Yixiao Yang,1,* Tao Ye,2,* Fusheng Shang,3 Dagui Chen,3 Kai Wang,1 Shengli He4 

1Research Center of Nanomedicine Technology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Oncology, Minhang Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201100, People’s Republic of China; 3Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic and Integrative Oncology, Minhang Branch, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Kai Wang; Shengli He, Email kaiwang16@fudan.edu.cn; hlshli@yeah.net

Introduction: Lung cancer, a deadly malignancy, often employs Docetaxel (DTX) as a chemotherapy option. However, DTX non-selective distribution limits its therapeutic effectiveness due to adverse side effects. This study aims to develop novel folate-targeted albumin polyester nanocarriers (FA-DTX-APs) encapsulating DTX for precise delivery, enhancing lung cancer treatment efficacy.
Methods: FA-DTX-APs were meticulously crafted utilizing the thin-film dispersion technique and subsequently evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics, encapsulation efficiency, and drug release profiles. To assess their biological properties, anti-tumor efficacy, and biosafety in the context of lung cancer, a comprehensive series of hemolysis assays, cellular studies, and animal experiments were conducted.
Results: FA-DTX-APs exhibit nanovesicle properties with a size of (223.65 ± 6.83) nm, a potential of (26.76 ± 3.15) mV, and encapsulate DTX with high efficiency (96.19 ± 3.27%) and loading capacity (9.75 ± 0.38%). FA-DTX-APs enable tumor-targeted drug delivery and slow release of the drug over a long period of time, with faster release in acidic environments. By efficiently targeting and entering lung cancer cells, FA-DTX-APs effectively hinder cancer growth (P < 0.05), demonstrating superior anti-tumor effects (P < 0.05), biocompatibility and enhanced biological safety (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: This study introduces FA-DTX-APs, an innovative nanocarrier characterized by exceptional biocompatibility and safety. It successfully targets lung cancer cells to deliver DTX in a sustained, slow-release manner, ensuring prolonged tumor-killing effects. As such, FA-DTX-APs hold immense promise as a novel nanoagent for lung cancer therapy.

Keywords: lung cancer, Docetaxel, folate, albumin, polyester