Trastuzumab decorated nanoparticles for targeted chemotherapy of breast cancer

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) of biodegradable polymers as a drug delivery system formulate drug devoid of harmful adjuvant, realize cont rolled drug release and achieve better therap eutic efficacy than pristine agent. However, the low selectivity of NPs towards cancer cells hinders the advantages of NP formulation for efficient chemotherap y . The novel sy stem of p aclitaxel-loaded, trastuzumab-decorated p oly (D,L-lact ide-co-gly colide)/mont morillonit e(PLGA/M M T) NPs for target ed drug delivery was develop ed. Paclitaxel was used as a p rototy p e drug with excellent t herap eut ic effects against a wide spectrum of cancers. Trastuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the human ep idermal growt h fact or recep t or-2(HER2), which overexp resses in 25-30% breast cancers. M oreover, synergistic effects have been found in combination of trastuzumab with paclitaxel. As a potent detoxifier, the medical clay M M T can adsorb toxins and reduce side effects. The drug delivery sy stem represents a new concept in developing drug delivery systems and can achieve functions such as to formulate anticancer drugs with no harmful adjuvant; to reduce side effects caused by formulated drugs; t o have sy nergist ic t herap eut ic effect s; and t o achieve t arget ed chemot herap y for HER2-posit ive breast cancer. © 2008 Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.