ABSTRACT
Chemotherapy is among the limited choices approved for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at intermediate and advanced stages. Preferential and prolonged drug exposure in diseased sites is required to maximize the therapeutic index of the drug. Here, we report an injectable supramolecular peptide hydrogel as an intraperitoneal depot for localized and sustained release of triptolide for the treatment of orthotopic HCC. We chose peptide amphiphile C-GNNQQNYKD-OH-based nanofibers as gelators and carriers for triptolide. Sustained triptolide release from the hydrogel was achieved over 14 days , with higher accumulation in and cytotoxicity against human HCC Bel-7402 in comparison with L-02 fetal hepatocytes. After intraperitoneal injection, the hydrogel showed prolonged retention over 13 days and preferential accumulation in the liver, realizing HCC growth inhibition by 99.7 ± 0.1% and animal median survival extension from 19 to 43 days, without causing noticeable pathological changes in the major organs. These results demonstrate that injectable peptide hydrogel can be a potential carrier for localized chemotherapy of HCC.
ABSTRACT
Aurora-A is a mitotic serine/threonine kinase that is evolutionally conserved and localized at the centrosome. Aurora-A activation is required for mitotic entry, centrosome maturation, and centrosome separation. Aurora-A is frequently amplified and/or over-expressed in breast, ovarian, esophageal, colon, lung, and bladder cancers. Aurora-A has recently become a new target of malignant tumors. The Aurora-A inhibitor can be combined with other chemotherapeutic drugs to provide a new way for cancer treatment. In this study, we review the function and inhibitor of Aurora-A kinase.