Supramolecular Facilities to Melanoma Cells B16F10 with Nanoparticles of a DEAE-Dextran-MMA Copolymer-Paclitaxel Complex

Abstract

A DEAE-dextran-MMA copolymer (DDMC)–paclitaxel complex was generated using paclitaxel as the guest and DDMC as the host. The resulting nanoparticles were 200-300 nm in diameter and are thought to be useful as an anti-cancer drug delivery system because of forming a stable polymeric micelle in water. The resistance of B16F10 melanoma cells to paclitaxel was confirmed using survival curve analysis. On the other hand, there is no resistance of melanoma cells to DDMC–paclitaxel complex. The DDMC–paclitaxel complex showed superior anti-cancer activity to paclitaxel alone. The cell death rate was determined using Michaelis–Menten Equations, as the complex promoted allosteric supramolecular reaction to tubulin. From our results, the DDMC–paclitaxel complex was not extensively degraded in cells, and achieved good efficacy as an intact supramolecular anti-cancer agent. The DDMC–paclitaxel complex showed high reactivity and specificity of anti-melanoma cells, depending on its supramolecular facilities. The DDMC/PTX complex will be considered to be not degraded in cells, and represents the efficacy as supramolecular intact such as artificial enzymes having substrate-selective. It should be possible for other anti-cancer agents to offer the amplify effect from this supramolecular complex. These supramolecular facilities to melanoma cells will be very helpful to overcome cancer diseases.