Specific targeting delivery to MUC1 overexpressing tumors by albumin-chitosan nanoparticles conjugated to DNA aptamer

Chitosan-coated human serum albumin nanoparticles were functionalized by MUC1 aptamer to obtain a selective drug carrier toward cancers overexpressing MUC1. The negative charges of albumin nanoparticles were shifted to positive charges by surface modification with chitosan, and MUC1 was conjugated through an acrylate spacer. The cytotoxicity of targeted nanoparticles was significantly more than non-aptamer nanoparticles, and also the chitosan-coated nanoparticles had more cytotoxic effects than the negatively charged albumin nanoparticles. The IC50 of targeted nanoparticles was 28 and 26% of free paclitaxel in MCF7 and T47D cells at 48 h, respectively. Confocal laser scanning electron microscopy showed that aptamer conjugation and positive charge increase the cellular uptake. 66% of paclitaxel was released within 32 h, but 100% of drug was released at pH = 5.5 (similar cancer cells). The paclitaxel plasma amount was at a good level of 17.6% at 2 h for increasing the chance of cellular uptake.

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