Peptide PHSCNK as an integrin α5β1 antagonist targets stealth liposomes to integrin-overexpressing melanoma.

UNLABELLED

As an integrin α(5)β(1) antagonist, N-acetyl-proline-histidine-serine-cysteine-asparagine-amide (Ac-PHSCN-NH(2)) is currently in phase II trials for various cancer therapies. In this study Ac-PHSCNK-NH(2) (PHSCNK) was used as a novel homing peptide to prepare ligand-targeted liposomes loaded with doxorubicin (PHSCNK-PL-DOX), with the hypothesis that the therapy target of integrin α(5)β(1) may also serve as a delivery target. The stealth liposomes loaded with doxorubicin (PL-DOX) were used as the control. PHSCNK-PL-DOX demonstrated an enhanced intracellular uptake and a greater cytotoxicity against melanoma B16F10 cells in comparison with PL-DOX. The novel targeted formulation displayed stronger tumor inhibition and prolonged survival time in comparison with controls in C57BL/6 mice bearing B16F10 tumors, and it exhibited less heart toxicity in hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining of tissues. Taking the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution results into account, the authors conclude that α(5)β(1) integrin-mediated liposomes might be used as a potential delivery system for targeted tumor therapy.

FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR

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