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Investigating Silver Nanoparticles and Resiquimod as a Local Melanoma Treatment
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Investigating Silver Nanoparticles and Resiquimod as a Local Melanoma Treatment

Supreeda Tambunlertchai, Sean M Geary, Youssef W Naguib and Aliasger K Salem
European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics, Vol.183, pp.1-12
12/19/2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.12.011
PMCID: PMC10158852
PMID: 36549400
url
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10158852/pdf/nihms-1861218.pdfView
Open Access

Abstract

Over the last decade, the potential for silver nanoparticles (AgNP) to be used as an anti-melanoma agent has been supported by both in vitro and in vivo evidence. However, an undesirably high concentration of AgNP is often required to achieve an antitumor effect. Therefore a combination treatment that can maintain or improve antitumor efficacy (with lower amounts of AgNP) while also reducing off-target effects is sought. In this study, the combination of AgNP and resiquimod (RSQ: a Toll-like receptor agonist) was investigated and shown to significantly prolong the survival of melanoma-challenged mice, when added sequentially. Results from toxicity studies showed that the treatment was non-toxic in mice. Immune cell depletion studies suggested the possible involvement of CD8 T cells in the antitumor response observed in the AgNP + RSQ (sequential) treatment. NanoString was also employed to further understand the mechanism underlying the increase in the treatment efficacy of AgNP + RSQ (sequential). Results showed significant changes in gene expression involving apoptosis and immune stimulation pathways when compared to the naïve group. In conclusion, the combination of AgNP and RSQ is a new combination worthy of further investigation in the context of melanoma treatment.
Combination treatment Resiquimod (RSQ) Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) Melanoma Local treatment

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