Paclitaxel-loaded trimethyl chitosan-based polymeric nanoparticle for the effective treatment of gastroenteric tumors

Oncol Rep. 2014 Oct;32(4):1481-8. doi: 10.3892/or.2014.3344. Epub 2014 Jul 21.

Abstract

Gastroenteric cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers and is responsible for most cancer-related deaths worldwide. Paclitaxel (PTX), a classical microtubule inhibitor, is indicated in the treatment of gastric/gastroenteric cancers. In the present study, trimethyl chitosan (TMC)-loaded PTX (TMC-PTX) was prepared and evaluated for its therapeutic effect in gastric cancers. A spherical shaped nanosized TMC-PTX particle was formed with high loading capacity (~30%) for PTX. The nanoparticles (NPs) showed a sustained release pattern (~70%) for up to 96 h of study period. The positively charged NPs were preferentially internalized by Caco-2 cells. TMC-PTX inhibited the gastric cell proliferation with an IC50 value of 0.6 µg in NCI-N87 cells while it was 1.26 µg in the SGC-7901 cell line after 24 h exposure. The apoptosis assay (Annexin V/PI) showed a large presence of cells in the early and late apoptosis chamber, while cell cycle analysis showed a marked G2/M phase arrest (50-60%) in NCI-N87 and SGC-7901 cell lines indicating its potent anti-proliferative effect. The in vivo antitumor study in NCI-N87 and SGC-7901 bearing xenograft model showed a superior chemotherapeutic efficacy for TMC-PTX NP. The NP group significantly reduced the tumor growth with no obvious sign of systemic side-effects (safety). Collectively, our results suggest that the microtubule inhibitory effect of PTX-loaded polymer NP could be a promising system for the treatment of gastroenteric cancers.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chitosan*
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Intestine, Small
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage*
  • Paclitaxel / pharmacology
  • Polymers*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • N-trimethyl chitosan chloride
  • Polymers
  • Chitosan
  • Paclitaxel