Nanomicellar-curcumin exerts its therapeutic effects via affecting angiogenesis, apoptosis, and T cells in a mouse model of melanoma lung metastasis

• Published in: Pathology, research and practice research and practice, 2020-09, Vol.216 (9), p.153082-153082, Article 153082
• Main Authors: Mardani, Rajab, Hamblin, Michael R., Taghizadeh, Mohsen, Banafshe, Hamid Reza, Nejati, Majid, Mokhtari, Mojgan, Borran, Sarina, Davoodvandi, Amirhossein, Khan, Haroon, Jaafari, Mahmoud Reza, Mirzaei, Hamed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Apoptosis; Lung metastases; Melanoma; Nanomicellar-curcumin; Survival
• ISSN: 0344-0338; 1618-0631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2020.153082

Curcumin is a natural phytochemical polyphenol with significant anti-cancer effects and negligible side effects. In this study, the therapeutic capacity of nanomicellar-curcumin for treating lung metastasis was evaluated in an immunocompetent mouse model of metastatic melanoma. Two doses of nanomicellar-curcumin (i.e. 10 and 20 μM) were used to induce cytotoxicity in 3 melanoma cell lines. A total of 60 mice were allocated to 20 mice in each of three groups (10 for survival and 10 for assays). Groups were no treatment control, PBS control, nanomicellar-curcumin 20 mg/kg IP 4 times a week, for three weeks). Immunohistochemistry, TUNEL assay, and Western blots were used on lung samples. Nanomicellar-curcumin inhibited the in vitro growth of B16 F10 melanoma cells at 20 μM over 72 h. In vivo, 20 mg/kg nanomicellar-curcumin injected IP, delayed tumor cell growth and significantly extended mouse survival rate. Tumor infiltration of regulatory T cells and angiogenesis were reduced, while IFN-γ and CXCL10 were increased. Nanomicellar-curcumin can inhibit lung metastasis and growing melanoma via activation of apoptosis, activated T cells and inhibition of angiogenesis, tumor growth and regulatory T cells.