Self-assembling doxorubicin-tocopherol succinate prodrug as a new drug delivery system: synthesis, characterization, and in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity

Bioconjug Chem. 2014 Jan 15;25(1):72-81. doi: 10.1021/bc400326y. Epub 2013 Dec 23.

Abstract

Self-assembled prodrugs forming nanoaggregates are a promising approach to enhance the antitumor efficacy and to reduce the toxicity of anticancer drugs. To achieve this goal, doxorubicin was chemically conjugated to d-α-tocopherol succinate through an amide bond to form N-doxorubicin-α-d-tocopherol succinate (N-DOX-TOS). The prodrug self-assembled in water into 250 nm nanostructures when stabilized with d-α-tocopherol poly(ethylene glycol) 2000 succinate. Cryo-TEM analysis revealed the formation of nanoparticles with a highly ordered lamellar inner structure. NMR spectra of the N-DOX-TOS nanoparticles indicated that N-DOX-TOS is located in the core of the nanoparticles while PEG chains and part of the tocopherol are in the corona. High drug loading (34% w/w) and low in vitro drug release were achieved. In vitro biological assessment showed significant anticancer activity and temperature-dependent cellular uptake of N-DOX-TOS nanoparticles. In vivo, these nanoparticles showed a greater antitumor efficacy than free DOX. N-DOX-TOS nanoparticles might have the potential to improve DOX-based chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Doxorubicin / chemistry
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Prodrugs / chemical synthesis
  • Prodrugs / chemistry
  • Prodrugs / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • alpha-Tocopherol / chemistry
  • alpha-Tocopherol / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Prodrugs
  • Doxorubicin
  • alpha-Tocopherol