Engineered beta-cyclodextrin-based carrier for targeted doxorubicin delivery in breast cancer therapy in vivo

In this study, we prepared a beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD)-based carrier consisting of beta-CD, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and folic acid (FA) (CDPF) for improved doxorubicin (DOX) delivery to targeted breast cancer in vitro and in vivo. The morphology and size distribution were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements, which revealed in particles ranging from 38 nm to 52 nm in size. DOX from CDPF was released in a sustained manner for 48 h. Cell viability analysis showed the low toxicity of free DOX, whereas CDPF-DOX remarkably exhibited reduced viability after incubation for 7 days. In vivo animal test showed that intravenous injection of CDPF-DOX contributes to decreased tumor volume, along with no systemic toxicity and cardiotoxicity. The results suggested that CDPF can maximize the efficacy of DOX delivery; therefore can be used as a good candidate for developing optimal drug delivery systems. (C) 2018 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.