Smart aptamer-modified calcium carbonate nanoparticles for controlled release and targeted delivery of epirubicin and melittin into cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

To explore the effect of combination therapy of epirubicin (Epi) and melittin (Mel) to cancer cells, calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CCN), as carriers, were developed which were modified with MUC1-Dimer aptamers as targeting agents. Both Epi and Mel were delivered at the same time to cancer cells overexpressing the target of MUC1 aptamer, mucin 1 glycoproteins (MCF7 and C26 cells). CCN were prepared with a water-in-oil emulsion method. Epi and Mel were separately encapsulated in CCN and the nanoparticles were modified with MUC1-Dimer aptamers. In vitro studies, including MTT assay, flow cytometry analysis and fluorescence imaging were applied to investigate the targeting and cell proliferation inhibition capabilities of MUC1-Dimer aptamer-CCN-Mel complex and MUC1-Dimer aptamer-CCN-Epi complex in the target (MCF-7 and C26 cells) and nontarget (HepG2) cells. Also, the function of the developed complexes was analyzed using in vivo tumor growth inhibition. The release of Epi from MUC1-Dimer aptamer-CCN-Epi complex was pH-sensitive. Cellular uptake studies showed more internalization of the MUC1-Dimer aptamer-CCN-Epi complex into MCF-7 and C26 cells (target) compared to HepG2 cells (nontarget). Interestingly, the MUC1-Dimer aptamer-CCN-Mel complex and MUC1-Dimer aptamer-CCN-Epi complex indicated very low toxicity as compared to target cells. Moreover, co-delivery of Epi and Mel using the mixture of MUC1-Dimer aptamer-CCN-Mel complex and MUC1-Dimer aptamer-CCN-Epi complex exhibited strong synergistic cytotoxicity in MCF-7 and C26 cells. Furthermore, the presented complexes had a better function to control tumor growth in vivo compared to free Epi.