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Nanoparticles

Targeting Gastric Cancer Stem Cells with Novel Nanoparticle Formulation

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at SRM Institute of Science and Technology have made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against gastric cancer. By developing a novel nanoparticle formulation, they have found a way to target and eliminate cancer stem cells that are responsible for tumor relapse and recurrence. The study, published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, has shown promising results in suppressing cancer cell characteristics and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SRM Institute of Science and Technology research team has developed a novel nanoparticle formulation called MSN-PG-HA, which targets cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) in gastric cancer.
  • The nano-formulation uses phloroglucinol (PG) and hyaluronan (HA) to target CD44, a receptor that is overexpressed on CSCs.
  • In vitro cellular assays conducted on AGS, HCT-116, and SW-620 cell lines showed that MSN-PG-HA nano-formulation suppressed CSC characteristics, such as cell migration, colony and spheroid formation, and induced apoptosis.
  • Gene and protein expression analyses of hedgehog signaling pathway components, such as GLI1 and SMO, showed a significant decrease in expression in MSN-PG-HA treated groups.
  • The research concluded that MSN-PG-HA could serve as a potential drug for targeting GI cancer stem cells.
  • The study utilized FITC-labeled MSN-PG-HA and observed a significant increase in uptake by all GI cancer cell lines, whereas there was no uptake by the CD44-negative 3T3 cell line.
  • The nano-formulation showed a higher efficacy than free PG in controlling cell migration, colony and spheroid formation, inducing apoptosis, and suppressing elevated MMP levels (p < 0.05) in all three GI cell lines.
  • The expression analysis using inhibitors such as GANT-61 and Sonidegib demonstrated that MSN-PG-HA had a similar mechanism of action to GANT-61 in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation.

Statistics:

  • The research showed a significant decrease in GLI1 and SMO gene expression in MSN-PG-HA treated groups, ranging from 0.7 to 0.8-fold.
  • The nano-formulation suppressed cancer cell characteristics, such as cell migration, colony and spheroid formation, and induced apoptosis in all three GI cell lines (p < 0.05).
  • The study used FITC-labeled MSN-PG-HA, which showed a significant increase in uptake by all GI cancer cell lines.

Sources:

  • Hyaluronan-decorated-phloroglucinol-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles downregulate GLI1 and SMO genes of hedgehog signaling pathway in gastrointestinal cancer stem-like cells. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025;315:144372.
  • NewsRx. SRM Institute of Science and Technology Reports Findings in Gastric Cancer (Hyaluronan-decorated-phloroglucinol-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles downregulate GLI1 and SMO genes of hedgehog signaling pathway in gastrointestinal cancer ...). Nanotechnology Weekly. June 9, 2025; p 3886.

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