Evaluation of Bacteriochlorophyll-Reconstituted Low-Density Lipoprotein Nanoparticles for Photodynamic Therapy Efficacy In Vivo

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the novel nanoparticle reconstituted bacteriochlorin e6 bisoleate low-density lipoprotein (r-Bchl-BOA-LDL) for its efficacy as a photodynamic therapy agent delivery system in xenografts of human hepatoblastoma G2 (HepG2) tumors. Materials & methods: Bchl-BOA was encapsulated in the nanoparticle low-density lipoprotein (LDL), a native particle whose receptor‘s overexpression is a cancer signature for a number of neoplasms. Evaluation of r-Bchl-BOA-LDL as a potential photosensitizer was performed using a tumor response and foot response assay. Results & discussion: When compared with controls, tumor regrowth was significantly delayed at injected murine doses of 2 µmole/kg r-Bchl-BOA-LDL after illumination at fluences of 125, 150 or 175 J/cm². Foot response assays showed that although normal tissue toxicity accompanied the higher fluences it was significantly reduced at the lowest fluence tested. Conclusion: This research demonstrates that r-Bchl-BOA-LDL is an effective photosensitizer and a promising candidate for further investigation.

Keywords::

• bacteriochlorophyll
• low-density lipoprotein
• nanoparticle
• photodynamic therapy
• xenograft hepatoma

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This research was supported by NIH grants N01C037119 (Gang Zheng) and R01CA085831 (Theresa Busch). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Tuoxiu Bleu Zhong for her invaluable redox scan assistance. Additionally, we extend our sincere thanks to Lin Li for manuscript assistance. Christopher Marotta is appreciated for his continued support.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by NIH grants N01C037119 (Gang Zheng) and R01CA085831 (Theresa Busch). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.