Carboplatin loaded protein nanoparticles exhibit improve anti-proliferative activity in retinoblastoma cells

Retinoblastoma, a common neoplasm of eye in children accounts about 9-10% of all paediatric cancer. Carboplatin (carbo) is preferred chemotherapeutic regimen. In this study the prospective of carboplatin loaded apotranferrin (Apo-nano-carbo) and lactoferrin (Lacto-nano-carbo) nanoparticles have been demonstrated for the treatment of retinoblastoma. Apo-nano-carbo and Lacto-nano-carbo were prepared by sol-oil method (as a patented formula) with size of 82-92 nm and 68-81 nm, hydrodynamic size were 142±15 nm and 263±20 nm, encapsulation efficiency were 50%±2.3 and 52%±3.9 respectively. Results of pH dependent-drug release and receptor-blocking assay showed that nanoparticles may deliver drug through receptor mediated endocytosis. The carboplatin loaded nanoparticles shows greater intracellular uptake, sustained retention and thus, high anti-proliferative activity (Apo-nano-carbo IC50=4.31 μg ml(-1), Lacto-nano-carbo IC50=4.16 μg ml(-1), Sol-carbo IC50=13.498 μg ml(-1)) into the retinoblastoma cells compared to their soluble counterpart.