Preparation and Characterization of Albumin Nanoparticles of Paclitaxel-Triphenylphosphonium Conjugates: New Approach to Subcellular Targeting.

Mitochondria have been recognized as important targets in cancer therapy due to their role in the respiratory process of cells. One approach employed for mitochondrion targeting is conjugation of a delocalized cation such as triphenylphosphonium (TPP), with antineoplastic agents, for instance paclitaxel (PTX). In cell cytoplasm, TPP-PTX can come close to mitochondria due to its high positive charge, which has a strong tendency toward the enhanced negative charge of mitochondria.