Pluronic F127 and P104 Polymeric Micelles as Efficient Nanocarriers for Loading and Release of Single and Dual Antineoplastic Drugs

The potential application of biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric micelles formed by Pluronic F127 and P104 as nanocarriers of the antineoplastic drugs docetaxel (DOCE) and doxorubicin (DOXO) is presented in this work. The release profile was carried out under sink conditions at 37 degrees C and analyzed using the Higuchi, Korsmeyer-Peppas, and Peppas-Sahlin diffusion models. The cell viability of HeLa cells was evaluated using the proliferation cell counting kit CCK-8 assay. The formed polymeric micelles solubilized significant amounts of DOCE and DOXO, and released them in a sustained manner for 48 h, with a release profile composed of an initial rapid release within the first 12 h followed by a much slower phase the end of the experiments. In addition, the release was faster under acidic conditions. The model that best fit the experimental data was the Korsmeyer-Peppas one and denoted a drug release dominated by Fickian diffusion. When HeLa cells were exposed for 48 h to DOXO and DOCE drugs loaded inside P104 and F127 micelles, they showed lower IC50 values than those reported by other researchers using polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers or liposomes as alternative carriers, indicating that a lower drug concentration is needed to decrease cell viability by 50%.

Automated summary

The potential of polymeric micelles formed by Pluronic F127 and P104 as nanocarriers for antineoplastic drugs DOCE and DOXO was investigated. The release profile and cell viability were evaluated under different conditions. The micelles solubilized and released significant amounts of drugs in a sustained manner, showing lower IC50 values compared to other carriers, indicating the effectiveness of these micelles as drug delivery systems.