According to news reporting from Changchun, research stated, "Combination cancer therapy has emerged as crucial approach for achieving superior anti-cancer efficacy. In this study, we developed a strategy by localized co-delivery of PLK₁shRNA/polylysine-modified polyethylenimine (PEI-Lys) complexes and doxorubicin (DOX) using biodegradable, thermosensitive PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogels for treatment of osteosarcoma."

The news correspondents obtained a quote from the research from the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, "When incubated with osteosarcoma Saos-2 and MG-63 cells, the hydrogel containing PLK₁shRNA/PEI-Lys and DOX displayed significant synergistic effects in promoting the apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells in vitro. After subcutaneous injection of the hydrogel containing PLK₁shRNA/PEI-Lys and DOX beside the tumors of nude mice bearing osteosarcoma Saos-2 xenografts, the hydrogels exhibited superior antitumor efficacy in vivo compared to the hydrogels loaded with PLK₁shRNA/PEI-Lys or DOX alone. It is noteworthy that the combination treatment in vivo led to almost complete suppression of tumor growth up to 16 days, significantly enhanced PLK₁ silencing, higher apoptosis of tumor masses, as well as increased cell cycle regulation. Additionally, ex vivo histological analysis of major organs of the mice indicated that the localized treatments showed no obvious damage to the organs, suggesting lower systemic toxicity of the treatments."

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: "Therefore, the strategy of localized, sustained co-delivery of PLK₁shRNA and DOX by using the biodegradable, injectable hydrogel may have potential for efficient clinical treatment of osteosarcoma."

For more information on this research see: PLK₁shRNA and doxorubicin co-loaded thermosensitive PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogels for osteosarcoma treatment. Biomaterials, 2014;35(30):8723-8734.