Arsenic trioxide nanoparticles inhibit acute promyelocytic leukemia cell proliferation and induce apoptosis via PTEN/AKT signalling pathway

Abstract

Background: Arsenic Trioxide (As 2 O 3) is a FDA-approved agent for the treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL). But the high-toxicity is a bottleneck of the effect of As 2 O 3. Methods: In our previous work, we made a novel nanoparticle formulation of As 2 O 3. The aim of the present study was to preliminary study the possible mechanisms of the antitumor effect of As 2 O 3 nanoparticles on NB4 cells. We examined the proliferation and apoptosis of NB4 cells incubated with the As 2 O 3 or As 2 O 3 nanoparticles. Protein levels of p-PTEN, p-AKT, Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9 and AIF of NB4 cells after using As 2 O 3 nanoparticles and traditional As 2 O 3 were determined by Western blotting analysis. Results: In vitro cytotoxicity test showed that the inhibition rate and apoptosis level of NB4 cells treated with As 2 O 3 nanoparticles was much higher than that of traditional As 2 O 3. Moreover, As 2 O 3 nanoparticles resulted in a more significant increase in p-PTEN expression and a greater reduction in p-Akt expression compared with traditional As 2 O 3. Conclusions: Our findings indicated the obvious anticancer effect of As 2 O 3 nanoparticles and demonstrate the possible mechanism of its therapeutic potential. The results provide a foundation for the future clinical studies of As 2 O 3 nanoparticles in APL patients.

Toxicity Evaluation of Arsenic Nanoparticles on Growth, Biochemical, Hematological, and Physiological Parameters of Labeo rohita Juveniles

“…Arsenic nanoparticles (AsNPs) have been considered good candidates for cancer treatment and have shown good cytotoxic potential against breast cancer cells [14]. In another study, arsenic trioxide nanoparticles (As 2 O 3 NPs) were reported to inhibit acute promyelocytic leukemia and PTEN/AKT mediated apoptosis [15]. As 2 O 3 NPs were also shown to cause strong apoptosis and cytotoxic effect against NB4 tumor cells by inhibiting Bcl-2 expression [16].…”

Self-assembly of arsenic nanoparticles into magnetic nanotubules and their SERS activity

“…Arsenic compounds, in bulk as well as nanoscale, have been refined chemically and physically over the years to treat various diseases including cancer and tumors [1,2]. Owing to its strong reducing and galvanic replacement capabilities, nanoarsenic have also been utilised to fabricate gold nanocrystals for sensor applications [3].…”