Albumin-Based Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Doxorubicin in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Albumin-based nanoparticles are an emerging platform for the delivery of various chemotherapeutics because of their biocompatibility, safety, and ease of surface modification for specific targeting. The most widely used method for the preparation of albumin nanoparticles is by desolvation process using glutaraldehyde (GLU) as a cross-linker. However, limitations of GLU like toxicity and interaction with drugs force the need for alternative cross-linkers. In the present study, several cross-linking systems were evaluated for the preparation of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) nanoparticles (ABNs) encapsulating Doxorubicin (Dox). Based on the results obtained from morphological characterization, in vitro release, and therapeutic efficacy in cells, N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP)-modified ABNs (ABN-SPDP) was chosen. Since ABN-SPDP are formed with disulfide linkage, the drug release is facilitated under a highly reducing environment present in the tumor sites. The cytotoxicity studies of those ABN-SPDP were performed in three different breast cell lines, highlighting the mechanism of cell death. The Dox-encapsulated ABN-SPDP showed toxicity in both the breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), but, remarkably, a negligible effect was observed in non-tumoral MCF-10A cells. In addition to the hydrophilic Dox, this system could be used as a carrier for hydrophobic drugs like SN38. The system could be employed for the preparation of nanoparticles based on human serum albumin (HSA), which further enhances the feasibility of this system for clinical use. Hence, the albumin nanoparticles developed herein present an excellent potential for delivering various drugs in cancer therapy.

Targeted Delivery Methods for Anticancer Drugs

“…The patented nanoparticle albumin-bound (NAB) technology, which consists of the evaporation of an emulsion with the creation of cross-links between albumin units, is the best-known preparation method for albumin-based nanoparticles [105,106]. In addition to Abraxane ® , which is created with the help of NAB technology and has been successfully used in clinical practice [111][112][113], work is also underway to create a range of albumin-based nanoparticles [104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115][116][117][118].…”

Actively Targeted Nanomedicines in Breast Cancer: From Pre-Clinal Investigation to Clinic

“…For example, doxorubicin-entrapped albumin nanoparticles successfully inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells. However, while Lee et al reported that doxorubicin-loaded albumin nanoparticles were more effective than free doxorubicin (cell death percentages of around 30% and 87% were detected) [ 119 ], Prajapati et al demonstrated a significantly higher effect with the free drug than with albumin nanoparticles (cell death percentages of around 55% and 40%, respectively) [ 120 ]. Nanoparticles entrapping curcumin were also effective [ 121 ].…”

Nanomaterial-assisted CRISPR gene-engineering – A hallmark for triple-negative breast cancer therapeutics advancement

“…Albumin is a kind of protein that is vastly utilized as nanoparticles that attain innovative perspective in a new era via offering diverse benefits, including safety, biocompatibility, and suitable surface adjustment owing to the existence of amino and carboxylic groups [ 293 , 294 ]. It is the most copious protein in the blood of Homo sapiens , possessing almost around 67 ​kDa molecular weight and circulated 19 days as its half-life [ 293 , 295 ]. Additionally, it serves as a carrier for several compounds, such as copper and zinc metal ions and bilirubin, which aids in the transportation and solubilization of long hydrophobic fatty acid tail [ 220 ].…”