Injectable Glycol Chitosan Hydrogel Containing Folic Acid-Functionalized Cyclodextrin-Paclitaxel Complex for Breast Cancer Therapy

• Main Authors: Hoon Hyun, Min Ho Park, Gayoung Jo, Bo Young Lee, Jae Won Choi, Heung Jae Chun, Hyeon Soo Kim, Dae Hyeok Yang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
• Series: Nanomaterials
• Subjects: glycol chitosan; beta-cyclodextrin; polyethylene glycol; folic acid; breast cancer therapy
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/2/317

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.