MicroRNAs play an irreplaceable role in gene expression regulation. Upregulation of several miRNAs increases the risk of invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells. An oncogenic miRNA, miR-21, is highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and is associated with tumor proliferation, invasion, carcinogenesis, prognosis, and therapeutic resistance. However, targeted delivery of therapeutic anti-miRNAs into cancer cells remains challenging, especially for TNBC. In this study, we report the application of an RNA nanotechnology-based platform for the targeted delivery of anti-miR-21 by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) aptamer in vitro to TNBC and chemical-resistant breast cancer cells. RNA nanoparticles reduced cell viability and sensitized breast cancer cells to doxorubicin (DOX) treatment in vitro. Inhibition of miR-21 by RNA nanoparticles suppressed TNBC cell invasion, migration, and colony formation. The results indicate the potential application of nanotechnology-based delivery platforms in clinical anti-cancer therapeutics.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Author