Tumor-Targeted Magnetic Micelles for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Drug Delivery, and Overcoming Multidrug Resistance

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is prevalent in Southern China. Unfortunately, current treatments encounter multidrug resistance (MDR). Overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), resulting in the efflux of chemotherapy drugs, is one of the significant mechanisms causing MDR. d-α-Tocopheryl poly(ethylene glycol) 1000 succinate (TPGS) has been demonstrated to effectively inhibit P-gp expression. The objectives of this study are to improve tumor MRI imaging, optimize docetaxel (DOC) administration, and target P-gp to overcome NPC resistance. Multifunctional micelles of TPGS (MM@DOC), loaded with magnetic nanoparticles, were synthesized for the targeted delivery of the first-line anticancer drug. MM@DOC exhibited greater toxicity and induced higher levels of apoptosis in DOC-resistant NPC cells (C666–1/DOC) compared to DOC. MM@DOC loaded with magnetic nanoparticles improved the quality of tumor MRI imaging. MM@DOC also demonstrated significant antitumor effects in nude mice with C666–1/DOC NPC. In conclusion, MM@DOC exhibited promising inhibitory effects on resistant tumors both in vitro and in vivo, optimized tumor MRI imaging, and showed great potential in drug delivery and overcoming resistance.