Magnetic paclitaxel nanoparticles inhibit glioma growth and improve the survival of rats bearing glioma xenografts
Anmin Li
Department of Neurosurgery
The First Affiliated Hospital to PLA General Hospital, Beijing
Abstract:
Paclitaxel has fared poorly in clinical trials against brain glioma. We hypothesized that superparamagnetic nanocarriers may enhance its bioactivities by delivering it into the brain.
Methods The magnetic paclitaxel nanoparticles (MPNPs) were fabricated and their cytotoxicity against glioma was tested both in vitro and in glioma-bearing rats.
Results MPNPs exhibited superparamagnetism and produced an extended release of paclitaxel over 15 days in vitro. They were easily internalized into glioma cells and exerted remarkable toxicity, as free paclitaxel did. Furthermore, after intravenous injection of MPNPs to glioma-bearing rats and magnetic targeting with a 0.5T magnet, drug content increased for 6-14 folds in implanted glioma and for 4.6-12.1 folds in the normal brain compared to free paclitaxel. Afterwards their survival of rats bearing glioma xenografts was significantly prolonged after magnetic targeting therapy with MPNPs.
Conclusion MPNPs could efficiently deliver paclitaxel into brain glioma by magnetic targeting and enhance its antitumor activity. They are promising for local chemotherapy for malignant glioma.
