Evaluation of nanoscaled dual targeting drug-loaded liposomes on inhibiting vasculogenic mimicry channels of brain glioma

Brain glioma is the most common primary tumour of the central nervous system. Complete surgical removal of the brain glioma is virtually impossible. Chemotherapy is still an important treatment for brain glioma. However, blood-brain barrier (BBB) and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) channels remain two hindrances in regular treatments. Herein, we developed a novel nanoscaled dual targeting daunorubicin plus rofecoxib liposomes which could transport across the BBB, and eliminate brain glioma cells along with the VM channels. The liposomes were modified with two functional materials, and showed round in shape with a diameter about 120 nm. Evaluations were performed on human brain glioma U87MG cells in vitro and on intracranial brain glioma-bearing nude mice. The dual targeting liposomes demonstrated a long circulatory effect in the blood system, were able to transport across the BBB, and were accumulated into the brain. The results indicated that the dual targeting daunorubicin plus rofecoxib liposomes could inhibit the brain glioma VM channels and exhibited a significant efficacy in the treatment of intracranial glioma-bearing nude mice. The mechanisms are related to down regulations MMP-2, MMP-9, FAK and HIF-alpha. Hence, the established dual targeting liposomes could be a potential formulation to treat the brain glioma along with eliminating VM channels.