In our recent study, hydrophobic
cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) were demonstrated as an effective method of improving
cancer treatment. To provide more evidence and broaden the application range for this promising strategy of improving
cancer treatment, novel hydrophobic
CPP-modified (PFV-modified) nanoliposomes loaded with
paclitaxel, termed PFV-Lip-PTX, were developed as a treatment for
breast cancer. Physicochemical evaluations of PFV-Lip-PTX revealed spheroid-like regular vesicles of about 120 nm in diameter with negative charge. An in vitro release study indicated that PTX was released from the
liposomes in a controlled and sustained manner. A cellular uptake study indicated that PFV-Lip-PTX exhibited higher internalization efficiency in MCF-7 cells than non-modified
liposomes. It was also demonstrated that PFV modification improved the cytotoxicity of PTX via a hydrophobic interaction between the PFV-Lip and cell
lipid membranes compared with non-modified
liposomes. Moreover, in vivo studies demonstrated that the PFV-modified
liposomes led to highly efficient targeting and accumulation in an MCF-7 xenograft
tumor and improved the antitumor efficacy of PTX. Finally, PFV-Lip-PTX showed low systemic toxicity evidenced by fewer changes in the
body weights of mice and no visible histological changes in major healthy organs. Therefore, our results indicate that PFV-Lip-PTX has great potential in
tumor-targeting and effective antitumor treatment.