Injectable Glycol Chitosan Hydrogel Containing Folic Acid-Functionalized Cyclodextrin-Paclitaxel Complex for Breast Cancer Therapy
Hoon Hyun, Min Ho Park, Gayoung Jo, Bo Young Lee, Jae Won Choi, Heung Jae Chun, Hyeon Soo Kim, Dae Hyeok Yang
Abstract
We prepared a drug carrier which consisted of injectable methacrylated glycol chitosan (MGC) hydrogel, and a conjugate of 6-monodeoxy-6-monoamino-β-cyclodextrin⋅hydrochloride (6-NH2-β-CD⋅HCl), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and folic acid (FA) for the local delivery and improved cellular uptake of paclitaxel (PTX) (MGC/CDPF-ic-PTX). CDPF refers to a conjugate of 6-NH2-β-CD⋅HCl, PEG, and FA. The anti-cancer effect was investigated using a xenograft mouse model. As controls, the animal study on MGC/PTX and MGC/CD-ic-PTX was performed. The swelling ratio of all samples was analyzed for 7 days, and it showed a gradual increase for 3 days and a maintained state afterward. From the release result, the MGC-based samples have an initial burst for 1 day and a sustained release for 7 days. Results of cytotoxicity and animal study showed the biocompatibility and superior anti-cancer effect of MGC/CDPF-ic-PTX against breast cancer. Furthermore, histological results showed the anti-cancer capacity of MGC/CDPF-ic-PTX against breast cancer. These findings suggest that MGC/CDPF-ic-PTX has clinical potential for breast cancer therapy.