Abstract
Purpose
Trastuzumab combined with Doxorubicin (DOX) demonstrates significant clinical activity in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC). However, emergence of treatment resistance and trastuzumab associated cardiotoxicity remain clinical challenges. In an effort to improve patient outcome, we have developed and evaluated novel tri-functional immunoliposomes (TFIL) that target HER2-receptors on BC cells and CD3-receptors on T-lymphocytes, and deliver DOX.
Methods
Trastuzumab (anti-HER2) and OKT-3 (anti-CD3) antibodies were conjugated to liposomes using a micelle-transfer method. Cytotoxicity of targeted immunoliposomes loaded with DOX was examined in vitro on HER2-positive BC cells (BT474), with peripheral blood monocytic cells (PBMC) as immune effector cells.
Results
TFIL demonstrated high antibody-liposome conjugation ratios (100–130 μg protein/μmol phospholipid) and cargo capacity (0.21 mol:mol drug:lipid), highly efficient DOX loading (>90%), a particle size favorable for extended circulation (~150 nm), and good stability (up to 3 months at 4°C). In the presence of PBMCs, TFIL showed complete killing of BT474 cells, and were superior to mono-targeted trastuzumab-bearing liposomes, non-targeted liposomes, and free Trastuzumab and DOX.
Conclusions
Novel anti-HER2xCD3 + DOX TFIL show promise as a means to both engage immune cells against HER2 positive breast cancer cells and deliver chemotherapy, and have the potential to improve clinical outcomes.
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Abbreviations
- BC:
-
Breast Cancer
- CD3:
-
Cluster of Differentiation Receptor Type 3
- CTLs:
-
Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes
- DOX:
-
Doxorubicin
- HER2:
-
Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Type 2
- PBMCs:
-
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
- TFIL:
-
Tri-Functional Immunoliposomes
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Vaidya, T., Straubinger, R.M. & Ait-Oudhia, S. Development and Evaluation of Tri-Functional Immunoliposomes for the Treatment of HER2 Positive Breast Cancer. Pharm Res 35, 95 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-018-2365-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-018-2365-x