Anticancer effects of gemcitabine are enhanced by co-administered iRGD peptide in murine pancreatic cancer models that overexpressed neuropilin-1.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Impaired drug transport is an important factor that reduces the efficacy of anticancer agents against pancreatic cancer. Here, we report a novel combination chemotherapy using gemcitabine (GEM) and internalised-RGD (iRGD) peptide, which enhances tumour-specific drug penetration by binding neuropilin-1 (NRP1) receptor.

Methods

A total of five pancreatic cancer murine models (two cell line-based xenografts (CXs) and three tumour grafts (TGs)) were treated with either GEM (100 mg kg(-1), q3d × 4) alone or GEM plus iRGD peptide (8 μmol kg(-1)). Evaluation of NRP1 expression in xenografts and 48 clinical cancer specimens was performed by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results

We identified a subset of pancreatic cancer models that showed NRP1 overexpression sensiti

SUBMITTER: Akashi Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3960621 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature