Combined Delivery of Let-7b MicroRNA and Paclitaxel via Biodegradable Nanoassemblies for the Treatment of KRAS Mutant Cancer

In the present study, we synthesized a novel cationic copolymer composed of polyethylene glycol 5000 (PEGSK), vitamin E (VE), and diethylenetriamine (DET) at 1:4:20 molar ratio. The resulting PEG(5K)-VE4-DET20 copolymer formed nanoassemblies when mixed with the neutral PEG(5K)-VE4 copolymer at 1:8 weight ratio, which were investigated as the nanocarriers for combined delivery of paclitaxel and let-7b mimic. We found that the PEG(5K)-VE4-DET20 nanoassemblies could entrap paclitaxel for an extended period and burst release the drug in the presence of cathepsin B, demonstrating the biodegradability of the copolymers. At N/P ratio of 12:1, the PEG(5K)-VE4-DET20 nanoassemblies formed stable polyplexes with let-7b mimic, which were efficiently taken up by tumor cells and underwent endosomal escape. In non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells that harbor mutant KRAS, paclitaxel and let-7b mimic loaded nanoassemblies (N-PTX/let-7b) markedly potentiated,the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel, induced apoptosis, and diminished the invasiveness of tumor cells. In mice bearing subcutaneous A549 xenografts, intravenous administration of N-PTX/let-7b retarded tumor growth more efficaciously than Taxol. Our study demonstrates the promise of the PEG(5K)-VE4-DET20 nanoassemblies for concurrent delivery of hydrophobic drugs and miRNA mimics.