title: Efficiency and mechanism of intracellular paclitaxel delivery by novel nanopolymer-based tumor-targeted delivery system, Nanoxel(TM).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An increasing research interest has been directed toward nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for their advantages. The appropriate amalgamation of pH sensitivity and tumor targeting is a promising strategy to fabricate drug delivery systems with high efficiency, high selectivity and low toxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A novel pH sensitive Cremophor-free paclitaxel formulation, Nanoxel(TM), was developed in which the drug is delivered as nanomicelles using a polymeric carrier that specifically targets tumors. The efficiency and mechanism of intracellular paclitaxel delivery by Nanoxel(TM) was compared with two other commercially available paclitaxel formulations: Abraxane(TM) and Intaxel(TM), using different cell lines representing target cancers [breast, ovary and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC)] by transmission electron microscopy and quantitative intracellular paclitaxel measurements by high performance liquid chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data obtained from the present study revealed that the uptake of nanoparticle-based formulations Nanoxel(TM) and Abraxane(TM) is mediated by the process of endocytosis and the uptake of paclitaxel was remarkably superior to Intaxel(TM) in all cell lines tested. Moreover, the intracellular uptake of paclitaxel in Nanoxel(TM)- and Abraxane(TM)-treated groups was comparable. Hence, the nanoparticle-based formulations of paclitaxel (Nanoxel(TM) and Abraxane(TM)) are endowed with higher efficiency to deliver the drug to target cells as compared to the conventional Cremophor-based formulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nanoxel(TM) appears to be of great promise in tumor targeting and may provide an advantage for paclitaxel delivery into cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Dabur Research Foundations, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Alka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Madaan
authors.forename: Pratibha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Anshumali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Awasthi
authors.forename: Ritu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Anu T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Manu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaggi
authors.forename: Shiva Kant
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: Sadanand
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: Hrishikesh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
mesh_terms: D000068196:Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel; D000418:Albumins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000068196:Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel; D000418:Albumins; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel