Dual agent loaded PLGA nanoparticles enhanced antitumor activity in a multidrug-resistant breast tumor eenograft model

Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Feb 18;15(2):2761-72. doi: 10.3390/ijms15022761.

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant breast cancers have limited and ineffective clinical treatment options. This study aimed to develop PLGA nanoparticles containing a synergistic combination of vincristine and verapamil to achieve less toxicity and enhanced efficacy on multidrug-resistant breast cancers. The 1:250 molar ratio of VCR/VRP showed strong synergism with the reversal index of approximately 130 in the multidrug-resistant MCF-7/ADR cells compared to drug-sensitive MCF-7 cells. The lyophilized nanoparticles could get dispersed quickly with the similar size distribution, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency to the pre-lyophilized nanoparticles suspension, and maintain the synergistic in vitro release ratio of drugs. The co-encapsulated nanoparticle formulation had lower toxicity than free vincristine/verapamil combinations according to the acute-toxicity test. Furthermore, the most effective tumor growth inhibition in the MCF-7/ADR human breast tumor xenograft was observed in the co-delivery nanoparticle formulation group in comparison with saline control, free vincristine, free vincristine/verapamil combinations and single-drug nanoparticle combinations. All the data demonstrated that PLGANPs simultaneously loaded with chemotherapeutic drug and chemosensitizer might be one of the most potential formulations in the treatment of multidrug-resistant breast cancer in clinic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / toxicity
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lactic Acid / chemistry*
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Polyglycolic Acid / chemistry*
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Transplantation, Heterologous
  • Verapamil / chemistry
  • Verapamil / toxicity
  • Vincristine / chemistry
  • Vincristine / toxicity

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Polyglycolic Acid
  • Lactic Acid
  • Vincristine
  • Verapamil