Synergistic therapeutic strategy of dual drug-loaded lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles for breast cancer treatment

Abstract

In this investigation, a smart nanocarrier-loaded docetaxel, a microtubules disrupting agent and vorinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor was developed to achieve a synergistic anticancer effect. Dual drug-loaded lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles were prepared, with easy fabrication and favourable properties including small size, narrow distribution and a high loading efficacy. The in vitro drug release conducted in phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4 and acetate-buffered saline, pH 5.5 media demonstrated the sustained, pH-dependent release profile. The nanoparticles were effectively taken up by cells, which ensured greater suppression of cell growth. The co-delivery of both drugs exhibited a synergistic effect on the induction of cancer cell apoptosis, resulting in greater inhibition of SCC-7, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells by the drug-loaded carrier. These promising results may lead to clinical applications with enhanced docetaxel activity.