EGFR-Targeted Liposomes Combined with Ginsenoside Rh2 Inhibit Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Growth and Metastasis

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains the most challenging breast cancer subtype due to its lack of targeted therapies and poor prognosis. In order to treat patients with these tumors, efforts have been made to explore feasible targets. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy is currently in clinical trials and regarded to be a promising treatment strategy. In this study, an EGFR-targeting nanoliposome (LTL@Rh2@Lipo-GE11) using ginsenoside Rh2 as a wall material was developed, in which GE11 was used as the EGFR-binding peptide to deliver more ginsenoside Rh2 and luteolin into TNBC. In comparison to non-targeted liposomes (Rh2@Lipo and LTL@Rh2@Lipo), the nanoliposomes LTL@Rh2@Lipo-GE11 demonstrated a high specificity to MDA-MB-231 cells that expressed a high level of EGFR both in vitro and in vivo, contributing to the strong inhibitory effects on the growth and migration of TNBC. These results suggest that LTL@Rh2@Lipo-GE11 is a prospective candidate for targeted therapy of TNBC, with a remarkable capability to inhibit tumor development and metastasis.

Integrating Chinese medicine into mainstream cancer therapies: a promising future

“…Lipid nanodelivery systems have the advantages of prolonging the retention time of active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine in vivo , enhancing targeting, and increasing solubility. GRh2 liposomes (LTL@Rh2@Lipo-GE11), which target EGFR, were able to counteract breast cancer cells with high EGFR hyperexpression more accurately, showed high specificity and strong cytotoxicity, inhibited the growth and migration of breast cancer cells, and are a promising therapeutic option ( 29 ). Similarly, liposomes containing GRg3 also possessed certain anti-TNBC effects.…”