Transferrin-Decorated Protein-Lipid Hybrid Nanoparticle Efficiently Delivers Cisplatin and Docetaxel for Targeted Lung Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Purpose

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy faces the barriers including drug resistance. A transferrin-functionalized protein-lipid hybrid nanoparticle (PLHN) was designed loading both cisplatin (CIS) and docetaxel (DTX) for the lung cancer treatment.

Methods

CIS and DTX were loaded into the hybrid nanoparticle and then decorated with transferrin (Tf). The Tf-functionalized protein-lipid hybrid nanoparticle (Tf-CIS/DTX-PLHN) was investigated by determining the release behavior, cytotoxicity in vitro, and anticancer efficiency in vivo.

Results

Tf-CIS/DTX-PLHN showed a nano-size of 189.5 ± 5.9 nm, and a surface tested to be −16.9 ± 2.1 mV. Tf-CIS/DTX-PLHN exhibited obviously better antitumor ability in vitro and in vivo compared with the non Tf contained CIS and DTX co-loaded lipid nanoparticles (CIS/DTX-LN), single drug loaded nanoparticles, and free drugs.

Conclusion

Since remarkable enhanced efficiency of Tf and synergistic effect of the drugs, it could inhibit the lung tumor growth and help with the lung cancer treatment.

Keywords:

• lung cancer
• hybrid nanoparticles
• nanostructured lipid nanoparticles
• protein nanoparticles
• transferrin

Disclosure

The authors do not have any conflict of interest for this work to declare.