Maximizing the potency of oxaliplatin coated nanoparticles with folic acid for modulating tumor progression in colorectal cancer
Ana Luíza C. de S. L. Oliveira, Luana Zerillo, Luis J. Cruz, Timo Schomann, Alan Chan, Thaís Gomes de Carvalho, Shirley Vitória de Paiva Souza, Aurigena Antunes de Araújo, Lioe‐Fee de Geus‐Oei, Raimundo Fernandes de Araújo Júnior
Abstract
One of the challenges of nanotechnology is to improve the efficacy of treatments for diseases, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Following this line of study, we made a nanoparticle formulation with a small size, uniform surfaces, and a satisfactory encapsulation coefficient as a target for colorectal cancer cells. The results of binding and uptake prove that using the target system with folic acid works: Using this system, cytotoxicity and cell death are increased when compared to using free oxaliplatin. The data show that the system maximized the efficiency of oxaliplatin in modulating tumor progression, increasing apoptosis and decreasing resistance to the drug. Thus, for the first time, our findings suggest that PLGA-PEG-FA increases the antitumor effectiveness of oxaliplatin by functioning as a facilitator of drug delivery in colorectal cancer.