<p>pH-sensitive doxorubicin-loaded polymeric nanocomplex based on &beta;-cyclodextrin for liver cancer-targeted therapy</p>

Abstract

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most effective treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but is restricted by its poor pharmacokinetics. Herein, we exploited efficient targeted drug delivery systems and they have been found to be a worthy strategy for liver cancer therapy. Materials and methods: We investigated polymeric nanoparticles which were synthesized based on host-guest interaction between β-cyclodextrin and benzimidazole. The properties of nanoparticles with regard to size/shape, encapsulation efficiency, and drug release were investigated using conventional experiments. Cell proliferation assay in vitro, cell uptake assay, and cell apoptosis analysis were used to investigate cytotoxicity, uptake, and mechanism of targeted supramolecular prodrug complexes (TSPCs)-based self-assemblies and supramolecular prodrug complexes (SPCs)-based self-assemblies. Results: The pH-sensitive lactobionic acid (LA)-modified pH-sensitive self-assemblies were synthesized successfully. The results of in vitro released assay showed that the accelerated released of DOX from TSPCs-based self-assemblies with the decrease of pH value. When TSPCs-based self-assemblies were taken up by HepG2 cells, they demonstrated a faster release rate under acidic conditions and proved to have higher cytotoxicity than in the presence of LA. A mechanistic study revealed that TSPCs-based self-assemblies inhibited liver cell proliferation by inducing cell apoptosis. Conclusion: The pH-sensitive nanocomplex, as liver-targeted nanoparticles, facilitated the efficacy of DOX in HepG2 cells, offering an appealing strategy for the treatment of HCC.

<p>Combination Treatment of Cervical Cancer Using Folate-Decorated, pH-Sensitive, Carboplatin and Paclitaxel Co-Loaded Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles</p>

“…The results are in accordance with the observation of Yang et al, which indicated that an acidic environment could accelerate the breakdown of self-assemblies, further giving rise to faster release of the drugs. 40 In the study carried out by Tang et al, the cellular uptake and cellular internalization mechanisms of nanoparticles in HeLa (high expression of FA receptor) cells were quantitatively detected by the fluorescence method. 41 In the FA receptor-overexpressing HeLa cells, the internalization of FA-decorated nanoparticles was significantly more efficient than undecorated ones due to FA receptormediated endocytosis and cellular macropinocytosis involved in the cellular internalizations of nanoparticles in HeLa cells.…”

A pH-Responsive Supramolecular Drug Delivery System Constructed by Cationic Pillar[5]arene for Enhancing Antitumor Activity

“…Drug delivery systems (DDSs) constructed by nano carriers have attracted tremendous attention due to their better biocompatibiliy and lower side effects over the traditional naked drugs, which are considered to be one of the most active and promising treatment for cancer in future clinical applications (Zhou et al, 2017a;Rawal and Patel, 2019;Yang et al, 2019;Zhang et al, 2019a). Therefore, designing smart drug delivery systems with high drug loading efficiency and drug controlled-release in tumor microenvironment have been a hot topic (Gao et al, 2019;Xiao et al, 2019).…”

pH‐sensitive polymers: Classification and some fine potential applications

“…Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most effective treatments in many cancer types, with restrictions due to its pharmacokinetics 185 . To overcome limitations of classical chemotherapy and toxicity associated with DOX, different strategies are reported as alternatives.…”