Development of fullerene nanospherical miRNA and application in overcoming resistant breast cancer

• Published in: Materials today chemistry Vol. 26; p. 101019
• Main Authors: Xu, J.-R., Xie, Y., Li, J.-W., Liu, R., Chen, M., Ren, Y.-X., Luo, Q., Duan, J.-L., Bao, C.-J., Liu, Y.-X., Li, P.-S., Lu, W.-L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2022
• Subjects: Adjuvant therapy; Chemotherapy; Fullerene nanospheres; miRNA; Resistant breast cancer; Fullerene nanospheres; miRNA; Chemotherapy; Resistant breast cancer; Adjuvant therapy
• ISSN: 2468-5194; 2468-5194
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtchem.2022.101019

Antiresistant strategy for cancer therapy remains a critical issue to be solved. Herein, we describe a fullerene nanospherical miRNA (C60@SiO2-miR27b) for overcoming resistant breast cancer. The fullerene nanospherical miRNA is chemically synthesized, is able to deliver miR27b into resistant cancer cells, escapes from lysosomes, and releases miR27b into cytoplasm. Under the combination use of light irradiation (365 nm) with paclitaxel, it demonstrates a robust killing effect, inducing apoptosis effect, suppressing invasion, and anticancer efficacy. The action mechanism can be explained by the effective phagocytosis, releasing miR27b into the cytoplasm, forming miRNA-induced silencing complex in acting effect of miRNA interference, and generating reactive oxygen species in conducting photodynamic therapy. In conclusion, fullerene nanospherical miRNA can be used as an adjuvant therapy agent for overcoming resistant breast cancer, and the study also offers a universal fullerene nanoplatform for delivering gene drugs.
A unique fullerene spherical miRNA nanostructure (C60@SiO2-miR27b) could escape from the lysosomes and deliver miR27b into the cytoplasm of the resistant cancer cells, displaying robust killing effect, apoptotic inducing effect, and suppressing effect on invasive metastasis under combination treatment of ultraviolet irradiation (365 nm) with paclitaxel, thus improving chemotherapy. Furthermore, it demonstrates significant anticancer efficacy in the resistant breast cancer-bearing mice. [Display omitted]
•Engineering nanospherical structure for the efficient delivery of miRNA.•Fullerene nanospherical miRNA-27b for overcoming resistant breast cancer.•A combination of miRNA with light irradiation as adjuvant strategy for chemotherapy.