PEG-PE-based micelles co-loaded with paclitaxel and cyclosporine A or loaded with paclitaxel and targeted by anticancer antibody overcome drug resistance in cancer cells

Drug Deliv. 2012 May;19(4):169-76. doi: 10.3109/10717544.2012.674163. Epub 2012 Apr 16.

Abstract

The over-expression of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in cancer cells is one of the main reasons of the acquired Multidrug Resistance (MDR). Combined treatment of MDR cancer cells with P-gp inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents could result in reversal of resistance in P-gp-expressing cells. In this study, paclitaxel (PTX) was co-encapsulated in actively targeted (anticancer mAb 2C5-modified) polymeric lipid-core PEG-PE-based micelles with Cyclosporine A (CycA), which is one of the most effective first generation P-gp inhibitors. Cell culture studies performed using MDCKII (parental and MDR1) cell lines to investigate the potential MDR reversal effect of the formulations. The average size of both empty and loaded PEG₂₀₀₀-PE/Vitamin E mixed micelles was found between 10 and 25 nm. Zeta potentials of the formulations were found between -7 and -35 mV. The percentage of PTX in the micelles was found higher than 3% for both formulations and cumulative PTX release of about 70% was demonstrated. P-gp inhibition with CycA caused an increase in the cytotoxicity of PTX. Dual-loaded micelles demonstrated significantly higher cytotoxicity in the resistant MDCKII-MDR1 cells than micelles loaded with PTX alone. Micelle modification with mAb 2C5 results in the highest cytotoxicity against resistant cells, with or without P-gp modulator, probably because of better internalization bypassing the P-gp mechanism. Our results suggest that micelles delivering a combination of P-gp modulator and anticancer drug or micelles loaded with only PTX, but targeted with mAb 2C5 represent a promising approach to overcome drug resistance in cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / methods
  • Cyclosporine / administration & dosage*
  • Dogs
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / physiology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Micelles
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage*
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines / administration & dosage*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Micelles
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines
  • dioleoyl-N-(monomethoxypolyethylene glycol succinyl)phosphatidylethanolamine
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Cyclosporine
  • Paclitaxel