A novel cabazitaxel liposomes modified with ginsenoside Rk1 for cancer targeted therapy

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aim to enhance the anti-prostate cancer efficacy of cabazitaxel (CTX) and reduce its immunosuppression and systemic toxicity by developing CTX-loaded liposomes modified with ginsenoside Rk1 (Rk1/CTX-Lip).
Methods: Physical and chemical properties of Rk1/CTX-Lip were investigated. We evaluated the biological functions of Rk1/CTX-Lip, both in vitro and in vivo. A subcutaneous prostate cancer (RM-1)-bearing mouse model was established to study the efficacy of Rk1/CTX-Lip inhibition in tumors. Simultaneously, a Candida albicans infection model was established in tumor-bearing mice to study the infection-relieving efficacy of Rk1/CTX-Lip. Finally, biocompatibility and in vivo safety of Rk1/CTX-Lip were evaluated.
Results: We successfully prepared Rk1/CTX-Lip, achieving high CTX encapsulation efficiency (97.24β±β0.75)% and physical stability. Rk1/CTX-Lip demonstrated evasion of macrophage phagocytosis, effective tumor tissue targeting, and a significant reduction (>50%) in average tumor volume compared with Chol/CTX-Lip. Moreover, it relieved the concurrent infection burden and effectively regulated immune organs and cells, demonstrating superior biocompatibility.
Conclusion: Rk1/CTX-Lip presents a promising new therapy for prostate cancer and holds potential for relieving concurrent fungal infections in cancer patients with low immunity.

Keywords

Cabazitaxel / Fungal infection / Ginsenoside Rk1 / Liposome-drug delivery system / Prostate cancer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82373808), Chongqing Natural Science Foundation (cstc2021jcyj-bshX0125). Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (SWURC2020001), the project for Chongqing University Innovation Research Group, Chongqing Education Committee (CXQT20006).

Author contributions

Chong Li, Feiyan Gao, and Dandan Huang conceived the project, designed all the experiments, analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript. Zhongjie Tang and Xiao Pu conducted the experiments and analyzed the data. All authors edited the manuscript.

Ethical approval of studies and informed consent

The laboratory animal facility has been accredited by the IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) of Southwest University Laboratory Animal Center (IACUC Issue No. IACUC-20200905-02). All animal experiments were conducted under the guidelines of the Ethical Review Committee of experimental animals at the Southwest University of China.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University for providing access to instrumentation and technical support.

Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.

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Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine