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Paclitaxel-Loaded, Folic-Acid-Targeted and TAT-Peptide-Conjugated Polymeric Liposomes: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from Tianjin Medical University conducted a study to investigate the potential feasibility of tumor-targeted drug delivery using folic acid and TAT peptide-conjugated polymeric liposomes. The study aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of paclitaxel-loaded, folic-acid-targeted and TAT-peptide-conjugated polymeric liposomes (FA-TATp-PLs) in KB and A549 cells, as well as in a murine KB xenograft model.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers synthesized and characterized FA-TATp-PLs encapsulating paclitaxel or calcein, and found that 80% of paclitaxel was released from FA-TATp-PLs in 2 weeks.
  • Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analyses showed that FA-TATp-PLs had a significantly high efficient intracellular uptake in both KB and A549 cells, due to the targeting effects of folate decoration and the transmembrane ability of TAT peptide.
  • PAclitaxel-loaded FA-TATp-PLs exhibited a more superior antitumor effect in vitro and in vivo as compared to that with Taxol, and possessed both targeting effect and transmembrane ability.
  • The researchers concluded that FA-TATp-PLs may serve as a promising carrier for the intracellular delivery of therapeutic agents.
  • The study was published in Pharmaceutical Research, a peer-reviewed journal, in 2010.

Statistics:

  • 80% of paclitaxel was released from FA-TATp-PLs in 2 weeks.
  • The study showed a significant difference in intracellular uptake in both KB and A549 cells between FA-TATp-PLs and other various PLs.
  • The antitumor effect of paclitaxel-loaded FA-TATp-PLs was found to be more superior in vitro and in vivo compared to that with Taxol.

Sources:

  • Zhang, P., et al. (2010). Paclitaxel-loaded, folic-acid-targeted and TAT-peptide-conjugated polymeric liposomes: in vitro and in vivo evaluation. Pharmaceutical Research, 27(9), 1914-1926.
  • Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital. (n.d.). The Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300060, China.
  • Pharmaceutical Research. (n.d.). Springer, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA.

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