Brain-Targeted Codelivery of Bcl-2/Bcl-xl and Mcl-1 Inhibitors by Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Orthotopic Glioblastoma Therapy

Glioblastoma (GBM) is among the most treatment-resistant solid tumors and often recurrs after resection. One of the mechanisms through which GBM escapes various treatment modalities is the overexpression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins (e.g., Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and Mcl-1) in tumor cells. Small-molecule inhibitors such as ABT-263 (ABT), which can promote mitochondrial-mediated cell apoptosis by selectively inhibiting the function of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl, have been proven to be promising anticancer agents in clinical trials. However, the therapeutic prospects of ABT for GBM treatment are hampered by its limited blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration, dose-dependent thrombocytopenia, and the drug resistance driven by Mcl-1, which is overexpressed in GBM cells and further upregulated upon treatment with ABT. Herein, we reported that the Mcl-1-specific inhibitor A-1210477 (A12) can act synergistically with ABT to induce potent cell apoptosis in U87 MG cells, drug-resistant U251 cells, and patient-derived GBM cancer stem cells. We further designed a biomimetic nanomedicine, based on the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) peptide-decorated red blood cell membrane and pH-sensitive dextran nanoparticles, for the brain-targeted delivery of ABT and A12. The synergistic anti-GBM effect was retained after encapsulation in the nanomedicine. Additionally, the obtained nanomedicine possessed good biocompatibility, exhibited efficient BBB penetration, and could effectively suppress tumor growth and prolong the survival time of mice bearing orthotopic GBM xenografts without inducing detectable adverse effects.

Automated summary

In this study, the researchers discovered that the Mcl-1-specific inhibitor A12 synergizes with ABT to induce potent cell apoptosis in GBM. They also developed a biomimetic nanomedicine that can effectively deliver ABT and A12 to the brain, exhibiting good biocompatibility and efficient blood-brain barrier penetration. This nanomedicine effectively suppressed tumor growth and prolonged the survival time of mice with GBM xenografts without inducing adverse effects.