Doxorubicin and Zinc phthalocyanine loaded pH-responsive FA-BSP-SA/TPGS micelles for synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapy against tumors

The present study was to evaluate the chemo-photodynamic synergistic antitumor effect of FA-BSP-SA/TPGS micelles loaded with doxorubicin (Dox) and Zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc). Multiple evaluation parameters involving quality index (particle size, zeta potential, loading capacity, and encapsulation efficiency, etc), biocompatibility, in vitro drug release, and in vitro antitumor assays were performed to explore the optimal mass ratio in FA-BSP-SA/TPGS mixed micelles. The results showed that FA-BSP-SA/TPGS(25 )micelles were more ideal carriers. The synergistic antitumor effect of Dox and ZnPc was also investigated and proved to be better. Moreover, the current study revealed that TPGS, Dox, and ZnPc decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased ROS level in breast 4T1 cancer cells. Meanwhile, in vivo antitumor assay certified that Dox@FA-BSP-SA/TPGS(25)+ZnPc@FA-BSP-SA/TPGS(25) micelles showed the most superior antitumor effect. In conclusion, Dox@FA-BSP-SA/TPGS(25)+ZnPc@FA-BSP-SA/TPGS(25) micelles are promising drug-loaded nanomaterials with synergistic chemo-photodynamic effects against cancer.