Disulfiram Encapsulated in PLGA Targets Cancer Stem Cells in Lung Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Butcher Kate, Wang Zhipeng, Kurusamy Sathishkumar, Zhang Zaixing, Morris Mark R., Najlah Mohammad, McConville Christopher, Kannappan Vinodh, Wang Weiguang
Primary Institution: University of Wolverhampton
Hypothesis
Hypoxia induces cancer stem cell traits and chemoresistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which can be targeted by disulfiram encapsulated in PLGA.
Conclusion
Disulfiram encapsulated in PLGA effectively inhibits cancer stem cells and reverses chemoresistance in non-small cell lung cancer both in vitro and in vivo.
Supporting Evidence
- Hypoxia-induced cancer stem cells are resistant to standard chemotherapy.
- Disulfiram shows strong anti-cancer effects in vitro and in vivo.
- PLGA encapsulation significantly improves the half-life of disulfiram.
Takeaway
This study shows that a medicine called disulfiram, when wrapped in tiny particles, can help fight a type of lung cancer by stopping special cancer cells that are hard to kill.
Methodology
The study used NSCLC cell lines and a mouse model to test the effects of disulfiram and copper on cancer stem cells and chemoresistance.
Limitations
The short half-life of disulfiram in the bloodstream limits its clinical application.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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