Targeted cancer therapy using alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid as a novel vector molecule: A proof-of-concept study

Up-regulated monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) serve as potential targets for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against some cancer cells. Besides being an efficient substrate to some MCTs, the role of alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) as a vector of nanoparticles for cancer cells was not yet evaluated. This aim of this study was to demonstrate the role of CHCA as a vector of liposomes targeting cancer cells that overexpress MCT-1. Also, the antioxidant character of CHCA against induced stress oxidative in cancer cell lines was tested. The authors showed that 50 μM of CHCA led to a significantly enhanced liposome uptake in the MCF-7 and U-87 MG cancer cell lines. Moreover, CHCA decreased MCF-7 cell death from oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species generated in situ in a clinical modality known as Photodynamic Therapy. These findings are a proof-of-concept of the role of CHCA as a vector of nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy. The concept can be explored to develop novel drug delivery systems to target cancer cells of up-regulated MCT-1. Moreover, CHCA-based therapies to avoid oxidative stress can give rise to novel medical treatments.