Harnessing Microalgae as New Carriers in Cancer Therapy
Harnessing Microalgae as New Carriers in Cancer Therapy
Fatemeh Khavari,1Massoud Saidijam,2Mohammad Taheri,3Fatemeh Nouri,4,*
1. Student Research Committee, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran 2. Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran 3. Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran 4. Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Introduction: Cancer is the cause of 171.2 of 100,000 deaths each year. However, a major challenge in cancer therapy is the impact of anticancer drugs on normal cells and tissues. Using drug delivery systems is considered to be an effective approach to the reduction of toxicity and improving the therapeutic efficacy of drugs, especially in cancer therapy. Using synthetic NPs for the delivery of anticancer drugs is an important approach to the improvement of chemotherapy effectiveness. However, these materials may be toxic and have some environmental disadvantages. Today, emphasis is placed on the use of marine resources in biomedicine. Microalgae are major sources of various polysaccharides, which could be converted into NPs and use hydrophilic groups on the surface to interact with biomolecules.
Methods: The bibliographic search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Any language or date restrictions were not applied. Identified studies were screened by title, abstract, and full text. During the reviewed articles in 2020, if we identified a new article, we would include it in our study.
Results: Diatom is a eukaryotic unicellular microalga with a unique cell wall known as a frustule. Frustule structure is composed of silica and could be easily protected, functionalized, and engineered for successive drug loading and delivery. Terracciano et al. used biofunctionalized diatom nanoparticles (DNPs) for drug loading and release studies of sorafenib, a poorly water-soluble anticancer drug. They found DNPs functionalized with ATPES(3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane and polyethylene glycol (PEG) showed excellent cellular uptake and better-sustained drug release profile.
Diatomites activated by oxidizing acids have been used as a carrier of ophiobolin A (anticancer compound of fungal origin), extending the release of this agent. Furthermore, Diatomite NPs are effective in the transport of siRNA inside human epidermoid cancer cells (H1355) to silence gene expression. These nanocarriers could also be loaded with one or more different molecules and improve the delivery of antitumor biomolecules and drugs.
Conclusion: Diatom shells have unique 3D structures and are used for the production of NPs for drug and biomolecule delivery. Different morphology and functionalization could enhance drug loading and release from DE NPs. Several studies have investigated modified diatomites for the specific delivery of drugs (DOX, camptothecin, paclitaxel) in the treatment of colon and breast cancer, proposing positive outcomes. Further investigation and clinical trials are still required in this regard.