title: Small-sized polymeric micelles incorporating docetaxel suppress distant metastases in the clinically-relevant 4T1 mouse breast cancer model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The small size of ultra-small nanoparticles makes them suitable for lymphatic delivery, and many recent studies have examined their role in anti-metastasis therapy. However, the anti-metastatic efficacy of small-sized nanocarriers loaded with taxanes such as docetaxel has not yet been investigated in malignant breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  We encapsulated docetaxel using poly(D,L-lactide)1300-b-(polyethylene glycol-methoxy)2000 (mPEG2000-b-PDLLA1300) to construct polymeric micelles with a mean diameter of 16.76 nm (SPM). Patient-like 4T1/4T1luc breast cancer models in Balb/c mice, with resected and unresected primary tumors, were used to compare the therapeutic efficacies of SPM and free docetaxel (Duopafei) against breast cancer metastasis using bioluminescent imaging, lung nodule examination, and histological examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SPM showed similar efficacy to Duopafei in terms of growth suppression of primary tumors, but greater chemotherapeutic efficacy against breast cancer metastasis. In addition, lung tissue inflammation was decreased in the SPM-treated group, while many tumor cells and neutrophils were found in the Duopafei-treated group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Small-sized mPEG2000-b-PDLLA1300 micelles could provide an enhanced method of docetaxel delivery in breast cancer metastasis, and may represent a valid chemotherapeutic strategy in breast cancer patients with resected primary tumors.
authors.forename: Yunfei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Mingji
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Feifei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shenghua
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Guimin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xiannongtan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China. zggao@imm.ac.cn.
authors.forename: Zhonggao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005260:Female; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000556:secondary*; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008823:Micelles; D053758:Nanoparticles; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D047368:Tumor Burden / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008823:Micelles; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C033616:poly(lactide); C028210:monomethoxypolyethylene glycol