Antitumor effect of MTX-HSA NPs, biotin 3.66-MTX-HSA NPs, biotin 7.01-MTX-HSA NPs, and biotin 9.41-MTX-HSA NPs on 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. 4T1 tumor cells were implanted subcutaneously in Balb/c mice. The drugs were injected intravenously in a single dose (day 0). The doses were equivalent to 12.5 mg/kg of free MTX. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation of relative tumor volumes (day 0 taken as 100%).
Abbreviations: MTX, methotrexate; MTX-HSA NP, methotrexate–human serum albumin conjugated nanoparticle; biotin 3.66-MTX-HSA NPs, biotin targeted methotrexate–human serum albumin nanoparticles: 3.66 ± 0.22 biotin/human serum albumin molar ratio; biotin 7.01-MTX-HSA NPs, biotin targeted methotrexate–human serum albumin nanoparticles: 7.01 ± 0.14 biotin/human serum albumin molar ratio; biotin 9.41-MTX-HSA NPs, biotin targeted methotrexate–human serum albumin nanoparticles: 9.41 ± 0.34 biotin/human serum albumin molar ratio.