Melatonin-loaded proniosomes enhance gemcitabine response in gemcitabine-resistant cholangiocarcinoma: Proteomic and computational insights - 07/11/26

Abstract |
Acquired resistance to gemcitabine (GEM) remains a major barrier in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) therapy. Melatonin has multi-targeted antitumor activity but is limited by rapid elimination and low oral bioavailability. We developed a maltodextrin-based melatonin-loaded proniosome (MPN) and evaluated its physicochemical properties, ex vivo permeation, and antitumor activity, alone and with GEM, in a GEM-resistant CCA model. MPN was prepared by a provesicular slurry method and characterized for physicochemical properties, stability, molecular dynamics (MD), and ex vivo permeation. Efficacy and tolerability were assessed in mice bearing KKU-213B GemR xenografts, and molecular changes by tumor proteomics, mapping onto an independent human intrahepatic CCA single-cell atlas, and computational target analysis. MPN formed spherical vesicles (134.87 ± 2.45 nm; entrapment efficiency 81.39%; loading 44.29%) that retained melatonin content for six months. MD simulations supported hydrophobic interactions with Span 60/cholesterol, and ex vivo flux was approximately 15.7-fold higher than that of free melatonin. GEM + MPN-Low produced the greatest reduction in tumor growth and significantly suppressed Ki-67 expression (p < 0.0001), without altering serum ALT or creatinine. Proteomics showed lower Sonic Hedgehog abundance in GEM + MPN-treated tumors. Network pharmacology identified 28 candidate targets; docking favored MMP9 (−7.69 kcal/mol) and CDK2 (−7.21 kcal/mol), and 5 × 100-ns simulations indicated a stable complex with MMP9 but a less stable one with CDK2. These predictions were not functionally validated. Overall, MPN enhanced melatonin permeation ex vivo and was associated with an improved response to GEM in resistant CCA xenograft model, supporting further pharmacokinetic and mechanistic studies of oral delivery for biliary tract cancer.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Graphical Abstract |
Created in BioRender. Thongpon, P. (2026). [Agreement number: FR2A6KDW55].
Created in BioRender. Thongpon, P. (2026). [Agreement number: FR2A6KDW55]. Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.
Highlight |
• | Maltodextrin-based proniosomes improved melatonin stability and permeation. |
• | MPN maintained melatonin content over 6 months under two storage conditions. |
• | GEM + MPN-Low produced the greatest tumor growth suppression in resistant CCA. |
• | Combination treatment markedly reduced Ki-67 without significant toxicity. |
• | Proteomics and docking identified MMP9 and CDK2 as candidate melatonin targets. |
Keywords : Bile duct cancer, Drug-resistant cancer, Proniosomes, Network pharmacology, Sonic Hedgehog
Plan
Vol 204
Article 120003- novembre 2026 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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