Dual-Functional Peptide Driven Liposome Codelivery System for Efficient Treatment of Doxorubicin-Resistant Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND: The active-targeted drug delivery systems had attracted more and more attention to efficiently overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer treatments. The aim of the work was to develop a multifunctional nano-structured liposomal system for co-delivery of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and celecoxib (CEL) to overcome doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer. METHODS: A functional hybrid peptide (MTS-R(8)H(3)) with unique cellular penetrability, endo-lysosomal escape and mitochondrial targeting ability was successfully synthesized using solid phase synthesis technology. The peptide modified targeted liposomes (DOX/CEL-MTS-R(8)H(3) lipo) for co-delivery of DOX and CEL were formulated to overcome the chemoresistance in MCF/ADR cells. RESULTS: DOX/CEL-MTS-R(8)H(3) lipo showed nanosized shape and displayed high stability for one month. The cytotoxicity effect of the co-delivery of DOX and CEL through peptide modified liposomes had remarkable treatment efficacy on killing MCF/ADR cells. Targeted liposome exhibited greater cellular entry ability about 5.72-fold stronger than DOX solution. Moreover, as compared with unmodified liposomes, the presence of MTS-R(8)H(3) peptide entity on liposome surface enhanced the mitochondrial-targeting ability and achieved effective reactive oxygen species (ROS) production with significant inhibition of P-gp efflux activity. CONCLUSION: The study suggested that the DOX/CEL-MTS-R(8)H(3) lipo is a promising strategy for overcoming drug resistance in breast cancer treatments with high targeting inhibition efficiency.