PLGA nanoparticles containing α-fetoprotein siRNA induce apoptosis and enhance the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin in human liver cancer cell line

• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.03.086
• Publication Date: 2021-03-26T13:22:22Z
• Authors: Theeraphong Pho-iam; Primana Punnakiti...; Chayapol Somboony...; Sirinapa Sripinit...; Patarabutr Masara...; Vorapan Sirivatan...; Yongyut Sirivatan...; Chamaiphorn Wongwan; Kytai T. Nguyen; Chatchawan Srisawat
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Apoptosis; Hep G2 Cells; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Doxorubicin; Humans; Nanoparticles; alpha-Fetoproteins; RNA, Small Interfering

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers and is a leading cause of death. Delivery of therapeutic molecules, e.g., siRNA, to HCC cells could potentially be an alternative treatment for HCC. In this study, the siRNA targeting α-fetoprotein (AFP) mRNA was found to specifically induce apoptosis and significant cell death in HepG2 cells. It also enhanced the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin by about two-fold, making it the candidate therapeutic molecule for HCC treatment. To deliver the siRNAs into HCC cells, the AFP siRNAs were loaded into the nanoparticles based on poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA). These nanoparticles induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells and synergistically increased the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin. In summary, the delivery of the AFP siRNA-loaded PLGA nanoparticles in combination with doxorubicin could be a very promising approach for the treatment of HCC.