Nanotube interactions with microtubules: implications for cancer medicine

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and microtubules are both hollow nanofibers and have similar dimensions; they both self-assemble and form bundles. These common features prompt their association into biosynthetic polymers in vitro and in vivo. Unlike CNTs, microtubules are highly dynamic protein polymers essential for cell proliferation and migration. Interaction between these filaments inside live cells leads to microtubule dysfunction, mitotic arrest and cell death. Thus, CNTs behave as spindle poisons, same as taxanes, vinca alkaloids or epotilones. Recent findings support the idea that CNTs represent a ground-breaking type of synthetic microtubule-stabilizing agents that could play a pivotal role in future cancer treatments in combination to traditional antineoplastic drugs. Here we review the potential use of CNTs in cancer medicine.

The Advances in Biomedical Applications of Carbon Nanotubes

“…The study showed pH-dependent drug release potential and anti-cancer activity of CNTs loaded with curcumin. Apart from curcumin, there is a range of studies demonstrating that anticancer herbal compounds can be effectively combined with CNTs: paclitaxel [80,81], docetaxel [82], vinca alkaloids [83], camptothecin [84,85], podophyllotoxin [86], quercetin [87], oridonin [88], etc.…”

Inhibition of Cancer Cell Migration by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

“…Remarkably, the interaction of MWCNTs with the microtubule is not site‐specific. Instead MWCNTs appear to interact along the protofilament surface, and this fact has two major advantages. First, MWCNTs do not require a specific binding site in the tubulin molecule subject of mutations.…”

Biodegradable multi-walled carbon nanotubes trigger anti-tumoral effects

“…shear stress, bending stiffness, Young´s modulus). 10,13,14 Similarities between MWCNTs and microtubules prompt their interaction in vitro 15 and in vivo 11,16 and the assembly of mixed bio-synthetic intracellular polymers that display an enhanced stability compared to conventional tubulin polymers. 11 This interaction triggers critical changes in the cellular biomechanics resulting in anti-proliferative, 11 anti-migratory 17,18 and cytotoxic 19 effects in cancer cells in vitro, as well as significant anti-tumoral effects in vivo.…”