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Folate Modified Long Circulating Nano-Emulsion as a Promising Approach for Improving the Efficiency of Chemotherapy Drugs in Cancer Treatment

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Abstract

Purpose

In order to improve the therapeutic efficiency of the chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel in tumors, a folate-based Paclitaxel nanoemulsion (FNEs) was developed for tumor targeted treatment.

Methods

In this study, we designed a folate-targeted nanoemulsion (folate/PEG-DSPE/nanoemulsion, FNEs) based on the traditional nanoemulsion using the principle of long-circulation targeting receptor mediated. The nanoemulsion (folate/PEG-DSPE/nanoemulsion, FNEs) was fabricated using high-pressure homogenization with a microfluidizer.

Results

The nanoemulsion (folate/PEG-DSPE/nanoemulsion, FNEs) can improve the delivery efficiency of nanocarriers at the tumor site by virtue of the high expression of folate receptors on the tumor surface. Malvern Nanoseries device and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses showed that the nanoemulsions were spherical with an average diameter of 140 nm. The nanoemulsions can effectively carry paclitaxel (PTX) with an encapsulation rate of about 95%. And in vitro experiments have shown that it can efficiently increase the uptake of PTX in 4 T1 breast cancer cells and FNEs had a targeting capability hundredfold higher than that of PTX-loaded nanoemulsions (PTX-NEs) without folate. In vivo experiments have shown that the pharmacokinetic parameters of FNEs were better than those of other PTX groups and FNEs can significantly enhance circulation time in the body of the subcutaneously implanted 4 T1 breast cancer in mice, increase the accumulation of chemotherapy drugs at tumor sites and effectively inhibit tumor growth with lower system toxicity.

Conclusions

This study can effectively improve the therapeutic efficiency of chemotherapy drugs for tumors, and provide an useful reference for solving the problem of low efficacy of chemotherapy drugs in clinical treatment of tumors.

Schematic representation of Folic acid/PEG-DSPE/nano-emulsion (FNEs) specifically target tumor cells and enhanced anti-tumor effects

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning Province, China

    Baohui Song, Shiyang Wu, Wenpan Li, Dawei Chen & Haiyang Hu

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  1. Baohui Song
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  2. Shiyang Wu
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  3. Wenpan Li
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Correspondence to Haiyang Hu.

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Song, B., Wu, S., Li, W. et al. Folate Modified Long Circulating Nano-Emulsion as a Promising Approach for Improving the Efficiency of Chemotherapy Drugs in Cancer Treatment. Pharm Res 37, 242 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-020-02811-1

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