Hyaluronan-decorated polymer nanoparticles targeting the CD44 receptor for the combined photo/chemo-therapy of cancer

Nanoscale. 2015 Mar 19;7(13):5643-53. doi: 10.1039/c4nr06910b.

Abstract

In the attempt to develop novel concepts in designing targeted nanoparticles for combination therapy of cancer, we propose here CD44-targeted hyaluronan-decorated double-coated nanoparticles (dcNPs) delivering the lipophilic chemotherapeutic docetaxel (DTX) and an anionic porphyrin (TPPS₄). dcNPs are based on electrostatic interactions between a negative DTX-loaded nanoscaffold of poly(lactide-co-glycolide), a polycationic shell of polyethyleneimine entangling negatively-charged TPPS₄ and finally decorated with hyaluronan (HA) to promote internalization through CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis. DTX/TPPS₄-dcNPs, prepared through layer-by-layer deposition, showed a hydrodynamic diameter of around 180 nm, negative zeta potential and efficient loading of both DTX and TPPS₄. DTX/TPPS₄-dcNPs were freeze-dried with trehalose giving a powder that could be easily dispersed in different media. Excellent stability of dcNPs in specific salt- and protein-containing media was found. Spectroscopic behavior of DTX/TPPS₄-dcNPs demonstrated a face-to-face arrangement of the TPPS₄ units in non-photoresponsive H-type aggregates accounting for an extensive aggregation of the porphyrin embedded in the shell. Experiments in MDA-MB-231 cells overexpressing the CD44 receptor demonstrated a 9.4-fold increase in the intracellular level of TPPS₄ delivered from dcNPs as compared to free TPPS₄. Light-induced death increased tremendously in cells that had been treated with a combination of TPPS₄ and DTX delivered through dcNPs as compared with free drugs, presumably due to efficient uptake and co-localization inside the cells. In perspective, the strategy proposed here to target synergistic drug combinations through HA-decorated nanoparticles seems very attractive to improve the specificity and efficacy of cancer treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / chemistry
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / administration & dosage
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemical synthesis
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Diffusion
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / metabolism*
  • Hyaluronic Acid / chemistry
  • Hyaluronic Acid / pharmacokinetics*
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Nanocapsules / administration & dosage
  • Nanocapsules / chemistry
  • Nanocapsules / ultrastructure
  • Photochemotherapy / methods*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / administration & dosage
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Porphyrins / administration & dosage*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Nanocapsules
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Polymers
  • Porphyrins
  • tetraphenylporphine sulfonate
  • Doxorubicin
  • Hyaluronic Acid