Novel high-content paclitaxel palmitate nanospheres for improved cancer treatment

In this study, original nanospheres (Nanocorps) consisting mostly of paclitaxel-palmitate (pcpl) for improved cancer treatment were designed. pcpl Nanocorps (PPNs) exhibited a mean diameter ranging from 80 to 100 nm and a zeta potential value of − 30 mV. In contrast to common drug loaded colloidal carriers, the observed pcpl concentration was high and attained 2.1 mg/mL. The drug content in the isolated lyophilized nanospheres was 55% w/w while the remaining 45% was probably polysorbate 80. PPNs exhibited enhanced cytotoxic effect when incubated over 3 days with PC-3 cells as compared to pcpl polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) and pcpl solution, whereas the uptake of PPNs was 5.3 and 6.3-fold greater compared to the uptake of pcpl-loaded NPs and pcpl solution, respectively. Despite the lack of pegylation, PPNs exhibited a longer circulation time in mice than pegylated pcpl NPs and pcpl solution owing probably to the presence of the hydrophilic polysorbate 80 at the PPN surfaces.