Docetaxel loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles; synthesis, characterization, and potential of nuclear imaging of prostate cancer

In this study, docetaxel loaded nanoparticles were synthesized and labeled with I-131 for diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Docetaxel (DTX) was loaded onto human serum albumin nanoparticles (HSA) with 50% efficiency. The size of DTX loaded nanoparticles (DTX-HSA) is in the range of 150-160 nm and these nanoparticles have a zeta potential of - 27.2 mV. In in vitro drug release assay, 80% of DTX from loaded DTX-HSA nanoparticles was released at pH 7.4 medium, while 93% of DTX was released from DTX-HSA nanoparticles at pH 5.8 medium at the end of 48 h. The data show that HSA nanoparticles might be increasing in chemotherapy effect as a drug delivery system. DTX-HSA nanoparticles were labeled with I-131 via iodogen method. Intracellular uptake experiments of I-131 -DTX-HSA nanoparticles were done on prostate tumor cells (PC-3) and healthy prostate cells (RWPE-1) at 24 h. In conclusion, I-131 -DTX-HSA appears as suitable agent that might be used in both nuclear imaging and radiotherapy of prostate cancer. In this study, the nuclear imaging potential of I-131-DTX-HSA was determined as in vitro. The results of this study are important to investigate this potential with in vivo studies in the future.