Elastin-based protein polymer nanoparticles carrying drug at both corona and core suppress tumor growth in vivo.

ABSTRACT: Numerous nanocarriers of small molecules depend on either non-specific physical encapsulation or direct covalent linkage. In contrast, this manuscript explores an alternative encapsulation strategy based on high-specificity avidity between a small molecule drug and its cognate protein target fused to the corona of protein polymer nanoparticles. With the new strategy, the drug associates tightly to the carrier and releases slowly, which may decrease toxicity and promote tumor accumulation via the enhanced permeability and retention effect. To test this hypothesis, the drug Rapamycin (Rapa) was selected for its potent anti-proliferative properties, which give it immunosuppressant and anti-tumor activity. Despite its potency, Rapa has low solubility, low oral bioavailability, and rapid system

SUBMITTER: Shi P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3795821 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature