Frontiers in Oncology (Oct 2024)

Triggered ferroptotic albumin-tocopherol nanocarriers for treating drug-resistant breast cancer

  • Qianqian Gao,
  • Tingting Liu,
  • Li Sun,
  • Yongliang Yao,
  • Fang Li,
  • Lingxiang Mao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2024.1464909
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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Ferroptosis is considered an effective method to overcome drug-resistant tumors. This study aims to use three FDA-approved biological materials, human serum albumin, D-α-tocopherol succinate, and indocyanine green, to construct a novel biocompatible nanomaterial named HTI-NPs, exploring its effect in drug-resistant breast cancer (MCF-7/ADR cells). The research results indicate that HTI-NPs can selectively inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7/ADR cells in vitro, accompanied by upregulating transferrin receptor, generating reactive oxygen species, and downregulating glutathione peroxidase 4. Under laser irradiation, HTI-NPs can promote ferroptosis by inhibiting glutathione expression through photodynamic therapy. Notably, HTI-NPs exhibit good inhibitory effects on MCF-7/ADR xenograft tumors in vivo. In conclusion, HTI-NPs represent a biocompatible nanomaterial that induces ferroptosis, providing new insights and options for treating drug-resistant breast cancer.

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