A biodegradable polymersome containing Bcl-xL siRNA and doxorubicin as a dual delivery vehicle for a synergistic anticancer effect

Macromol Biosci. 2013 Jun;13(6):745-54. doi: 10.1002/mabi.201200448. Epub 2013 Apr 23.

Abstract

Combined cancer treatment via co-delivery of siRNAs and an anticancer drug can be a promising strategy due to the synergistic effect of simultaneously minimizing gene/drug administration. In this study, Bcl-xL siRNA and doxorubicin (DOX) are encapsulated into designed methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(D,L-lactic acid) (mPEG-b-PLA) block copolymer polymersomes (PSomes). A study of the cytotoxicity of Bcl-xL siRNA and DOX co-encapsulated PSomes (CPSomes) shows more inhibited proliferation of MKN-45 and MKN-28 human gastric cancer cell lines than only gene- and drug-loaded ones. Consequently, these results demonstrate that co-delivery of genes and drugs using PSomes results in a synergistic efficacy and indicates the potential of PSomes as efficient nanocarriers for combined cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Gene Silencing / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / drug effects
  • Hydrolysis / drug effects
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Kinetics
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism*
  • Time Factors
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / genetics
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / metabolism
  • bcl-X Protein / genetics
  • bcl-X Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Polyesters
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • bcl-X Protein
  • methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactide)
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Doxorubicin