Chemotherapeutic agents have certain limitations when it comes to treating cancer, the most important being severe side effects along with multidrug resistance developed against them. Tumor cells exhibits drug resistance due to activation of various cellular level processes viz. activation of drug efflux pumps, anti-apoptotic defense mechanisms etc. Currently, RNA interference (RNAi) based therapeutic approaches are under vibrant scrutinization to seek cancer cure. Especially small interfering RNA (siRNA) and micro RNA (miRNA), are able to knock down the carcinogenic genes by targeting the mRNA expression, which underlies the uniqueness of this therapeutic approach. Recent research focus in the regime of cancer therapy involves the engagement of targeted delivery of siRNA/miRNA in combinations with other therapeutic agents (such as gene, DNA or chemotherapeutic drug) for targeting permeability glycoprotein (P-gp), Multidrug resistant protein 1(MRP-1), B-cell lymphoma (BCL-2) and other targets that are mainly responsible for resistance in cancer therapy. RNAi-chemotherapeutic drug combinations have also been found to be effective against different molecular targets as well and can increase the sensitization of cancer cells to therapy several folds. However, due to stability issues associated with siRNA/miRNA suitable protective carrier is needed and nanotechnology based approaches have been widely explored to overcome these drawbacks. Furthermore, it has been univocally advocated that the co-delivery of siRNA/miRNA with other chemodrugs significantly enhances their capability to overcome cancer resistance compared to naked counterparts. The objective of this article is to review recent nanocarrier based approaches adopted for the delivery of siRNA/miRNA combinations with other anticancer agents (siRNA/miRNA/pDNA/chemodrugs) to treat cancer.

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Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the cytotoxic effects of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor g (PPARg) agonist, 1,1-bis (3 ¶-indolyl)-1-(p-biphenyl) methane (DIM-CpPhC 6 H 5 ), alone and in combination with docetaxel in vitro in A549 lung cancer cells and in vivo in nude mice bearing A549 orthotopic lung tumors. Experimental Design: Isobolographic method was used to calculate combination index values from cell viability data. Apoptosis was evaluated in A549 cells by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling assay and measurement of cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase level. Expression of proteins was studied by Western blotting. A549 cells were implanted to induce orthotopic lung tumors in nude mice and the efficacy of docetaxel, DIM-C-pPhC 6 H 5 , or combination was determined. Apoptosis and cleaved caspase-3 expression in the harvested tissues were studied by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: The combination index values (0.36-0.9) suggested synergistic to additive effects of docetaxel + DIM-C-pPhC 6 H 5 and resulted in the highest increase in percentage of apoptotic cells and expression of cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, Bax, and N-cadherin compared with treatment with either agent. The combination also enhanced procaspase-3 and -9 cleavage. In vivo, docetaxel + DIM-C-pPhC 6 H 5 reduced lung weights by 57% compared with 39% by docetaxel or 22% by DIM-C-pPhC 6 H 5 alone, induced apoptosis in 43% of the tumor cells compared with 29% and 22% in tumors treated with docetaxel and DIM-C-pPhC 6 H 5 , respectively, and increased procaspase-3 cleavage compared with either agent alone. Conclusions: These findings suggest potential benefit for use of docetaxel and DIM-CpPhC 6 H 5 combination in lung cancer treatment.

The aim of the current study was to encapsulate celecoxib (Cxb) in the Nanostructured Lipid Carrier (Cxb-NLC) nanoparticles and evaluate the lung disposition of nanoparticles following nebulization in Balb/c mice. Cxb-NLC nanoparticles were prepared with Cxb, Compritol, Miglyol and sodium taurocholate using high-pressure homogenization. Cxb-NLC nanoparticles were characterized for physical and aerosol properties. In-vitro cytotoxicity studies were performed with A549 cells. The lung deposition and pharmacokinetic parameters of Cxb-NLC and Cxb solution (Cxb-Soln) formulations were determined using Inexpose™ system and Pari LC star jet nebulizer. The particle size and entrapment efficiency of Cxb-NLC formulation were 217 ± 20 nm and > 90%, respectively. The Cxb-NLC released the drug in controlled fashion, and in vitro aersolization of Cxb-NLC formulation showed FPF of 75.6 ± 4.6 %, MMAD of 1.6 ±0.13 μm and GSD of 1.2 ± 0.21. Cxb-NLC showed dose and time dependent cytotoxicity against A549 cells. Nebulization of Cxb-NLC demonstrated 4 fold higher AUC t/ D in lung tissues compared to Cxb-Soln. The systemic clearance of Cxb-NLC was slower (0.93 L/h) compared to Cxb-Soln (20.03 L/h). Cxb encapsulated NLC were found to be stable and aerodynamic properties were within the respirable limits. Aerosolization of Cxb-NLC improved the Cxb pulmonary bioavailability compared to solution formulation which will potentially lead to better patient compliance with minimal dosing intervals.

Our studies suggest that potent antitumor activity of Nos against NSCLC cells. Oral administration of Nos showed significant reduction in tumor volume in human non-small cell lung tumor xenograft in nude mice in a dose dependant manner. Thus, Nos is a promising novel chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of human lung cancer.

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of Noscapine (Nos) and Cisplatin (Cis) combination treatment in vitro in A549 and H460 lung cancer cells, in vivo in murine xenograft model and to investigate the underlying mechanism. The combination index values (<0.6) suggested synergistic effects of Nos + Cis and resulted in the highest increase in percentage of apoptotic NSCLC cells and increased expression of p53, p21, caspase 3, cleaved caspase 3, cleaved PARP, Bax, and decreased expression of Bcl2 and surviving proteins compared with treatment with either agent. Nos + Cis treatment reduced tumor volume by 78.1 ± 7.5% compared with 38.2 ± 6.8% by Cis or 35.4 ± 6.9% by Nos alone in murine xenograft lung cancer model. Nos + Cis treatment decreased expression of pAkt, Akt, cyclin D1, survivin, PARP, Bcl2, and increased expression of p53, p21, Bax, cleaved PARP, caspase 3, cleaved caspase 3, cleaved caspase 8, caspase 8, cleaved caspase 9 and caspase 9 compared to single-agent treated and control groups. Our results suggest that Nos enhanced the anticancer activity of Cis in an additive to synergistic manner by activating multiple signaling pathways including apoptosis. These findings suggest potential benefit for use of Nos and Cis combination in treatment of lung cancer.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer activity and mechanism of action of Noscapine alone and in combination with Doxorubicin against triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).MethodsTNBC cells were pretreated with Noscapine or Doxorubicin or combination and combination index values were calculated using isobolographic method. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining. Female athymic Nu/nu mice were xenografted with MDA-MB-231 cells and the efficacy of Noscapine, Doxorubicin and combination was determined. Protein expression, immunohistochemical staining were evaluated in harvested tumor tissues.ResultsNoscapine inhibited growth of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells with the IC50 values of 36.16±3.76 and 42.7±4.3 µM respectively. The CI values (<0.59) were suggestive of strong synergistic interaction between Noscapine and Doxorubicin and combination treatment showed significant increase in apoptotic cells. Noscapine showed dose dependent reduction in the tumor volumes at a dose of 150–550 mg/kg/day compared to controls. Noscapine (300 mg/kg), Doxorubicin (1.5 mg/kg) and combination treatment reduced tumor volume by 39.4±5.8, 34.2±5.7 and 82.9±4.5 percent respectively and showed decreased expression of NF-KB pathway proteins, VEGF, cell survival, and increased expression of apoptotic and growth inhibitory proteins compared to single-agent treatment and control groups.ConclusionsNoscapine potentiated the anticancer activity of Doxorubicin in a synergistic manner against TNBC tumors via inactivation of NF-KB and anti-angiogenic pathways while stimulating apoptosis. These findings suggest potential benefit for use of oral Noscapine and Doxorubicin combination therapy for treatment of more aggressive TNBC.