Lignin-Based Nanocarrier for Simultaneous Delivery of <sup>131</sup>I and SN-38 in the Combined Treatment of Solid Tumors by a Nanobrachytherapy Approach

<b>Background:</b> The rapid rise in cancer incidence significantly augments efforts to improve cancer treatments. A multimodal approach in the nanobrachytherapy of solid tumors is one of the promising methods under investigation. This study presents a novel biocompatible lignin-based na...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Aleksandar Vukadinović, Miloš Ognjanović, Milica Mijović, Bryce Warren, Slavica Erić, Željko Prijović
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/2/177
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:<b>Background:</b> The rapid rise in cancer incidence significantly augments efforts to improve cancer treatments. A multimodal approach in the nanobrachytherapy of solid tumors is one of the promising methods under investigation. This study presents a novel biocompatible lignin-based nanomaterial, loaded with cytostatic agent SN-38 and radionuclide <sup>131</sup>I, for simultaneous radiation and chemotherapy of solid tumors by a nanobrachytherapy approach. <b>Method:</b> Nanoparticles of ~100 nm in size, composed of lignin alone or loaded with 10% (m/m) of SN-38 (SN-38@lignin), were synthesized using a bottom-up approach and characterized. Subsequent radiolabeling of the nanoparticles by <sup>131</sup>I produced <sup>131</sup>I-lignin and <sup>131</sup>I-SN-38@lignin. Their antitumor efficiency was tested against luciferase-expressing 4T1 mouse breast cancer xenografts of ~100 mm<sup>3</sup> size on Balb/c mice. <b>Results:</b> An intratumoral injection of 1.85 MBq of <sup>131</sup>I-lignin was retained within the tumor and achieved a moderate twofold decrease in tumor size compared to the control group. Injecting SN-38@lignin containing 25 µg of SN-38 decreased tumor size 3.5-fold. The therapy using the same doses of <sup>131</sup>I-SN-38@lignin produced the most potent antitumor effect, with tumors being 6-fold smaller and having extensive intratumoral necrosis, all of it without signs of systemic toxicity. <b>Conclusions:</b> These results support the intratumoral delivery of lignin-based nanomaterial carrying radioisotopes and camptothecins for effective multimodal anticancer therapy.
ISSN:1424-8247