Redox-sensitive mPEG-SS-PTX/TPGS mixed micelles: An efficient drug delivery system for overcoming multidrug resistance

•The mPEG-SS-PTX/TPGS mixed micelles can realize control release of paclitaxel.•TPGS improves stability of micelles as well as anticancer effects of paclitaxel.•The novel mixed micelles have a high drug loading content of 19.6%.•The mixed micelles improve accumulation of paclitaxel in multidrug-resistant cells.

The main cause of multidrug resistance (MDR) is overexpression of active efflux transporters, such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp). To reverse MDR and improve the chemotherapy effect of paclitaxel (PTX), we propose a new drug delivery system based on mixed micelles constructed with d-α-tocopheryl poly(ethylene glycol) 1000 succinate (TPGS) and the mPEG-SS-PTX conjugate with consideration that TPGS is a P-gp inhibitor that can block the cancer cell action of pumping drugs outside of cells and can enhance the anticancer effect. mPEG-SS-PTX is synthesized by conjugating hydrophilic mPEG with a hydrophobic drug, PTX, via a redox-sensitive disulfide bond. The mPEG-SS-PTX conjugate is amphiphilic and can self-assemble in water. Mixed micelles formed by the mPEG-SS-PTX conjugate and TPGS have a low critical micelle concentration (CMC, ∼1.05 × 10−3 mg/mL) and high drug loading content (∼19.6%). The disulfide bond in the mPEG-SS-PTX conjugate can be broken in cancer cells (a reductive environment) and release PTX to kill cancer cells. In vitro cytotoxicity and cell uptake suggest that mixed micelles can effectively improve the accumulation of PTX in multidrug-resistant MCF-7 cells. Therefore, the present as-prepared mixed micelles very effectively reverse the MDR and enhance the therapeutic effect.

Graphical abstractThe constructed mPEG-SS-PTX/TPGS mixed micelles can obviously improve the chemotherapy effect of PTX by reversing MDR.Download high-res image (173KB)Download full-size image