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Qin N, Li M, Vora LK, Peng K, Sabri AHB, Tao Y, Paredes AJ, McCarthy HO, Donnelly RF. Enhanced long-acting simvastatin delivery via effervescent powder-carrying hollow microneedles and nanocrystal-loaded microneedles. Int J Pharm 2024; 665:124691. [PMID: 39278288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 09/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
Hyperlipidemia and its associated cardiovascular complications are the major causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Simvastatin (SIM) is one of the most commonly prescribed lipid-lowering drugs for the treatment of hyperlipidemia by competitive inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. However, the extensive first-pass metabolism leading to low oral bioavailability and frequent daily doses may lead to poor patient compliance and adverse effects caused by plasma fluctuations. To overcome these challenges, this work purposed two microneedle (MN) delivery strategies for the potential enhancement of SIM delivery. Firstly, nanocrystal (NC) formulations of SIM were investigated, followed by incorporation into a trilayer dissolving microneedle (DMN) design. Furthermore, a novel effervescent powder-carrying MN (EMN) design was developed to enhance intradermal delivery by incorporating the effervescent agents into the drug powder. Both MN approaches exhibited significantly improved permeation and in-skin deposition ability in the Franz cell study, with the ex vivo delivery efficiency of 64.33 ± 6.17 % and 40.11 ± 4.53 % for EMNs and DMNs, respectively. Most importantly, in vivo studies using a female Sprague-Dawley rat model confirmed the successful delivery of SIM from NCs-loaded DMNs (Cmax = 287.39 ± 106.82 ng/mL) and EMNs (Cmax = 203.05 ± 17.07 ng/mL) and maintain therapeutically relevant plasma concentrations for 15 days following a single application. The enhanced bioavailabilities of DMNs and EMNs were 24.28 % and 103.82 %, respectively, which were both significantly higher than that of conventional oral administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuoya Qin
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Mingshan Li
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Lalitkumar K Vora
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Ke Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Akmal Hidayat Bin Sabri
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Yushi Tao
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Alejandro J Paredes
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Helen O McCarthy
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Ryan F Donnelly
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK.
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2
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Rajesh NU, Luna Hwang J, Xu Y, Saccone MA, Hung AH, Hernandez RAS, Coates IA, Driskill MM, Dulay MT, Jacobson GB, Tian S, Perry JL, DeSimone JM. 3D-Printed Latticed Microneedle Array Patches for Tunable and Versatile Intradermal Delivery. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2404606. [PMID: 39221508 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202404606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Using high-resolution 3D printing, a novel class of microneedle array patches (MAPs) is introduced, called latticed MAPs (L-MAPs). Unlike most MAPs which are composed of either solid structures or hollow needles, L-MAPs incorporate tapered struts that form hollow cells capable of trapping liquid droplets. The lattice structures can also be coated with traditional viscous coating formulations, enabling both liquid- and solid-state cargo delivery, on a single patch. Here, a library of 43 L-MAP designs is generated and in-silico modeling is used to down-select optimal geometries for further characterization. Compared to traditionally molded and solid-coated MAPs, L-MAPs can load more cargo with fewer needles per patch, enhancing cargo loading and drug delivery capabilities. Further, L-MAP cargo release kinetics into the skin can be tuned based on formulation and needle geometry. In this work, the utility of L-MAPs as a platform is demonstrated for the delivery of small molecules, mRNA lipid nanoparticles, and solid-state ovalbumin protein. In addition, the production of programmable L-MAPs is demonstrated with tunable cargo release profiles, enabled by combining needle geometries on a single patch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Netra U Rajesh
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jihyun Luna Hwang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Yue Xu
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Max A Saccone
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Andy H Hung
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Rosa A S Hernandez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Ian A Coates
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Madison M Driskill
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Maria T Dulay
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | | | - Shaomin Tian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jillian L Perry
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Joseph M DeSimone
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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3
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Apolinário AC, Naser YA, Volpe-Zanutto F, Vora LK, Sabri AH, Li M, Hutton ARJ, McCarthy HO, Lopes LB, Donnelly RF. Novel lipid nanovesicle-loaded dissolving microarray patches for fenretinide in breast cancer chemoprevention. J Control Release 2024; 374:76-88. [PMID: 39111598 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.07.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
The retinoid fenretinide (FENR) is a promising compound for preventing breast cancer recurrence but faces challenges due to poor solubility and low bioavailability. This study explores the development of dissolving microneedles (MNs) containing FENR-loaded ethosomes for minimally invasive breast cancer chemoprevention, aiming to enhance local drug distribution. Ethosomes were formulated using ethanol, propylene glycol, soya lecithin, water, and polysorbate 80 micelles. MNs were created from poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) hydrogels by adding polymer powder directly into ethosomes suspensions, reducing manufacturing time and cost. Two methods were used to load ethosomes into high-density moulds: 1) only in the needle area, and 2) in both the needle area and baseplate. Dynamic light scattering confirmed nanostructures in the hydrogels and MNs. Micelle-based ethosomes dissolved MNs in 15 min, compared to 30 min for other MNs. Skin deposition studies showed greater drug deposition (up to 10 μg/patch) and enhanced skin permeation of FENR (up to 40 μg) with Method 2. In-vivo studies in rats demonstrated that oral administration resulted in plasma FENR levels below 10 ng/g in the first three hours, whereas MN administration delayed delivery, reaching a maximum plasma concentration of 52 ng/g at 48 h. Skin deposition of FENR from MNs decreased from 3 μg/g on day 1 to <0.3 μg/g by the last day. This study indicates that MNs are a potential minimally invasive dosage form for delivering FENR, offering a new approach for breast cancer chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexsandra Conceição Apolinário
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Yara A Naser
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Fabiana Volpe-Zanutto
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Lalitkumar K Vora
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Akmal H Sabri
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Mingshan Li
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Aaron R J Hutton
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Helen O McCarthy
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Luciana B Lopes
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ryan F Donnelly
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK.
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4
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Zhang C, Wu Y, Hutton ARJ, Hidayat Bin Sabri A, Hobson JJ, Savage AC, McCarthy HO, Paredes AJ, Owen A, Rannard SP, Donnelly RF. Systemic delivery of bictegravir and tenofovir alafenamide using dissolving microneedles for HIV preexposure prophylaxis. Int J Pharm 2024; 660:124317. [PMID: 38851410 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to pose a serious threat to global health. Oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), considered highly effective for HIV prevention, is the utilisation of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs before HIV exposure in high-risk uninfected individuals. However, ARV drugs are associated with poor patient compliance and pill fatigue due to their daily oral dosing. Therefore, an alternative strategy for drug delivery is required. In this work, two dissolving microneedle patches (MNs) containing either bictegravir (BIC) or tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) solid drug nanoparticles (SDNs) were developed for systemic delivery of a novel ARV regimen for potential HIV prevention. According to ex vivo skin deposition studies, approximately 11% and 50% of BIC and TAF was delivered using dissolving MNs, respectively. Pharmacokinetic studies in Sprague Dawley rats demonstrated that BIC MNs achieved a long-acting release profile, maintaining the relative plasma concentration above the 95% inhibitory concentration (IC95) for 3 weeks. For TAF MNs, a rapid release of drug and metabolism of TAF into TFV were obtained from the plasma samples. This work has shown that the proposed transdermal drug delivery platform could be potentially used as an alternative method to systemically deliver ARV drugs for HIV PrEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyang Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Yu Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Aaron R J Hutton
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Akmal Hidayat Bin Sabri
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - James J Hobson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 3NY, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Alison C Savage
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 3NY, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Helen O McCarthy
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Alejandro J Paredes
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Andrew Owen
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Block H, 70 Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L69 3GF, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 3NY, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Steven P Rannard
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 3NY, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Ryan F Donnelly
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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Vora LK, Tekko IA, Volpe Zanutto F, Sabri A, Choy RKM, Mistilis J, Kwarteng P, Kilbourne-Brook M, Jarrahian C, McCarthy HO, Donnelly RF. Development of Norelgestromin Dissolving Bilayer Microarray Patches for Sustained Release of Hormonal Contraceptive. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:946. [PMID: 39065643 PMCID: PMC11279563 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16070946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Microarray patches (MAPs) offer a noninvasive and patient-friendly drug delivery method, suitable for self-administration, which is especially promising for low- and middle-income country settings. This study focuses on the development of dissolving bilayer MAPs loaded with norelgestromin (NGMN) as a first step towards developing a future potential drug delivery system for sustained hormonal contraception. The fabricated MAPs were designed with the appropriate needle lengths to penetrate the stratum corneum, while remaining minimally stimulating to dermal nociceptors. Ex vivo assessments showed that the MAPs delivered an average of 176 ± 60.9 μg of NGMN per MAP into excised neonatal porcine skin, representing 15.3 ± 5.3% of the loaded drug. In vivo pharmacokinetic analysis in Sprague Dawley rats demonstrated a Tmax of 4 h and a Cmax of 67.4 ± 20.1 ng/mL for the MAP-treated group, compared to a Tmax of 1 h and a Cmax of 700 ± 138 ng/mL for the intramuscular (IM) injection group, with a relative bioavailability of approximately 10% for the MAPs. The MAP-treated rats maintained plasma levels sufficient for therapeutic effects for up to 7 days after a single application. These results indicate the potential of NGMN-loaded dissolving bilayer MAPs, with further development focused on extending the release duration and improving bioavailability for prolonged contraceptive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lalitkumar K. Vora
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.K.V.)
| | - Ismaiel A. Tekko
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.K.V.)
| | - Fabiana Volpe Zanutto
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.K.V.)
| | - Akmal Sabri
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.K.V.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Helen O. McCarthy
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.K.V.)
| | - Ryan F. Donnelly
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.K.V.)
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6
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Dai X, Permana AD, Li M, Habibie, Nur Amir M, Peng K, Zhang C, Dai H, Paredes AJ, Vora LK, Donnelly RF. Calcipotriol Nanosuspension-Loaded Trilayer Dissolving Microneedle Patches for the Treatment of Psoriasis: In Vitro Delivery and In Vivo Antipsoriatic Activity Studies. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:2813-2827. [PMID: 38752564 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c01223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Psoriasis, affecting 2-3% of the global population, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition without a definitive cure. Current treatments focus on managing symptoms. Recognizing the need for innovative drug delivery methods to enhance patient adherence, this study explores a new approach using calcipotriol monohydrate (CPM), a primary topical treatment for psoriasis. Despite its effectiveness, CPM's therapeutic potential is often limited by factors like the greasiness of topical applications, poor skin permeability, low skin retention, and lack of controlled delivery. To overcome these challenges, the study introduces CPM in the form of nanosuspensions (NSs), characterized by an average particle size of 211 ± 2 nm. These CPM NSs are then incorporated into a trilayer dissolving microneedle patch (MAP) made from poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and w poly(vinyl alcohol) as needle arrays and prefrom 3D printed polylactic acid backing layer. This MAP features rapidly dissolving tips and exhibits good mechanical properties and insertion capability with delivery efficiency compared to the conventional Daivonex ointment. The effectiveness of this novel MAP was tested on Sprague-Dawley rats with imiquimod-induced psoriasis, demonstrating efficacy comparable to the marketed ointment. This innovative trilayer dissolving MAP represents a promising new local delivery system for calcipotriol, potentially revolutionizing psoriasis treatment by enhancing drug delivery and patient compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianbing Dai
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, U.K
- School of Pharmacy, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121001, China
| | - Andi Dian Permana
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
| | - Mingshan Li
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, U.K
| | - Habibie
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Nur Amir
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
| | - Ke Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, U.K
| | - Chunyang Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, U.K
| | - Haodong Dai
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG, U.K
| | - Alejandro J Paredes
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, U.K
| | - Lalitkumar K Vora
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, U.K
| | - Ryan F Donnelly
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, U.K
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Demartis S, Rassu G, Anjani QK, Volpe-Zanutto F, Hutton ARJ, Sabri AB, McCarthy HO, Giunchedi P, Donnelly RF, Gavini E. Improved pharmacokinetic and lymphatic uptake of Rose Bengal after transfersome intradermal deposition using hollow microneedles. J Control Release 2024; 369:363-375. [PMID: 38554770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The lymphatic system is active in several processes that regulate human diseases, among which cancer progression stands out. Thus, various drug delivery systems have been investigated to promote lymphatic drug targeting for cancer therapy; mainly, nanosized particles in the 10-150 nm range quickly achieve lymphatic vessels after an interstitial administration. Herein, a strategy to boost the lymphotropic delivery of Rose Bengal (RB), a hydrosoluble chemotherapeutic, is proposed, and it is based on the loading into Transfersomes (RBTF) and their intradermal deposition in vivo by microneedles. RBTF of 96.27 ± 13.96 nm (PDI = 0.29 ± 0.02) were prepared by a green reverse-phase evaporation technique, and they showed an RB encapsulation efficiency of 98.54 ± 0.09%. In vitro, RBTF remained physically stable under physiological conditions and avoided the release of RB. In vivo, intravenous injection of RBTF prolonged RB half-life of 50 min in healthy rats compared to RB intravenous injection; the RB half-life in rat body was further increased after intradermal injection reaching 24 h, regardless of the formulation used. Regarding lymphatic targeting, RBTF administered intravenously provided an RB accumulation in the lymph nodes of 12.3 ± 0.14 ng/mL after 2 h, whereas no RB accumulation was observed after RB intravenous injection. Intradermally administered RBTF resulted in the highest RB amount detected in lymph nodes after 2 h from the injection (84.2 ± 25.10 ng/mL), which was even visible to the naked eye based on the pink colouration of the drug. In the case of intradermally administered RB, RB in lymph node was detected only at 24 h (13.3 ± 1.41 ng/mL). In conclusion, RBTF proved an efficient carrier for RB delivery, enhancing its pharmacokinetics and promoting lymph-targeted delivery. Thus, RBTF represents a promising nanomedicine product for potentially facing the medical need for novel strategies for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Demartis
- Department of Chemical, Mathematical, Natural and Physical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Giovanna Rassu
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy.
| | - Qonita Kurnia Anjani
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom
| | - Fabiana Volpe-Zanutto
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron R J Hutton
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom
| | - Akmal B Sabri
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom
| | - Helen O McCarthy
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Giunchedi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Ryan F Donnelly
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom.
| | - Elisabetta Gavini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
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8
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Vora LK, Tekko IA, Zanutto FV, Sabri A, Choy RKM, Mistilis J, Kwarteng P, Jarrahian C, McCarthy HO, Donnelly RF. A Bilayer Microarray Patch (MAP) for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: The Role of MAP Designs and Formulation Composition in Enhancing Long-Acting Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:142. [PMID: 38276512 PMCID: PMC10819247 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Microarray patches (MAPs) have shown great potential for efficient and patient-friendly drug delivery through the skin; however, improving their delivery efficiency for long-acting drug release remains a significant challenge. This research provides an overview of novel strategies aimed at enhancing the efficiency of MAP delivery of micronized cabotegravir sodium (CAB Na) for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The refinement of microneedle design parameters, including needle length, shape, density, and arrangement, and the formulation properties, such as solubility, viscosity, polymer molecular weight, and stability, are crucial for improving penetration and release profiles. Additionally, a bilayer MAP optimization step was conducted by diluting the CAB Na polymeric mixture to localize the drug into the tips of the needles to enable rapid drug deposition into the skin following MAP application. Six MAP designs were analyzed and investigated with regard to delivery efficiency into the skin in ex vivo and in vivo studies. The improved MAP design and formulations were found to be robust and had more than 30% in vivo delivery efficiency, with plasma levels several-fold above the therapeutic concentration over a month. Repeated weekly dosing demonstrated the robustness of MAPs in delivering a consistent and sustained dose of CAB. In summary, CAB Na MAPs were able to deliver therapeutically relevant levels of drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lalitkumar K. Vora
- Medical Biology Centre, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.K.V.); (I.A.T.); (F.V.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Ismaiel A. Tekko
- Medical Biology Centre, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.K.V.); (I.A.T.); (F.V.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Fabiana Volpe Zanutto
- Medical Biology Centre, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.K.V.); (I.A.T.); (F.V.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Akmal Sabri
- Medical Biology Centre, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.K.V.); (I.A.T.); (F.V.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Robert K. M. Choy
- PATH, 2201 Westlake Avenue, Seattle, DC 98121, USA; (R.K.M.C.); (J.M.)
| | - Jessica Mistilis
- PATH, 2201 Westlake Avenue, Seattle, DC 98121, USA; (R.K.M.C.); (J.M.)
| | | | | | - Helen O. McCarthy
- Medical Biology Centre, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.K.V.); (I.A.T.); (F.V.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Ryan F. Donnelly
- Medical Biology Centre, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (L.K.V.); (I.A.T.); (F.V.Z.); (A.S.)
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