Liposomal simvastatin sensitizes C26 murine colon carcinoma to the antitumor effects of liposomal 5-fluorouracil in vivo

5-Fluorouracil-based therapy remains the main approach in colorectal cancer, even though there are still some drawbacks, such as chemoresistance. In this study we combined 5-fluorouracil encapsulated in long-circulating liposomes with simvastatin, also encapsulated in long-circulating liposomes, that was previously proved to exert antitumor actions on the same tumor model. The production of angiogenic/inflammatory proteins was assessed by protein array and the production of markers for tumor aggressiveness (Bcl-2, Bax, and nuclear factor [NF]-kappa B) were determined by western blot analysis. Intratumor oxidative stress was evaluated through measurement of malondialdehyde level by HPLC, and through spectrophotometric analysis of catalytic activity of catalase and of total antioxidant capacity. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumors for CD31 expression was assessed. Intratumor activity of MMP-2 by gelatin zymography was also carried out. Our results revealed that combined therapies based on liposomal formulations exerted enhanced antitumor activities compared with combined treatment with free drugs. Sequential treatment with liposomal simvastatin and liposomal 5-fluorouracil showed the strongest antitumor activity in C26 colon carcinoma in vivo, mainly through inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. Important markers for cancer progression (Bcl-2, Bax, NF-kappa B, and intratumor antioxidants) showed that liposomal simvastatin might sensitize C26 cells to liposomal 5-fluorouracil treatment in both regimens tested. The outcome of simultaneous treatment with liposomal formulations was superior to sequential treatment with both liposomal types as the invasive capacity of C26 tumors was strongly increased after the latest treatment. The antitumor efficacy of combined therapy in C26 colon carcinoma might be linked to the restorative effects on proteins balance involved in tumor angiogenesis.