Peptide PHSCNK as an integrin α5β1 antagonist targets stealth liposomes to integrin-overexpressing melanoma

As an integrin α5β1 antagonist, N-acetyl-proline-histidine-serine-cysteine-asparagine-amide (Ac-PHSCN-NH2) is currently in phase II trials for various cancer therapies. In this study Ac-PHSCNK-NH2 (PHSCNK) was used as a novel homing peptide to prepare ligand-targeted liposomes loaded with doxorubicin (PHSCNK-PL-DOX), with the hypothesis that the therapy target of integrin α5β1 may also serve as a delivery target. The stealth liposomes loaded with doxorubicin (PL-DOX) were used as the control. PHSCNK-PL-DOX demonstrated an enhanced intracellular uptake and a greater cytotoxicity against melanoma B16F10 cells in comparison with PL-DOX. The novel targeted formulation displayed stronger tumor inhibition and prolonged survival time in comparison with controls in C57BL/6 mice bearing B16F10 tumors, and it exhibited less heart toxicity in hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining of tissues. Taking the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution results into account, the authors conclude that α5β1 integrin-mediated liposomes might be used as a potential delivery system for targeted tumor therapy.From the Clinical EditorLactosyl-norcantharidin TMC nanoparticles were found superior in comparison with Lac-NCTD and Lac-NCTD chitosan nanoparticles from the standpoint of antitumor activity on murine hepatocarcinoma 22 subcutaneous model.

Graphical AbstractAs an integrin α5β1 antagonist, N-acetyl-proline-histidine-serine-cysteine-asparagine-amide (Ac-PHSCN-NH2) is currently in phase II trials for various cancer therapies. In the present work, Ac-PHSCNK-NH2 (PHSCNK) was used as a novel homing peptide to prepare ligand-targeted liposomes loaded with doxorubicin (PHSCNK-PL-DOX), with the hypothesis that the therapy target of integrin α5β1 may also be served as a delivery target. The stealth liposomes loaded with doxorubicin (PL-DOX) were used as the control. PHSCNK-PL-DOX demonstrated an enhanced intracellular uptake and a greater cytotoxicity against melanoma B16F10 cells compared with PL-DOX. The novel targeted formulation displayed stronger tumor inhibition and prolonged survival time compared with controls in C57BL/6 mice bearing B16F10 tumor, while it exhibited less heart toxicity in H&E staining of tissues. Taking the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution results into account, it is concluded that α5β1 integrin-mediated liposomes might be used as a potential delivery system for targeted tumor therapy.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (195 K)Download as PowerPoint slide