Targeting Epirubicin Plus Quinacrine Liposomes Modified with DSPE-PEG(2000)-C(RGDfK) Conjugate for Eliminating Invasive Breast Cancer

Recurrence of invasive breast cancer could arise from the residual cancer cells after comprehensive treatment. It is possible that residual invasive cancer cells are capable of forming highly patterned vasculogenic mimicry (VM) channels, leading to relapse and metastasis. In the present study, a new type of targeting epirubicin plus quinacrine liposomes was developed by modifying functional DSPE-PEG(2000) with C(RGDfK), a cyclic peptide containing Arg-Gly-Asp. These liposomes could potentially eliminate invasive breast cancer and destroy VM channels. Evaluations were made in human invasive breast cancer cells and their xenografts in nude mice. The results showed that the targeting epirubicin plus quinacrine liposomes could enhance the accumulation and uptake of the drugs in cancer tissues, kill cancer cells directly, activate apoptotic enzymes, destroy the VM channels and downregulate the VM channel-forming marker molecules (EphA2, FAK, PI3K, MMP 9, MMP 14, VE-Cad and HIF-alpha), thereby exhibiting a strong overall anticancer efficacy. The targeting epirubicin plus quinacrine liposomes provided a promising strategy to treat invasive breast cancer and to prevent the relapse arising from VM channels after chemotherapy.