Systemic metastasis-targeted nanotherapeutic reinforces tumor surgical resection and chemotherapy

Nat Commun. 2021 May 27;12(1):3187. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23466-5.

Abstract

Failure of conventional clinical therapies such as tumor resection and chemotherapy are mainly due to the ineffective control of tumor metastasis. Metastasis consists of three steps: (i) tumor cells extravasate from the primary sites into the circulation system via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), (ii) the circulating tumor cells (CTCs) form "micro-thrombi" with platelets to evade the immune surveillance in circulation, and (iii) the CTCs colonize in the pre-metastatic niche. Here, we design a systemic metastasis-targeted nanotherapeutic (H@CaPP) composed of an anti-inflammatory agent, piceatannol, and an anti-thrombotic agent, low molecular weight heparin, to hinder the multiple steps of tumor metastasis. H@CaPP is found efficiently impeded EMT, inhibited the formation of "micro-thrombi", and prevented the development of pre-metastatic niche. When combined with surgical resection or chemotherapy, H@CaPP efficiently inhibits tumor metastasis and prolonged overall survival of tumor-bearing mice. Collectively, we provide a simple and effective systemic metastasis-targeted nanotherapeutic for combating tumor metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Cell Line, Tumor / transplantation
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / methods
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / drug effects
  • Female
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / administration & dosage
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / pathology
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / surgery
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy*
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / therapy*
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / drug effects
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Proof of Concept Study
  • Rats
  • Stilbenes / administration & dosage
  • Theranostic Nanomedicine / methods*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anticoagulants
  • Drug Carriers
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
  • Stilbenes
  • 3,3',4,5'-tetrahydroxystilbene
  • Paclitaxel