AUTHOR=Tang Ting , Gong Yufang , Gao Yuan , Pang Xinlong , Liu Shuangqing , Xia Yulan , Liu Dongsheng , Zhu Lin , Fan Qing , Sun Xiao 

TITLE=A pH-responsive liposomal nanoplatform for co-delivery of a Pt(IV) prodrug and cinnamaldehyde for effective tumor therapy

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1191534

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2023.1191534

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Introduction:</bold> The tumor microenvironment (TME) is mainly characterized by abnormally elevated intracellular redox levels and excessive oxidative stress. However, the balance of the TME is also very fragile and susceptible to be disturbed by external factors. Therefore, several researchers are now focusing on intervening in redox processes as a therapeutic strategy to treat tumors. Here, we have developed a liposomal drug delivery platform that can load a Pt(IV) prodrug (DSCP) and cinnamaldehyde (CA) into a pH-responsive liposome to enrich more drugs in the tumor region for better therapeutic efficacy through enhanced permeability and retention effect.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Using the glutathione-depleting properties of DSCP together with the ROS-generating properties of cisplatin and CA, we synergistically altered ROS levels in the tumor microenvironment to damage tumor cells and achieve anti-tumor effects <italic>in vitro</italic>.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> A liposome loaded with DSCP and CA was successfully established, and this liposome effectively increased the level of ROS in the tumor microenvironment and achieved effective killing of tumor cells <italic>in vitro</italic>.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> In this study, novel liposomal nanodrugs loaded with DSCP and CA provided a synergistic strategy between conventional chemotherapy and disruption of TME redox homeostasis, leading to a significant increase in antitumor effects <italic>in vitro</italic>.</p>