Macromolecular design of pH sensitive, folic acid functionalized double hydrophilic block copolymer nanogels as methotrexate carriers to breast cancer cells


Ghaffarlou M., SÜTEKİN S. D., Hammamchi H., BARSBAY M.

Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, cilt.89, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 89
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.jddst.2023.105045
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Biotechnology Research Abstracts
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Anticancer, Block copolymer, Controlled drug release, MCF-7, Methotrexate, poly(acrylic acid)-poly(vinyl amine) nanogels
  • Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Poly(acrylic acid)-poly(vinyl amine) block copolymer nanogels were produced for the first time by a simple and environmentally friendly irradiation method. To enhance biocompatibility and achieve tumor-specific targeting, the nanogels underwent modifications by incorporating bovine serum albumin and folic acid. Subsequently, methotrexate (MTX) was loaded into the modified nanogels and in vitro MTX release profile from nanogels was studied at different pH values. The amount of MTX released from the nanogels was approximately 3.3 times higher at pH 3.0 compared to pH 7.4, indicating the relative stability of the nanoparticles in blood during in vivo circulation, and their rapid release after being internalized in the acidic environment once they enter the tumor. The cytotoxicity of the nanogels, particularly the MTX loaded nanogels, was evaluated using an MTT assay on both L929 fibroblast and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. The results indicated that the nanogels demonstrated notably higher cytotoxic effects on the cancer cells compared to the healthy cells. In conclusion, methotrexate-functionalized nanogels showed improved and selective cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer cells, providing great motivation to continue evaluating the therapeutic benefits of these formulations for further in vivo preclinical testing.