title: Folate-modified doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles for tumor-targeted therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) have been used frequently as drug delivery vehicles. Surface modification of polymeric NPs with specific ligands defines a new biological identity, which assists in targeting of the nanocarriers to specific cancers cells.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to develop a kind of modified vector which could target the cancer cells through receptor-mediated pathways to increase the uptake of doxorubicin (DOX).
  
  
  METHODS
  Folate (FA)-conjugated PEG-PE (FA-PEG-PE) ligands were used to modify the polymeric NPs. The modification rate was optimized and the physical-chemical characteristics, in vitro release, and cytotoxicity of the vehicle were evaluated. The in vivo therapeutic effect of the vectors was evaluated in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma KB cells baring mice by giving each mouse 100 µl of 10 mg/kg different solutions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FA-PEG-PE-modified NPs/DOX (FA-NPs/DOX) have a particle size of 229 nm, and 86% of drug loading quantity. FA-NPs/DOX displayed remarkably higher cytotoxicity (812 mm(3) tumor volume after 13 d of injection) than non-modified NPs/DOX (1290 mm(3)) and free DOX solution (1832 mm(3)) in vivo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrate that the modified drug delivery system (DDS) could function comprehensively to improve the efficacy of cancer therapy. Consequently, the system was shown to be a promising carrier for delivery of DOX, leading to the efficiency of antitumor therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Crops Hospital , Chinese People's Armed Forces, Jinan , China.
authors.forename: Guicun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Zuozhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiaoshan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bian
authors.forename: Xiaojie
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Changhong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007624:KB Cells; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D004317:Doxorubicin; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: Active targeted; cancer therapy; drug delivery system; folate–PEG–PE