Synergistic antitumor effect of folate-targeted Pluronic™ F-127/poly(lactic acid) polymersomes for codelivery of doxorubicin and paclitaxel

Aim: Folate-targeted Pluronic™ F-127/poly(lactic acid) (FA-F127-PLA) polymersomes were used as codelivery carriers of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX) to achieve a targeted synergistic antitumor effect. Materials & methods: The cytotoxicity of PTX/DOX polymersomes against OVCAR-3 cells was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. The cellular uptake of PTX/DOX polymersomes was examined by HPLC and micro-bicinchoninic acid techniques. Results: The polymersomes showed a bilayer core–shell structure with negative charge and good dispersion. PTX 1 /DOX 5 polymersomes with a mass ratio of PTX to DOX of 1:5 showed the best synergistic effect and the highest cellular uptake. Conclusion: FA-F127-PLA polymersomes have the great promise for codelivery of multiple chemotherapeutics to achieve a targeted antitumor synergistic effect.