Investigation of the Therapeutic Effects of Palbociclib Conjugated Magnetic Nanoparticles on Different Types of Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Redox-Sensitive Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticles of Palbociclib: Development, Ultrasound/Photoacoustic Imaging, and Smart Breast Cancer Therapy

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in women globally. The efficacy of breast cancer treatments, notably chemotherapy, is hampered by inadequate localized delivery of anticancer agents to the tumor site, resulting in compromised efficacy and increased systemic toxicity. In this study, we have developed redox-sensitive poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles for the smart delivery of palbociclib (PLB) to breast cancer. The particle size of formulated PLB@PLGA-NPs (nonredox-sensitive) and RS-PLB@PLGA-NPs (redox-sensitive) NPs were 187.1 ± 1.8 nm and 193.7 ± 1.5 nm, respectively. The zeta potentials of nonredox-sensitive and redox-sensitive NPs were +24.99 ± 2.67 mV and +9.095 ± 1.87 mV, respectively. The developed NPs were characterized for morphological and various physicochemical parameters such as SEM, TEM, XRD, DSC, TGA, XPS, etc. The % entrapment efficiency of PLB@PLGA-NPs and RS-PLB@PLGA-NPs was found to be 85.48 ± 1.29% and 87.72 ± 1.55%, respectively. RS-PLB@PLGA-NPs displayed a rapid drug release at acidic pH and a higher GSH concentration compared to PLB@PLGA-NPs. The cytotoxicity assay in MCF-7 cells suggested that PLB@PLGA-NPs and RS-PLB@PLGA-NPs were 5.24-fold and 14.53-fold higher cytotoxic compared to the free PLB, respectively. Further, the cellular uptake study demonstrated that redox-sensitive NPs had significantly higher cellular uptake compared to nonredox-sensitive NPs and free Coumarin 6 dye. Additionally, AO/EtBr assay and reactive oxygen species analysis confirmed the superior activity of RS-PLB@PLGA-NPs over PLB@PLGA-NPs and free PLB. In vivo anticancer activity in dimethyl-benz(a)anthracene-induced breast cancer rats depicted that RS-PLB@PLGA-NPs was highly effective in reducing the tumor size, hypoxic tumor, and tumor vascularity compared to PLB@PLGA-NPs and free PLB. Further, hemocompatibility study reveals that the developed NPs were nonhemolytic to human blood. Moreover, an in vivo histopathology study confirmed that both nanoparticles were safe and nontoxic to the vital organs.

Chitosan nanoplatform for the co-delivery of palbociclib and ultra-small magnesium nanoclusters: dual receptor targeting, therapy and imaging

Theranostic nanoparticles have gained significant attention in cancer diagnosis and therapy. In this study, estrone (ES) and folic acid (FA) functionalized single and dual receptor targeted theranostic chitosan nanoparticles were developed for breast cancer imaging and therapy. These nanoparticles (NPs) were loaded with palbociclib (PB) and ultra-small magnesium nanoclusters (UMN). The developed nontargeted theranostic NPs (PB-UMN-CS-NPs), estrogen receptor targeted theranostic NPs (PB-UMN-CS-ES-NPs), folate receptor targeted theranostic NPs (PB-UMN-CS-FA-NPs), and dual targeted theranostic NPs (PB-UMN-CS-ES-FA-NPs) have particle sizes of 178.4 ± 1.21 nm, 181.6± 1.35 nm, 185.1± 1.33 nm, and 198.2± 1.43 nm with surface charges of +19.02± 0.382 mV, +13.89±0.410 mV, +16.72±0.527 mV and +15.23±0.377 mV, respectively. Cytotoxicity studies on estrogen receptor (ER) and folate receptor (FR) expressing breast cancer cells revealed that dual-targeted theranostic NPs (PB-UMN-CS-FA-ES-NPs) were more effective, inhibiting cell growth by 54.17 and 42.23 times in MCF-7 and T-47D cells compared to free PB, respectively. Additionally, developed NPs were capable of inhibiting the cell cycle progression of MCF-7 cells from the G1 phase to the S phase more efficiently compared to free PB. Ultrasound and photoacoustic (USG/PA) imaging demonstrated that dual targeted theranostic NPs were capable of effectively reducing hypoxic tumor volume and significantly suppressing tumor vascularity compared to free PB, nontargeted, FR targeted and ER targeted NPs. Moreover, in vivo optical imaging demonstrated tumor specific accumulation of the dual-targeted theranostic NPs. Furthermore, in vitro hemocompatibility and histopathological studies confirmed the biocompatibility of developed nanoformulations.

Chitosan-g-estrone Nanoparticles of Palbociclib Vanished Hypoxic Breast Tumor after Targeted Delivery: Development and Ultrasound/Photoacoustic Imaging

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women globally. Approximately 80% of all breast cancers diagnosed are overexpressed with estrogen receptors (ERs). In this study, we have developed an estrone (Egen)-grafted chitosan-based polymeric nanocarrier for the targeted delivery of palbociclib (PLB) to breast cancer. The nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by solvent evaporation using the ionic gelation method and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity, surface morphology, surface chemistry, drug entrapment efficiency, cytotoxicity assay, cellular uptake, and apoptosis study. The developed PLB-CS NPs and PLB-CS-g-Egen NPs had a particle size of 116.3 ± 1.53 nm and 141.6 ± 1.97 nm, respectively. The zeta potential of PLB-CS NPs and PLB-CS-g-Egen NPs was found to be 18.70 ± 0.416 mV and 12.45 ± 0.574 mV, respectively. The morphological analysis demonstrated that all NPs were spherical in shape and had a smooth surface. An in vitro cytotoxicity assay was performed in estrogen receptor (ER)-expressing MCF7 cells and T47D cells, which suggested that targeted NPs were 57.34- and 30.32-fold more cytotoxic compared to the pure PLB, respectively. Additionally, cell cycle analysis confirmed that cell cycle progression from the G1 into S phase was blocked more efficiently by targeted NPs compared to nontargeted NPs and PLB in MCF7 cells. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that entrapment of the PLB in the NPs improved the half-life and bioavailability by ∼2-3-fold. Further, ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging of DMBA induced breast cancer in the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat showed that targeted NPs completely vanished breast tumor, reduced hypoxic tumor volume, and suppressed tumor angiogenesis more efficiently compared to the nontargeted NPs and free PLB. Further, in vitro hemocompatibility and histopathology studies suggested that NPs were biocompatible and safe for clinical use.