addresses the efficacy-toxicity dilemma of conventional anticancer agents.
• This study highlights the translational value of intelligent nanoengineering in advancing cancer therapies.