Two-in-one nanoparticle platform induces a strong therapeutic effect of targeted therapies in P-selectin–expressing cancers

Abstract

Combined therapies in cancer treatment aim to enhance antitumor activity. However, delivering multiple small molecules imposes challenges, as different drugs have distinct pharmacokinetic profiles and tumor penetration abilities, affecting their therapeutic efficacy. To circumvent this, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)–polyethylene glycol (PEG)–based nanoparticles were developed as a platform for the codelivery of synergistic drug ratios, improving therapeutic efficacy by increasing the percentage of injected dose reaching the tumor. Nonetheless, extravasation-dependent tumor accumulation is susceptible to variations in tumor vasculature; therefore, PLGA-PEG was modified with sulfates to actively target P-selectin–expressing cancers. Here, we show the potential of our platform in unique three-dimensional (3D) in vitro and in vivo models. The P-selectin–targeted nanoparticles showed enhanced accumulation in 3D spheroids and tissues of P-selectin–expressing BRAF-mutated melanomas and BRCA-mutated breast cancers, resulting in superior in vivo efficacy and safety. This nanoplatform could advance the codelivery of a plethora of anticancer drug combinations to various P-selectin–expressing tumors.