Frontiers in Chemistry (Jan 2021)

Design of DOX-GNRs-PNIPAM@PEG-PLA Micelle With Temperature and Light Dual-Function for Potent Melanoma Therapy

  • Na Wang,
  • Jing Shi,
  • Cong Wu,
  • Weiwei Chu,
  • Wanru Tao,
  • Wei Li,
  • Xiaohai Yuan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2020.599740
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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Objective: The aim of this study was to construct light and temperature dual-sensitive micellar carriers loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and gold nanorods (DOX-GNRs-PNIPAM@PEG-PLA, DAPP) for melanoma therapy.Methods: The DAPP self-assembled using fine-tuned physicochemical properties in water. The DAPP structure, temperature- and photo-sensitivity, drug-release, in-vitro serum stability, and cytotoxicity against melanoma B16F10 cells were evaluated in detail. The corresponding in-vitro and in-vivo therapeutic mechanisms were then evaluated using a B16F10-melanoma bearing BALB/c nude mouse model (B16F10).Results: The light and temperature sensitive micellar drug-delivery system assembled from block copolymer and gold nanorods exhibited a narrow particle size and size distribution, good biocompatibility, well-designed photo-temperature conversion, controlled drug release, and high serum stability. Compared with the free DOX- and PBS-treated groups, the cell endocytosis-mediated cytotoxicity and intra-tumor accumulation of DAPP was markedly enhanced by the NIR-light exposure and induced potent in-vivo tumor inhibitory activity.Conclusion: The design of DAPP, a dual-functional micellar drug-delivery system with temperature- and light-sensitive properties, offers a new strategy for skin-cancer therapy with a potent therapeutic index.

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