Folate-conjugated beta-cyclodextrin-based polymeric micelles with enhanced doxorubicin antitumor efficacy

In order to enhance the antitumor effects of doxorubicin (DOX), a novel micellar vector with high DOX loading and tumor targeting function based on folate-conjugated amphiphilic copolymer folate-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(d,l-lactide)-β-cyclodextrin (FA-PEL-CD) was constructed. Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake experiments were performed in HeLa, KB, and A549 cell lines expressing different amounts of folate receptors in order to evaluate the targeting effect of the folate modification. The antitumor experiments performed in a KB cell-xenografted nude mouse model showed that the treatment with 10 mg/kg DOX loaded FA-PEL-CD micelles achieved approximately 86% of tumor growth inhibition compared to the control. Ex vivo fluorescence imaging experiments and histological examination confirmed that folate modification can enhance the antitumorigenesis efficacy and reduce the cardiotoxicity of DOX. These results suggest that FA-PEL-CD copolymer-based micelles are promising nanocarriers for targeted doxorubicin delivery, with improved antitumor efficacy and reduced toxicity in normal tissues.