title: Gemcitabine-loaded biocompatible nanocapsules for the effective treatment of human cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To encapsulate the nucleoside gemcitabine (GEM) in novel PEGylated polymeric nanocapsules (NanoGEM).
  
  
  METHODS
  The biological activity of NanoGEM was tested both in vitro and in vivo in comparison with the free drug. The NanoGEM was made of polylactic acid and allowed the entrapment of a great amount of GEM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NanoGEM showed mean sizes of approximately 200 nm, a polydispersity index of approximately 0.1 and a ζ-potential of -30 mV. It exerted a stronger, quicker effect on the reduction of HEK293 cell growth in vitro in comparison with free GEM and had an in vivo antitumoral effect on the proliferation of xenograft tumors at a drug dosage tenfold less than its saline solution. The employment of nanocapsules increased the plasmatic half-life of the drug and allowed a great accumulation of GEM inside the tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NanoGEM represents a promising new tool for the treatment of cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, Campus Universitario S. Venuta, Viale Europa, I-88100 Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paolino
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cosco
authors.forename: Marilena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Celano
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.forename: Efisio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Puxeddu
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fresta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D016513:Mice, SCID; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000737:chemistry*; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D053769:Nanocapsules; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D000093542:Gemcitabine