Aim: Provide an enhanced local drug delivery, nanoparticle(s) to minimize systemic effects and achieve enhanced permeability and drug retention into abnormal cells and stroma.
Materials & methods: Here a simultaneous loading of lipophilic gold nanorods (GNRs) and curcumin into polymeric nanomicelles made of biocompatible PLGA-b-PEG copolymer through a double re-emulsification process has been developed.
Results: Initial results in vitro on Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma cell lines demonstrated a significant reduction in cell viability with curcumin and GNRs exposure (p < 0.05). In vivo Barrett's-associated animal model confirmed these results with successful in vivo demonstrated eradication of all high-grade dysplastic premalignant cancer cells.
Conclusion: The synthesis of this novel nanosystem containing GNRs and curcumin is safe and effective in treating and eradicating premalignant esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Keywords: Barrett's esophagus; codelivery; curcumin; gold nanorods; nanomedicine; photothermal therapy.