Synthetically lethal nanoparticles for treatment of endometrial cancer

Nat Nanotechnol. 2018 Jan;13(1):72-81. doi: 10.1038/s41565-017-0009-7. Epub 2017 Dec 4.

Abstract

Uterine serous carcinoma, one of the most aggressive types of endometrial cancer, is characterized by poor outcomes and mutations in the tumour suppressor p53. Our objective was to engender synthetic lethality to paclitaxel (PTX), the frontline treatment for endometrial cancer, in tumours with mutant p53 and enhance the therapeutic efficacy using polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). First, we identified the optimal NP formulation through comprehensive analyses of release profiles and cellular-uptake and cell viability studies. Not only were PTX-loaded NPs superior to PTX in solution, but the combination of PTX-loaded NPs with the antiangiogenic molecular inhibitor BIBF 1120 (BIBF) promoted synthetic lethality specifically in cells with the loss-of-function (LOF) p53 mutation. In a xenograft model of endometrial cancer, this combinatorial therapy resulted in a marked inhibition of tumour progression and extended survival. Together, our data provide compelling evidence for future studies of BIBF- and PTX-loaded NPs as a therapeutic opportunity for LOF p53 cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Drug Carriers / administration & dosage
  • Drug Carriers / therapeutic use
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indoles / administration & dosage
  • Indoles / therapeutic use*
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mutation
  • Nanomedicine
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage
  • Nanoparticles / therapeutic use*
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Paclitaxel / therapeutic use*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Indoles
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • nintedanib
  • Paclitaxel