Paclitaxel, an anti-tumor drug that acts through mitotic inhibition, has poor solubility in water and produces undesired side effects. A new method of delivering paclitaxel with a biologically inspired polymer, elastin-like polypeptides (ELP), has been developed. Paclitaxel was chemically conjugated to the elastin-like polypeptide delivery system via a pH sensitive hydrazone bond that allows for release of the drug in the acidic environment of tumors. Drug binding, micelle formation, and solubility of the paclitaxel-elastin-like polypeptide conjugate were assessed. Cytotoxicity of the paclitaxel-elastin-like polypeptide conjugate was evaluated with a cell proliferation assay using human and mouse breast cancer cell lines. The retained cytotoxicity of the drug when bound to the delivery system and the increased solubility at body temperature suggest that delivery of paclitaxel with an elastin-like polypeptide transport system will increase effectiveness of this cancer-fighting drug.

Delivery of paclitaxel with elastin-like polypeptides

245th National Meeting (2013)

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