Paclitaxel - Combined Curcumin - Loaded PLA-TPGS - Based Nanoparticles Induce Apoptosis and Inhibit the Growth of Breast Cancer Cells and Multicellular Tumor Spheroids

Paclitaxel and curcumin have been reported as anti-cancer drugs. Here we presented a novel combination of paclitaxel and curcumin-loaded PLA-TPGS (PTX-Cur/PLA-TPGS) nanoparticles prepared by a modified solvent extraction/evaporation technique. These nanoparticles were well distributed and stable in water. This combination of paclitaxel and curcumin gave a higher efficiency of both drugs in cytotoxicity; induced apoptosis; and effect on cell cycles of KPL4 cell line in compare with the use of paclitaxel or curcumin alone or even a normal mixture of these two drugs. Furthermore, PTX-Cur/PLA-TPGS nanoparticles exhibited a powerful ability in preventing MCF7 spheroids growth. Interestingly, curcumin also functioned as both a drug and a label. Base on the autofluorescence of curcumin, the absorption of PTX-Cur/PLA-TPGS nanoparticles into MCF7 spheroids could be followed and calculated. These results suggested that the nanoparticle-drug combination may provide a promising multifunctional delivery system for anti-cancer drugs.