posted on 2018-09-04, 00:00authored byGianpaolo Dagrada, Katia Rupel, Serena Zacchigna, Elena Tamborini, Silvana Pilotti, Adalberto Cavalleri, Loryn E. Fechner, Erik Laurini, David K. Smith, Silvia Brich, Sabrina Pricl
Solitary
fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare soft tissue sarcomas that
rely on several epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) protein
regulators for invasion/metastatic progression. Curcumin (CUR) has
several pharmacological activities, including anticancer activity
and the ability to suppress the EMT process. However, poor absorption,
rapid metabolism, and side effects at high doses limit the clinical
applications of CUR. Here we present the results obtained by treating
SFT cells with free CUR and three different CUR-loaded nanomicelles
(NMs), each of which has its surface decorated with different ligands.
All CUR-loaded NMs were more efficient in suppressing SFT cell viability
and expression of EMT markers than CUR alone. Combined treatments
with the pan-histone deacetylase dual inhibitor SAHA revealed a differential
ability in inhibiting EMT markers expression and SFT cell invasiveness,
depending on the NM-ligand type. Finally, combinations of photodynamic
therapy and CUR-loaded NM administrations resulted in almost complete
SFT cell viability abrogation 24 h after laser irradiation.