Ultrasound-mediated destruction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) targeted and paclitaxel loaded microbubbles for inhibition of human breast cancer cell MCF-7 proliferation

Abstract Aims Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can promote cell division, proliferation and migration. In this study, we aimed to investigate roles of ultrasound-mediated destruction of VEGF-targeted and paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded lipid microbubbles (VTPLLM + US) in human breast cancer cells. Methods The activity of MCF-7 cells was determined by cell counting Kit-8. Flow cytometry was performed to detect the cells apoptosis and cell cycle. The expression of cell cycle-associated proteins, matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9), VEGF and apoptosis-associated proteins were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Results The obtained data suggested that VTPLLM + US promoted the G1 phase cell cycle arrest and suppressed the viability of MCF-7 cells. We also found that VTPLLM + US accelerated cells apoptosis. Cell cycle-associated proteins and VEGF expression were modulated by VTPLLM + US. Moreover, VTPLLM + US was found to regulate the expression levels of apoptosis-associated proteins in MCF-7 cells. Our findings suggested that VTPLLM + US suppressed the proliferation and accelerated the apoptosis of MCF-7 cells through regulating VEGF expression. Conclusions The potential effects of VTPLLM + US on apoptosis of MCF-7 cells suggest that applying VTPLLM + US might be an effective strategy in breast cancer therapies.