Evaluation of the effect of nanoparticles with Polycaprolactone-Polyethylene glycol smart polymeric shell with capability of loading two anticancer drugs (Docetaxel and Doxorubicin) as a carrier for targeted drug delivery in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (in vitro study)

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer world wide and is associated with high mortality rate. Docetaxel and Doxorubicin have been proved to be efficient therapy for HNSCC. Intravenous adminstration of the chemotherapeutic agents affects not only cancerous cells but also the normal tissues and organs, and increase the possibility of toxicity and mutation in these tissues. As a novel therapeutic strategy, the use of nanoparticles as a drug delivery system provide an opportunity to deliver a large amount of drugs directly to the target cancerous cells. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Docetaxel and Doxorubicin loaded nanoparticles on apoptosis and proliferation of HNSCC.

Materials and Methods: In this study, several tests were carried out to evaluate the effect of nanoparticles on apoptosis and proliferation of SCC cell line (HN5). The study group was HN5 cells treated by Docetaxel and Doxorubicin loaded in nanoparticles. The control groups were untreated HN5 cells (negative control) and HN5 cells treated by the free from of Docetaxel and Doxorubicin (positive contorl). Free or nanoparticle forms of drugs were added to positive control and the study group, respectively. After 24 hours of transferring and inserting cells to 6-wells and 96- wells, laboratory tests were porfomed on the cells after 48 hours. MTT test for evaluation of cell proliferation, flocytometry test to determine the rate of apoptosis and DAPI test to measure the morohological changes, were used. Results: Cell proliferation assessed by MTT test in both study and positive control groups were lower than negative control groups (p<.05). Cell proliferation was lower in treated group by nanoparticle agents than the negative control group, (p<.05). Positive control group in comparision with negative control group had significantly lower cell proliferation rate. There was no significant differences between positive control and nanoparticle groups (p=0/287). In flowcytometry results, NH5 cell lines treated by nanoparticles and positive control group had the higher apoptosis rate. The findings of DAPI test confirmed the results of flow cytometry. Concludion: Docetaxel and Doxorubicin laoded nanoparticles efficiently redued cell apoptosis and proliferation rates in HNSCC.