[Glutathione-responsive AP site captor Probe-NEt for anaplastic thyroid cancer: in vitro and in vivo experimental studies].
Objective: To exploit the elevated glutathione (GSH) levels in the tumor microenvironment and investigate the therapeutic efficacy of a novel glutathione-responsive apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site captor, Probe-NEt, against anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). Methods: Fluorescence imaging compared Probe-NEt uptake and activation in normal thyroid (Nthy ori 3-1), ATC (THJ-16T, CAL-62), and lung cancer (H1299) cells. Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were determined by cytotoxicity assays; DNA damage was evaluated using appropriate assays. Flow cytometry analyzed cell cycle distribution and apoptosis following treatment with low (5 μmol/L) or high (20 μmol/L) Probe-NEt concentrations. BALB/c nude mice bearing subcutaneous ATC xenografts received low (0.025 mg) or high (0.05 mg) dose injections. Tumor volumes were monitored; HE staining assessed biosafety in major organs; immunohistochemistry detected apoptosis-related protein expression. Results: ATC cells demonstrated significantly higher Probe-NEt activation than normal thyroid cells. Probe-NEt exhibited selective cytotoxicity (higher IC50 in normal vs. ATC cells; all P<0.01) with time-dependent characteristics; the selectivity ratio increased from 1.7 at 24 h (62.4 vs. 37.7 μmol/L) to 2.4 at 48 h (32.7 vs. 13.5 μmol/L). Probe-NEt induced DNA damage, G2/M arrest (THJ-16T: from 5% to 43%; CAL-62: from 19% to 37%), and dose-dependent late apoptosis. In THJ-16T cells, late apoptotic rates rose from 5.49% (control) to 13.95% (low-dose) and 63.43% (high-dose), with viable cells decreasing accordingly (89.42%, 76.01%, 20.45%). CAL-62 cells showed similar trends (16.72%, 40.19%, 69.88%). In vivo, Probe-NEt significantly suppressed tumor growth without hepatorenal toxicity (all P>0.167). Immunohistochemistry revealed upregulated pro-apoptotic proteins, downregulated anti-apoptotic proteins, and decreased Ki-67 expression. Conclusion: The glutathione-responsive AP site captor Probe-NEt significantly inhibits ATC cell growth, induces G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, promotes late apoptosis, and exhibits high selectivity and favorable biosafety profiles.
Authors
Su Su, Chai Chai, Zhang Zhang, Sun Sun, Zheng Zheng, Li Li, Tan Tan, Jia Jia, Sun Sun, Meng Meng
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