Intradermal delivery of STAT3 siRNA to treat melanoma via dissolving microneedles

Sci Rep. 2018 Jan 18;8(1):1117. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-19463-2.

Abstract

Hyperactivity of signal transducer and activity of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays a crucial role in melanoma invasion and metastasis. Gene therapy applying siRNA targeting STAT3 is a potential therapeutic strategy for melanoma. In this article, we first fabricated safe and novel dissolving microneedles (MNs) for topical application of STAT3 siRNA to enhance the skin penetration of siRNA and used polyethylenimine (PEI, 25 kDa) as carrier to improve cellular uptake of siRNA. The results showed that MNs can effectively penetrate skin and rapidly dissolve in the skin. In vitro B16F10 cell experiments presented that STAT3 siRNA PEI complex can enhance cellular uptake and transfection of siRNA, correspondingly enhance gene silencing efficiency and inhibit tumor cells growth. In vivo experiments indicated that topical application of STAT3 siRNA PEI complex delivered by dissolving MNs into skin can effectively suppress the development of melanoma through silencing STAT3 gene, and the inhibition effect is dose-dependent. STAT3 siRNA delivery via dissolving MNs is a promising approach for skin melanoma treatment with targeting inhibition efficacy and minimal adverse effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Silencing
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / genetics*
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Melanoma / therapy
  • Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
  • Melanoma, Experimental
  • Mice
  • Polyethyleneimine / chemistry
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / administration & dosage
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / genetics*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / therapy
  • Transfection / methods

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Polyethyleneimine