c-Jun knockdown sensitizes osteosarcoma to doxorubicin.

The oncogene c-Jun has been found to be up-regulated in a variety of cancers, including osteosarcoma. Doxorubicin is a frontline chemotherapeutic against osteosarcoma, but is limited by toxicity. DNAzymes are oligonucleotides capable of specific catalysis of target mRNA. A biocompatible c-Jun DNAzyme nanoparticle formulated from chitosan regressed the growth and metastasis of pre-established tumors, especially in combination with doxorubicin. In vitro data confirmed that c-Jun knockdown chemosensitized these cells to doxorubicin treatment. c-Jun down-regulation-mediated tumor inhibition also led to concomitant decreased osteolysis. Clinically, knockdown of c-Jun with chitosan nanobiotechnology may proffer an improved treatment outcome for osteosarcoma.