Novel Iodine nanoparticles target vascular mimicry in intracerebral triple negative human MDA-MB-231 breast tumors

Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 13;11(1):1203. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-80862-5.

Abstract

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), ~ 10-20% of diagnosed breast cancers, metastasizes to brain, lungs, liver. Iodine nanoparticle (INP) radioenhancers specifically localize to human TNBC MDA-MB-231 tumors growing in mouse brains after iv injection, significantly extending survival of mice after radiation therapy (RT). A prominent rim of INP contrast (MicroCT) previously seen in subcutaneous tumors but not intracerebral gliomas, provide calculated X-ray dose-enhancements up to > eightfold. Here, MDA-MB-231-cells, INPs, CD31 were examined by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Most INP staining co-localized with CD31 in the tumor center and periphery. Greatest INP/CD31 staining was in the tumor periphery, the region of increased MicroCT contrast. Tumor cells are seen to line irregularly-shaped spaces (ISS) with INP, CD31 staining very close to or on the tumor cell surface and PAS stain on their boundary and may represent a unique form of CD31-expressing vascular mimicry in intracerebral 231-tumors. INP/CD31 co-staining is also seen around ISS formed around tumor cells migrating on CD31+ blood-vessels. The significant radiation dose enhancement to the prolific collagen I containing, INP-binding ISS found throughout the tumor but concentrated in the tumor rim, may contribute significantly to the life extensions observed after INP-RT; VM could represent a new drug/NP, particularly INP, tumor-homing target.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Iodine / administration & dosage*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / metabolism

Substances

  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Iodine