Tetrac-decorated chitosan-coated PLGA nanoparticles as a new platform for targeted delivery of SN38

New integrin-targeted nanoparticles made of chitosan-stabilized PLGA matrix was developed to specifically target colon adenocarcinoma. To this aim, SN38-encapsulated chitosan-coated PLGA NPs were conjugated with tetrac for integrin receptor-guided delivery. To provide a sustained release pattern for SN38, it was loaded into nanoparticles using single emulsion method. The size of NPs were 174.23 +/- 6.12 nm with drug encapsulation efficiency and loading content of 73.16 +/- 11.15 and 4.45 +/- 0.31, respectively. The in vitro results confirmed that the designed nanoplatform showed specific cellular uptake and cytotoxicity in integrin overexpressing cancer cells and provided a sustained release profile for SN38. Additionally, an increased therapeutic potency of targeted formulation over both non-targeted and free drug was shown in vivo.