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A versatile drug delivery system targeting senescent cells.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Muñoz-Espín, Daniel  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0550-9514
Galiana, Irene 
Giménez, Cristina 
Lozano-Torres, Beatriz 

Abstract

Senescent cells accumulate in multiple aging-associated diseases, and eliminating these cells has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic approach. Here, we take advantage of the high lysosomal β-galactosidase activity of senescent cells to design a drug delivery system based on the encapsulation of drugs with galacto-oligosaccharides. We show that gal-encapsulated fluorophores are preferentially released within senescent cells in mice. In a model of chemotherapy-induced senescence, gal-encapsulated cytotoxic drugs target senescent tumor cells and improve tumor xenograft regression in combination with palbociclib. Moreover, in a model of pulmonary fibrosis in mice, gal-encapsulated cytotoxics target senescent cells, reducing collagen deposition and restoring pulmonary function. Finally, gal-encapsulation reduces the toxic side effects of the cytotoxic drugs. Drug delivery into senescent cells opens new diagnostic and therapeutic applications for senescence-associated disorders.

Description

Keywords

chemotherapy, fibrosis, nanomedicine, palbociclib, senescence, Animals, Cell Survival, Cellular Senescence, Cytotoxins, Disease Models, Animal, Drug Compounding, Drug Delivery Systems, Fluorescent Dyes, Galactose, Heterografts, Lysosomes, Mice, Neoplasm Transplantation, Neoplasms, Oligosaccharides, Piperazines, Pyridines, Staining and Labeling, beta-Galactosidase

Journal Title

EMBO Mol Med

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1757-4676
1757-4684

Volume Title

10

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sponsorship
Cancer Research UK (C96/A25177)
Medical Research Council (MR/R000530/1)