Quality by design fostered fabrication of cabazitaxel loaded pH-responsive Improved nanotherapeutics against prostate cancer.

ABSTRACT

Cabazitaxel has been approved for the treatment of prostate cancer since 2010. However, its poor solubility and permeability pitfalls prevent its accumulation at the target site and promote severe adverse effects. About 90% of prostate cancer (PCa) patients suffer from bone metastasis. This advent reports the development of CBZ-loaded pH-responsive polydopamine nanoparticles (CBZ NP) against metastatic PCa cells. Quality by design (QbD) and multivariate analysis tools were employed for the optimization of CBZ NP. Amorphisation of CBZ along with metastatic microenvironment responsive release was observed thereby imparting spatial release and circumventing solubility pitfalls. CBZ NP retained its cytotoxic potential, with a significant increase in quantitative cellular uptake. Apoptotic markers observed from nuclear staining with elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial damage revealed by JC-1 staining demonstrated the efficacy of CBZ NP against PC-3 cells with good serum stability and diminished hemolysis. Cell cycle analysis revealed substantial S and G2/M phase arrest with enhancement in apoptosis was observed. Western blot studies revealed an elevation in caspase-1 and suppression in Bcl-2 indicating enhanced apoptosis compared to the control group. Substantial reduction in the diameter of 3D-Tumoroid and enhanced cell proliferation inhibition indicated the efficacy of CBZ NP in PCa. Thus, we conclude that CBZ NP could be a promising Nanotherapeutic approach for PCa.