In Vivo Evaluation of Dual-Targeted Nanoparticles Encapsulating Paclitaxel and Everolimus

A synergistic combination of paclitaxel (PTX) and everolimus (EVER) can allow for lower drug doses, reducing the toxicities associated with PTX, while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) of high stability provide opportunities to modify the toxicity profile of the drugs by ensuring their delivery to tumor at the synergistic ratio while limiting systemic drug exposure and the toxicities that result. The current study goal is to study the in vivo fate of human epidermal factor receptor 2 (HER2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) dual-targeted PTX+EVER-loaded NPs (Dual-NPs) in an MDA-MB-231-H2N BC tumor-bearing mouse model. The pharmacokinetic parameters, plasma area under the curve (AUC) and half-life (t_1/2), were found to be 20-fold and 3 to 4-fold higher, respectively, for the drugs when administered in the Dual-NPs in comparison to the free-drug combination (i.e., PTX+EVER) at an equivalent dose of PTX. While maintaining anti-tumor efficacy, the levels of body weight loss were significantly lower (p < 0.0001) and the overall degree of neurotoxicity was reduced with Dual-NP treatment in comparison to the free-drug combination when administered at an equivalent dose of PTX. This study suggests that Dual-NPs present a promising platform for the delivery of the PTX and EVER combination with the potential to reduce severe PTX-induced toxicities and in turn, improve quality of life for patients with BC.