Nanogel-Mediated Drug Delivery

Abstract

Provided herein are methods of inhibiting proliferation of one or more tumor cells comprising contacting the one or more tumor cells with a composition comprising one or more epigenetic drugs that inhibit one or more epigenetic mechanisms of the tumor cells, wherein the one or more epigenetic drugs are encapsulated in a nanogel. The invention is also directed to methods of treating a tumor, metastasis of a tumor or a combination thereof in an individual in need thereof. The invention is also directed to a method of sequentially delivering one or more epigenetic drugs that alter one or more epigenetic mechanisms of a tumor cell and one or more chemotherapeutic drugs to an individual that has a tumor. Compositions which comprise one or more epigenetic drugs that alter one or more epigenetic mechanisms of a tumor cell, wherein the one or more epigenetic drugs are encapsulated in a nanogel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of inhibiting proliferation of one or more tumor cells comprising contacting the one or more tumor cells with a composition comprising one or more epigenetic drugs that inhibit one or more epigenetic mechanisms of the tumor cells, wherein the one or more epigenetic drugs are encapsulated in a nanogel. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tumor cells are further contacted with one or more chemotherapeutic drugs. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs are encapsulated in a nanogel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs are encapsulated in the nanogel that encapsulates the one or more epigenetic drugs or the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs are encapsulated in a separate nanogel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the tumor cells are first contacted with the one or more epigenetic drugs and then contacted with the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tumor cells are drug resistant tumor cells, metastatic tumor cells or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the cells are contacted with an effective dose of the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs that is lower than the effective dose of the one or more chemotherapeutic drug when the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs are administered without the composition comprising the epigenetic agent encapsulated in the nanogel. 
     
     
         8 . A method of treating a tumor, metastasis of a tumor or a combination thereof in an individual in need thereof comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising one or more epigenetic drugs that alter one or more epigenetic mechanisms of the tumor cells, wherein the one or more epigenetic drugs are encapsulated in a nanogel, to the individual. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the tumor cells are further contacted with one or more chemotherapeutic drugs. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs are encapsulated in a nanogel. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs are encapsulated in the nanogel that encapsulates the one or more epigenetic drugs or the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs are encapsulated in a separate nanogel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the tumor cells are first contacted with the one or more epigenetic drugs and then contacted with the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs. 
     
     
         13 . The method of any one of  claim 8  wherein the tumor cells are drug resistant cancer cells, metastatic cells or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the cells are contacted with an effective dose of the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs that is lower than the effective dose of the one or more chemotherapeutic drug when the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs are administered without the composition comprising the epigenetic agent encapsulated in the nanogel. 
     
     
         15 . A composition comprising one or more epigenetic drugs that alter one or more epigenetic mechanisms of a tumor cell, wherein the one or more epigenetic drugs are encapsulated in a nanogel. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15  further comprising one or more chemotherapeutic drugs encapsulated in a nanogel. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 16  wherein the one or more epigenetic drugs and the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs are encapsulated in the same nanogel. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17  wherein the one or more chemotherapeutic drug is loaded in the nanogel's core and the one or more epigenetic drugs are loaded in the nanogel's corona. 
     
     
         19 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the composition of  claim 15 . 
     
     
         20 . A method of sequentially delivering one or more epigenetic drugs that alter one or more epigenetic mechanisms of a tumor cell and one or more chemotherapeutic drugs to an individual that has a tumor, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising the composition of  claim 17  to the individual.