Harnessing nanoencapsulation for the repurposing of hydroquinidine against breast cancer
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Author (Corporation)
Publication date
08.2025
Typ of student thesis
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Collections
Type
01A - Journal article
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Parent work
Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology
Special issue
DOI of the original publication
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Series
Series number
Volume
110
Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
107098
Patent number
Publisher / Publishing institution
Elsevier
Place of publication / Event location
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Abstract
Repurposing drugs beyond their original medical indications can facilitate cost- and time-effective drug development and a sustainable drug development process. Nanoencapsulation strategies can further expand the number of potentially suitable drug candidates for repurposing. In this study, we explored the anticancer efficacy of hydroquinidine (a class IA antiarrhythmic cinchona alkaloid drug) loaded into PLGA nanoparticles (HQ-NP) on breast cancer cells. The study compared HQ-NP to soluble hydroquinidine (HQsol) in estrogen receptor-positive MCF7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Overall, nanoencapsulation resulted in more potent and selective toxicity in comparison to soluble drug. The mechanisms involved inducing apoptosis and oxidative stress, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and suppression of cell proliferation. The enhanced potency of HQ-NP was consistent across multiple assays and on both cell lines, suggesting a broad applicability in different breast cancer subtypes. In silico analyses indicated the cancer-related pathways, such as PI3K-Akt and cAMP signaling, as potential targets of HQ, which is likely to be driven by the putative inhibition of voltage-gated ion channels as suggested by molecular docking studies. This research highlights the potential of HQ-NP as a novel, multi-modal anticancer agent for breast cancer treatment, warranting further investigation towards clinical application.
Keywords
Anticancer efficacy, Breast cancer, Drug delivery, Hydroquinidine, Nanoencapsulation, PLGA nanoparticles
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ISBN
ISSN
1773-2247
2588-8943
2588-8943
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Future Health
Publication status
Published
Review
Peer review of the complete publication
Open access category
Hybrid
License
Citation
Demircan, T., Milinkovic, D., Çetin, E. S., Aksu, E., & Tagit, O. (2025). Harnessing nanoencapsulation for the repurposing of hydroquinidine against breast cancer. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 110, 107098. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2025.107098