Lysine-embedded cellulose-based nanosystem for efficient dual-delivery of chemotherapeutics in combination cancer therapy.

Combination therapy by two or multiple drugs with different mechanisms of action is a promising strategy in cancer treatment. In this regard, a wide range of chemotherapeutics has used simultaneously to achieve the synergistic effect and overcome the adverse side effects of single-drug therapy. Herein, we developed a biocompatible nanoparticle-based system composed of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and amino acid l-lysine for efficient co-delivery of model chemotherapeutic methotrexate (MTX) and polyphenol compound curcumin (CUR) to the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The drugs could release in a sustained and acidic-facilitate manner. In vitro cytotoxicity results represented the superior anti-tumor efficacy of the dual-drug-loaded nanocarriers. Possible inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in the cells treated with different formulations of CUR and MTX were explored by cell cycle analysis and DAPI staining. Overall, the engineered nanosystem can be used as suitable candidates to achieve efficient multi-drug delivery for combination cancer therapy.