Three-armed RGD-decorated starPLA-PEG nanoshuttle for docetaxel delivery

A novel star-shaped amphiphilic copolymer based on three poly(lactide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA-PEG) terminal arms extending from a glycerol multifunctional core was newly synthesized and decorated with the tumor-targeting ligand cyclic-RGDyK peptide (Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Tyr-Lys) to be eventually formulated in polymeric micelles incorporating a suitable anticancer drug (i.e., Docetaxel, DTX; drug loading 16 %, encapsulation efficiency 69 %). The biological profile of unloaded micelles (RGD-NanoStar) was studied on Human Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Ad-MSCs) as health control, pointing out the absence of toxicity. Surprisingly, an unprecedented effect on cell viability was exerted by RGD-NanoStar, comparable to that of the free DTX, on tumoral MDA-MB 468 Human Breast Adenocarcinoma cells, specifically starting from 48 h of culture (about 40 % and 60 % of dead cells at 48 and 72 h, respectively, at all tested concentrations). RGD-NanoStar reduced the cell viability also of tumoral U87 Human Glioblastoma cells, compared to cells only, at 72 h (about 25 % of dead cells) demonstrating a time-dependent effect exerted by the highest concentrations. The effects of DTX-loaded micelles (RGD-NanoStar/DTX) on U87 and MDA-MB 468 cell lines were evaluated by MTT, cell morphology analysis, and scratch test. A compromised cell morphology was observed without significant difference between DTX-treated and RGD-NanoStar/DTX - treated cells, especially in U87 cell line. Although no apparent benefit emerged from the drug incorporation into the nanosystem by MTT assay, the scratch test revealed a statistically significant inhibition of tumoral cell migration on both cell lines, confirming the well-known role of DTX in inhibiting cell movements even when loaded on polymeric micelles. Specifically, only 43 μm distance was covered by U87 cells after 30 h culture with RGD-NanoStar/DTX (30 μg/mL) compared to 73 μm in the presence of free DTX at the same concentration; more interestingly, a total absence of MDA-MB 468 cell movements was detected at 30 h compared to about 50 μm distance covered by cells in the presence of free DTX (10 μg/mL). The stronger inhibitory activity on cell migration of RGD-NanoStar/DTX compared to the free drug in both cell lines at 30 h attested for a good ability of the drug-loaded nanocarrier to reduce tumor propagation and invasiveness, enhancing the typical effect of DTX on metastatization.