Design and Evaluation of a PEGylated Lipopeptide Equipped with Drug-Interactive Motifs as an Improved Drug Carrier

Micelles are attractive delivery systems for hydrophobic drugs due to their small size and the ease of application. However, the limited drug loading capacity and the intrinsic poor stability of drug-loaded formulations represent two major issues for some micellar systems. In this study, we designed and synthesized a micelle-forming PEG-lipopeptide conjugate with two Fmoc groups located at the interfacial region, and two oleoyl chains as the hydrophobic core. The significance of Fmoc groups as a broadly applicable drug-interactive motif that enhances the carrier–drug interaction was examined using eight model drugs of diverse structures. Compared with an analogue without carrying a Fmoc motif, PEG₅₀₀₀-(Fmoc-OA)₂ demonstrated a lower value of critical micelle concentration and three-fold increases of loading capacity for paclitaxel (PTX). These micelles showed tubular structures and small particle sizes (～70 nm), which can be lyophilized and readily reconstituted with water without significant changes in particle sizes. Fluorescence quenching study illustrated the Fmoc/PTX π–π stacking contributes to the carrier/PTX interaction, and drug-release study demonstrated a much slower kinetics than Taxol, a clinically used PTX formulation. PTX/PEG₅₀₀₀-(Fmoc-OA)₂ mixed micelles exhibited higher levels of cytotoxicity than Taxol in several cancer cell lines and more potent inhibitory effects on tumor growth than Taxol in a syngeneic murine breast cancer model (4T1.2). We have further shown that seven other drugs can be effectively formulated in PEG₅₀₀₀-(Fmoc-OA)₂ micelles. Our study suggests that micelle-forming PEG-lipopeptide surfactants with interfacial Fmoc motifs may represent a promising formulation platform for a broad range of drugs with diverse structures.     

Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of paclitaxel-loaded pluronic P105 polymeric micelles

A novel polymeric micelle formulation of paclitaxel (PTX) has been prepared with the purpose of improving in vitro release as well as prolonging the blood circulation time of PTX in comparison to a current PTX formulation, Taxol injection. This work was designed to investigate the preparation, in vitro release, in vivo pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of PTX-loaded Pluronic P105 micellar system. The micelles were prepared by thin-film method using a nonionic surfactant Pluronic P105 and a hydrophobic anticancer drug, PTX. With a dynamic light scattering sizer and a transmission electron microscopy, it was shown that the PTX-loaded micelles had a mean size of approximately 24 nm with narrow size distribution and a spherical shape. The in vitro release profiles indicated that the release of PTX from the micelles exhibited a sustained release behavior. A similar phenomenon was also observed in a pharmacokinetic study in rats, in which t _1/2β and AUC of the micelle formulation were 4.9 and 5.3-fold higher than that of Taxol injection. The biodistribution study in mice showed that the PTX-loaded micelles not only decreased drug uptake by liver, but also prolonged drug retention in blood and increased distribution of drug in lung, spleen and kidney. These results suggested that the P105 polymeric micelles may efficiently load, protect and retain PTX in both in vitro and in vivo environments, and could be a useful drug carrier for i.v. administration of PTX.     

In vivo pharmacokinetics,biodistribution and antitumor effect of paclitaxel-loaded micelles based on α-tocopherol succinate-modified chitosan

In our previous study, α-tocopherol succinate modified chitosan (CS-TOS) was synthesized and encapsulated paclitaxel (PTX) to form micelles. Preliminary study revealed that the CS-TOS was a potential micellar carrier for PTX. In this study, some further researches were done using Taxol formulation as the control to evaluate the micelle system deeply. In vitro cell experiments demonstrated that the cytotoxic effect of PTX-loaded CS-TOS micelles against MCF-7 cells was comparable with that of Taxol formulation, and the PTX-loaded micelles had excellent cellular uptake ability, which was in a time-dependent manner. The in vivo pharmacokinetic study in rats showed that the micelles prolonged the half-life and increased AUC of PTX than Taxol formulation. From biodistribution study, it was clear that for micelles, the drug concentrations in the liver and spleen were significantly higher than those of Taxol formulation, but much lower in the heart and kidney. Furthermore, the PTX-loaded micelles showed superior antitumor effect, but yielded less toxicity as indicated by the results of antitumor efficacy study and survival study in U14 tumor-bearing mice. These results suggested that CS-TOS micelles could be a potentially useful drug delivery system to improve the performance and safety of PTX.     

Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of polymeric micelles of paclitaxel with Pluronic P123

AIM: To investigate the preparation, in vitro release, in vivo pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of a novel polymeric micellar formulation of paclitaxel (PTX) with Pluronic P123. METHODS: The polymeric micelles of paclitaxel with Pluronic P123 were prepared by a solid dispersion method. The characteristics of micelles including particle size distribution, morphology and in vitro release of PTX from micelles were carried out. PTX-loaded micellar solutions were administered through the tail vein to healthy Sprague-Dawley rats and Kunming strain mice to assess the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of PTX, respectively. Taxol, the commercially available intravenous formulation of PTX, was also administered as control. RESULTS: By using a dynamic light scattering sizer and a transmission electron microscopy, it was shown that the PTX-loaded micelles had a mean size of approximately 25 nm with narrow size distribution and a spherical shape. PTX was continuously released from Pluronic P123 micelles in release medium containing 1 mol/L sodium salicylate for 24 h at 37 centigrade degree. In the pharmacokinetic assessment, t(1/2beta) and AUC of micelle formulation were 2.3 and 2.9-fold higher than that of Taxol injection. And the PTX-loaded micelles increased the uptake of PTX in the plasma, ovary and uterus, lung, and kidney, but decreased uptake in the liver and brain in the biodistribution study. CONCLUSION: Polymeric micelles using Pluronic P123 can effectively solubilize PTX, prolong blood circulation time and modify the biodistribution of PTX.     

基于甘草酸为载体的紫杉醇-甘草酸纳米胶束的构建和口服生物利用度的评价

目的：构建紫杉醇-甘草酸纳米胶束（paclitaxel-loaded glycyrrhizic acid micelles）并对其理化性质及口服生物利用度进行考察。方法：所制备纳米胶束的包封率和载药量通过高效液相色谱法检测并计算;采用动态光散射仪测定其粒径分布;以紫杉醇溶液作为对照组,考察纳米胶束口服给药后药动学的变化;采用在体in-situ肠封闭法考察不同肠道对紫杉醇的吸收差异。结果：采用超声分散法制备载紫杉醇-甘草酸纳米胶束大小均匀,平均粒径为（245.42±5.62） nm;药物胶束的包封率为90.22%±0.27% （n=3）,载药量为7.90%±0.10%（n=3）;与对照组相比,纳米胶束口服生物利用度提高约6倍,很大程度上是由于紫杉醇在空肠以及结肠上吸收的增加引起。结论：该方法所制备的纳米胶束制剂能有效提高紫杉醇口服生物利用度,发挥甘草酸药物载体的特点以及药用安全性的优点,该纳米胶束可作为紫杉醇新的药物传递系统,具有临床应用前景。     

Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of polymeric micelles of paclitaxel with pluronic P105/poly(caprolactone) copolymers

A novel polymeric micellar formulation of paclitaxel (PTX) with Pluronic/poly(caprolactone) (P105/ PCL50) has been developed with the purpose of improving in vitro release and in vivo circulating time of PTX in comparison to the current Taxol injection. This study was designed to investigate the preparation, in vitro release, in vivo pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of the PTX-loaded, biodegradable, polymeric, P105/PCL50 micelle system. The drug-loaded micelles were prepared by dialysis using the hydrophobic drug, PTX, and the nonionic surfactant Pluronic P105 modified with a low molecular weight PCL. The results of dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiment indicated that the PTX-loaded micelles had a mean size of approximately 150 nm with narrow size distribution (polydispersity index < 0.3). The in vitro release study showed that the release of PTX from the micelles exhibited a sustained release behavior. A similar phenomenon was also observed in a pharmacokinetic assessment in rats, in which t1/2 beta and AUC of the PTX micelle formulation were 4.0 and 2.2-fold higher than that of Taxol injection. The biodistribution study in mice showed that the PTX micelle formulation not only decreased drug uptake by the liver, but also prolonged drug retention in the blood, and increased the distribution of drug in kidney, spleen, ovaries and uterus. These results suggested that the P105/ PCL50 polymeric micelles may efficiently load, protect and retain PTX in both in vitro and in vivo environments, and could be a useful drug carrier for i.v. administration of PTX.     

Enhancement on oral absorption of paclitaxel by multifunctional pluronic micelles

The aim of the present study is to synthesize Pluronic F127-polyethylenimine-folate (PF127-PEI-FA) copolymer, construct a mixed micelle system with PF127-PEI-FA copolymer and Pluronic P123 (PP123) and to evaluate the potential of these mixed micelles as an oral drug delivery system for paclitaxel (PTX). The results of intestinal absorption revealed that the PTX-loaded micelles displayed superior permeability across intestinal barrier than free drug and PF127-PEI-FA/PP123 mixed micelles exhibited the strongest permeability across intestinal barrier. These results were also proved by the studies on cytotoxicity and cell uptake tests. The mechanism was demonstrated in connection with inhibition of the efflux mediated by intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and enhancement of the electrostatic interaction of positive micelles with the negative intestinal epithelial cells, thereby promoting the permeation across the intestinal wall. The presence of verapamil and Pluronic both improved the intestinal absorption of PTX, which further certified the effect of Pluronic on P-gp inhibition. Pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC_{0→36 h}) of PTX-loaded micelles was three times greater than the PTX solution (dissolved in a 50/50 (vol/vol) mixture of Cremophore EL/dehydrated ethanol) (p < 0.05). In general PF127-PEI-FA/PP123 mixed micelles were proved to be potential oral drug delivery system for PTX.     

Paclitaxel-loaded polymeric micelles based on poly(ɛ-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ɛ-caprolactone) triblock copolymers: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

The purpose of this study was to develop polymeric nanoscale drug-delivery system (nano-DDS) for paclitaxel (PTX) from poly(?-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL, PCEC) copolymers, intended to be intravenously administered, able to improve the therapeutic efficacy of the drug and devoid of the adverse effects of Cremophor EL. Both of the PTX-loaded polymeric micelles and polymersomes were successfully prepared from PCEC copolymers. The obtained PTX-loaded micelles exhibited core-shell morphology with satisfactory size (93 nm), and were favorable for intravenous injection. In vitro cytotoxicity demonstrated that the cytotoxic effect of PTX-loaded micelles was lower than that of Taxol (Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey). Pharmacokinetic results indicated that the PTX-loaded micelles had longer systemic circulation time and slower plasma elimination rate than those of Taxol. Furthermore, PTX-loaded micelles showed greater tumor growth-inhibition effect in vivo on EMT6 breast tumor, in comparison with Taxol. Therefore, the prepared polymeric micelles might be potential nano-DDS for PTX delivery in cancer chemotherapy.From the Clinical EditorIn this paper, a paclitaxel- loaded polymeric micelle system is demonstrated to provide optimized intravenous delivery method of this anti-cancer agent. While the study is early preclinical, this approach may have the potential to eventually be studied in clinical trials as well.     

Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of paclitaxel-loaded pluronic P105/L101 mixed polymeric micelles

A mixed polymeric micelle formulation of paclitaxel (PTX) has been developed with the purpose of improving the solubility and prolonging the time of blood circulation of PTX in comparison to current Taxol injection. The mixed micelles were prepared by thin-film method using a nonionic surfactant Pluronic P105, L101 and PTX. The mean size of PTX-loaded mixed micelles was 185 nm with narrow size distribution shown by a dynamic light scattering sizer and a transmission electron microscopy. The in vitro release profiles indicated that PTX release from the mixed micelles exhibited a sustained release behavior. A similar phenomenon was also observed in a pharmacokinetic assessment in rats, in which t(1/2beta) and AUC of the mixed micelle formulation were 5.5 and 4.9-fold higher than that of Taxol injection. The biodistribution study in mice showed that the PTX-loaded mixed micelles not only decreased drug uptake by liver, but also prolonged drug retention in blood, and increased distribution of the drug in lung, spleen and kidney. These results suggested that the mixed polymeric micelles may efficiently load, protect and retain PTX in both in vitro and in vivo environments, and could be a useful drug carrier for intravenous administration of PTX.     

紫杉醇Pluronic P105聚合物胶束的制备、表征与逆转肿瘤多药耐药性的体外研究

药物递送系统是克服肿瘤多药耐药性(MDR)的一种新策略。本文以聚合物胶束系统和难溶性药物紫杉醇(PTX)为研究对象，旨在制备一种新型的PTX给药系统，既能增溶难溶性药物，又具有克服肿瘤MDR的能力。以Pluronic P105为载体，采用固体分散-水化法制备PTX聚合物胶束，并以星点设计-效应面优化法进行处方优化。对其粒径、体外释放等性质进行表征后，以人耐药卵巢癌细胞SKOV-3/PTX为细胞模型，体外评价PTX聚合物胶束的细胞摄取及其逆转肿瘤细胞耐药性的作用。结果显示，聚合物胶束制剂的载药量约为1.1%、药物浓度约为700 μg·mL^-1、平均粒径约为24 nm。胶束制剂与普通制剂(Taxol)在6 h内的累积释放分别为45.4%和95.2%，前者具有较强的缓释作用；胶束制剂与Taxol对SKOV-3/PTX的IC₅₀值分别为1.14和5.11 μg·mL^-1，二者的耐药逆转指数(RRI)分别为9.65和2.15。胶束制剂可促进耐药细胞对P-糖蛋白(P-gp)底物(PTX或Rhodamine-123)的摄取。结果表明，Pluronic P105可有效增溶难溶性药物PTX，并形成具有较强缓释作用的纳米级聚合物胶束制剂，该制剂可显著提高PTX对人卵巢癌耐药细胞的细胞毒性，能逆转其耐药性。     

Preparation and in vitro characterization of paclitaxel-loaded pH-responsive polymeric micelles based on poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-vitamin E succinate

To ensure the delivery of antitumor drugs to tumor site and quick release in tumor cells, we designed and prepared pH-sensitive polymeric micelles by combining cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (EOz) with vitamin Esuccinate (VES), and then encapsulating paclitaxel (PTX) into the micelles self-assembled by poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-vitamin E succinate (PEOz-VES). The structure of the synthesized PEOz-VES was confirmed by ¹H NMR spectrum, and the molecular weight measured by GPC was 1212 g/mol. The pK_a of PEOz-VES with a low critical micelle concentration of (5.84±0.02) mg/L was determined to be 6.01. The PTX-loaded PEOz-VES polymeric micelles prepared by film hydration method were characterized to have a nanoscaled size of about 30 nm in diameter, a positive Zeta potential of 4.86 mV and uniform spherical morphology by TEM observation. The drug loading content and encapsulation efficiency were (2.63±0.16)% and (84.1±3.38)%, respectively. The in vitro release behavior of PTX from PEOz-VES micelles in PBS displayed pH-dependent pattern and was gradually accelerated with decrease of pH value, implying that the micelles could distinguish endo/lysosomal pH and tumor extracellular pH from physiological pH by accelerating drug release. Therefore, the designed PEOz-VES micelles might have significant promise for anti-cancer drug delivery.     

Redox-sensitive micelles for targeted intracellular delivery and combination chemotherapy of paclitaxel and all-trans-retinoid acid

The application of paclitaxel (PTX) in clinic has been restricted due to its poor solubility. Several traditional nano-medicines have been developed to improve this defect, while they are still lack of tumor targeting ability and rapid drug release. In this work, an amphiphilic polymeric micelle of hyaluronic acid (HA) – all-trans-retinoid acid (ATRA) with a disulfide bond, was developed successfully for the co-delivery of PTX and ATRA. The combination chemotherapy of PTX and ATRA can strengthen the anti-tumor activity. Along with self-assembling to micelles in water, the delivery system displayed satisfying drug loading capacities for both PTX (32.62% ± 1.39%) and ATRA, due to directly using ATRA as the hydrophobic group. Rapid drug release properties of the PTX-loaded redox-sensitive micelles (HA-SS-ATRA) in vitro were confirmed under reducing condition containing GSH. Besides, HA-CD44 mediated endocytosis promoted the uptake of HA-SS-ATRA micelles by B16F10 cells. Due to these properties, cytotoxicity assay verified that PTX-loaded HA-SS-ATRA micelles showed concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and displayed obvious combination therapy of PTX and ATRA. Importantly, HA-SS-ATRA micelles could remarkably prolong plasma circulation time after intravenously administration. Therefore, redox-sensitive HA-SS-ATRA micelles could be utilized and explored as a promising drug delivery system for cancer combination chemotherapy.     

Preparation of sodium cholate-based micelles through non-covalent ıbonding interaction and application as oral delivery systems for paclitaxel

In present study, two types of micelles based on sodium cholate (NaC) were prepared through non-covalent bonding interaction and the potential of micelles as oral drug delivery systems for paclitaxel (PTX) was evaluated. Pluronic–chitosan (F127–CS) and Pluronic–poly (acrylic acid) (F127–PAA) copolymers were synthesized. Electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bond were used to prepare F127–CS/NaC micelles and F127–PAA/NaC micelles, respectively. The physicochemical characteristics of micelles were determined. An average diameter of 67.5?nm and unimodal pattern of size distribution were observed for F127–CS/NaC micelles. While for F127–PAA/NaC micelles, an average diameter of 85.89?nm and non-unimodal pattern of size distribution were observed. The results revealed that F127–CS/NaC micelles were more integrated than F127–PAA/NaC micelles. Further experiments showed that the F127–CS/NaC micelles had a higher drug-loading content of 12.8% and a lower critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 2.5?×?10^?3?mol/L compared with F127–PAA/NaC micelles. In vitro cytotoxicity analysis demonstrated that the PTX-loaded F127–CS/NaC micelles were of great efficiency in inhibiting the growth of drug-resistant breast cancer MCF-7 cells (MCF-7/Adr). The intragastric administration of the PTX-loaded F127–CS/NaC micelles in rats provided a 4.33-fold higher absolute bioavailability compared to commercial Taxol®, indicating an efficient oral absorption of PTX delivered by micelles. These findings signify that F127–CS/NaC micelle may be a promising carrier for the delivery of PTX.     

Paclitaxel loaded PEG5000–DSPE micelles as pulmonary delivery platform: Formulation characterization, tissue distribution, plasma pharmacokinetics, and toxicological evaluation

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of paclitaxel loaded micelles fabricated from PEG₅₀₀₀–DSPE as a sustained release system following pulmonary delivery. PEG₅₀₀₀–DSPE micelles containing paclitaxel were prepared by solvent evaporation technique followed by investigation of in vitro release of paclitaxel in lung simulated fluid. Tissue distribution and plasma pharmacokinetics of the PEG–lipid micelles after intratracheal and intravenous administrations were investigated in addition to intratracheally administered taxol. Finally, toxicological profile of PEG₅₀₀₀–DSPE was investigated. Paclitaxel was successfully formulated in PEG–lipid micelles with encapsulation efficiency of 95%. The PEG–lipid micelles exhibited a sustained release behavior in the simulated lung fluid. Intratracheally administered polymeric micellar paclitaxel showed highest accumulation of paclitaxel in the lungs with AUC_0–12 in lungs being 45-fold higher than intravenously administered formulation and 3-fold higher than intratracheally delivered taxol. Paclitaxel concentration in other non-targeted tissues and plasma were significantly lower as compared to other groups. Furthermore, toxicity studies showed no significant increase in levels of lung injury markers in PEG₅₀₀₀–DSPE treated group as compared to saline-treated group. PEG₅₀₀₀–DSPE micelles delivered intratracheally were able to sustain highest paclitaxel concentrations in lungs for long periods of time, thus apprehending their suitability as pulmonary drug carriers.     

Novel self-assembling PEG-p-(CL-co-TMC) polymeric micelles as safe and effective delivery system for Paclitaxel

Paclitaxel (PTX) is an effective anti-cancer drug currently used to treat a wide variety of cancers. Unfortunately, nonaqueous vehicle containing Cremophor^® EL is associated with serious clinical side effects. This work aimed to evaluate the ability of polymeric micelles to (i) solubilize PTX without Cremophor^® EL and to be used as a (ii) safe and (iii) effective delivery system for PTX. Hence, we developed novel self-assembling poly(ethyleneglycol)₇₅₀-block-poly(ε-caprolactone-co-trimethylenecarbonate) (PEG-p-(CL-co-TMC)) polymeric micelles which form micelles spontaneously in aqueous solution. The solubility of PTX increased up to three orders of magnitude. The PTX-loaded micelles showed a slow release of PTX with no burst effect. The HeLa cells viability assessed by the MTT test was lower for PTX-loaded micelles than for Taxol^® (IC₅₀ 10.6 vs. 17.6 μg/ml). When solubilized in micelles, PTX induced apoptosis comparable with Taxol^®. The maximum tolerated doses (MTD) of PTX-loaded micelles and Taxol^® in mice were 80 mg/kg and 13.5 mg/kg, respectively, after intraperitoneal administration; and 45 mg/kg and 13.5 mg/kg, respectively, after intravenous administration. Similar anti-tumor efficacy of PTX-loaded micelles and Taxol^® was observed at the dose of 13.5 mg/kg on TLT-tumor-bearing mice, while the body weight loss was only observed in Taxol^® group. However, as higher dose was tolerated (80 mg/kg – IP), a higher growth delay was induced with PTX-loaded micelles. These results demonstrated that PTX-loaded self-assembling micelles present a similar anti-tumor efficacy as Taxol^®, but significantly reduced the toxicity allowing the increase in the dose for better therapeutic response.     

In vivo pharmacokinetics,biodistribution and anti-tumor effect of paclitaxel-loaded targeted chitosan-based polymeric micelle

Abstract

A water-insoluble anti-tumor agent, paclitaxel (PTX) was successfully incorporated into novel-targeted polymeric micelles based on tocopherol succinate-chitosan-polyethylene glycol-folic acid (PTX/TS-CS-PEG-FA). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and efficacy of PTX/TS-CS-PEG-FA in comparison to Anzatax® in tumor bearing mice. The micellar formulation showed higher in vitro cytotoxicity against mice breast cancer cell line, 4T1, due to the folate receptor-mediated endocytosis. The IC₅₀ value of PTX, a concentration at which 50% cells are killed, was 1.17 and 0.93?µM for Anzatax® and PTX/TS-CS-PEG-FA micelles, respectively. The in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of PTX/TS-CS-PEG-FA, as measured by reduction in tumor volume of 4T1 mouse breast cancer injected in Balb/c mice was significantly greater than that of Anzatax®. Pharmacokinetic study in tumor bearing mice revealed that the micellar formulation prolonged the systemic circulation time of PTX and the AUC of PTX/TS-CS-PEG-FA was obtained 0.83-fold lower than Anzatax®. Compared with Anzatax®, the V_d, T_1/2ß and MRT of PTX/TS-CS-PEG-FA was increased by 2.76, 2.05 and 1.68-fold, respectively. As demonstrated by tissue distribution, the PTX/TS-CS-PEG-FA micelles increased accumulation of PTX in tumor, therefore, resulted in anti-tumor effects enhancement and drug concentration in the normal tissues reduction. Taken together, our evaluations show that PTX/TS-CS-PEG-FA micelle is a potential drug delivery system of PTX for the effective treatment of the tumor and systematic toxicity reduction, thus, the micellar formulation can provide a useful alternative dosage form for intravenous administration of PTX.     

Versatile flexible micelles integrating mucosal penetration and intestinal targeting for effectively oral delivery of paclitaxel

The extremely low bioavailability of oral paclitaxel(PTX) mainly due to the complicated gastrointestinal environment,the obstruction of intestinal mucus layer and epithelium barrier.Thus,it is of great significance to construct a coordinative delivery system which can overcome multiple intestinal physicochemical obstacles simultaneously.In this work,a high-density PEGylation-based glycocholic acid-decorated micelles(PTX@GNPs) was constructed by a novel polymer,9-Fluorenylmethoxy carbonyl-poly et...     

PEG-PE-based micelles co-loaded with paclitaxel and cyclosporine A or loaded with paclitaxel and targeted by anticancer antibody overcome drug resistance in cancer cells

The over-expression of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in cancer cells is one of the main reasons of the acquired Multidrug Resistance (MDR). Combined treatment of MDR cancer cells with P-gp inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents could result in reversal of resistance in P-gp-expressing cells. In this study, paclitaxel (PTX) was co-encapsulated in actively targeted (anticancer mAb 2C5-modified) polymeric lipid-core PEG-PE-based micelles with Cyclosporine A (CycA), which is one of the most effective first generation P-gp inhibitors. Cell culture studies performed using MDCKII (parental and MDR1) cell lines to investigate the potential MDR reversal effect of the formulations. The average size of both empty and loaded PEG₂₀₀₀-PE/Vitamin E mixed micelles was found between 10 and 25 nm. Zeta potentials of the formulations were found between ?7 and ?35 mV. The percentage of PTX in the micelles was found higher than 3% for both formulations and cumulative PTX release of about 70% was demonstrated. P-gp inhibition with CycA caused an increase in the cytotoxicity of PTX. Dual-loaded micelles demonstrated significantly higher cytotoxicity in the resistant MDCKII-MDR1 cells than micelles loaded with PTX alone. Micelle modification with mAb 2C5 results in the highest cytotoxicity against resistant cells, with or without P-gp modulator, probably because of better internalization bypassing the P-gp mechanism. Our results suggest that micelles delivering a combination of P-gp modulator and anticancer drug or micelles loaded with only PTX, but targeted with mAb 2C5 represent a promising approach to overcome drug resistance in cancer cells.     

Folate and CD44 Receptors Dual-Targeting Hydrophobized Hyaluronic Acid Paclitaxel-Loaded Polymeric Micelles for Overcoming Multidrug Resistance and Improving Tumor Distribution

The drug efflux mediated by P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter is one of the important factors responsible for multidrug resistance (MDR), and then the efficient intracellular drug delivery is an important strategy to overcome MDR of tumor cells. We describe and compare CD44 receptor single-targeting and folate (FA), CD44 receptors dual-targeting hyaluronic acid-octadecyl (HA-C₁₈) micellar formulations to overcome MDR of tumor cells and to improve tumor distribution. In comparison with Taxol solution, the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel (PTX) loaded in HA-C₁₈ and FA-HA-C₁₈ micelles against drug-resistant tumor cells was improved significantly because of the increased intracellular delivery by active receptor-mediated endocytosis. Compared with the single-targeting micelles, dual-targeting micelles possessed better MDR-overcoming performance. Pharmacokinetic study demonstrated HA-C₁₈ and FA-HA-C₁₈ PTX-loaded micelles possessed much longer circulation and moderately larger AUC than Taxol solution. Above all, the tumor distribution in MCF-7 tumor-bearing mice of PTX encapsulated in HA-C₁₈ and FA-HA-C₁₈ micelles were 2.8 and 4.0 times higher than that of Taxol solution. It was concluded that dual-targeting FA–HA-C₁₈ micelles demonstrate excellent MDR-overcoming ability and improved tumor distribution, and provide a novel effective nanoplatform for anticancer drug delivery in cancer chemotherapy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.     

Cytotoxic enhancement of hexapeptide-conjugated micelles in EGFR high-expressed cancer cells

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop the hexapeptide-conjugated active targeting micelles for delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX) to EGFR high-expressed cancer cells.

Methods: A hexapeptide, which mimicked the EGFR, was applied as a targeting ligand. The active targeting micelles were prepared using the synthesized poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)–PEG copolymer conjugated with the hexapeptide. The micelles were used for encapsulating DOX and/or PTX, and the cellular uptake, in vitro drug release and cellular viability of drug-loaded peptide-conjugated and peptide-free micelles were investigated.

Results: The particle size of drug-loaded peptide-conjugated and peptide-free micelles was < 150 nm with narrow size distribution. The uptake of peptide-conjugated micelles was more efficient in EGFR high-expressed MDA-MB-468 and SKOV3 cells than in EGFR low-expressed HepG2 cells. The in vitro release of DOX and PTX was faster in pH 4.0 (500 U lipase) than in pH 7.4 release medium. The cytotoxicity in terms of IC₅₀ of DOX/PTX-loaded peptide-conjugated micelles was 4.8-folds lower than that of peptide-free micelles and 18.2-folds lower than DOX/PTX drug solution in SOKV3 cells.

Conclusion: The peptide-conjugated micelles acted as a nanocarrier to increase intracellular accumulation of anticancer drugs in EGFR high-expressed SKOV3 cancer cells to enhance cell cytotoxicity.