Targeted drug delivery nanosystems based on copolymer poly(lactide)-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate for cancer treatment

Abstract

Along with the development of nanotechnology, drug delivery nanosystems (DDNSs) have attracted a great deal of concern among scientists over the world, especially in cancer treatment. DDNSs not only improve water solubility of anticancer drugs but also increase therapeutic efficacy and minimize the side effects of treatment methods through targeting mechanisms including passive and active targeting. Passive targeting is based on the nano-size of drug delivery systems while active targeting is based on the specific bindings between targeting ligands attached on the drug delivery systems and the unique receptors on the cancer cell surface. In this article we present some of our results in the synthesis and testing of DDNSs prepared from copolymer poly(lactide)-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (PLA-TPGS), which carry anticancer drugs including curcumin, paclitaxel and doxorubicin. In order to increase the targeting effect to cancer cells, active targeting ligand folate was attached to the DDNSs. The results showed copolymer PLA-TPGS to be an excellent carrier for loading hydrophobic drugs (curcumin and paclitaxel). The fabricated DDNSs had a very small size (50–100 nm) and enhanced the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of drugs. Most notably, folate-decorated paclitaxel-loaded copolymer PLA-TPGS nanoparticles (Fol/PTX/PLA-TPGS NPs) were tested on tumor-bearing nude mice. During the treatment time, Fol/PTX/PLA-TPGS NPs always exhibited the best tumor growth inhibition compared to free paclitaxel and paclitaxel-loaded copolymer PLA-TPGS nanoparticles. All results evidenced the promising potential of copolymer PLA-TPGS in fabricating targeted DDNSs for cancer treatment.

Zein-Paclitaxel Prodrug Nanoparticles for Redox-Triggered Drug Delivery and Enhanced Therapeutic Efficiency

“…The differences in chemical structures among zein, zein-S-S-C 2 H 4 OH, zein-S-S-PTX_NP, and PTX were studied and compared using FTIR spectroscopy. In Figure , the fingerprints of zein were found at 3408 cm –1 , 2958 cm –1 , 1653 cm –1 , and 1540 cm –1 , which were attributed to the vibration stretching of the −OH group, the amide A′, the CO stretching of the amide I, and the C–N stretching of the amide II, respectively. , The fingerprints of PTX were found at 1734 and 1712 cm –1 , 1646 cm –1 , 1245 cm –1 , and 1074 cm –1 , which were corresponding to the CO stretching, CC stretching, C–N stretching, and CO stretching, respectively . Comparing the spectra of zein and zein-S-S-C 2 H 4 OH, it was observed that the peaks at 1017 cm –1 , 1045 cm –1 , and 1066 cm –1 , which were all corresponding to the symmetric stretching of the S–O bond, − were shown in the spectra of zein-S-S-C 2 H 4 OH but not shown in that of zein.…”

“…34,35 The fingerprints of PTX were found at 1734 and 1712 cm −1 , 1646 cm −1 , 1245 cm −1 , and 1074 cm −1 , which were corresponding to the CO stretching, CC stretching, C−N stretching, and CO stretching, respectively. 36 Comparing the spectra of zein and zein-S-S-C 2 H 4 OH, it was observed that the peaks at 1017 cm −1 , 1045 cm −1 , and 1066 cm −1 , which were all corresponding to the symmetric stretching of the S−O bond, 37−39 were shown in the spectra of zein-S-S-C 2 H 4 OH but not shown in that of zein. It was also observed that the peak at 3408 cm −1 in zein spectra, which was attributed to the −OH group, had a peak at 3300 cm −1 with higher intensity showed on its shoulder in the spectra of zein-S-S-C 2 H 4 OH.…”

Enhanced anticancer efficacy and tumor targeting through folate-PEG modified nanoliposome loaded with 5-fluorouracil

“…Some biocompatible polymers such as poly(lactide)-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol, chitosan and PEG, have been widely used for the tumor-targeted delivery and site-specifically release of of anticancer drugs (paclitaxel, curcumin and doxorubicin) [26][27][28]. In recent years, the use of liposomes to increase the therapeutic index of chemotheraputic drugs and to offers drug targeting and controlled release has emerged as a promising strategy against cancer [8,29,30].…”

Melanin, a potential new matrix material for recombinant His-tag protein purification

“…Với các tính chất này, melanin đã được nghiên cứu ứng dụng trong nhiều lĩnh vực khác nhau. Trong y học, melanin có thể dùng để chống oxi hoá, kháng khuẩn, virus và chống ung thư [5][6][7][8]. Trong lĩnh vực môi trường, melanin được nghiên cứu để loại bỏ ion kim loại nặng trong nước bị ô nhiễm [9][10].…”