Cancer-targeted MDR-1 siRNA delivery using self-cross-linked glycol chitosan nanoparticles to overcome drug resistance

P-glycoprotein (Pgp) mediated multi-drug resistance (MDR) is a major cause of failure in chemotherapy. In this study, small interfering RNA (siRNA) for Pgp down-regulation was delivered to tumors to overcome MDR in cancer. To achieve an efficient siRNA delivery in vivo, self-polymerized 5′-end thiol-modified siRNA (poly-siRNA) was incorporated in tumor targeting glycol chitosan nanoparticles. Pgp-targeted poly-siRNA (psi-Pgp) and thiolated glycol chitosan polymers (tGC) formed stable nanoparticles (psi-Pgp-tGC NPs), and the resulting nanoparticles protected siRNA molecules from enzymatic degradation. The psi-Pgp-tGC NPs could release functional siRNA molecules after cellular delivery, and they were able to facilitate siRNA delivery to Adriamycin-resistant breast cancer cells (MCF-7/ADR). After intravenous administration, the psi-Pgp-tGC NPs accumulated in MCF-7/ADR tumors and down-regulated P-gp expression to sensitize cancer cells. Consequently, chemo-siRNA combination therapy significantly inhibited tumor growth without systemic toxicity. These psi-Pgp-tGC NPs showed great potential as a supplementary therapeutic agent for drug-resistant cancer.