Design of docetaxel-loaded polymeric nanoparticles: characterization, radiolabeling with 99m Tc and in vitro evaluation

This research aims to develop a polymeric drug delivery system for docetaxel (DTX) and to investigate its radiotracer potential by in vitro. DTX loaded Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(ethylene glycol) diblock copolymer (PLA–PEG) was synthesized and radiolabeled with technetium-99m tricarbonyl core. PLA–PEG–DTX nanoparticles had a particle size and zeta potential 120 ± 7.3 nm and − 24.66 ± 1.5 mV respectively, which was further supported by SEM image. The radiolabeling efficiency of 99mTc(CO)3-PLA–PEG–DTX was found to be 90 ± 3.51%,. In vitro study was carried out on cancer cell lines (MCF7, MDA-MB-231) to examine the biological behavior of docetaxel loaded PLA–PEG nanoparticles.