A nanoagent for concurrent therapy of breast cancer bone metastasis and cancer-induced bone pain through SLC7A11 interruption and photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Bone metastasis, a life-threatening complication of advanced breast cancer, is often accompanied by debilitating pain (cancer-induced bone pain, CIBP) that severely impairs life quality and survival. The concurrent treatment of bone metastases and CIBP remains a clinical challenge because the therapeutic options are limited. In this study, we construct a near-infrared light-activated nano-therapeutic system to meet this conundrum. In detail, sorafenib (SRF) and photosensitizer (chlorin e6, Ce6) are encapsulated into mesoporous hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HANPs), which are further functionalized with hyaluronic acid (HA) to obtain HA-SRF/Ce6@HANPs system. The designed nanoplatform destroys tumor cells in vitro and in vivo via the synergism of SRF (interrupting the exchange of cystine/glutamate by inhibiting SLC7A11) and photodynamic therapy (PDT, inducing reactive oxygen species generation). The decrease in tumor burden and reduction of extracellular glutamate significantly attenuate CIBP in mice model with developing bone cancer. Moreover, the combination of HA-SRF/Ce6@HANPs and PDT inhibit osteoclasts activation, promote osteoblast differentiation and accelerate bone repair. Overall, the nanoagent with good biocompatibility may provide an effective therapy method for the concurrent treatment of breast cancer bone metastasis and CIBP.