Robust aptamer–polydopamine-functionalized M-PLGA–TPGS nanoparticles for targeted delivery of docetaxel and enhanced cervical cancer therapy

Abstract

One limitation of current biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) is the contradiction between functional modification and maintaining formerly excellent bioproperties with simple procedures. Here, we reported a robust aptamer–polydopamine-functionalized mannitol-functionalized poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (M-PLGA)–D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) nanoformulation (Apt-pD-NPs) for the delivery of docetaxel (DTX) with enhanced cervical cancer therapy effects. The novel DTX-loaded Apt-pD-NPs possess satisfactory advantages: 1) increased drug loading content and encapsulation efficiency induced by star-shaped copolymer M-PLGA–TPGS; 2) significant active targeting effect caused by conjugated AS1411 aptamers; and 3) excellent long-term compatibility by incorporation of TPGS. Therefore, with simple preparation procedures and excellent bioproperties, the new functionalized Apt-pD-NPs could maximally increase the local effective drug concentration on tumor sites, achieving enhanced treatment effectiveness and minimizing side effects. In a word, the robust DTX-loaded Apt-pD-NPs could be used as potential nanotherapeutics for cervical cancer treatment, and the aptamer–polydopamine modification strategy could be a promising method for active targeting of cancer therapy with simple procedures.

Keywords:

• dopamine
• AS1411 aptamer
• active targeting
• polymeric NPs
• enhanced cervical chemotherapy

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province for PhD Startup (Novel Docetaxel/SiPHB1 Long-Circulating Codelivery Nanosystem for Enhanced Therapeutic Effects of Liver cancer; Sequence No 2016A030310023), Tsinghua Scholarship for Overseas Graduate Studies (No 2013159), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos 31270019 and 51203085), Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-11-0275), Guangdong Natural Science Funds for Distinguished Young Scholar (No 2014A030306036), Scientific and Technological Innovation Bureau of Anshan District (No KC2014JSCX0023A), and Science, Technology & Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality (No CYZZ 20130320110255352).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.