Preparation of folic acid-conjugated, doxorubicin-loaded, magnetic bovine serum albumin nanospheres and their antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Background This study aimed to generate targeted folic acid-conjugated, doxorubicin-loaded, magnetic iron oxide bovine serum albumin nanospheres (FA-DOX-BSA MNPs) that lower the side effects and improve the therapeutic effect of antitumor drugs when combined with hyperthermia and targeting therapy. A new nanodrug using magnetic nanospheres for heating and addition of the folate receptor with cancer cell specificity was prepared. The characteristics of these nanospheres and their antitumor effects in nasopharyngeal carcinoma were explored. Methods FA-DOX-BSA MNPs comprising encapsulated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared using a desolvation cross-linking method. Activated folic acid (N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of folic acid) was conjugated to the surface of albumin nanospheres via amino groups. Results Folic acid was successfully expressed on the surface of the nanospheres. Electron microscopy revealed that the FA-DOX-BSA MNPs were nearly spherical and uniform in size, with an average diameter of 180 nm. The nanomaterial could deliver doxorubicin at clinically relevant doses with an entrapment efficiency of 80%. An increasing temperature test revealed that incorporation of magnetic iron oxide into nanospheres could achieve a satisfactory heat treatment temperature at a significantly lower dose when placed in a high-frequency alternating magnetic field. FA-DOX-BSA MNPs showed greater inhibition of tumors than in the absence of folic acid in vitro and in vivo. Compared with chemotherapy alone, hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy was more effective against tumor cells. Conclusion Folic acid-conjugated bovine serum albumin nanospheres composed of mixed doxorubicin and magnetic iron oxide cores can enable controlled and targeted delivery of anticancer drugs and may offer a promising alternative to targeted doxorubicin therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

An in vitro and in vivo study of gemcitabine-loaded albumin nanoparticles in a pancreatic cancer cell line

“…[35][36][37] Previously, our research group also used a modified desolvation-crosslinking method to produce Gem-loaded albumin nanoparticles in two sizes (110 nm and 406 nm). Although both these nanoparticles showed significant inhibitory effects on human pancreatic cancer cell lines, the inhibition rate was size dependent, and we found that 406 nm nanoparticles demonstrated greater antitumor activity.…”

Inhibition of heat-shock protein 90 sensitizes liver cancer stem-like cells to magnetic hyperthermia and enhances anti-tumor effect on hepatocellular carcinoma-burdened nude mice

“…18 Briefly, CD90@17-AAG/TMs and 17-AAG/ TMs were diluted by PBS (pH 7.4) to retain the same Fe concentrations. The blank TSLs were used as control.…”

Folate-conjugated nanoparticles as a potent therapeutic approach in targeted cancer therapy

“…The intravenous administration of tamoxifen-loaded FA-conjugated albumin NPs to nude mice carrying xenograft MCF-7 tumors was associated with potent anti-tumor effects and the lowest levels of drug accumulated in non-targeted tissues [40]. On the other hand, Yang and colleagues have shown that administration of FAconjugated BSA nanospheres comprising DOX and encapsulated magnetic iron oxide in combination with hyperthermia significantly decreases the adverse effects and improves the therapeutic effect of anti-tumor drugs in both in vitro and in vivo [41]. Similarly, mitoxantrone-loaded FA-conjugated albumin NPs could effectively control the growth of SKOV3 tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo [42].…”