Oily core/amphiphilic polymer shell nanocapsules change the intracellular fate of doxorubicin in breast cancer cells

Aim: To develop and test the in vitro biological activity of nanocapsules loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) free base dissolved in a core of castor oil shelled by poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) conjugated to n-octadecylamine residues. Results: This system was stable and monodisperse, with hydrodynamic diameter about 300 nm. These nanocapsules changed the intracellular distribution of DOX, from the nuclei to the cytoplasm, and exhibited higher toxicity towards cancer cells – 4T1 and MCF-7 –and significantly lower toxicity against normal cells – NIH-3T3 and MCF-10A – in vitro. Conclusion: these nanocapsules are suitable DOX carriers, which remain to be studied in in vivo tumor models.