TAT modified and lipid - PEI hybrid nanoparticles for co-delivery of docetaxel and pDNA

Background: Co-delivery of anticancer drugs and gene is promising to generate synergistic anticancer effects. Surface modification of nanocarriers with specific ligands could further assist in targeting and internalization of the nanocarriers into specific cell populations, such as cancers and disease organs. Purpose: The aim of the study reported here is to develop Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) modified lipid - PEI hybrid nanoparticles (LPNs) for effective co-delivery of docetaxel (DTX) and plasmid DNA (pDNA) for combination chemotherapy. Methods: RKKRRQRRR peptide (TAT) modified, DTX and pDNA loaded LPNs (TAT-DTX/pDNA LPNs) were prepared and evaluated in PC3 cancer cells (in vitro) and in a murine prostate cancer model (in vivo). Results: The results illustrated that the in vitro anticancer effect, in vitro transfection efficiency, in vivo antitumor and gene delivery efficacy of TAT-DTX/pDNA LPNs have advantages over other formulation tested. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that TAT-DTX/pDNA LPNs could be a promising co-delivery nanosystem to achieve therapeutic efficacy for treatment of cancer. (C) 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.