LDL mediated delivery of Paclitaxel and MRI imaging probes for personalized medicine applications

Abstract Background The combination of imaging and therapeutic agents in the same smart nanoparticle is a promising option to perform minimally invasive guided therapy. In this study, Low density lipoproteins (LDL), one most attractive biodegradable biocompatible nanoparticles, were used for simultaneous delivery Paclitaxel (PTX), hydrophobic antitumour drug an amphiphilic contrast agent, Gd-AAZTA-C17, B16-F10 melanoma cell line. These cells overexpress LDL receptors, as assessed by flow cytometry analysis. Results PTX Gd-AAZTA-C17 loaded LDLs (LDL-PTX-Gd) have been prepared, characterized their stability was under 72 h incubation at 37 °C compared with (LDL-Gd) LDL-PTX. cytotoxic effect LDL-PTX-Gd evaluated MTT assay. anti-tumour into showed significantly higher toxicity on respect commercially available formulation kabi (PTX Kabi) clinical applications. Tumour uptake initially ICP-MS MRI By analysis image signal intensity, it possible extrapolate amount internalized indirectly decrease relaxation times caused Gd, proportional its concentration. Finally, treatment tumour bearing mice resulted marked reduction growth administration Kabi alone. Conclusions are selectively taken-up can be successfully exploited selective agents. For first time anon “in vivo” determination accumulated possible, thanks use theranostic natural origin. Graphic abstract