Targeting folate receptor β positive tumor-associated macrophages in lung cancer with a folate-modified liposomal complex

Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2020 Jan 22;5(1):6. doi: 10.1038/s41392-020-0115-0.

Abstract

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) facilitate cancer progression by promoting tumor invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, inflammatory responses, and immunosuppression. Folate receptor β (FRβ) is overexpressed in TAMs. However, the clinical significance of FRβ-positive macrophages in lung cancer remains poorly understood. In this study, we verified that FRβ overexpression in lung cancer TAMs was associated with poor prognosis. We utilized a folate-modified lipoplex comprising a folate-modified liposome (F-PLP) delivering a BIM-S plasmid to target both lung cancer cells and FRβ-positive macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Transfection of LL/2 cells and MH-S cells with F-PLP/pBIM induced cell apoptosis. Injection of F-PLP/pBIM into LL/2 and A549 lung cancer models significantly depleted FRβ-positive macrophages and reduced tumor growth. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with F-PLP/pBIM significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo by inducing tumor cell and macrophage apoptosis, reducing tumor proliferation, and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. In addition, a preliminary safety evaluation demonstrated a good safety profile of F-PLP/pBIM as a gene therapy administered intravenously. This work describes a novel application of lipoplexes in lung cancer targeted therapy that influences the tumor microenvironment by targeting TAMs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Folate Receptor 2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Folate Receptor 2 / genetics*
  • Folic Acid / chemistry
  • Folic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Liposomes / chemistry
  • Liposomes / pharmacology
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mice
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects
  • Tumor-Associated Macrophages / drug effects*

Substances

  • FOLR2 protein, human
  • Folate Receptor 2
  • Liposomes
  • Folic Acid