Translational modeling identifies synergy between nanoparticle-delivered miRNA-22 and standard-of-care drugs in triple-negative breast cancer

P Dogra, JR Ramírez, JD Butner, MJ Peláez… - Pharmaceutical …, 2022 - Springer
P Dogra, JR Ramírez, JD Butner, MJ Peláez, C Chung, A Hooda-Nehra, R Pasqualini…
Pharmaceutical research, 2022Springer
Purpose Downregulation of miRNA-22 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated
with upregulation of eukaryotic elongation 2 factor kinase (eEF2K) protein, which regulates
tumor growth, chemoresistance, and tumor immunosurveillance. Moreover, exogenous
administration of miRNA-22, loaded in nanoparticles to prevent degradation and improve
tumor delivery (termed miRNA-22 nanotherapy), to suppress eEF2K production has shown
potential as an investigational therapeutic agent in vivo. Methods To evaluate the …
Purpose
Downregulation of miRNA-22 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with upregulation of eukaryotic elongation 2 factor kinase (eEF2K) protein, which regulates tumor growth, chemoresistance, and tumor immunosurveillance. Moreover, exogenous administration of miRNA-22, loaded in nanoparticles to prevent degradation and improve tumor delivery (termed miRNA-22 nanotherapy), to suppress eEF2K production has shown potential as an investigational therapeutic agent in vivo.
Methods
To evaluate the translational potential of miRNA-22 nanotherapy, we developed a multiscale mechanistic model, calibrated to published in vivo data and extrapolated to the human scale, to describe and quantify the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of miRNA-22 in virtual patient populations.
Results
Our analysis revealed the dose-response relationship, suggested optimal treatment frequency for miRNA-22 nanotherapy, and highlighted key determinants of therapy response, from which combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors was identified as a candidate strategy for improving treatment outcomes. More importantly, drug synergy was identified between miRNA-22 and standard-of-care drugs against TNBC, providing a basis for rational therapeutic combinations for improved response
Conclusions
The present study highlights the translational potential of miRNA-22 nanotherapy for TNBC in combination with standard-of-care drugs. 
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