Doxorubicin loaded gold nanoparticles: Implication of passive targeting on anticancer efficacy

Pharmacol Res. 2016 Nov;113(Pt A):547-556. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.09.037. Epub 2016 Sep 28.

Abstract

The present work aims to investigate targeting potential of doxorubicin (Dox) functionalized gold nanoparticles (D-GNPs) for treatment of chemically induced fibrosarcoma in mice. Carrier GNPs were synthesised by green chemistry method and loaded with doxorubicin by incubation method. D-GNPs were studied for its biocompatibility using normal mouse fibroblasts (L929) and found to be cell compatible and non-toxic. D-GNPs (at a dose of 2.5, 2 and 1.5mg/kg equivalent to Dox) demonstrated passive targeting measured as function of antitumor efficacy against chemical induced fibrosarcoma which showed higher latency to the tumour growth as compared to free Dox (2.5mg/kg). D-GNPs exhibited significantly higher therapeutic anticancer efficacy (∼81% tumour suppression at dose of 2.5mg/kg equivalent to Dox) in the same model as compared to that of free doxorubicin (∼48% tumour suppression at dose of 2.5mg/kg). Safety profile and targeting efficiency of developed formulation was established by assessing cardiac and blood markers.

Keywords: Cardiotoxicity; Doxorubicin; Gold nanoparticles; Myelosuppresion; Passive targeting.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / methods
  • Doxorubicin / chemistry
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibrosarcoma / drug therapy
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Mice

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Gold
  • Doxorubicin