Nanoparticles offer targeted delivery of drugs with minimal toxicity to surrounding healthy tissue and have great potential in the management of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related diseases. We synthesized lipid-modified AS1411 aptamers capable of forming nanoaggregates in solution containing Mg2+. The nanoaggregates presented suitable properties for pharmaceutical applications such as small size (100 nm), negative charge, and drug release. The nanoaggregates were loaded with acridine orange derivative C8 for its specific delivery into cervical cancer cell lines and HPV-positive tissue biopsies. This improved inhibition of HeLa proliferation and cell uptake without significantly affecting healthy cells. Finally, the nanoaggregates were incorporated in a gel formulation with promising tissue retention properties aiming at developing a local delivery strategy of the nanoaggregates in the female genital tract. Collectively, these findings suggest that the nanoformulation protocol has great potential for the delivery of both anticancer and antiviral agents, becoming a novel modality for cervical cancer management.
- MeSH
- Antineoplastic Agents * chemistry pharmacokinetics pharmacology MeSH
- Antiviral Agents * chemistry pharmacokinetics pharmacology MeSH
- Aptamers, Nucleotide * chemistry pharmacokinetics pharmacology MeSH
- HeLa Cells MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Uterine Cervical Neoplasms drug therapy metabolism MeSH
- Oligodeoxyribonucleotides * chemistry pharmacokinetics pharmacology MeSH
- Cell Proliferation drug effects MeSH
- Drug Delivery Systems * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
