Dual pH/ROS-Responsive Nanoplatform with Deep Tumor Penetration and Self-Amplified Drug Release for Enhancing Tumor Chemotherapeutic Efficacy

Poor deep tumor penetration and incomplete intracellular drug release remain challenges for antitumor nanomedicine application in clinical settings. Herein, a nanomedicine (RLPA-NPs) is developed that can achieve prolonged blood circulation, deep tumor penetration, active-targeting of cancer cells, endosome/lysosome escape, and intracellular selectivity self-amplified drug release for effective drug delivery. The RLPA-NPs are constructed by encapsulation of a pH-sensitive polymer octadecylamine-poly(aspartate-1-(3-aminopropyl) imidazole) (OA-P(Asp-API)) and a ROS-generation agent, beta-Lapachone (Lap), in micelles assembled by the tumor-penetration peptide internalizing RGD (iRGD)-modified ROS-responsive paclitaxel (PTX)-prodrug. iRGD could promote RLPA-NPs penetration into deep tumor tissue, and specific targeting to cancer cells. After internalization by cancer cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis, OA-P(Asp-API) can rapidly protonate in the endosome's acidic environment, resulting in RLPA-NPs escape from the endosome through the proton sponge effect. At the same time, the RLPA-NPs micelle disassembles, releasing Lap and PTX-prodrug. Subsequently, the released Lap could generate ROS, consequently amplifying and accelerating PTX release to kill tumor cells. The in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that RLPA-NPs can significantly improve the therapeutic effect compared to control groups. Therefore, RLPA-NPs are a promising nanoplatform for overcoming multiple physiological and pathological barriers to enhance drug delivery.