Lignin-Graft-Plga Drug-Delivery System Improves Efficacy of MEK1/2 Inhibitors in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> Few targeted therapies are available for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. Here, we propose a novel alkaline-lignin-conjugated-poly(lactic-<i>co</i>-glycolic acid) (L-PLGA) nanoparticle drug delivery system to improve the efficacy of targeted therapies. <b>Materials & methods:</b> L-PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with the MEK1/2 inhibitor GDC-0623 were characterized, tested <i>in vitro</i> on MDA-MB-231 TNBC cell line and compared with loaded PLGA NPs. <b>Results:</b> Loaded L-PLGA NPs were less than half the size of PLGA NPs, had slower drug release and improved the efficacy of GDC-0623 when tested <i>in vitro</i>. We demonstrated that GDC-0623 reversed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in TNBC. <b>Conclusion:</b> Our findings indicate that L-PLGA NPs are superior to PLGA NPs in delivering GDC-0623 to cancer cells for improved efficacy <i>in vitro</i>.