Isomeric folate-conjugated polymeric micelles bind to folate receptors and display anticancer effects

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(17):7363-9. doi: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.17.7363.

Abstract

The present study aimed to prepare and evaluate polymeric micelles conjugated with folic acid through α- or γ-carboxyl groups for antitumor efficacy. The isomeric block copolymers, α- and γ-folate-polyethyleneglycol- distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (α- and γ-Fol-PEG-DSPE), were produced by solid phase peptide synthesis. Three types of doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded polymeric micelles (MPEG-DSPE-DOX and α- / γ-Fol-PEG-DSPE- DOX micelles) were prepared via the film formation method. Compared with MPEG-DSPE-DOX micelles, the α- / γ-Fol-PEG-DSPE-DOX micelles presented a higher cellular uptake behavior in the live cell study. Cell viability percentages were 81.8%, 57.3%, 56.6% at 2 hours for MPEG-DSPE-DOX, α- and γ-Fol-PEG-DSPE- DOX micelles, respectively (p<0.05). Using the KB xenograft tumor model, both α- and γ-folate-conjugated micelles were found to have better antitumor effects with lower toxicity in comparison with MPEG-DSPE-DOX micelles. No difference in in vivo antitumor efficacy was found between α-and γ-Fol-PEG-DSPE-DOX micelles. The folate-conjugated micelles might be a potentially useful strategy for tumor targeting of therapeutic agents, whether grafting with folic acid through α- or γ-carboxyl groups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology*
  • Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored / metabolism*
  • Folic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • KB Cells
  • Mice
  • Micelles*
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines / pharmacology*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacology*
  • Polymers
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored
  • Micelles
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines
  • Polymers
  • polyethylene glycol-distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Doxorubicin
  • Folic Acid