Presentation: 2024 ND EPSCoR Annual conference
November 21, 2024, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Azobenzene-Incorporated Polymersomes for Control of Targeted Drug Delivery to Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Session
Concurrent Presentation Session 1
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a resilient form of malignancy and lacks adequate targeted therapies. Hypoxia in the core of the solid tumors instigates invasive and metastatic cellular phenotypes, thereby exacerbating the problem. Immunofluorescence imaging indicated the overexpression of the receptor SLC7A11 on TNBC cells in hypoxia. We prepared a polymer conjugate of the anti-inflammatory agent sulfasalazine to target the TNBC cells employing hypoxia-responsive polymer nanoparticles (polymersomes). The polymersomes encapsulate the anticancer drug doxorubicin. This study investigated the stability and release characteristics of polymersomes incorporating hypoxia-responsive linkers with different electron densities. The polymersomes were characterized by encapsulation efficiency, size, integrity, and release rates in hypoxia. Their cytotoxicity was also assessed against MDA-MB-231 and patient-derived cells in monolayer and spheroid cultures.
The ND-ACES NSF Track-1 cooperative agreement is a federal-state partnership to manage a comprehensive research development plan. ND EPSCoR manages the Track-1 award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Current funding is provided by the State of North Dakota and NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program Track-1 (RII Track-1) Cooperative Agreement Award OIA #1946202.