Long Zhang1,2, Chaofeng Mu3, Tinghong Zhang4,5, Dejun Yang1,2, Chenou Wang1, Qiong Chen1, Lin Tang1, Luhui Fan3, Cong Liu3, Jianliang Shen6,7, Huaqiong Li8,9. 1. School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. 2. Engineering Research Center of Clinical Functional Materials and Diagnosis & Treatment Devices of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325011, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. 3. Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. 4. School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. zhangth@wiucas.ac.cn. 5. Engineering Research Center of Clinical Functional Materials and Diagnosis & Treatment Devices of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325011, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. zhangth@wiucas.ac.cn. 6. School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. shenjl@wiucas.ac.cn. 7. Engineering Research Center of Clinical Functional Materials and Diagnosis & Treatment Devices of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325011, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. shenjl@wiucas.ac.cn. 8. School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. lihq@wiucas.ac.cn. 9. Engineering Research Center of Clinical Functional Materials and Diagnosis & Treatment Devices of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325011, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. lihq@wiucas.ac.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To date, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment options are limited because of the loss of target receptors and, as a result, are only managed with chemotherapy. What is worse is that TNBC is frequently developing resistance to chemotherapy. By using small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based therapeutics, our recent work demonstrated X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) was linked to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer development and chemoresistance. Given the instability, off-target effects, net negative charge, and hydrophobicity of siRNA in vivo utilization and clinical transformation, its use in treatment is hampered. Thus, the development of a siRNA-based drug delivery system (DDS) with ultra-stability and specificity is necessary to address the predicament of siRNA delivery. RESULTS: Here, we assembled RNase resistant RNA nanoparticles (NPs) based on the 3WJ structure from Phi29 DNA packaging motor. To improved targeted therapy and sensitize TNBC to chemotherapy, the RNA NPs were equipped with an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting aptamer and XBP1 siRNA. We found our RNA NPs could deplete XBP1 expression and suppress tumor growth after intravenous administration. Meanwhile, RNA NPs treatment could promote sensitization to chemotherapy and impede angiogenesis in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The results further demonstrate that our RNA NPs could serve as an effective and promising platform not only for siRNA delivery but also for chemotherapy-resistant TNBC therapy.
BACKGROUND: To date, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment options are limited because of the loss of target receptors and, as a result, are only managed with chemotherapy. What is worse is that TNBC is frequently developing resistance to chemotherapy. By using small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based therapeutics, our recent work demonstrated X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) was linked to humanepidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer development and chemoresistance. Given the instability, off-target effects, net negative charge, and hydrophobicity of siRNA in vivo utilization and clinical transformation, its use in treatment is hampered. Thus, the development of a siRNA-based drug delivery system (DDS) with ultra-stability and specificity is necessary to address the predicament of siRNA delivery. RESULTS: Here, we assembled RNase resistant RNA nanoparticles (NPs) based on the 3WJ structure from Phi29 DNA packaging motor. To improved targeted therapy and sensitize TNBC to chemotherapy, the RNA NPs were equipped with an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting aptamer and XBP1 siRNA. We found our RNA NPs could deplete XBP1 expression and suppress tumor growth after intravenous administration. Meanwhile, RNA NPs treatment could promote sensitization to chemotherapy and impede angiogenesis in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The results further demonstrate that our RNA NPs could serve as an effective and promising platform not only for siRNA delivery but also for chemotherapy-resistant TNBC therapy.