DDAB-MODIFIED TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA) NANOPARTICLES AS ORAL ANTICANCER DRUG CARRIER FOR LUNG CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY

Abstract

Oral chemotherapy is a great way to cancer treatment because it is less stressful being that the patient will have less hospital visits and can still maintain a close relationship with health care professionals. In this research, three types of nanoparticle formulation from commercial PCL and self-synthesized TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA) diblock copolymer were fabricated for oral delivery of antitumor agents, including DDAB-modified PCL nanoparticles, unmodified TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA) nanoparticles and DDAB-modified TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA) nanoparticles. Firstly, the TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA) diblock copolymer was synthesized and characterized. DDAB was adopted to increase retention time at the cell surface, thus increasing the chances of nanoparticle uptake by the gastrointestinal mucosa and improving drug absorption. The TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA) nanoparticles were found by FESEM of spherical shape and around 200 nm in diameter. The surface charge of TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA) nanoparticles was reversed from anionic to cationic after DDAB modification. The DDAB-modified TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA) nanoparticles have significantly higher level of the cell uptake than that of DDAB-modified PCL nanoparticles and unmodified TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA) nanoparticles. In vitro cell viability studies showed advantages of the DDAB-modified TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA) nanoparticles over Taxotere®in terms of cytotoxicity against A549 cells. In conclusion, oral chemotherapy by DDAB-modified TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA) nanoparticle formulation may provide a promising outcome for lung cancer patients.