Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether biocompatible and biodegradable vasoactive intestinal peptide-grafted sterically stabilized phospholipid mixed nanomicelles (VIP-SSMM; size, ∼15 nm), a novel nanosized actively targeted drug delivery platform for breast cancer, accumulate in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Using hydrophobic CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QD), we found that QD-loaded VIP-SSMM accumulated significantly faster and in greater quantity in MCF-7 cells than did QD-loaded SSMM alone ( p < 0.05). This process was mediated, in part, by VIP receptors because excess human VIP, but not PACAP 6-38 or galanin, significantly attenuated this response ( p < 0.05). Taken together, these data indicate that VIP-SSMM are actively targeted to human breast cancer cells through VIP receptors. We suggest that VIP-SSMM could be used as an actively targeted nanosized drug delivery platform for breast cancer cells over-expressing VIP receptors.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
