Tumor Microenvironment Responsive TPZ-Loaded Core-Shell Polymeric Nanoparticles for Selective Cancer Bioreductive Therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Tumor hypoxia is a key barrier to successful delivery and activity of anti-cancer agents. To tackle this, we designed hypoxia-responsive Au-PEI-Azo-mPEG nanoparticles (NPs) denoted as APAP NPs for targeted delivery of hypoxia-activated prodrug (HAP), tirapazamine (TPZ) to hypoxic breast cancer cells.

Methods

AuNPs were first synthesized. And then, were coated with polyethylene imine (PEI) by EDC-NHS chemistry. To realize NP biocompatibility and self-activating potential, a hypoxia-cleavable mPEG-AZO linker shell was coupled to the Au-PEI core. The hypoxia-responsible behavior of nanoparticles was analyzed under 21% O₂ (normoxia) and 1% O₂ (hypoxia) condition in 2D cell culture as well as MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 spheroids as reliable biomimetics of

SUBMITTER: Alimohammadvand S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12413963 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature