Issue 14, 2023

Bortezomib-loaded mixed micelles realize a “three-in-one” effect for enhanced breast cancer treatment

Abstract

Comprehensively regulating the TME is now regarded as a promising approach for cancer treatment. Herein, a novel “three-in-one” effect is presented for simultaneously killing tumor cells, inhibiting the EMT of CAFs, and improving immune responses. In this study, bortezomib (BTZ) is selected for the treatment of breast cancer; it has multiple pharmacological mechanisms for killing tumor cells through the NF-κB signaling pathway, inhibiting the activity of CAFs by activating caspase-3, and enhancing the function of CD8+ T cells by regulating the expression of immune-stimulating factors. To improve the druggability of BTZ in solid tumors, BTZ-loaded lipid/glycocholic acid mixed micelles (BTZ-LGs) were prepared to verify the “three-in-one” effect in killing tumor cells, inhibiting CAFs, and improving immune responses. In the present work, BTZ-LGs were verified to show enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity in both 4T1 cells and 4T1/NIH3T3 co-cultured cells, as well as a superior in vivo treatment effect in different tumor-bearing mouse models. Additionally, BTZ-LGs could regulate the expression of α-SMA, caspase-3, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin, indicating their good inhibiting ability on both tumor cells and CAFs. More importantly, immunological analysis revealed that BTZ-LGs promoted the expression of the immunostimulatory factor IL-2 in tumor tissues, activated anti-tumor T cells, and overcame tumor-induced CD8+ T cell dysfunction. All these findings suggest that BTZ-LGs can achieve a “three-in-one” effect in terms of killing tumor cells, suppressing CAFs, and improving immune responses. This simple and multi-effective therapeutic strategy offers a promising approach for cancer therapy.

Graphical abstract: Bortezomib-loaded mixed micelles realize a “three-in-one” effect for enhanced breast cancer treatment

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 Feb 2023
Accepted
13 May 2023
First published
17 May 2023

Biomater. Sci., 2023,11, 4890-4906

Bortezomib-loaded mixed micelles realize a “three-in-one” effect for enhanced breast cancer treatment

J. Liu, X. Xu, Y. Li, J. Xu, R. Zhao, S. Liu, J. Wu, L. Zhang and B. Zhang, Biomater. Sci., 2023, 11, 4890 DOI: 10.1039/D3BM00254C

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