Cancer Gene Therapy Breakthrough: Nanoliposomes Show Potential in Treating Bladder Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, have made a significant breakthrough in cancer gene therapy, demonstrating the potential of nanoliposomes in treating bladder cancer. A study published in Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports has shown that the inhibition of miR-21 and miR-373, two microRNAs involved in cancer development, can lead to significant changes in gene expression profiles in bladder cancer cells.

In the study, researchers encapsulated antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting miR-21 and miR-373 in liposomes and exposed bladder cancer cells (HTB-9) to the nanoliposomes. The results showed a significant reduction in miR-21 and miR-373 expression in cells exposed to the nanoliposomes, as well as a decrease in the expression of eight additional genes involved in cancer development. The study concluded that the inhibition of miR-21 and miR-373 can impact the expression profile of a gene network in bladder cancer, highlighting the potential of antimir technology as a strategy to regulate gene expression in cancer cells.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers from Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences have made a breakthrough in cancer gene therapy, demonstrating the potential of nanoliposomes in treating bladder cancer.
  • The inhibition of miR-21 and miR-373 led to significant changes in gene expression profiles in bladder cancer cells, including a reduction in the expression of eight additional genes involved in cancer development.
  • The study showed that the use of nanoliposomes containing antisense oligonucleotides targeting miR-21 and miR-373 can impact the expression profile of a gene network in bladder cancer.
  • Antimir technology was identified as a potential strategy to regulate gene expression in cancer cells, offering insights into the development of novel cancer therapies.
  • Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, was the site of the research.
  • The study's lead author was Behzad Einollahi, with additional authors Omid Nikkhah, Mosa Asadi, Mohammad Heiat, and Kiavash Hushmandi.

Statistics:

  • 100 ± 5 to 260 ± 10 nm: The size range of the nanoliposomes used in the study.
  • 24 h: The incubation period used to expose bladder cancer cells to the nanoliposomes.
  • 42():102041: The article number and code for the study published in Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports.
  • 10.1016/j.bbrep.2025.102041: The DOI for the study published in Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports.

Sources:

  • Gene network changes after exposure to nanoliposomes containing antisense miR-21 and miR-373 in bladder cancer Cells: An in vitro model study. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports, 2025,42():102041.
  • Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/biochemistry-and-biophysics-reports/
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2025.102041 - https://doi.org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.bbrep.2025.102041