PEG-Fmoc-Ibuprofen Conjugate as a Dual Functional Nanomicellar Carrier for Paclitaxel

Bioconjug Chem. 2016 Sep 21;27(9):2198-205. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.6b00415. Epub 2016 Aug 25.

Abstract

Ibuprofen is a kind of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), and it is considered to possess some antitumor effect. In this study, a novel nanomicellar carrier based on PEG-derivatized ibuprofen, PEG2K-Fmoc-Ibuprofen (PEG2K-FIbu), was developed for delivery of anticancer agents such as paclitaxel (PTX). This conjugate readily forms stable mixed micelles with PTX with a relatively high PTX loading capacity of 67%. The release of PTX from PTX-loaded PEG2K-FIbu micelles was significantly slower than that from Taxol formulation. PTX-loaded PEG2K-FIbu micelles and Taxol showed a comparable in vitro cytotoxicity. Importantly, PTX-loaded PEG2K-FIbu micelles demonstrated a much more pronounced in vivo therapeutic efficacy compared with Taxol with respect to both inhibition of tumor growth and animal survival. Our system may represent an attractive dual-functional delivery system to achieve synergistic activity with PTX while minimizing the carrier-associated toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Liberation
  • Female
  • Fluorenes / chemistry*
  • Ibuprofen / chemistry*
  • Kinetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Micelles*
  • Paclitaxel / chemistry*
  • Paclitaxel / pharmacology
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacokinetics
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Fluorenes
  • Micelles
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Paclitaxel
  • Ibuprofen