Poly(styrene)-b-poly(DL-lactide) copolymer-based nanoparticles for anticancer drug delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Docetaxel (DCT) is a key chemotherapy agent for prostate cancer.
• Developing efficient and safe drug delivery systems for DCT is crucial.
• Polymeric nanoparticles offer potential for targeted and sustained drug release.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize poly(styrene)-b-poly(DL-lactide) (PS-PDLLA) copolymer-based nanoparticles for docetaxel (DCT) delivery.
• To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo performance of these DCT-loaded nanoparticles.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of PS-PDLLA nanoparticles with controlled size and zeta potential.
• In vitro assessment of nanoparticle stability in serum, drug release kinetics, and cytotoxicity in PC-3 cells.
• Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) for cellular uptake studies.
• In vitro anti-tumor efficacy testing against PC-3 cells.
• In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats and toxicity assessment via blood biochemistry.

Main Results:

• PS-PDLLA nanoparticles exhibited narrow size distribution, negative zeta potential, and spherical morphology.
• Nanoparticles remained stable in serum for 24 hours with sustained DCT release over 10 days.
• Blank nanoparticles showed negligible cytotoxicity.
• PS-PDLLA/DCT nanoparticles demonstrated superior anti-tumor efficacy in PC-3 cells compared to Taxotere.
• In vivo studies revealed decreased clearance and increased half-life of DCT delivered via PS-PDLLA NPs.

Conclusions:

• PS-PDLLA nanoparticles are a biocompatible and effective nano-delivery system for docetaxel.
• This system enhances the pharmacokinetic profile and anti-tumor activity of DCT.
• PS-PDLLA NPs show promise for improved prostate cancer therapy with reduced systemic toxicity.