Preparation and evaluation of paclitaxel-loaded reactive oxygen species and glutathione redox-responsive poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles for controlled release in tumor cells.

Aim: To formulate and assess the anticancer effect of the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) copolymer with the thioether groups (diethyl sulfide [Des]) and disulfide bond (cystamine containing disulfide [Cys]), which encapsulated the anticancer drug paclitaxel (PTX) and triggered PTX release in cancer cell H 2 O 2 -rich or glutathione-rich surroundings. Methods: PLGA- b -P (Des@Cys) and PLGA- b -P nanoparticles loaded with PTX were prepared and characterized in vitro . The delivery ability of the PLGA- b -P nanoparticles and PLGA- b -P-PTX nanoparticles was assessed on a CT26 (mouse colon cancer cell line) and mouse lung cancer LLC model. Results: The nanoparticles were successfully prepared. Compared with free PTX, the formulated PLGA- b -P nanoparticles loaded with PTX exhibited greater accumulation at the tumor site in the mouse model. Conclusion: PLGA- b -P nanoparticles promote drug accumulation at tumor sites, providing an effective strategy for an intelligent, responsive drug-delivery system.