Mica Nanoparticle, STB-HO Eliminates the Human Breast Carcinoma Cells by Regulating the Interaction of Tumor with its Immune Microenvironment

Sci Rep. 2015 Dec 3:5:17515. doi: 10.1038/srep17515.

Abstract

Mica, an aluminosilicate mineral, has been proven to possess anti-tumor and immunostimulatory effects. However, its efficacy and mechanisms in treating various types of tumor are less verified and the mechanistic link between anti-tumor and immunostimulatory effects has not been elucidated. We sought to investigate the therapeutic effect of STB-HO (mica nanoparticles) against one of the most prevalent cancers, the breast cancer. STB-HO was orally administered into MCF-7 xenograft model or directly added to culture media and tumor growth was monitored. STB-HO administration exhibited significant suppressive effects on the growth of MCF-7 cells in vivo, whereas STB-HO did not affect the proliferation and apoptosis of MCF-7 cells in vitro. To address this discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro results, we investigated the effects of STB-HO treatment on the interaction of MCF-7 cells with macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells, which constitute the cellular composition of tumor microenvironment. Importantly, STB-HO not only increased the susceptibility of MCF-7 cells to immune cells, but also stimulated the immunocytes to eliminate cancer cells. In conclusion, our study highlights the possible role of STB-HO in the suppression of MCF-7 cell growth via the regulation of interactions between tumor cells and anti-tumor immune cells.

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Silicates / administration & dosage
  • Aluminum Silicates / chemistry
  • Aluminum Silicates / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / immunology
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • MCF-7 Cells / drug effects
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Aluminum Silicates
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • mica