CD44 is a tumor initiating glycoprotein that is overexpressed in many solid cancers making it a viable drug target. By targeting CD44-overexpressing MDR cancer cells, we have developed a self-assembled, self-targetable, multifunctional cholanic acid modified hyaluronic acid (CAHA) wrapped semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube drug delivery system (nanoformula) that can deliver MRI probes and chemotherapeutic agents, and is also a photothermal and photodynamic therapy agent. Novel physiologically relevant analyses showed high serum stability of nanoformula. Live cell imaging and unique computational algorithm demonstrated that the nanoformula substantially amplifies drug delivery to both drug-sensitive and resistant cancer cell lines compared to the free drug.  We found that CD44 targeting, along with differential viscoelastic properties of drug resistant cancer cells lead to enhanced drug uptake mediated by nanoformula.CD44 targetedtherapeutic nanotubes with multipronged approach of delivery and sensitizing, was highly effective in killing drug resistant ovarian cancer cells compared to the free drug doxorubicin or non-targeted therapeutic nanotubes, with the lowest resistance factor (RF = ~1.8) achieved for any nano-drug delivery system reported. Targeted drug delivery system that can deliver a heavy payload of drugs to diseased site, act as a sensitizer to influence drug uptake and induce apoptosis with minimal resistance factor will successfully counteract multidrug resistance.

Therapeutic nanotubes as highly efficient cancer drug delivery vehicles to counteract drug resistance

246th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.