Background
A large body of cancer research has been devoted to the development of targeted anti-neoplastic drugs that are selectively taken up by tumor tissues. Toward this end, researchers have recently developed anti-cancer drugs that are incorporated into polymeric micelles, surface-modified particles, liposomes, or nanoparticles [
1‐
4]. However, there are problems with this general approach, including limited biodistribution, toxic side effects, rapid clearance by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), and limited distribution in the circulation.
Hydrophilic-hydrophobic diblock copolymers have great potential as vehicles for the delivery of anticancer drugs [
5‐
9]. A hydrophobic block forms the inner core, which acts as a drug reservoir, and a hydrophilic block forms the hydrated outer shell, which impedes uptake by the RES [
10,
11]. The advantages of these copolymers includes solubilization of hydrophobic drugs, sustained release and selective targeting of drugs, and reduced drug interaction with the RES [
10,
11]. Nanoparticles prepared from poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are a hydrophilic-hydrophobic diblock copolymer that have all of these characteristics [
5‐
9]. PBLG, the hydrophobic moiety, is biodegradable and acts as a drug incorporation site [
12]. PEG, the hydrophilic moiety, is a non-toxic, non-immunogenic hydrophilic polymer that prevents interactions with cells and proteins [
13].
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), a pyrimidine analogue that interferes with thymidylate synthesis, has a broad spectrum of activity against solid tumors. However, 5-FU has limitations that include a short biological half-life due to rapid metabolism, incomplete and non-uniform oral absorption due to metabolism by dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase [
14‐
17], toxic side effects on bone marrow and the gastrointestinal tract, and non-selective action against healthy cells [
18].
In order to prolong the circulation time of 5-FU and increase its efficacy, numerous researchers have attempted to modify its delivery by use of polymer conjugates or by incorporation of 5-FU into particulate carriers [
19‐
23]. The ultimate aim of these strategies is to reduce 5-FU associated side effects and thereby improve its therapeutic index [
19‐
23]. In this study, we used a diafiltration method to prepare 5-FU-loaded PEG-PBLG (5-FU/PEG-PBLG) nanoparticles and evaluate their physical characteristics, in vitro release behavior, and anti-tumor activity.
Methods
Preparation of PEG-PBLG
PEG-PBLG block copolymers (MW, 1.12 × 10
4) were prepared by polymerization of γ-benzyl-L-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride (γ-BLG NCA) initiated with mono amine-terminated PEG in a methylene dichloride solution, as described previously [
24]. Briefly, we prepared the monoamino-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (MeO-PEG-NH
2) by the use of toluene sulfonate esterification with MeO-PEG-OH. The production rate of this process was 51.9 % and the transformation rate was 68.2%. The γ-benzyl-L-glutamate was obtained by reaction of glutamic acid with benzyl alcohol at 120°C for 5 h under 60% sulfuric acid (activator), and then reacted with triphosgene to obtain the monomer of γ-benzyl-L-glutamate N-carboxyl anhydride (BLG-NCA). The process production rate was 53.2%. The amphiphilic block copolymer was the prepared by anionic polymerization of BLG-NCA initiated by MeO-PEG-NH
2 with a 50/1 molar ratio of monomer/initiator. The resulting molecular weight was 1.12 × 10
4. IR and 1H-NMR demonstrated that MeO-PEG-NH
2 was polymerized with BLG-NCA to form PEG-PBLG.
Drug and Chemicals
5-FU was purchased from Sigma (USA). Other chemicals were of laboratory grade purity.
Cell Culture
Human colon cancer cells (LoVo cell line) and human oral squamous carcinoma cells (Tca8113 cell line) were grown in RPMI 1640 medium (GIBCO) with 10% fetal calf serum (GIBCO), 100 units/ml penicillin G, and 100 μg/ml streptomycin at 37°C in 5% CO2.
Animals
New Zealand rabbits (2–3 kg) and BALB/c nude mice (6–8 weeks old, 20–30 g) were purchased from the animal center at Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China). All animal experiments were performed with permission of the Animal Ethical Commission of Sun Yat-sen University.
Preparation and identification of 5-FU/PEG-PBLG nanoparticles
5-FU/PEG-PBLG nanoparticles were prepared by a diafiltration method. Briefly, we dissolved PEG-PBLG diblock copolymers and 5-FU (1:1 w/w) in dimethylformamide (DMF) and dialyzed the solution (with a molecular weight cut-off of 3500 g/mol; Spectrum Medical Industries, Inc., Houston, TX) in double-distilled water for 24 h. The solution inside the dialysis bags was collected and then centrifuged (2000 rpm/min; 10 min). The supernatant (nanoparticles) was filtered with a 0.45 μm filter. The samples were then freeze-dried for subsequent use. A 640 UV spectrophotometer (Bechman) was used to identify the 5-FU/PEG-PBLG nanoparticles by scanning from 200 nm to 400 nm.
Morphology of PEG-PBLG nanoparticles
A scanning electron microscope (HITACH-600, Japan) and a transmission electron microscope (PHILIPS, Holland) were used to examine particle morphology. For SEM, PEG-PBLG samples were filtered with a 0.45 μm sieve and dropped onto a slide. The prepared samples were dried at room temperature for several days and then gilded. The final concentration of the gilded samples was 0.2 mg/ml. For TEM, one drop of the PEG-PBLG sample was added to a copper supported mesh membrane and the excess solution removed with filter paper. Then, 1% phosphotungstic acid was added to the mesh membrane. Excess solution was removed after 1 minute and the sample dried at room temperature. The concentration of prepared sample was 0.2 mg/ml.
Loading capacity, drug encapsulation, and in vitro release
5-FU/PEG-PBLG nanoparticles were placed into dialysis bags and the bags were introduced into a DMF solution. After stirred at 37°C for 3 h dialysed sample was determined for drug concentration by measuring absorbance at 269 nm. The drug loading capacity and drug encapsulation were calculated by the following formulas:
Drug loading capacity = M5-FU/M5-FU/PEG-PBLG
Drug encapsulation = M5-FU/Mdrug devoted
where M5-FU was the drug content detected in solution [M5-FU = D5-FU × V, D5-FU = (Asample/Astandard) × Dstandard, D: concentration, V: volume]; M5-FU/PEG-PBLG was quantity of 5-FU/PEG-PBLG nanoparticles detected in solution; and Mdrug devoted was the initial quantity of 5-FU.
For in vitro release studies, 5-FU/PEG-PBLG nanoparticles were placed into dialysis bags and the bags were introduced into PBS at pH 6.86 or pH 9.18. The medium was stirred at 94 ± 4 beats/min at 37°C. The medium was replaced with fresh PBS at variable periods of time up to 96 h. We determined the concentration of 5-FU that was released into the PBS by measuring the absorbance at 269 nm.
Pharmacokinetic studies of 5-FU/PEG-PBLG nanoparticles in rabbit plasma
A single dose of 5-FU or 5-FU/PEG-PBLG nanoparticles (30 mg/kg) was administered to rabbits. Blood samples were collected from rabbit veins at designated times after intravenous administration. 5-FU was extracted from plasma by mixing rabbit plasma with ethyl acetate and isopropyl alcohol (85/15, v/v). The samples were then dried with N2 at 37°C and the dehydrated samples were dissolved in 400 μl of mobile phase dilutent for subsequent HPLC.
The concentration of released 5-FU was measured using reversed-phase HPLC (HP1100 Liquid Chromatogragh, Agilent). A Hypersil C18 (5 μm, ID 4.6 mm × 300 mm) analytical column was used with a mobile phase of 0.01 mol/L phosphate buffer (pH 3.0) and an elution rate of 1.0 ml/min at room temperature. Absorbance at 269 nm was monitored and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined from the absorbance-time curves. This method provided complete separation with a corresponding retention time of 7.0 minutes for 5-FU. The standard calibration curve of 5-FU absorbance with concentration was y = 3.47x + 0.24 (γ > 0.9998). The lower limit of determination was 5 μg/L.
In vivo tumor inhibition effect of 5-FU loaded nanoparticles
LoVo cells were subcutaneously implanted in the right flank of BALB/c nude mice. Mice were assigned to one of 4 groups (n = 8) after xenografts were about 5 mm in diameter: 1) control group (PBS), 2) PEG-PBLG group, 3) 5-FU group, 4) 5-FU/PEG-PBLG nanoparticle (3 mg/kg) group. For groups 3 and 4, intraperitoneal injections were administered daily for 7 days. For groups 1 and 2, intraperitoneal injections of the same volume of PBS or PEG-PBLG were administered on the same schedule. The mice were sacrificed on day 21 and tumor size was measured (length and width) with a caliperevery 3 days. Tumor parameters were calculated on day 21 by the following formulas: Tumor volume = (1/2 × length × width2); Tumor doubling time = (ln2/K where K = growth rate); Inhibition rate at day 21 = (1- volume change of experimental group/volume change of control group) × 100%.
For the mice with implanted Tca8113 cells, 5-FU or 5-FU/PEG-PBLG (3 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally every 2 days for 16 days. Mice were sacrificed on day 34.
Statistical analysis
All experiments were performed in triplicate and data are presented as mean ± SD. The tumor growth inhibitory effect of drugs was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Conclusion
In this study, we prepared 5-FU loaded PEG-PBLG nanoparticles (5-FU/PEG-PBLG) which exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics, including sustained drug release, prolonged drug half-life, and increased tissue appetency. In vivo, 5-FU/PEG-PBLG nanoparticles had good anti-tumor activity against colon cancer xenografts and oral squamous cell carcinoma xenografts. Taken together, our results indicate that a PEG-PBLG nanoparticle delivery system for 5-FU may be able to effectively reduce adverse side effects of 5-FU therapy and improve the therapeutic index of 5-FU.
Competing interests
The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests
Authors' contributions
SL and AW were responsible for experimental design and completion of all laboratory work. WJ and ZG participated in the design and coordination of the work. SL and AW wrote the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.