Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of angiogenesis by PEGylated liposomal quercetin in both cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancers

J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2013 Jun;9(6):965-75. doi: 10.1166/jbn.2013.1596.

Abstract

The clinical efficiency of cisplatin against ovarian cancer is often limited by the development of drug resistance. In this work, we investigated PEGylated liposomal quercetin (Lipo-Que) on cisplatin-sensitive (A2780s) and cisplatin-resistant (A2780cp) human ovarian cancer models in vitro and in vivo to reveal whether a cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer has susceptibility to quercetin (Que) and the mechanism of its antitumor activity. Lipo-Que was prepared using a solid dispersion method, and the obtained Lipo-Que is monodisperse with a mean diameter of 163 +/-10 nm. Besides, in vitro drug release assay showed a sustained release behavior of Lipo-Que. In vitro experiments suggested that Lipo-Que inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and induced cell cycle arrest in both A2780s and A2780cp cells. Furthermore, antitumor activity of Lipo-Que was investigated in both cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant human ovarian tumor xenograft models in nude mice. Lipo-Que significantly suppressed tumor growth in both models in comparison with free Que, blank liposomes (Lipo), or normal saline (NS). Furthermore, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence tests revealed that Lipo-Que induced apoptosis, decreased microvessel density, and inhibited proliferation of tumors in both A2780s and A2780cp tumor models. Therefore, our results suggest that Lipo-Que is an effective agent to inhibit tumor growth in both cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant human ovarian cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cisplatin / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Female
  • Liposomes / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nanocapsules / administration & dosage*
  • Nanocapsules / chemistry
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / complications
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / complications
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Quercetin / administration & dosage*
  • Quercetin / chemistry
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Liposomes
  • Nanocapsules
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Quercetin
  • Cisplatin