Terpyridine Functionalized Cyclodextrin Nanoparticles as Carriers for Doxorubicin: Analysis of In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity

Background/aim: We have recently described the development of cyclodextrin-based nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with terpyridine and decorated with biotin-terpyridine ligands via Cu(II) and Fe(II) coordination. In the present study, we report the performance of these novel NPs as a delivery system for anticancer drugs. In particular, we analyzed the feasibility of loading these new NPs with the topoisomerase II inhibitor Doxorubicin (Doxo), still administered to patients to treat different forms of cancers. We developed Doxo-encapsulated polymeric NPS to generate nanoformulations with higher efficacy than free Doxo.

Materials and methods: We investigated the inhibition of cell proliferation in A2780, A549, SKHep1, and MDA-MB-453 cancer cell lines using the MTT assay.

Results: NPs loaded with Doxo displayed higher antiproliferative activity than free Doxo.

Conclusion: The NPs generated in this study inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells and were able to entrap the classic anticancer drug Doxo. The Doxo-loaded NP showed increased cytotoxicity in comparison to free Doxo.