In the present study, a highly stable luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)-conjugated PEGylated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles were developed for the successful treatment of prostate cancers. We have demonstrated that a unique combination of targeted drug delivery and controlled drug release is effective against prostate cancer therapy. The docetaxel (DTX)/PLGA-LHRH micelles possessed a uniform spherical shape with an average diameter of ~170 nm. The micelles exhibited a controlled drug release for up to 96 h which can minimize the non-specific systemic spread of toxic drugs during circulation while maximizing the efficiency of tumor-targeted drug delivery. The LHRH-conjugated micelles showed enhanced cellular uptake and exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity against LNCaP cancer cells. We have showed that PLGA-LHRH induced greater caspase-3 activity indicating its superior apoptosis potential. Consistently, LHRH-conjugated micelles induced threefold and twofold higher G2/M phase arrest than compared to free DTX or PLGA NP-treated groups. Overall, results indicate that use of LHRH-conjugated nanocarriers may potentially be an effective nanocarrier to effectively treat prostate cancer.
Nanoscale research letters. 2016 Jun 21 [Epub]
Long-Bin Cao, Sha Zeng, Wei Zhao
Department of Urology, Liaocheng Hospital, 67, Dongchang Xi Road, Liaocheng, Shandong, 252000, People's Republic of China. ., Central Laboratory, Liaocheng Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, 252000, People's Republic of China., Department of Urology, Liaocheng Hospital, 67, Dongchang Xi Road, Liaocheng, Shandong, 252000, People's Republic of China.