Redox-responsive alginate nanogels with enhanced anticancer cytotoxicity

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

• Doxorubicin (Dox) is a widely used chemotherapy drug, but its effectiveness is limited by poor cellular uptake and intracellular drug release.
• Developing advanced drug delivery systems is crucial to overcome these limitations and enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel redox-sensitive nanogels for efficient intracellular delivery of doxorubicin.
• To evaluate the potential of these nanogels in overcoming doxorubicin resistance in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of alginate (AG)/cystamine (Cys) nanogels via miniemulsion method.
• Loading of doxorubicin into nanogels through electrostatic interactions.
• In vitro evaluation of nanogel cytocompatibility, drug encapsulation efficiency, drug release kinetics, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity.

Main Results:

• High doxorubicin encapsulation efficiency (95.2 ± 4.7%) achieved.
• Nanogels demonstrated accelerated in vitro drug release under reductive conditions mimicking intracellular environments.
• Enhanced cellular uptake and intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin in CAL-72 cells.
• Significant increase in cancer cell death compared to free doxorubicin.

Conclusions:

• The developed AG/Cys nanogels are effective carriers for intracellular doxorubicin delivery.
• These nanogels show potential in overcoming doxorubicin resistance in cancer therapy.
• The platform may be applicable for delivering other cationic drugs beyond cancer treatment.