Biofilm-encapsulated nano drug delivery system for the treatment of colon cancer

Abstract

Aim

In this study, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is delivered to target colon without the interference of mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS).

Methods

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) were used as the biological shield to disguise mesoporous silica (MSN) and 5-FU. OMVs-MSN-5-FU were prepared by high pressure co-extrusion, and characterised on the basis of size, drug loading, transmission electron microscope, infra-red spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravity analysis, % in vitro release, MTT assay, cell uptake and in vivo imaging.

Results

OMVs-MSN-5-FU with −18.22 ± 0.17 mV zeta potential and 90.4 ± 9.1 nm size were used for oral treatment of colon cancer. Drug loading of the drug was 50.22%±0.17 (w/w). The cumulative release of OMVs-MSN-5-FU reached 75.07%±0.94 in tumour microenvironment. The percentage of cell viability of OMVs-MSN-5-FU was 33.75%±2.73. In vivo experiments results confirmed that OMVs-MSN-5-FU could be taken up by colon cancer cells.

Conclusions

The study provided a promising nano platform for the targeting treatment of colon cancer.

Keywords:

• Composite carrier
• Escherichia coli’s outer membrane vesicles
• mesoporous silica
• oral administration
• colon cancer therapy

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Research Center of Analysis and Test for the help on the characterisation. All animal procedures were performed in accordance with Chinese legislation on the Use and Care of Research Animals (Document No. 55, 2001).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Shenyang Science and Technology Program of China under Grant [numbers F16-205–1-44 and Z17-5–078] and Liaoning Provincial Department of education innovative talents support project under Grant [number LR2017065].