Synergistic treatment of ovarian cancer by co-delivery of survivin shRNA and paclitaxel via supramolecular micellar assembly

Non-viral gene-delivery platforms have been developed to co-deliver chemotherapeutics and siRNAs. The synergistic effects between shRNAs against survivin and Paclitaxel (PTX) using supramolecular micelles self-assembled from the host PEI-CyD (PC) composed of β-cyclodextrin (β-CyD) and polyethylenimine (PEI, Mw 600) and guest adamantine conjugated PTX (Ada-PTX) in combination cancer therapy are investigated. The Ada-PTX is encapsulated inside the core and shRNA sticks to the shell surface. The physicochemical properties of these supramolecular nanoparticles are favorable to cell uptake and intracellular trafficking. Moreover, PTX and shRNA simultaneously delivered to SKOV-3 cells lead to efficient reduction in the survivin and Bcl-2 expression as well as synergistic cell apoptotic induction in the in vitro study. In particular, co-delivery of survivin shRNA and PTX suppresses cancer growth more effectively than delivery of either paclitaxel or shRNA in ovarian cancer therapy. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.