Neutrophil-mimicking therapeutic nanoparticles for targeted chemotherapy of pancreatic carcinoma

Publication date: Available online 26 December 2018Source: Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica BAuthor(s): Xi Cao, Ying Hu, Shi Luo, Yuejing Wang, Tao Gong, Xun Sun, Yao Fu, Zhirong ZhangAbstractDue to the critical correlation between inflammation and carcinogenesis, a therapeutic candidate with anti-inflammatory activity may find application in cancer therapy. Here, we report the therapeutic efficacy of celastrol as a promising candidate compound for treatment of pancreatic carcinoma via naïve neutrophil membrane-coated poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether-block-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles. Neutrophil membrane-coated nanoparticles (NNPs) are well demonstrated to overcome the blood pancreas barrier to achieve pancreas-specific drug delivery in vivo. Using tumor-bearing mice xenograft model, NNPs showed selective accumulations at the tumor site following systemic administration as compared to nanoparticles without neutrophil membrane coating. In both orthotopic and ectopic tumor models, celastrol-loaded NNPs demonstrated greatly enhanced tumor inhibition which significantly prolonged the survival of tumor bearing mice and minimizing liver metastases. Overall, these results suggest that celastrol-loaded NNPs represent a viable and effective treatment option for pancreatic carcinoma.Graphical abstractNeutrophil membrane-coated nanoparticles (NNPs) have been developed to overcome the blood–pancreas barrier to achieve site-specific drug delivery.
Source: Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research