Journal
NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Volume 8, Issue 5, Pages 637-646Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2011.08.012
Keywords
Nanoparticles; Amphiphilic block copolymers; Anticancer drugs; Docetaxel
Funding
- AIRC (Italian Association for Cancer Research) [MFAG8843]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and poly(ethylene oxide) were assembled in core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) by a melting-sonication technique (MeSo). The entrapment of the poorly water-soluble anticancer drug docetaxel (DTX), nanocarrier cytotoxicity toward different cells and toxicity in mice were investigated. The encapsulation mechanism was rationalized and related to copolymer properties such as crystallinity and drug solubility in the copolymer phase. DTX release from NPs occurred in 2 drug pulses over 30 days. DTX entrapment in NPs strongly decreased haemolysis of erythrocytes in comparison with a commercial DTX formulation. In comparison with free DTX, NPs were both more efficient in inhibiting cell growth of breast and prostate cancer cells and less toxic in experimental animal models. The results of this study indicate that MeSo is an interesting technique for the achievement of peculiar core-shell nanocarriers for the passive targeting and sustained release of poorly water-soluble anticancer drugs.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available