Self-assembled nanoparticles comprising aptide-SN38 conjugates for use in targeted cancer therapy

Self-assembled nanoparticles (NPs) have been intensively utilized as cancer drug delivery carriers because hydrophobic anticancer drugs may be efficiently loaded into the particle cores. In this study, we synthesized and evaluated the therapeutic index of self-assembled NPs chemically conjugated to a fibronectin extra domain B-specific peptide (APT_EDB) and an anticancer agent SN38. The APT_EDB-SN38 formed self-assembled structures with a diameter of 58 ± 3 nm in an aqueous solution and displayed excellent drug loading, solubility, and stability properties. A pharmacokinetic study revealed that the blood circulation half-life of SN38 following injection of the APT_EDB-SN38 NPs was markedly higher than that of the small molecule CPT-11. The APT_EDB-SN38 NPs delivered SN38 to tumor sites by both passive and active targeting. Finally, the APT_EDB-SN38 NPs exhibited potent antitumor activities and low toxicities against EDB-expressing tumors (LLC, U87MG) in mice. This system merits further preclinical and clinical investigations for SN38 delivery.