Collagen matrix scaffold as vehicle of WP1066, STAT-3 inhibitors, in an in vitro hepatocellular model.

Introduction and objectives

Liver disease causes approximately 1.75 million deaths per year and chronic liver disease (CLD) and is usually detected in advanced stages (cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma) that require partial ablation or transplant. STAT-3 has been identified as a therapeutic target in cancer. Moreover, collagen matrix scaffolds (CMS) can be used as carriers of antineoplastic drugs for hepatocellular carcinoma. The objective was to determine the capacity of CMS as vehicle of WP1066 (inhibitor of STAT3) in an in vitro HCC model.

Materials and Patients

WP1066 was incubated with HCC cell lines to determine the IC50 by the Resazurin method. After this, the IC50 concentration of WP1066 was added to CMS during 1, 3 and 7 days before the incubation with each HCC cell, then the WP1066 stability was evaluated by mass spectrometry. The pH of the RPMI medium was evaluated in all the experimental conditions using a potentiometer. Whereas the cell viability was compared with untreated cells and CMs without WP1066 by Resazurin method.

Results

The IC50 of WP1066 for HEPA 1-6 and HEPG2 was similar 1.54 uM ± 0.07 and 1.68 ± 0.16 uM, respectively. WP1066 showed stability after 7 days of preparation in DMSO. The pH evaluation of RPMI with WP1066, CMS and WP1066+CMS was similar (pH 7.2) at 72 h of incubation. Cell viability of both HHC cell lines was reduced 80% in the combination of CM plus WP1066 (p<0.001), however, CM alone also promotes the reduction of cell viability like WP1066 alone (50%) (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Previously, we reported that CM allows the survival and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells. CM can be used as a vehicle of WP1066; moreover, CM alone or in combination with WP1066 promotes reduction of HCC cell lines. It is possible that hydroxyapatite from CM promotes reduction of cell viability of cancer cells but does not cause negative effects in mesenchymal stem cells.

Ethical statement

The protocol was registered and approved by the Ethics Committee.

Declaration of interests

None

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.