Lv H, Jia W, Dong P, Liu J, Wang S, Li X, Hu J, Zhao L, Shi Y. Improved Antitumor Efficacy of a Dextran-based Docetaxel-coupled Conjugate against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.
Curr Drug Deliv 2024;
21:775-784. [PMID:
37349996 DOI:
10.2174/1567201820666230622105503]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Most chemotherapeutic agents are characterized by poor water solubility and non-specific distribution. Polymer-based conjugates are promising strategies for overcoming these limitations.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to fabricate a polysaccharide, dextran-based, dual-drug conjugate by covalently grafting docetaxel (DTX) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) onto the bifunctionalized dextran through a long linker, and to investigate the antitumor efficacy of this conjugate against breast cancer.
METHODS
DTX was firstly coupled with DHA and covalently bounded with the bifunctionalized dextran (100 kDa) through a long linker to produce a conjugate dextran-DHA-DTX (termed C-DDD). Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of this conjugate were measured in vitro. Drug biodistribution and pharmacokinetics were investigated through liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. The inhibitory effects on tumor growth were evaluated in MCF-7- and 4T1-tumor-bearing mice.
RESULTS
The loading capacity of the C-DDD for DTX was 15.90 (weight/weight). The C-DDD possessed good water solubility and was able to self-assemble into nanoparticles measuring 76.8 ± 5.5 nm. The maximum plasma concentration and area under the curve (0-∞) for the released DTX and total DTX from the C-DDD were significantly enhanced compared with the conventional DTX formulation. The C-DDD selectively accumulated in the tumor, with limited distribution was observed in normal tissues. The C-DDD exhibited greater antitumor activity than the conventional DTX in the triplenegative breast cancer model. Furthermore, the C-DDD nearly eliminated all MCF-7 tumors in nude mice without leading to systemic adverse effects.
CONCLUSION
This dual-drug C-DDD has the potential to become a candidate for clinical application through the optimization of the linker.
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