Biodegradable Core–Shell Copolymer-Phospholipid Nanoparticles for Combination Chemotherapy: An In Vitro Study

In the present study, we developed novel core–shell-type lipid/particle assemblies comprising poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticle cores coated with a 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine shell. Hydrophobic dihydroartemisinin and hydrophilic doxorubicin were co-loaded in the core–shell-type lipid/particle assemblies for combination chemotherapy. The physicochemical properties of the dual drug-loaded core–shell-type lipid/particle assemblies were characterized. The results of colorimetric cell viability assay and cellular uptake experiments demonstrated that the lipid/particle hybrid could increase the accumulation of doxorubicin accumulation in cell nuclei, thus enhancing cell cytotoxicity. This effect contributed to the high treatment efficiency of dihydroartemisinin and doxorubicin. These biodegradable lipid/polymer hybrid particles could be promising delivery systems to improve combination chemotherapy.