Maytansine-loaded star-shaped folate-core PLA-TPGS nanoparticles enhancing anticancer activity.

Abstract

The efficient delivery of therapeutic molecule agents into target cells of interest is a critical challenge to broad application of non-viral vector systems. In this research, maytansine-loaded star-shaped folate-core polylactide-D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (FA-PLA-TPGS) block copolymer was applied to be a vector of maytansine for folate receptor positive (FR(+)) breast cancer therapy. The uptake of maytansine nanoparticles by SKBR3 cells were observed by fluorescence microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The cell viability of maytansine-NPs in SKBR3 cells was assessed according to the changed level of intracellular microtubules and apoptosis-associated proteins. The cytotoxicity of the SKBR3 cells was significantly increased by maytansine-NPs when compared with control groups. In conclusion, the maytansine-NPs offer a considerable potential formulation for FR-expressing tumor targeting biotherapy.

• Authors: Xiaolong Tang, Hong Dai, Yongxiang Zhu, Ye Tian, Rongbo Zhang, Rengbiao Mei, Deqiang Li
• Journal: American journal of translational research (Am J Transl Res) Vol. 6 Issue 5 Pg. 528-37 ( 2014) ISSN: 1943-8141 [Print] United States
• PMID: 25360217 (Publication Type: Journal Article)