CD38-targeted and erythrocyte membrane camouflaged nanodrug delivery system for photothermal and chemotherapy in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant and incurable disease. Chemotherapy is currently the primary treatment option for MM. However, chemotherapeutic drugs can interrupt treatment because of serious side effects. Therefore, development of novel therapeutics for MM is essential. In this study, we designed and constructed an innovative nanoparticle-based drug delivery system, P-R@Ni3P-BTZ, and investigated its feasibility, effectiveness, and safety both in vitro and in vivo. P-R@Ni3P-BTZ is a nanocomposite that consists of two parts: (1) the drug carrier (Ni3P), which integrates photothermal therapy (PTT) with chemotherapy by loading bortezomib (BTZ); and (2) the shell (P-R), a CD38 targeting peptide P-modified red blood cell membrane nanovesicles. In vitro and in vivo, it was proven that P-R@Ni3P-BTZ exhibits remarkable antitumor effects by actively targeting CD38 + MM cells. P-R@Ni3P-BTZ significantly induces the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increases the apoptosis of MM cells, which underlies the primary mechanism of its antitumor effects. In addition, P-R@Ni3P exhibits good biocompatibility and biosafety, both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, PR@Ni3P-BTZ is a specific and efficient MM therapeutic method.