Verteporfin-Loaded Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles’ Topical Applications Inhibit Mouse Melanoma Lymphangiogenesis and Micrometastasis In Vivo

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been pointed out as a candidate for improving melanoma treatment. Nanotechnology application in PDT has increased its efficacy by reducing side effects. Herein, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) conjugated with verteporfin (Ver-MSNs), in use with PDT, were adminis...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nausicaa Clemente, Ivana Miletto, Enrica Gianotti, Maurizio Sabbatini, Marco Invernizzi, Leonardo Marchese, Umberto Dianzani, Filippo Renò
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
Series:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/24/13443
Description
Summary:Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been pointed out as a candidate for improving melanoma treatment. Nanotechnology application in PDT has increased its efficacy by reducing side effects. Herein, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) conjugated with verteporfin (Ver-MSNs), in use with PDT, were administered in mice to evaluate their efficacy on lymphoangiogenesis and micrometastasis in melanoma. Melanoma was induced in mice by the subcutaneous injection of B16-F10 cells. The mice were transcutaneously treated with MSNs, Ver-MSNs, or glycerol and exposed to red light. The treatment was carried out four times until day 20. Lymphangiogenesis and micrometastasis were identified by the immunohistochemical method. Lymphoangiogenesis was halved by MSN treatment compared with the control animals, whereas the Ver-MSN treatment almost abolished it. A similar reduction was also observed in lung micrometastasis. PDT with topically administrated Ver-MSNs reduced melanoma lymphoangiogenesis and lung micrometastasis, as well as tumor mass and angiogenesis, and therefore their use could be an innovative and useful tool in melanoma clinical therapy.
ISSN:1661-6596
1422-0067