Anti-cancer drug containing apolipoprotein B refolding through first-order-like phase transition process

First-order-like phase transition process is a promising approach for protein refolding into functional state. However, lipid binding protein, apolipoprotein B (apoB), reconstitution is challenging until our previous study. At the same time, the reconstituted apoB lipoparticle (rABL) may be an idea vehicle for drug delivery. In this study, we refolded apoB with anti-cancer drug from denatured state to functional state follow a first-order-like state transition model. By characterizing the reconstituted drug loaded rABL (drug@rABL) with circular dichroism (CD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential and transmission electron microscope(TEM), we found drug@rABL is similar to rABL and native LDL. Moreover, cell viability assay indicated drug@rABL demonstrated highly anti-cancer efficacy in low concentration. Futhermore, the anti-cancer mechanism of the drug can be revealed, too.