title: Multi-walled nanotubes for cellular reprogramming of cancer.
abstract: Triple negative breast cancer is exceptionally difficult to treat due to the lack of distinguishing biomarkers for drug targeting. An alternative approach based on recent data indicates that these cells may be more susceptible to mechanical influences, such as alterations in the tumor stroma. Three dimensional collagen gels containing co-cultures of mesenchymal cells and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells were utilized to explore the effects of multi-walled nanotubes (MWNT) on cell contraction, invasion, viability, MMP-9 expression, and migration of breast cancer cells. MWNT were able to restrict each of these features for the cancer cells without impeding the associated mesenchymal cells. MWNT-collagen gels are useful tools for cellular reprogramming of cancer cells and should be considered in greater detail as a potential agent for therapeutic treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Breast cancer is still a leading cause of death for women worldwide. One subtype of this cancer which is very aggressive is the triple negative breast cancer. The behavior of tumors may be affected by the tumor stromal environment. In this study, the authors investigated the effects of multi-walled nanotubes (MWNT) on tumor cell biology. The positive findings may point a new way in using this modality for treatment of triple-negative breast cancer in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA; Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Wailes
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA; Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, USA. Electronic address: nlevi@wakehealth.edu.
authors.forename: Nicole H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Levi-Polyachenko
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming / Q000187:drug effects*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis; D064726:Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D003094:Collagen
keywords: Biomaterials; Breast cancer; Carbon nanotubes; Collagen; TGF-β