[Tumor cell targetability of folate receptor-mediated mitoxantrone albumin nanoparticles].

Objective: To study the tumor cell targetability of folate-conjugated mitoxantone-loaded albumin nanoparticles (MTO-BSANP-folate).

Methods: Bovine albumin nanoparticles were prepared by desolvation method. The activated folic acid (N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of folic acid) was conjuated to the surface of BSANP via the amino groups. The MTO-BSANP-folate was prepared by mixing folate-conjugated albumin nanoparticles with mitoxantrone and then cross-linked by glutaraldehyde. 3HTdR and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the targetability of MTO-BSANP-folate.

Results: The encapsulation rate of folate-conjugated mitoxantrone albumin nanoparticles was (96.55 +/- 0.96)% and the drug loading was (9.66 +/- 0.10)%. The results of 3HTdR showed that the efficacy of MTO-BSANP-folate in killing SKOV3 cells was higher than that of MTO-BSANP-folate, and the results of flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis-promoting effect of MTO-BSANP-folate was 3.5-4.5 times higher than that of MTO-BSANP.

Conclusion: MTO-BSANP-folate could be targeted, via folate receptor, to the tumor cells rich in folate receptors.