Development and in vitro evaluation of core-shell type lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles for the delivery of erlotinib in non-small cell lung cancer

Design of nanocarriers for nanoscale drug delivery to enhance cancer treatment using hybrid polymer and lipid building blocks

Polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles (PLN) are an emerging nanocarrier platform made from building blocks of polymers and lipids. PLN integrate the advantages of biomimetic lipid-based nanoparticles (i.e. solid lipid nanoparticles and liposomes) and biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles. PLN are constructed from diverse polymers and lipids and their numerous combinations, which imparts PLN with great versatility for delivering drugs of various properties to their nanoscale targets. PLN can be classified into two types based on their hybrid nanoscopic structure and assembly methods: Type-I monolithic matrix and Type-II core-shell systems. This article reviews the history of PLN development, types of PLN, lipid and polymer candidates, fabrication methods, and unique properties of PLN. The applications of PLN in delivery of therapeutic or imaging agents alone or in combination for cancer treatment are summarized and illustrated with examples. Important considerations for the rational design of PLN for advanced nanoscale drug delivery are discussed, including selection of excipients, synthesis processes governing formulation parameters, optimization of nanoparticle properties, improvement of particle surface functionality to overcome macroscopic, microscopic and cellular biological barriers. Future directions and potential clinical translation of PLN are also suggested.

Novel transferrin modified and doxorubicin loaded Pluronic 85/lipid-polymeric nanoparticles for the treatment of leukemia: In vitro and in vivo therapeutic effect evaluation

PURPOSE

Childhood leukemia is a common malignant disease in children. Doxorubicin (DOX) was widely used for the treatment of leukemia. However, severe toxic side effects and drug resistance are the major limitations of DOX. Nanocarriers offer the opportunity to overcome these drawbacks, there are many attempts to enhance the activity of DOX against drug resistance. This study aimed to develop a novel transferrin (Tf) modified and doxorubicin (DOX) loaded Pluronic 85/lipid-polymeric nanoparticles for the treatment of leukemia.

METHODS

In this study, a novel targeted ligand: transferrin-polyethylene glycol-oleic acid (Tf-PEG-OA) was synthesized. Tf modified and DOX loaded Pluronic 85/lipid-polymeric nanoparticles (Tf-DOX P85/LPNs) were prepared via the self-assembly of PLGA, P85, stearic acid and Tf-PEG-OA using the nanoprecipitation method. The physicochemical properties of LPNs were characterized. In vitro and in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of LPNs was evaluated in human promyelocytic leukemia cell line (HL-60 cells) and DOX resistance HL-60 cell line (HL-60/DOX cells) including the relevant animal models.

RESULTS

Tf-DOX P85/LPNs displayed strong anti-tumor ability on both HL-60 cells and HL-60/DOX cells than other formulations used as contrast. Also, in HL-60/DOX bearing animal models, Tf-DOX P85/LPNs exhibited the highest efficiency as well as the lowest systemic toxicity.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that Tf P85/LPNs is a promising platform to enhance efficacy, reduce toxicity and overcome drug resistance of DOX for the treatment of leukemia.

Anti prostate cancer using PEGylated bombesin containing, cabazitaxel loading nano-sized drug delivery system

CONTEXT

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most-frequently diagnosed cancer in men. Cabazitaxel was approved for the treatment of patients with hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer previously treated with a docetaxel-containing regimen.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, bombesin (BN), a ligand reported to specifically target GRP overexpressing prostate tumor, was applied for the construction of lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPNs), and used for the targeted delivery of cabazitaxel (CAB) to prostate cancer.

METHODS

BN-polyethylene glycol-1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (BN-PEG-DSPE) was synthesized. CAB loaded, BN-PEG-DSPE contained LPNs (BN-CAB-LPNs) were prepared. Their particle size, zeta potential and drug encapsulation efficiency (EE) were evaluated. In vitro cytotoxicity study of BN-CAB-LPNs was tested in LNCaP human prostatic cancer cell line (LNCaP cells). In vivo anti-tumor efficacy of the carriers was evaluated on mice bearing prostate cancer model.

RESULTS

The optimum BN-CAB-LPNs formulations had a particle size of 184.9 nm and a 26.5 mV positive surface charge. The growth of LNCaP cells in vitro was obviously inhibited. BN-CAB-LPNs also displayed better anti-tumor activity than the other formulations in vivo.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that BN-CAB-LPNs can sufficiently deliver CAB to the cancer cells and enhance the anti-tumor capacity. Thus, BN-CAB-LPNs can be proved to be a superior nanomedicine which can achieve better therapeutic efficacy of prostate tumor.

Exploitation of lipid-polymeric matrices at nanoscale for drug delivery applications

INTRODUCTION

Progress in drug delivery and a better quality of life for patients, relies on the development of new and suitable drug carrier systems, with unequivocal therapeutic benefits, low systemic toxicity and reduced side effects. Lipid-polymeric nanoparticles have been explored to produce nanocarriers due to their features and applications such as high drug entrapment, physical-chemical stability and controlled release properties.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we describe several hybrid nanoparticles obtained from mixing a polymer with a lipid matrix. This association can potentiate the efficacy of drug delivery systems, due to the enhancement of encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity, tailoring the drug release according to the therapeutic purpose, and improving the drug uptake by targeting it to specific receptors. Contrary to lipid nanoparticles, these hybrid nanoparticles can decrease the initial burst release and promote a more sustained and localized release of the drug.

EXPERT OPINION

Lipid-polymeric nanoparticles are versatile vehicles for drug delivery by different administration routes in the treatment of multiple diseases. Different solid lipids, polymers, surfactants and techniques for producing these carriers have been investigated, revealing the importance of their composition to achieve optimal characteristics to drug delivery.

Lysozyme-loaded lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles: preparation, characterization and colloidal stability evaluation

CONTEXT

Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPNPs) are polymeric nanoparticles enveloped by lipid layers, which have emerged as a potent therapeutic nanocarrier alternative to liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work was to develop, characterize and evaluate LPNPs to deliver a model protein, lysozyme.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Lysozyme-loaded LPNPs were prepared by using the modified w/o/w double-emulsion-solvent-evaporation method. Poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) was used as polymeric core material and tripalmitin:lechitin mixture was used to form a lipid shell around the LPNPs. LPNPs were evaluated for particle size distribution, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release, stability and cytotoxicity.

RESULTS

The DLS measurement results showed that the particle size of LPNPs ranged from 58.04 ± 1.95 nm to 2009.00 ± 0.52 nm. The AFM and TEM images of LPNPs demonstrate that LPNPs are spherical in shape. The protein-loading capacity of LPNPs ranged from 5.81% to 60.32%, depending on the formulation parameters. LPNPs displayed a biphasic drug release pattern with a burst release within 1 h, followed by sustained release afterward. Colloidal stability results of LPNPs in different media showed that particle size and zeta potential values of particles did not change significantly in all media except of FBS 100% for 120 h. Finally, the results of a cellular uptake study showed that LPNPs were significantly taken up by 83.3% in L929 cells.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that the LPNPs prepared with PCL as polymeric core material and tripalmitin:lechitin mixture as lipid shell should be a promising choice for protein delivery.