Surface-modified micellar formulations of curcumin co-loaded with chemotherapeutic agents for enhanced anti-cancer effect

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20003309

Even though there have been significant improvements in the detection and treatment of early stage cancers, the ability to successfully treat advanced forms of the disease remains a challenge due to the acquired resistance to chemotherapy. Numerous studies indicate that the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-induced cascade of gene expression as being a key factor in producing such chemo-resistant tumor phenotypes. Here, we investigated the efficacy of curcumin (CUR), a potent NF-kB inhibitor, co-loaded with either paclitaxel (PCL) or doxorubicin (DOX) in mixed micelles, made of PEG-PE and vitamin E, against a range of cancer cell types.