Application of HPAA-RGD/si-circICA1 in the treatment of invasive thyroid cancer through targeting of the miR-486-3p/SERPINA1 axis

Abstract Background There are still no means and molecular markers to identify the invasion ability of thyroid cancer, and the early diagnosis and effective treatment of invasive thyroid cancer are quite difficult in current clinical treatment. In this study, we intend to explore the molecular markers of invasive thyroid cancer, design a targeted drug and provide new insights into the development of invasive thyroid cancer. Methods Overexpression and inhibition of circICA1 and miR-486-3p were performed in B-CPAP cells. The effects of circICA1 and miR-486-3p on thyroid cancer cells were assessed by analyzing the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of cells. The effects of the regulation of the miR-486-3p/SERPINA1 axis on thyroid cell metastasis was explored by qPCR and western blot analyses. Finally, an in vivo xenograft tumor model was constructed to assess the effects of hyperbranched polyamidoamine (HPAA)-RGD/si-circICA1 on the growth and metastasis of thyroid tumors. Results The expression of miR-486-3p in circICA1-inhibited B-CPAP cells was significantly increased. CircICA1 could promote the proliferation and invasion of thyroid cancer cells by regulating the miR-486-3p/SERPINA1 axis. In addition, the loading of HPAA-RGD enhanced the therapeutic effect of si-circICA1 against thyroid cancer. Conclusion RGD-modified HPAA loaded with si-circICA1 can effectively treat thyroid cancer metastasis, and is, therefore, a potentially effective treatment strategy for thyroid cancer.