Paclitaxel controlled delivery using a pH-responsive functional-AuNP/block-copolymer vesicular nanocarrier composite...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• Oncology

Background:

• Conventional paclitaxel (PTX) delivery systems cause significant side effects.
• There is a need for more selective and effective PTX nano-formulations for cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop pH-sensitive poly(2-vinylpyridine)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (P2VP-PEO) vesicles for targeted delivery of PTX-loaded gold nanoparticles (AuMOA-FA).
• To evaluate the characteristics, stability, drug release, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity of the developed nano-formulation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of P2VP-PEO vesicles encapsulating AuMOA-FA nanoparticles loaded with PTX.
• Characterization of vesicle size, colloidal stability, and drug release at different pH values.
• Assessment of cellular uptake and cytotoxicity in A549 cancer cells using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.

Main Results:

• The composite vesicles were <200 nm, exhibiting good colloidal stability and minimal leakage at physiological pH.
• Significant accelerated release of AuMOA-FA and PTX was observed at acidic pH, mimicking tumor microenvironments.
• The PTX-loaded vesicles showed efficient cellular uptake, comparable or higher cytotoxicity than free PTX, and induced a higher percentage of late apoptotic cells.

Conclusions:

• The developed pH-sensitive P2VP-PEO vesicles represent a promising injectable nano-formulation for targeted PTX delivery.
• This nano-formulation has the potential to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing the side effects associated with conventional PTX treatments.
• The targeted delivery and enhanced apoptosis induction suggest a superior therapeutic profile for vesicle-encapsulated PTX.