Phosphatidylserine-selective targeting and anticancer effects of SapC-DOPS nanovesicles on brain tumors

Oncotarget. 2014 Aug 30;5(16):7105-18. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.2214.

Abstract

Brain tumors, either primary (e.g., glioblastoma multiforme) or secondary (metastatic), remain among the most intractable and fatal of all cancers. We have shown that nanovesicles consisting of Saposin C (SapC) and dioleylphosphatidylserine (DOPS) are able to effectively target and kill cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. These actions are a consequence of the affinity of SapC-DOPS for phosphatidylserine, an acidic phospholipid abundantly present in the outer membrane of a variety of tumor cells and tumor-associated vasculature. In this study, we first characterize SapC-DOPS bioavailability and antitumor effects on human glioblastoma xenografts, and confirm SapC-DOPS specificity towards phosphatidylserine by showing that glioblastoma targeting is abrogated after in vivo exposure to lactadherin, which binds phosphatidylserine with high affinity. Second, we demonstrate that SapC-DOPS selectively targets brain metastases-forming cancer cells both in vitro, in co-cultures with human astrocytes, and in vivo, in mouse models of brain metastases derived from human breast or lung cancer cells. Third, we demonstrate that SapC-DOPS have cytotoxic activity against metastatic breast cancer cells in vitro, and prolong the survival of mice harboring brain metastases. Taken together, these results support the potential of SapC-DOPS for the diagnosis and therapy of primary and metastatic brain tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Glioblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Nanostructures / administration & dosage*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Phosphatidylserines / administration & dosage*
  • Phosphatidylserines / chemistry
  • Phosphatidylserines / metabolism
  • Random Allocation
  • Saposins / administration & dosage*
  • Saposins / chemistry
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Phosphatidylserines
  • Saposins