Phenylboronic acid-decorated gelatin nanoparticles for enhanced tumor targeting and penetration

Phenylboronic acid-decorated nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared for tumor-targeted drug delivery. 3-carboxyphenylboronic acid (3-CPBA) was modified on the surface of conventional gelatin NPs (designated as NP1) to give tumor-targeting NPs (designated as NP2). The morphology and stability of NP1 and NP2 were then investigated using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. The results show that both NP1 and NP2 are spherical-like and kinetically stable under various conditions. Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) was used as a model anticancer drug and was loaded into NP1 (NP1-DOX) and NP2 (NP2-DOX). The i n vitro cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of NP1-DOX and NP2-DOX were measured using SH-SY5Y cells, H22 cells, and HepG2 cells. Tumor penetration, accumulation, and antitumor activity were investigated using SH-SY5Y tumor-like spheroids and H22 tumor-bearing mice. All results demonstrated that the conjugation of 3-CPBA can efficiently enhance non-targeted NPs' tumor-homing activity, thus improving their tumor accumulation and antitumor effect.