Apolipoprotein E Peptide-Guided Disulfide-Cross-Linked Micelles for Targeted Delivery of Sorafenib to Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Biomacromolecules. 2020 Feb 10;21(2):716-724. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01419. Epub 2019 Dec 6.

Abstract

Sorafenib (SF) is an FDA-approved molecular-targeted drug for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). SF, however, suffers from poor water solubility, low bioavailability, dose-limiting side effects, and possible drug resistance. Here, we report on apolipoprotein E peptide-decorated disulfide-cross-linked micellar SF (ApoE-Ms-SF) as a targeted and intelligent formulation for HCC therapy. ApoE-Ms-SF was prepared with a good SF loading of 7.0 wt %, small size (37 nm), high stability, and reduction-triggered drug release from poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone-co-dithiolane trimethylene carbonate)-mefenamate (PEG-P(CL-DTC)-MA) and ApoE-modified ApoE-PEG-P(CL-DTC) block copolymers. MTT assays in low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs) overexpressing SMMC-7721 human liver cancer cells showed ApoE density-dependent antitumor potency of ApoE-Ms-SF, in which 7.5% ApoE led to the best antitumor effect (IC50: 8.5 vs 23.3 μg/mL for free SF). Confocal studies, flow cytometry, western blot, and apoptotic assays illustrated clearly a more efficient uptake of ApoE-Ms than nontargeted Ms by SMMC-7721 cells as well as lower phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase protein level and better cell apoptosis caused by ApoE-Ms-SF compared with Ms-SF and free SF. ApoE-Ms-SF revealed a long circulation time (elimination half-life = 6.8 h). DiR-loaded ApoE-Ms showed a significantly higher accumulation in SMMC-7721 tumor than the nontargeted counterpart. The therapeutic outcomes in the orthotopic SMMC-7721 tumor models demonstrated that ApoE-Ms-SF reduced SF-associated side effects and brought about enhanced angiogenesis inhibition and tumor apoptosis compared to free SF and Ms-SF controls, leading to a better treatment of HCC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism*
  • Apolipoproteins E / administration & dosage
  • Apolipoproteins E / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / administration & dosage
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / metabolism
  • Disulfides / administration & dosage
  • Disulfides / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Female
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Micelles*
  • Sorafenib / administration & dosage
  • Sorafenib / metabolism*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / methods

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • ApoE protein, human
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Disulfides
  • Micelles
  • Sorafenib