Albumin nanoformulations as an innovative solution to overcome doxorubicin chemoresistance

Abstract

Aim: Resistance to chemotherapy is a major limiting factor that hamper the effectiveness of anticancer therapies. Doxorubicin is an antineoplastic agent used in the treatment of a wide range of cancers. However, it presents several limitations such as dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, lack of selectivity for tumor cells, and induced cell resistance. Nanotechnology represents a promising strategy to avoid these drawbacks. In this work, new albumin-based nanoparticles were formulated for the intracellular delivery of doxorubicin with the aim to overcome cancer drug resistance. Methods: Glycol chitosan-coated and uncoated albumin nanoparticles were prepared with a tuned coacervation method. The nanoformulations were in vitro characterized evaluating the physicochemical parameters, morphology, and in vitro release kinetics. Biological assays were performed on A2780res and EMT6 cells from human ovarian carcinoma and mouse mammary cell lines resistant for doxorubicin, respectively. Results: Cell viability assays showed that nanoparticles have higher cytotoxicity than the free drug. Moreover, at low concentrations, both doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles inhibited the cell colony formation in a greater extent than drug solution. In addition, the cell uptake of the different formulations was investigated by confocal microscopy and by the HPLC determination of doxorubicin intracellular accumulation. The nanoparticles were rapidly internalized in greater extent compared to the free drug. Conclusion: Based on these results, doxorubicin-loaded albumin nanoparticles might represent a novel platform to overcome the mechanism of drug resistance in cancer cell lines and improve the drug efficacy.

Augmenting apoptosis-mediated anticancer activity of lactoperoxidase and lactoferrin by nanocombination with copper and iron hybrid nanometals

“…Furthermore, both Apo-bLf and Fe-bLf were found to be rapidly internalised into osteoarthritis and colon cells, which are mediated by LF and transferrin receptors 74 , 75 . In this context, the ability of LF and LP to uptake rapidly by cancer cells due to the enhanced permeation and retention effect of LF nanocombinations mediated by the passive permeability of LF in the cancer cells 76 like other proteins such as albumin 70 , 77 . Interestingly, LF and LP nanocombinations induce active absorption of the used drug by the cancer cells through their receptors.…”

Enhanced Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Effect of New Colistin-Loaded Human Albumin Nanoparticles

“…In this contest, protein-based polymers such as albumin have been considered as drug carriers due to their non-toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability and poor immunogenic properties [ 29 ]. Albumin NPs have been largely proposed for the delivery of anticancer drugs and approved in the first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Biomarkers in Ovarian Cancer: Towards Personalized Medicine

“…This approach improves drug solubility, reduces the need for toxic solvents, and enhances the therapeutic effects of drugs like paclitaxel in OC. Additionally, their biocompatibility is a critical factor in minimizing systemic toxicities associated with chemotherapy, as it presents a benefit from the natural origin of this protein, which normally is well-tolerated by the body, reducing the risk of adverse reactions [ 122 , 137 ]. Nanoparticles have been evaluated in multiple in vitro studies showing promising results.…”