Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type of breast cancer with poor prognosis. Despite the emergence of new and targeted therapies for other types of breast cancer, chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy are the only common therapies for TNBC. Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), with selective apoptotic properties in tumour cells has been considered as a promising neoadjuvant therapy in some cancers including TNBC. The application of TRAIL in clinic has been prevented due to its short half-life and TRAIL resistance. More importantly, the monotherapy of TRAIL could not acquire optimal efficacy in most cases. In this study, placental-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PDMSCs) have been genetically engineered to deliver a soluble form of TRAIL at the tumour site. Curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were also fabricated to augment the apoptotic effect of TRAIL. The antitumour effects of this combination therapy were studied in vitro and in mouse models of TNBC. Results indicated that simultaneous delivery of curcumin nanoparticles and TRAIL expressing PDMSCs effectively induces apoptosis in tumour cells and significantly inhibits tumour growth in vivo. This modality may provide new cues for developing new treatment strategies for this type of breast cancer.
Keywords: PDMSCs; TNBC; TRAIL; curcumin; nanoparticles.