Targeting the Opening of Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pores Potentiates Nanoparticle Drug Delivery and Mitigates Cancer Metastasis

Mitochondria are highly involved in the metastasis of cancer cells. However, low permeability of mitochondria impedes the entry of anti-cancer drugs. Here, a self-assembled nanoparticle platform is designed that not only targets the DNA-intercalating agent doxorubicin to mitochondria but also enhances the specific penetration by opening the mitochondrial permeability transition pores (MPTPs). With drastic improvement in mitochondrial uptake, the drug delivery system results in substantial mitochondrial impairment leading to amplified induction of apoptosis, depletion of energy supply, and inhibition of numerous metastasis-associated proteins. As a consequence, the drug delivery system significantly inhibits the orthotopic tumor growth, and suppressed the metastasis of cancer cells detached from primary tumors. Additionally, the nanoparticle exhibits a potent effect on eradicating the metastasis of disseminated tumor cell from blood to lung. The results show that strategies of targeting mitochondria and unlocking MPTP are feasible and beneficial to mitigate both tumorigenesis and metastasis.