Abstract
Background. As one of the most common human malignancies, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women globally. Multiple cellular and molecular mechanisms contribute to the development and progression of breast cancer. Metastasis, inflammation, and angiogenesis are significant factors in tumor progression. This study aimed to investigate the impact of niosomal DNAzyme targeting the nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) gene on factors involved in cell migration.
Methods. In this research, MCF7 cells were divided into four groups: DNAzyme treatment, niosome treatment, niosomal DNAzyme treatment, and untreated control group. Western blotting was employed to assess the expression levels of proteins implicated in metastasis and inflammation.
Results. The study findings revealed that DNAzyme effectively reduced the expression of Snail, Twist, NFκB, VEGF, MMP2, and MMP9 proteins. Moreover, the niosomal DNAzyme group exhibited a more significant reduction in protein expression compared to the Oligo group (P<0.005).
Conclusion. The results of the research demonstrate the efficacy of niosomal DNAzyme targeting the NFκB gene against breast cancer. Due to its low molecular weight, high stability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness, niosomal DNAzyme holds promise as a potential treatment for breast cancer. Further investigations are necessary to fully explore its therapeutic potential.
Practical Implications. The use of gene silencing techniques, particularly the use of DNAzyme, is a promising therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. However, further studies are needed in this field.