Synergistic enhancement of cellular uptake with CD44-expressing malignant pleural mesothelioma by combining cationic liposome and hyaluronic acid-lipid conjugate.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2019 June 20 [Link]

Sakurai Y, Kato A, Hida Y, Hamada J, Maishi N, Hida K, Harashima H

Abstract

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive form of cancer, with a median survival of less than one year. It is well known that the hyaluronan (HA) receptor CD44 is highly expressed by MPM cells and is reported to be correlated with a poor prognosis. We herein report on the development of a new type if drug delivery system against CD44 that involves the use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) equipped with a new type of HA derivative. In this study, we evaluated HA-lipid conjugation (HAL) via the end of the HA molecule through reductive amination, a process that allowed the carboxylate group to remain intact. As a result, the HAL-modified LNP appears to be a potent nanoparticle for dealing with MPM. Surprisingly, the use of a combination of a cationic lipid and HAL had a synergistic effect on cellular uptake in MPM and consequently permitted an anti-cancer drug such as cis-diamminedichloro-platinum(II) (CDDP). Intrapleural injection of CDDP-loaded HAL-LNP (1.5 mg/kg as CDDP) per week significantly suppressed the progression of this type of cancer in a MPM orthotopic model. These results suggest that HAL-modified LNP represents a potent delivery system for MPM cells that express high levels of CD44.