Phospholipid-modified PEI-based nanocarriers for in vivo siRNA therapeutics against multi-drug resistant tumors

Multidrug resistance (MDR) mediated by P-glycoprotein overexpression in solid tumors is a major factor in the failure of many forms of chemotherapy. Here, we evaluated phospholipid-modified, low molecular weight polyethylenimine (DOPE-PEI) nanocarriers for intravenous delivery of anti-P-pg siRNA to tumors with the final goal of modulating MDR in breast cancer. First, we studied the biodistribution of DOPE-PEI nanocarriers and the effect of PEG coating in a s.c. breast tumor model. Four hours post-injection, PEGylated carriers showed an 8% injected dose (ID) accumulation in solid tumor via the enhanced permeability and retention effect and 22% ID in serum due to a prolonged, PEG-mediated circulation. Second, we established the therapeutic efficacy and safety of DOPE-PEI/siRNA-mediated P-gp down-regulation in combination with Doxorubicin (Dox) chemotherapy in MCF-7/MDR xenografts. Weekly injection of siRNA nanopreparations and Dox for up to 5 weeks sensitized the tumors to otherwise non-effective doses of Dox and decreased the tumor volume by 3-fold versus controls. This therapeutic improvement in response to Dox was attributed to the significant, sequence-specific P-gp down-regulation in excised tumors mediated by the DOPE-PEI formulations.