Dual-targeted therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer cells with the combination of carbon dots/HER3 siRNA and trastuzumab

Nanotechnology. 2020 Aug 14;31(33):335102. doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab8a8a. Epub 2020 Apr 17.

Abstract

Dual-targeted therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer cells with the combination of carbon dots/HER3 siRNA and trastuzumab resulted in enhanced antitumor activity, which overcomes the resistance to trastuzumab monotherapy. Herein, we have developed branched polyethylenimine-functionalized carbon dot (BP-CD) nanocarriers, which exhibited efficient green fluorescent protein gene delivery and expression. The positively charged BP-CDs allowed for effective nucleic acid binding and displayed a highly efficient small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated delivery targeting of cancer cells. The transfection of BP-CDs and HER3 siRNA complexes down-regulated HER3 protein expression and induced significant cell growth inhibition in BT-474 cells. BP-CDs/HER3 siRNA complexes induced cell death of BT-474 cells through G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The combined treatment of BP-CDs/HER3 siRNA complexes and trastuzumab caused greater cell growth suppression in BT-474 cells when compared to either agent alone. The findings suggest that this dual-targeted therapy with the combination of BP-CDs/HER3 siRNA and trastuzumab represents a promising approach in breast cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • COS Cells
  • Carbon / chemistry
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Down-Regulation
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology*
  • Receptor, ErbB-3 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, ErbB-3 / metabolism*
  • Trastuzumab / pharmacology*

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Carbon
  • ERBB3 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-3
  • Trastuzumab