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Nakhla DS, Mekkawy AI, Naguib YW, Silva AD, Gao D, Ah Kim J, Alhaj-Suliman SO, Acri TM, Kumar Patel K, Ernst S, Stoltz DA, Welsh MJ, Salem AK. Injectable long-acting ivacaftor-loaded poly (lactide-co-glycolide) microparticle formulations for the treatment of cystic fibrosis: In vitro characterization and in vivo pharmacokinetics in mice. Int J Pharm 2024; 650:123693. [PMID: 38081555 PMCID: PMC10843602 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Optimizing a sustained-release drug delivery system for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) is crucial for decreasing the dosing frequency and improving patients' compliance with the treatment regimen. In the current work, we developed an injectable poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticle formulation loaded with ivacaftor, a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) potentiator that increases the open probability of the CFTR anion channel, using a single emulsion solvent evaporation technique. We aimed to study the effect of different parameters on the characteristics of the prepared formulations to select an optimized microparticle formulation to be used in an in vivo pharmacokinetic study in mice. First, a suite of ivacaftor-loaded microparticles were prepared using different formulation parameters in order to study the effect of varying these parameters on microparticle size, morphology, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release profiles. Prepared microparticles were spherical with diameters ranging from 1.91-6.93 µm, percent drug loading (% DL) of 3.91-10.3%, percent encapsulation efficiencies (% EE) of 26.6-100%, and an overall slow cumulative release profile. We selected the formulation that demonstrated optimal combined % DL and % EE values (8.25 and 90.7%, respectively) for further studies. These microparticles had an average particle size of 6.83 µm and a slow tri-phasic in vitro release profile (up to 6 weeks). In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in mice showed that the subcutaneously injected microparticles resulted in steady plasma levels of ivacaftor over a period of 28 days, and a 6-fold increase in AUC 0 - t (71.6 µg/mL*h) compared to the intravenously injected soluble ivacaftor (12.3 µg/mL*h). Our results suggest that this novel ivacaftor-loaded microparticle formulation could potentially eliminate the need for the frequent daily administration of ivacaftor to people with CF thus improving their compliance and ensuring successful treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Nakhla
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Aml I Mekkawy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Pharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sohag University, Sohag, Sohag 82524, Egypt
| | - Youssef W Naguib
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Aaron D Silva
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Dylan Gao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jeong Ah Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Suhaila O Alhaj-Suliman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Timothy M Acri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Krishna Kumar Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Sarah Ernst
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - David A Stoltz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Departments of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Michael J Welsh
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Departments of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Aliasger K Salem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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Naguib YW, Alhaj-Suliman SO, Wafa EI, Saha S, Ebeid K, Mohammed HHH, Abdel-Rahman SA, Abuo-Rahma GEDA, Geary SM, Salem AK. Ciprofloxacin Derivative-Loaded Nanoparticles Synergize with Paclitaxel Against Type II Human Endometrial Cancer. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2302931. [PMID: 37525558 PMCID: PMC10828114 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202302931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Combinations of chemotherapeutic agents comprise a clinically feasible approach to combat cancers that possess resistance to treatment. Type II endometrial cancer is typically associated with poor outcomes and the emergence of chemoresistance. To overcome this challenge, a combination therapy is developed comprising a novel ciprofloxacin derivative-loaded PEGylated polymeric nanoparticles (CIP2b-NPs) and paclitaxel (PTX) against human type-II endometrial cancer (Hec50co with loss of function p53). Cytotoxicity studies reveal strong synergy between CIP2b and PTX against Hec50co, and this is associated with a significant reduction in the IC50 of PTX and increased G2/M arrest. Upon formulation of CIP2b into PEGylated polymeric nanoparticles, tumor accumulation of CIP2b is significantly improved compared to its soluble counterpart; thus, enhancing the overall antitumor activity of CIP2b when co-administered with PTX. In addition, the co-delivery of CIP2b-NPs with paclitaxel results in a significant reduction in tumor progression. Histological examination of vital organs and blood chemistry was normal, confirming the absence of any apparent off-target toxicity. Thus, in a mouse model of human endometrial cancer, the combination of CIP2b-NPs and PTX exhibits superior therapeutic activity in targeting human type-II endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef W. Naguib
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutics, and Minia 61519, Egypt
| | - Suhaila O. Alhaj-Suliman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Emad I. Wafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Sanjib Saha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Kareem Ebeid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutics, and Minia 61519, Egypt
| | - Hamada H. H. Mohammed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt
| | - Somaya A. Abdel-Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | | | - Sean M. Geary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Aliasger K. Salem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
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Hufnagel S, Xu H, Colemam MF, Valdes SA, Liu KA, Hursting SD, Cui Z. 4-(N)-Docosahexaenoyl 2', 2'-difluorodeoxycytidine induces immunogenic cell death in colon and pancreatic carcinoma models as a single agent. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2022; 89:59-69. [PMID: 34698902 PMCID: PMC8741741 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-021-04367-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Docosahexaenoyl difluorodeoxycytidine (DHA-dFdC) is an amide with potent, broad-spectrum antitumor activity. In the present study, DHA-dFdC's ability to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) was tested using CT26 mouse colorectal cancer cells, an established cell line commonly used for identifying ICD inducers, as well as Panc-02 mouse pancreatic cancer cells. METHODS The three primary surrogate markers of ICD (i.e., calreticulin (CRT) surface translocation, ATP release, and high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) release) were measured in vitro. To confirm DHA-dFdC's ability to induce ICD in vivo, the gold standard mouse vaccination studies were conducted using both CT26 and Panc-02 models. Additionally, the effect of DHA-dFdC on tumor response to anti-programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibody (anti-PD-1 mAb) were tested in mice with pre-established Panc-02 tumors. RNA sequencing experiments were conducted on PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells treated with DHA-dFdC, dFdC, or vehicle control in vitro. RESULTS DHA-dFdC elicited CRT surface translocation and ATP and HMGB1 release in both cell lines. Immunization of mice with CT26 or Panc-02 cells pretreated with DHA-dFdC prevented or delayed the development of corresponding secondary live challenge tumor. DHA-dFdC enabled Panc-02 tumors to respond to anti-PD-1 mAb. RNA sequencing experiments revealed that DHA-dFdC and dFdC differentially impacted genes related to the KRAS, TP53, and inflammatory pathways, and DHA-dFdC enriched for the unfolded protein response (UPR) compared to control, providing insight into DHA-dFdC's potential mechanism of inducing ICD. CONCLUSION DHA-dFdC is a bona fide ICD inducer and can render pancreatic tumors responsive to anti-PD-1 mAb therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Hufnagel
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Haiyue Xu
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Michael F Colemam
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Solange A Valdes
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Kristyn A Liu
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Stephen D Hursting
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Zhengrong Cui
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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Baroud M, Lepeltier E, El-Makhour Y, Lautram N, Bejaud J, Thepot S, Duval O. Azacitidine Omega-3 Self-Assemblies: Synthesis, Characterization, and Potent Applications for Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:1317. [PMID: 34959720 PMCID: PMC8706301 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
5-Azacitidine, a cytidine analogue used as a hypomethylating agent, is one of the main drugs for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the elderly. However, after administration, it exhibits several limitations, including restricted diffusion and cellular internalization due to its hydrophilicity, and a rapid enzymatic degradation by adenosine deaminase. The aim of this study was to improve the drug cell diffusion and protect it from metabolic degradation via the synthesis of amphiphilic prodrugs and their potential self-assembly. Azacitidine was conjugated to two different omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The carboxylic acid group of the omega-3 fatty acids was effectively conjugated to the amine group of the azacitidine base, yielding two amphiphilic prodrugs. Nanoprecipitation of the obtained prodrugs was performed and self-assemblies were successfully obtained for both prodrugs, with a mean diameter of 190 nm, a polydispersity index below 0.2 and a positive zeta potential. The formation of self-assemblies was confirmed using pyrene as a fluorescent dye, and the critical aggregation concentrations were determined: 400 µM for AzaEPA and 688 µM for AzaDHA. Additionally, the stability of the obtained self-assemblies was studied and after 5 days their final stable arrangement was reached. Additionally, cryo-TEM revealed that the self-assemblies attain a multilamellar vesicle supramolecular structure. Moreover, the obtained self-assemblies presented promising cytotoxicity on a leukemia human cell line, having a low IC50 value, comparable to that of free azacitidine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Baroud
- Micro & Nanomedecines Translationnelles (MINT), Inserm, The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), SFR ICAT, University of Angers, 49000 Angers, France; (M.B.); (E.L.); (N.L.); (J.B.)
| | - Elise Lepeltier
- Micro & Nanomedecines Translationnelles (MINT), Inserm, The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), SFR ICAT, University of Angers, 49000 Angers, France; (M.B.); (E.L.); (N.L.); (J.B.)
| | - Yolla El-Makhour
- Environmental Health Research Lab, Faculty of Science, Lebanese University, Nabatieh 1700, Lebanon;
| | - Nolwenn Lautram
- Micro & Nanomedecines Translationnelles (MINT), Inserm, The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), SFR ICAT, University of Angers, 49000 Angers, France; (M.B.); (E.L.); (N.L.); (J.B.)
| | - Jerome Bejaud
- Micro & Nanomedecines Translationnelles (MINT), Inserm, The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), SFR ICAT, University of Angers, 49000 Angers, France; (M.B.); (E.L.); (N.L.); (J.B.)
| | - Sylvain Thepot
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Angers, 49933 Angers, France;
- Federation Hospital of Universitaire Grand Ouest Acute Leukemia (FHU GOAL), 49933 Angers, France
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie et Immunologie Nantes Angers (CRCINA), INSERM, University of Angers, 49933 Angers, France
| | - Olivier Duval
- Micro & Nanomedecines Translationnelles (MINT), Inserm, The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), SFR ICAT, University of Angers, 49000 Angers, France; (M.B.); (E.L.); (N.L.); (J.B.)
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Angers, 49933 Angers, France;
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El Moukhtari SH, Rodríguez-Nogales C, Blanco-Prieto MJ. Oral lipid nanomedicines: Current status and future perspectives in cancer treatment. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 173:238-251. [PMID: 33774117 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Oral anticancer drugs have earned a seat at the table, as the need for homecare treatment in oncology has increased. Interest in this field is growing as a result of their proven efficacy, lower costs and positive patient uptake. However, the gastrointestinal barrier is still the main obstacle to surmount in chemotherapeutic oral delivery. Anticancer nanomedicines have been proposed to solve this quandary. Among these, lipid nanoparticles are described to be efficiently absorbed while protecting drugs from early degradation in hostile environments. Their intestinal lymphatic tropism or mucoadhesive/penetrative properties give them unique characteristics for oral administration. Considering that chronic cancer cases are increasing over time, it is important to be able to provide treatments with low toxicity and low prices. The challenges, opportunities and therapeutic perspectives of lipid nanoparticles in this area will be discussed in this review, taking into consideration the pre-clinical and clinical progress made in the last decade.
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Coppens E, Desmaële D, Mougin J, Tusseau-Nenez S, Couvreur P, Mura S. Gemcitabine Lipid Prodrugs: The Key Role of the Lipid Moiety on the Self-Assembly into Nanoparticles. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:782-793. [PMID: 33797231 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
A small library of amphiphilic prodrugs has been synthesized by conjugation of gemcitabine (Gem) (a hydrophilic nucleoside analogue) to a series of lipid moieties and investigated for their capacity to spontaneously self-assemble into nanosized objects by simple nanoprecipitation. Four of these conjugates formed stable nanoparticles (NPs), while with the others, immediate aggregation occurred, whatever the tested experimental conditions. Whether such capacity could have been predicted based on the prodrug physicochemical features was a matter of question. Among various parameters, the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value seemed to hold a predictive character. Indeed, we identified a threshold value which well correlated with the tendency (or not) of the synthesized prodrugs to form stable nanoparticles. Such a hypothesis was further confirmed by broadening the analysis to Gem and other nucleoside prodrugs already described in the literature. We also observed that, in the case of Gem prodrugs, the lipid moiety affected not only the colloidal properties but also the in vitro anticancer efficacy of the resulting nanoparticles. Overall, this study provides a useful demonstration of the predictive potential of the HLB value for lipid prodrug NP formulation and highlights the need of their opportune in vitro screening, as optimal drug loading does not always translate in an efficient biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonore Coppens
- Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, UMR 8612, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Pharmacie, 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, F-92296 cedex Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Didier Desmaële
- Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, UMR 8612, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Pharmacie, 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, F-92296 cedex Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Julie Mougin
- Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, UMR 8612, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Pharmacie, 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, F-92296 cedex Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Sandrine Tusseau-Nenez
- Laboratoire de Physique de la Matière Condensée (PMC), CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Patrick Couvreur
- Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, UMR 8612, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Pharmacie, 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, F-92296 cedex Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Simona Mura
- Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, UMR 8612, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Pharmacie, 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, F-92296 cedex Châtenay-Malabry, France
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Opportunities and challenges of fatty acid conjugated therapeutics. Chem Phys Lipids 2021; 236:105053. [PMID: 33484709 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2021.105053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Instability, poor cellular uptake and unfavorable pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of many therapeutic molecules require modification in their physicochemical properties. The conjugation of these APIs with fatty acids has demonstrated an enhancement in their lipophilicity and stability. The improvement in the formulations that resulted from the conjugation of a drug with a fatty acid includes increased half-life, enhanced cellular uptake and retention, targeted tumor delivery, reduced chemoresistance in cancer, and improved blood-brain-barrier (BBB) penetration. In this review, various therapeutic molecules, including small molecules, peptides and oligonucleotides, that have been conjugated with fatty acid have been thoroughly discussed along with various conjugation strategies. The application of nano-system based delivery is gaining a lot of attention due to its ability to provide controlled drug release, targeting and reducing the extent of side effects. This review also covers various nano-carriers that have been utilized for the delivery of fatty acid drug conjugates. The enhanced lipophilicity of the drug-fatty acid conjugate has shown to enhance the affinity of the drug towards these carriers, thereby increasing the entrapment efficiency and formulation performance.
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Fattahi N, Shahbazi MA, Maleki A, Hamidi M, Ramazani A, Santos HA. Emerging insights on drug delivery by fatty acid mediated synthesis of lipophilic prodrugs as novel nanomedicines. J Control Release 2020; 326:556-598. [PMID: 32726650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Many drug molecules that are currently in the market suffer from short half-life, poor absorption, low specificity, rapid degradation, and resistance development. The design and development of lipophilic prodrugs can provide numerous benefits to overcome these challenges. Fatty acids (FAs), which are lipophilic biomolecules constituted of essential components of the living cells, carry out many necessary functions required for the development of efficient prodrugs. Chemical conjugation of FAs to drug molecules may change their pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics in vivo and even their toxicity profile. Well-designed FA-based prodrugs can also present other benefits, such as improved oral bioavailability, promoted tumor targeting efficiency, controlled drug release, and enhanced cellular penetration, leading to improved therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we discuss diverse drug molecules conjugated to various unsaturated FAs. Furthermore, various drug-FA conjugates loaded into various nanostructure delivery systems, including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, emulsions, nano-assemblies, micelles, and polymeric nanoparticles, are reviewed. The present review aims to inspire readers to explore new avenues in prodrug design based on the various FAs with or without nanostructured delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Fattahi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, P.O. Box 45195-313, Zanjan, Iran; Trita Nanomedicine Research Center (TNRC), Trita Third Millennium Pharmaceuticals, 45331-55681 Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Ali Shahbazi
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland; Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran; Zanjan Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Center (ZPNRC), Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
| | - Aziz Maleki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran; Zanjan Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Center (ZPNRC), Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Hamidi
- Trita Nanomedicine Research Center (TNRC), Trita Third Millennium Pharmaceuticals, 45331-55681 Zanjan, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran; Zanjan Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Center (ZPNRC), Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
| | - Ali Ramazani
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, P.O. Box 45195-313, Zanjan, Iran; Research Institute of Modern Biological Techniques (RIMBT), University of Zanjan, P.O. Box 45195-313, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Hélder A Santos
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland; Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland.
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Naguib YW, Givens BE, Ho G, Yu Y, Wei SG, Weiss RM, Felder RB, Salem AK. An injectable microparticle formulation for the sustained release of the specific MEK inhibitor PD98059: in vitro evaluation and pharmacokinetics. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2020; 11:182-191. [PMID: 32378175 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-020-00758-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PD98059 is a reversible MEK inhibitor that we are investigating as a potential treatment for neurochemical changes in the brain that drive neurohumoral excitation in heart failure. In a rat model that closely resembles human heart failure, we found that central administration of PD98059 inhibits phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, ultimately reducing sympathetic excitation which is a major contributor to clinical deterioration. Studies revealed that the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of PD98059 match a two-compartment model, with drug found in brain as well as other body tissues, but with a short elimination half-life in plasma (approximately 73 min) that would severely limit its potential clinical usefulness in heart failure. To increase its availability to tissues, we prepared a sustained release PD98059-loaded PLGA microparticle formulation, using an emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The average particle size, yield percent, and encapsulation percent were found to be 16.73 μm, 76.6%, and 43%, respectively. In vitro drug release occurred over 4 weeks, with no noticeable burst release. Following subcutaneous injection of the microparticles in rats, steady plasma levels of PD98059 were detected by HPLC for up to 2 weeks. Furthermore, plasma and brain levels of PD98059 in rats with heart failure were detectable by LC/MS, despite expected erratic absorption. These findings suggest that PD98059-loaded microparticles hold promise as a novel therapeutic intervention countering sympathetic excitation in heart failure, and perhaps in other disease processes, including cancers, in which activated MAPK signaling is a significant contributing factor. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef W Naguib
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, 61519, Egypt
| | - Brittany E Givens
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.,Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - Giang Ho
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Shun-Guang Wei
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.,Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.,Francois M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Robert M Weiss
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Robert B Felder
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.,Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.,Francois M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Aliasger K Salem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA. .,Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
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Valdes SA, Alzhrani RF, Lansakara-P DSP, Cui Z. Effect of a Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Formulation on the Bioavailability of 4-(N)-Docosahexaenoyl 2', 2'-Difluorodeoxycytidine After Oral Administration. AAPS PharmSciTech 2020; 21:77. [PMID: 31970527 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-020-1617-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we developed a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) formulation of 4-(N)-docosahexaenoyl 2', 2'-difluorodeoxycytidine (DHA-dFdC), a compound with promising antitumor activity. Herein, we studied the feasibility of administering the DHA-dFdC by the oral route using the solid lipid nanoparticles (i.e., DHA-dFdC-SLNs). In simulated gastrointestinal fluids, the DHA-dFdC-SLNs did not aggregate. The release of the DHA-dFdC from the solid lipid nanoparticles in simulated gastrointestinal fluid was slow, but was slightly faster in simulated intestinal fluid than in simulated gastric fluid. In mice orally administered with DHA-dFdC-SLNs, plasma DHA-dFdC concentration vs. time curve has a Tmax of ~ 1.7 h and a Cmax of 17.01 μg/mL. The absolute oral bioavailability of DHA-dFdC when given as DHA-dFdC-SLNs was ~ 68% (based on AUC0-24 h values), while the relative oral bioavailability DHA-dFdC (compared with DHA-dFdC in a Tween 80/ethanol-in-water solution) was 126%. Finally, in mice with pre-establish B16-F10 murine melanoma, oral DHA-dFdC-SLNs increased their survival significantly, as compared with oral administration of the DHA-dFdC solution. It is concluded that the solid lipid nanoparticle formulation increased the bioavailability of the DHA-dFdC upon oral administration, as compared with the DHA-dFdC solution.
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Valdes SA, Alzhrani RF, Rodriguez A, Lansakara-P DSP, Thakkar SG, Cui Z. A solid lipid nanoparticle formulation of 4-(N)-docosahexaenoyl 2', 2'-difluorodeoxycytidine with increased solubility, stability, and antitumor activity. Int J Pharm 2019; 570:118609. [PMID: 31415878 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Previously, we synthesized 4-(N)-docosahexaenoyl 2', 2'-difluorodeoxycytidine (DHA-dFdC), a novel lipophilic compound with a potent, broad-spectrum antitumor activity. Herein, we report a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) formulation of DHA-dFdC with improved apparent aqueous solubility, chemical stability, as well as efficacy in a mouse model. The SLNs were prepared from lecithin/glycerol monostearate-in-water emulsions emulsified with D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) and Tween 20. The resultant DHA-dFdC-SLNs were 102.2 ± 7.3 nm in diameter and increased the apparent solubility of DHA-dFdC in water to at least 5.2 mg/mL, more than 200-fold higher than its intrinsic water solubility. DHA-dFdC in a lyophilized powder of DHA-dFdC-SLNs was significantly more stable than the waxy solid of pure DHA-dFdC. DHA-dFdC-SLNs also showed an increased cytotoxicity against certain tumor cells than DHA-dFdC. The plasma concentration of DHA-dFdC in mice intravenously injected with DHA-dFdC-SLNs in dispersion followed a bi-exponential model, with a half-life of ~44 h. In mice bearing B16-F10 murine melanoma, DHA-dFdC-SLNs were significantly more effective than DHA-dFdC in controlling the tumor growth. In addition, histology evaluation revealed a high level of apoptosis and tumor encapsulation in tumors in mice treated with DHA-dFdC-SLNs. DHA-dFdC-SLNs represents a new DHA-dFdC formulation with improved antitumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange A Valdes
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Riyad F Alzhrani
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | | | - Dharmika S P Lansakara-P
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Sachin G Thakkar
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Zhengrong Cui
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
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Wang C, Zheng Y, Sand oval MA, Valdes SA, Chen Z, Lansakara-P DS, Du M, Shi Y, Cui Z. Oral 4-( N)-stearoyl gemcitabine nanoparticles inhibit tumor growth in mouse models. Oncotarget 2017; 8:89876-89886. [PMID: 29163795 PMCID: PMC5685716 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In spite of recent advances in targeted tumor therapy, systemic chemotherapy with cytotoxic agents remains a vital cancer treatment modality. Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analog commonly used in the treatment of various solid tumors, but an oral gemcitabine dosage form remain unavailable. Previously, we developed the 4-(N)-stearoyl gemcitabine solid lipid nanoparticles (GemC18-SLNs) by incorporating 4-(N)-stearoyl gemcitabine (GemC18), an amide prodrug of gemcitabine, into solid lipid nanoparticles. GemC18-SLNs, when administered intravenously, showed strong antitumor activity against various human and mouse tumors in mouse models. In the present study, we defined the plasma pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine when GemC18-SLNs were given orally to healthy mice and evaluated the antitumor activity of GemC18-SLNs when given orally in mouse models of lung cancer. In mice orally gavaged with GemC18-SLNs, plasma gemcitabine concentration followed an absorption phase and then clearance phase, with a Tmax of ~2 h. The absolute oral bioavailability of gemcitabine in the GemC18-SLNs was ~70% (based on AUC0-24 h values). In mice with pre-established tumors (i.e. mouse TC-1 or LLC lung cancer cells), oral GemC18-SLNs significantly inhibited the tumor growth and increased mouse survival time, as compared to the molar equivalent dose of gemcitabine hydrochloride or GemC18 in vegetable oil or in Tween 20. Immunohistostaining revealed that oral GemC18-SLNs also have significant antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and proapoptotic activity in LLC tumors. Formulating a lipophilic amide prodrug of gemcitabine into solid lipid nanoparticles may represent a viable approach toward developing a safe and efficacious gemcitabine oral dosage form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Wang
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, School of Basic Sciences, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Yuanqiang Zheng
- Inner Mongolia University, Research Center for Laboratory Animal Sciences, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Michael A. Sand oval
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Solange A. Valdes
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Zhe Chen
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, School of Basic Sciences, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Dharmika S. Lansakara-P
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Maolin Du
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, School of Public Health, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Yanchun Shi
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, School of Basic Sciences, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Zhengrong Cui
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, School of Basic Sciences, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, Austin, Texas, USA
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Abu-Fayyad A, Nazzal S. Gemcitabine-vitamin E conjugates: Synthesis, characterization, entrapment into nanoemulsions, and in-vitro deamination and antitumor activity. Int J Pharm 2017. [PMID: 28627455 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Gemcitabine is the first line therapy for pancreatic cancer. It is, however, extensively metabolized to the inactive form by deamination enzymatic reaction. Conjugation of gemcitabine with fatty acids on its 4-amino group was found to protect it from deamination deactivation reaction. The objective of the present study was to test the in-vitro anticancer activity of gemcitabine conjugated to the γ-tocotrienol isomer of vitamin E against pancreatic tumor cells. This objective was based on reported studies in which it was demonstrated that free tocotrienol isomers of vitamin E can potentiate the anticancer activity of gemcitabine. To accomplish this objective, a full synthesis scheme for gemcitabine conjugation to fatty acids (stearic and linoleic) and the tocopherol and tocotrienol isomers of vitamin E (α-T and γ-T3) was presented. The conjugates were characterized by 1H NMR and mass spectrometry analysis and tested for their susceptibility to deamination. Also discussed is the impact of entrapping the conjugates into nanoemulsions on the physiochemical properties of the delivery system and the in vitro anticancer activity of gemcitabine against Bx-PC-3 and PNAC-1 pancreatic cancer cells. In-vitro enzymatic deamination study showed that the γ-T3 conjugate of gemcitabine was least affected by deamination deactivation reaction when compared with the free and conjugated gemcitabine in solution. Furthermore, in-vitro cytotoxicity study demonstrated that entrapment of gemcitabine-lipid conjugates into nanoemulsions significantly enhanced their anticancer activity when compared to the free drug. It was concluded that conjugation to the γ-T3 isomer is a viable option for gemcitabine delivery and is worthy of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Abu-Fayyad
- College of Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA, USA
| | - Sami Nazzal
- College of Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA, USA; College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Valdes S, Naguib YW, Finch RA, Baze WB, Jolly CA, Cui Z. Preclinical Evaluation of the Short-Term Toxicity of 4-(N)-Docosahexaenoyl 2´, 2´- Difluorodeoxycytidine (DHA-dFdC). Pharm Res 2017; 34:1224-1232. [PMID: 28352993 PMCID: PMC5488709 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-017-2139-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was designed to test the short-term toxicity of DHA-dFdC in a mouse model and its efficacy in a mouse model of leukemia at or below its repeat-dose maximum tolerated dose (RD-MTD). METHOD A repeat-dose dose-ranging toxicity study was designed to determine the tolerability of DHA-dFdC when administered to DBA/2 mice by intravenous (i.v.) injection on a repeat-dose schedule (i.e. injections on days 0, 3, 7, 10, and 13). In order to determine the effect of a lethal dose of DHA-dFdC, mice were injected i.v. with three doses of DHA-dFdC at 100 mg/kg on days 0, 3, and 5 (i.e. a lethal-RD). The body weight of mice was recorded two or three times a week. At the end of the study, major organs (i.e. heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, lung, and pancreas) of mice that received the lethal-RD or RD-MTD were weighed, and blood samples were collected for analyses. Finally, DHA-dFdC was i.v. injected into DBA/2 mice with syngeneic L1210 mouse leukemia cells to evaluate its efficacy at or below RD-MTD. RESULTS The RD-MTD of DHA-dFdC is 50 mg/kg. At 100 mg/kg, a lethal-RD, DHA-dFdC decreases the weights of mouse spleen and liver and significantly affected certain blood parameters (i.e. white blood cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and neutrophil segmented). At or below its RD-MTD, DHA-dFdC significantly prolonged the survival of L1210 leukemia-bearing mice. CONCLUSION DHA-dFdC has dose-dependent toxicity, affecting mainly spleen at a lethal-RD. At or below its RD-MTD, DHA-dFdC is effective against leukemia in a mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange Valdes
- Pharmaceutics Division, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - Youssef W Naguib
- Pharmaceutics Division, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - Rick A Finch
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Michale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas, 78602, USA
| | - Wallace B Baze
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Michale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas, 78602, USA
| | - Christopher A Jolly
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - Zhengrong Cui
- Pharmaceutics Division, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA.
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