Novel folated Pluronic/poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles for targeted delivery of paclitaxel

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the in vitro and in vivo targeting behaviors of novel folated Pluronic/poly(lactic acid) block copolymers (FA–Pluronic–PLA) for the anticancer drug, paclitaxel. Both paclitaxel-loaded FA–Pluronic–PLA nanoparticles show in vitro sustained release and in vivo prolonged circulation time. The in vitro actively targeting behavior of paclitaxel-loaded FA–Pluronic–PLA nanoparticles against OVCAR-3 cells (folate receptor positive) was proved by the cytotoxicity tests. The in vivo targeting properties of nanoparticles were also studied in OVCAR-3 ovarian tumor-bearing mice. It was observed that the tumor growth percentage for targeted paclitaxel-loaded FA–F127–PLA nanoparticles is lower than that for non-targeted paclitaxel-loaded PLA–F127–PLA nanoparticles. It was observed from FM images that FA–Pluronic–PLA nanoparticles are mainly localized within the cytoplasm of OVCAR-3 cells.