One-pot synthesis of sustained-released doxorubicin silica nanoparticles for aptamer targeted delivery to tumor cells

Site-specific delivery of drugs can significantly reduce drug toxicity and increase the therapeutic effect. Here, we report a one-pot synthesis of doxorubicin-doped silica nanoparticles (Dox/SiNPs) by using sodium fluoride (NaF) catalyzed hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate in a water-in-oil microemulsion. Through further surface chemical modification, carboxyl-terminated Dox/SiNPs (COOH-Dox/SiNPs) exhibiting high drug entrapment efficiency, strong fluorescence and long sustained release are obtained. Cell toxicity tests demonstrate that the COOH-Dox/SiNPs kill tumor cells effectively, while pure COOH-SiNPs are nontoxic. An aptamer is further conjugated to the nanoparticles for delivering loaded Dox to target cells. It is demonstrated that Dox/SiNPs modified with the aptamer sgc8c (sgc8c-Dox/SiNPs) could deliver loaded doxorubicin to CCRF-CEM cells with high specificity and excellent efficiency. Furthermore, ex vivo imaging studies show that the COOH-Dox/SiNPs are able to accumulate highly in the tumor areas, thanks to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effects. Our data suggest that the sgc8c-Dox/SiNPs may be a useful new tumor therapy system.