Injectable glycol chitosan hydrogel containing folic acid-functionalized cyclodextrin-paclitaxel complex for breast cancer therapy

We prepared a drug carrier which consisted of injectable methacrylated glycol chitosan (MGC) hydrogel, and a conjugate of 6-monodeoxy-6-monoamino-β-cyclodextrin⋅hydrochloride (6-NH₂-β-CD⋅HCl), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and folic acid (FA) for the local delivery and improved cellular uptake of paclitaxel (PTX) (MGC/CDPF-ic-PTX). CDPF refers to a conjugate of 6-NH₂-β-CD⋅HCl, PEG, and FA. The anti-cancer effect was investigated using a xenograft mouse model. As controls, the animal study on MGC/PTX and MGC/CD-ic-PTX was performed. The swelling ratio of all samples was analyzed for 7 days, and it showed a gradual increase for 3 days and a maintained state afterward. From the release result, the MGC-based samples have an initial burst for 1 day and a sustained release for 7 days. Results of cytotoxicity and animal study showed the biocompatibility and superior anti-cancer effect of MGC/CDPF-ic-PTX against breast cancer. Furthermore, histological results showed the anti-cancer capacity of MGC/CDPF-ic-PTX against breast cancer. These findings suggest that MGC/CDPF-ic-PTX has clinical potential for breast cancer therapy.