PEG-PLA used for cervical cancer gene therapy

PolySciTech (www.polyscitech.com) provides a wide array of PEG-PLA as well as other polymers. Recently gene loaded nanoparticles were utilized as part of a delivery system to control the delivery of DNA to cervical cancer cells. Read more Liu, Bo, Shu-Mei Han, Xiao-Yong Tang, Li Han, and Chang-Zhong Li. "Cervical Cancer Gene Therapy by Gene Loaded PEG-PLA Nanomedicine." Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 15, no. 12 (2014): 4915-4918. Full-Text available: http://www.apocpcontrol.org/paper_file/issue_abs/Volume15_No12/4915-4918%204.6%20Bo%20Liu.pdf

“Abstract: Background and Aims: Advances in the treatment of cervical cancer over the last decade have predominantly involved the development of genes directed at molecular targets. Gene therapy is recognized to be a novel method for the treatment of cervical cancer. Genes can be administered into target cells via nanocarriers. This study aimed to develop systemically administrable nano-vectors. Folate (Fa) containing gene loaded nanoparticles (NPs) could target HeLa human cervical cancer cells through combination with receptors on the cells to increase the nuclear uptake of genetic materials. Methods: Fa was linked onto Poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly (D, L-lactide) (PEG-PLA) to form Fa-PEG-PLA, and the resulting material was used to load plasmids of enhanced green fluorescence protein (pEGFP) to obtain gene loaded nanoparticles (Fa-NPs/DNA). Physical-chemical characteristics, in vitro release and cytotoxicity of Fa-NPs/DNA were evaluated. The in vitro transfection efficiency of Fa-NPs/ DNA was evaluated in HeLa cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). PEG-PLA without Fa was used to load pEGFP from NPs/DNA as a control. Results: Fa-NPs/DNA has a particle size of 183 nm and a gene loading quantity of 92%. After 72h of transfection, Fa-NPs/DNA displayed over 20% higher transfection efficiency than NPs/DNA and 40% higher than naked DNA in HeLa cells. However, in HUVECs, no significant difference appeared between Fa-NPs/DNA and NPs/DNA. Conclusions: Fa-PEG-PLA NPs could function as excellent materials for gene loading. This nano-approach could be used as tumor cell targeted medicine for the treatment of cervical cancer. Keywords: Gene therapy - cervical cancer - folate coating - targeted nanomedicine”