Restoring the oncosuppressor activity of microRNA-34a in glioblastoma using a polyglycerol-based polyplex.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary neoplasm of the brain. Poor prognosis is mainly attributed to tumor heterogeneity, invasiveness, and drug resistance. microRNA-based therapeutics represent a promising approach due to their ability to inhibit multiple targets. In this work, we aim to restore the oncosuppressor activity of microRNA-34a (miR-34a) in GBM. We developed a cationic carrier system, dendritic polyglycerolamine (dPG-NH2), which remarkably improves miRNA stability, intracellular trafficking, and activity. dPG-NH2 carrying mature miR-34a targets C-MET, CDK6, Notch1 and BCL-2, consequently inhibiting cell cycle progression, proliferation and migration of GBM cells. Following complexation with dPG-NH2, miRNA is stable in plasma and able to cross the blood-brain barrier. We further show inhibition of tumor growth following treatment with dPG-NH2-miR-34a in a human glioblastoma mouse model. We hereby present a promising technology using dPG-NH2-miR-34a polyplex for brain-tumor treatment, with enhanced efficacy and no apparent signs of toxicity.

Bispecific Antibodies for Targeted Delivery of Dendritic Polyglycerol (dPG) Prodrug Conjugates.

One approach to further improve the therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles is employment of active targeting strategies. Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) that bind to both tumor specific antigens on the cell surface and to haptens such as digoxigenin (Dig) can direct digoxigeninylated payloads to tumor cells. In this study, we investigate the potential of dendritic polyglycerol (dPG) conjugates, which consist of a doxorubicin (DOX) prodrug, Dig moiety, and a poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) shell, in combination with bsAb, as a novel approach for targeted prodrug delivery. We could show successful binding of the bsAbs to dPGDigMal- DOX-PEG conjugates, as well as binding of these complexes to the cell surface of Lewis Y (LeY) expressing MCF-7 cells. Using flow cytometry, we could show the preferential binding of the targeting complex over the complex of control conjugate lacking Dig moieties. At concentrations that are usually applied for drug delivery, antibodycomplexed nanoparticles (independent of antibody specificity) released cytotoxic compounds into cells to the same degree as unmodified nanoparticles. This indicates that antibody-attachment does not interfere with the inherent cell binding and drug delivery properties of nanoparticles. At low doxorubicin concentrations and short incubation times, however, we were able to see a slightly increased target specific cytotoxicity in vitro which is mediated by complexation of the digoxigeninylated NP with the Dig-binding moiety of a bsAb that in turns direct the complexed bsAb to target cells. This study demonstrates the potential of digoxigeninylated dPG prodrug conjugates in combination with bsAbs as a new platform for targeted prodrug delivery into cancerous tissues. However the nanoparticle design needs to be further optimized for significant targeted delivery.