Genipin-crosslinked albumin nanoparticles containing neratinib and silibinin: A dual-death therapy for triple negative breast cancer

• Published in: International journal of pharmaceutics Vol. 648; p. 123570
• Main Authors: Ghadi, Rohan, Pandey, Pawan Kumar, Gabhale, Akash, Wadikar, Aaradhya, Dharshini, M., Kuche, Kaushik, Date, Tushar, Jain, Sanyog
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 15.12.2023
• ISSN: 0378-5173; 1873-3476
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123570

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells resist chemotherapy by hijacking apoptosis. Alternative cell death forms like ferroptosis offer new treatment options. A combined therapy using neratinib (NTB; ferroptosis inducer) and silibinin (SLB; apoptosis inducer) via albumin-based nanocarriers (N-S Alb NPs) was explored to target TNBC. N-S Alb NPs had optimal size (134.26 ± 10.23 nm), PDI (0.224 ± 0.01), and % entrapment efficiency (∼80 % for NTB and ∼87 % for SLB). Transmission electron microscopy confirmed their spherical shape. In vitro release studies showed sustained drug release without hemolysis risk. N-S Alb NPs had higher cellular uptake and cytotoxicity than individual drugs or their mixture. IC50 values for N-S Alb NPs were significantly reduced in MDA-MB-231 (∼2.23-fold) and 4T1 (∼1.85-fold) cell lines and apoptosis index were significantly higher in MDA-MB-231 (∼1.31-fold) and 4T1 cell line (∼1.35-fold) than the physical mixture of both drugs (NTB + SLB). N-S Alb NPs generated more reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caused mitochondrial membrane depolarization, indicating increased cell death. They also exhibited better ferroptosis induction by reducing glutathione (GSH), increasing Fe2+ activity and MDA levels in TNBC cells. Thus, N-S Alb NPs had the ability to promote "mixed" type cell death, showed promise in enhancing the payload capabilities and targeting in TNBC.