Programmed-response cross-linked nanocarrier for multidrug-resistant ovarian cancer treatment

The application of numerous chemotherapeutic drugs has been limited due to poor solubility, adverse side effects, and even multidrug resistance in patients. Polymeric micelles with reversibly cross-linked structures provide a promising solution to these issues. Herein, we optimized and synthesized programable-released disulfide cross-linked micelle (PDCM) based on our previous well-defined dendrimers to deliver the antitumor drug betulinic acid (BA) and paclitaxel (PDCM@PTX) and evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of multidrug-resistant (MDR) simulative orthotopic intraperitoneal ovarian cancer mice models. Comprehensive results demonstrated that PDCM@PTX formed stable nanoparticles able to improve the pharmacokinetic profile and circulation time of PTX, allowing for increased tumor penetration. Furthermore, in the tumor microenvironment, the programable-switches (ester bonds and disulfide cross-linking) of PDCM@PTX were cleaved by the high concentration of glutathione (tumor microenvironment) and esterase (intracellular) present in the tumor, allowing for in situ release of PTX and BA, resulting in intensive therapeutic efficacy in MDR ovarian cancer.