Combination treatment of breast cancer with targeted polymeric nanoparticles containing paclitaxel and curcumin

Simultaneous delivery of chemotherapy drugs increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to these drugs. Polymeric nanoparticles are considered a suitable platform for the transfer of anticancer agents. For this purpose, we prepared PCL-PEG-PCL nanoparticles containing paclitaxel and curcumin using double emulsion method and then coated it with chitosan-acidfolic conjugate for proper delivery of drugs to cancer cells. The inhibitory effect of prepared nanoparticles on cell growth was evaluated using MTT method in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-۲۳۱. The developed nanoparticles had a spherical structure and a smooth surface. Nanoparticles containing paclitaxel and curcumin had a size of about ۱۳۰ nm and a surface charge of about -۵ mV, which increased after coating with chitosan-folic acid conjugate. Nanoparticle encapsulation efficiency for paclitaxel and curcumin was about ۹۸% and ۷۹%, respectively. The results of cytotoxicity in laboratory conditions showed that nanoparticles containing both paclitaxel and curcumin have significant growth inhibitory effects compared to the free combined form of this drug as well as the single form of these drugs. These findings show that targeted PCL-PEG-PCL nanoparticles with folic acid with simultaneous delivery of paclitaxel and curcumin can increase the therapeutic and functional effects of these two drugs in breast cancer.

Keywords:

Combination treatment , breast cancer , polymeric nanoparticles , paclitaxel , curcumin