Cubosomes: An Emerging and Promising Drug Delivery System for Enhancing Cancer Therapy

Cancer and other diseases can be treated with cubosomes, which are lyotropic nonlamellar liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNs). These cubosomes can potentially be a highly versatile carrier with theranostic efficacy, as they can be ingested, applied topically, or injected intravenously. Recent years have seen substantial progress in the synthesis, characterization, regulation of drug release patterns, and target selectivity of loaded anticancer bioactive compounds. However, its use in clinical settings has been slow and necessitates additional proof. Recent progress and roadblocks in using cubosomes as a nanotechnological intervention against various cancers are highlighted. In the last few decades, advances in biomedical nanotechnology have allowed for the development of "smart" drug delivery devices that can adapt to external stimuli. By improving therapeutic targeting efficacy and lowering the negative effects of payloads, these well-defined nanoplatforms can potentially promote patient compliance in response to specific stimuli. Liposomes and niosomes, two other well-known vesicular systems, share a lipid basis with cubosomes. Possible applications include a novel medication delivery system for hydrophilic, lipophilic, and amphiphilic drugs. We evaluate the literature on cubosomes, emphasizing their potential use in tumor-targeted drug delivery applications and critiquing existing explanations for cubosome self-assembly, composition, and production. As cubosome dispersion has bioadhesive and compatible features, numerous drug delivery applications, including oral, ocular, and transdermal, are also discussed in this review.

Lyotropic liquid crystalline 2D and 3D mesophases: Advanced materials for multifunctional anticancer nanosystems

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality. Despite significant breakthroughs in conventional therapies, treatment is still far from ideal due to high toxicity in normal tissues and therapeutic inefficiency caused by short drug lifetime in the body and resistance mechanisms. Current research moves towards the development of multifunctional nanosystems for delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs, bioactives and/or radionuclides that can be combined with other therapeutic modalities, like gene therapy, or imaging to use in therapeutic screening and diagnosis. The preparation and characterization of Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline (LLC) mesophases self-assembled as 2D and 3D structures are addressed, with an emphasis on the unique properties of these nanoassemblies. A comprehensive review of LLC nanoassemblies is also presented, highlighting the most recent advances and their outstanding advantages as drug delivery systems, including tailoring strategies that can be used to overcome cancer challenges. Therapeutic agents loaded in LLC nanoassemblies offer qualitative and quantitative enhancements that are superior to conventional chemotherapy, particularly in terms of preferential accumulation at tumor sites and promoting enhanced cancer cell uptake, lowering tumor volume and weight, improving survival rates, and increasing the cytotoxicity of their loaded therapeutic agents. In terms of quantitative anticancer efficacy, loaded LLC nanoassemblies reduced the IC50 values from 1.4-fold against lung cancer cells to 125-fold against ovarian cancer cells.

Recent Advances in the Development of Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Systems

Due to their distinctive structural features, lyotropic nonlamellar liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNPs), such as cubosomes and hexosomes, are considered effective drug delivery systems. Cubosomes have a lipid bilayer that makes a membrane lattice with two water channels that are intertwined. Hexosomes are inverse hexagonal phases made of an infinite number of hexagonal lattices that are tightly connected with water channels. These nanostructures are often stabilized by surfactants. The structure's membrane has a much larger surface area than that of other lipid nanoparticles, which makes it possible to load therapeutic molecules. In addition, the composition of mesophases can be modified by pore diameters, thus influencing drug release. Much research has been conducted in recent years to improve their preparation and characterization, as well as to control drug release and improve the efficacy of loaded bioactive chemicals. This article reviews current advances in LCNP technology that permit their application, as well as design ideas for revolutionary biomedical applications. Furthermore, we have provided a summary of the application of LCNPs based on the administration routes, including the pharmacokinetic modulation property.

Lipidic lyotropic liquid crystals: Insights on biomedical applications

Liquid crystals (LCs) possess unique physicochemical properties, translatable into a wide range of applications. To date, lipidic lyotropic LCs (LLCs) have been extensively explored in drug delivery and imaging owing to the capability to encapsulate and release payloads with different characteristics. The current landscape of lipidic LLCs in biomedical applications is provided in this review. Initially, the main properties, types, methods of fabrication and applications of LCs are showcased. Then, a comprehensive discussion of the main biomedical applications of lipidic LLCs accordingly to the application (drug and biomacromolecule delivery, tissue engineering and molecular imaging) and route of administration is examined. Further discussion of the main limitations and perspectives of lipidic LLCs in biomedical applications are also provided. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Liquid crystals (LCs) are those systems between a solid and liquid state that possess unique morphological and physicochemical properties, translatable into a wide range of biomedical applications. A short description of the properties of LCs, their types and manufacturing procedures is given to serve as a background to the topic. Then, the latest and most innovative research in the field of biomedicine is examined, specifically the areas of drug and biomacromolecule delivery, tissue engineering and molecular imaging. Finally, prospects of LCs in biomedicine are discussed to show future trends and perspectives that might be utilized. This article is an ampliation, improvement and actualization of our previous short forum article "Bringing lipidic lyotropic liquid crystal technology into biomedicine" published in TIPS.

Cubosome Based Ion-Selective Optodes-Toward Tunable Biocompatible Sensors

We report here on a new generation of optical ion-selective sensors benefiting from cubosomes or hexosomes-nanostructural lipid liquid phase. Cubosome as well as hexosome optodes offer biocompatibility, self-assembly preparation, high stability in solution, and unique, tunable analytical performance. The temperature trigger reversibly changes the lipid nanoparticle internal structure-changing analyte access to the bulk of the probe and ultimately affecting the response pattern. Thus, cubosome or hexosome optodes are highly promising alternatives to conventional polymeric based optical nanoprobes.

Bioimaging Applications of Non-Lamellar Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles

Self-assembling processes of amphiphilic lipids in water give rise to complex architectures known as lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) phases. Particularly, bicontinuous cubic and hexagonal LLC phases can be dispersed in water forming colloidal nanoparticles respectively known as cubosomes and hexosomes. These non-lamellar LLC dispersions are of particular interest for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications as they are potentially non-toxic, chemically stable, and biocompatible, also allowing encapsulation of large amounts of drugs. Furthermore, conjugation of specific moieties enables their targeting, increasing therapeutic efficacies and reducing side effects by avoiding exposure of healthy tissues. In addition, as they can be easy loaded or functionalized with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic imaging probes, cubosomes and hexosomes can be used for the engineering of multifunctional/theranostic nanoplatforms. This review outlines recent advances in the applications of cubosomes and hexosomes for in vitro and in vivo bioimaging.

Bicontinuous cubic liquid crystalline phase nanoparticles stabilized by softwood hemicellulose

The colloidal stability of lipid based cubosomes, aqueous dispersion of inverse bicontinuous cubic phase, can be significantly increased by a stabilizer. The most commonly used stabilizers are non-ionic tri-block copolymers, poloxamers, which adsorb at the lipid-water interface and hence sterically stabilize the dispersion. One of the challenges with these synthetic polymers is the effect on the internal structure of the cubosomes and the potential toxicity when these nanoparticles are applied as nanomedicine platforms. The natural polysaccharide, softwood hemicellulose, has been proved to be an excellent stabilizer for oil-in-water emulsions, partially due to the presence of hydrophobic lignin in the extract which to some extent is associated to hemicellulose. Herein, we reported for the first time cubosomes stabilized by two types of softwood hemicelluloses, where one is extracted through thermomechanical pulping (TMP, low lignin content) and the other obtained from sodium-based sulfite liquor (SSL, high lignin content). The effect of the two hemicellulose samples on the colloidal stability and structure of monoolein-based cubosomes have been investigated via DLS, SAXS, AFM and cryo-TEM. The data obtained suggest that both types of the hemicelluloses stabilize monoolein (GMO) based cubosomes in water without significantly affecting their size, morphology and inner structure. SSL-extracted hemicellulose yields the most stable cubosomes, likely due to the higher content of lignin in comparison to TMP-stabilized ones. In addition, the stability of these particles was tested under physiological conditions relevant to possible application as drug carriers.

Lipid membrane-based therapeutics and diagnostics

Success rates in drug discovery are extremely low, and the imbalance between new drugs entering clinical research and their approval is steadily widening. Among the causes of the failure of new therapeutic agents are the lack of safety and insufficient efficacy. On the other hand, timely disease diagnosis may enable an early management of the disease, generally leading to better and less costly outcomes. Several strategies have been explored to overcome the barriers for drug development and facilitate diagnosis. Using lipid membranes as platforms for drug delivery or as biosensors are promising strategies, due to their biocompatibility and unique physicochemical properties. We examine some of the lipid membrane-based strategies for drug delivery and diagnostics, including their advantages and shortcomings. Regarding synthetic lipid membrane-based strategies for drug delivery, liposomes are the archetypic example of a successful approach, already with a long period of well-succeeded clinical application. The use of lipid membrane-based structures from biological sources as drug carriers, currently under clinical evaluation, is also discussed. These biomimetic strategies can enhance the in vivo lifetime of drug and delivery system by avoiding fast clearance, consequently increasing their therapeutic window. The strategies under development using lipid membranes for diagnostic purposes are also reviewed.

Lipidic Cubic-Phase Nanoparticles (Cubosomes) Loaded with Doxorubicin and Labeled with 177Lu as a Potential Tool for Combined Chemo and Internal Radiotherapy for Cancers

Lipid liquid-crystalline nanoparticles (cubosomes) were used for the first time as a dual-modality drug delivery system for internal radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. Monoolein (GMO)-based cubosomes were prepared by loading the anticancer drug, doxorubicin and a commonly used radionuclide, low-energy beta (β⁻)-emitter, ¹⁷⁷Lu. The radionuclide was complexed with a long chain derivative of DOTAGA (DOTAGA-OA). The DOTAGA headgroup of the chelator was exposed to the aqueous channels of the cubosomes, while, concerning OA, the hydrophobic tail was embedded in the nonpolar region of the lipid bilayer matrix, placing the radioactive dopant in a stable manner inside the cubosome. The cubosomes containing doxorubicin and the radionuclide complex increased the cytotoxicity measured by the viability of the treated HeLa cells compared with the effect of single-drug cubosomes containing either the DOX DOTAGA-OA or DOTAGA-OA-¹⁷⁷Lu complex. Multifunctional lipidic nanoparticles encapsulating the chemotherapeutic agent together with appropriately complexed (β⁻) radionuclide are proposed as a potential strategy for effective local therapy of various cancers.

Hexosomes as Efficient Platforms for Possible Fluoxetine Hydrochloride Repurposing with Improved Cytotoxicity against HepG2 Cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of hexosomes (HEXs) as competent platforms for fluoxetine hydrochloride (FH) repurposing against HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma. Different FH-loaded HEX formulations were prepared and optimized by the hot emulsification method. The HEX features such as particle size, ζ potential, and drug entrapment efficiency (EE%) can be tailored by tuning HEX components and fabrication conditions. The composition of the optimized FH hexosome (OFH-HEX) was composed of 3.1, 1.4, 0.5, 0.2, and 94.8% for glyceryl monooleate, oleic acid, pluronic F127, FH, and deionized water, respectively. The anionic OFH-HEX with a particle size of 145.5 ± 2.5 nm and drug EE% of 45.4 ± 1.2% was able to prolong the in vitro FH release, where only 19.5 ± 2.3% released in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) pH 7.4 after 24 h. Contrarily, HEX rapidly released FH in acetate buffer pH 5.5 and achieved a 90.5 ± 4.7% release after 24 h. The obtained HEX showed an improved cellular internalization in a time-dependent manner and enhanced the cytotoxicity (2-fold higher than FH solution). The current study suggests the potential of FH-HEX as a possible anticancer agent against hepatocellular carcinoma.

Lipid membranes exposed to dispersions of phytantriol and monoolein cubosomes: Langmuir monolayer and HeLa cell membrane studies

The interactions of liquid-crystalline nanoparticles based on lipid-like surfactants, glyceryl monooleate, monoolein (GMO) and 1,2,3-trihydroxy-3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecane, phytantriol (PT) with selected model lipid membranes prepared by Langmuir technique were compared. Monolayers of DPPC, DMPS and their mixture DPPC:DMPS 87:13 mol% were used as simple models of one leaflet of a cell membrane. The incorporation of cubosomes into the lipid layers spread at the air-water interface was followed by surface-pressure measurements and Brewster angle microscopy. The cubosome - membrane interactions lead to the fluidization of the model membranes but this effect depended on the composition of the model membrane and on the type of cubosomes. The interactions of PT cubosomes with lipid layers, especially DMPS-based monolayer were stronger compared with those of GMO-based nanoparticles. The kinetics of incorporation of cubosomal material into the lipid layer was influenced by the extent of hydration of the polar headgroups of the lipid: faster in the case of smaller, less hydrated polar groups of DMPS than for strongly hydrated uncharged choline of DPPC. The membrane disrupting effect of cubosomes increased at longer times of the lipid membrane exposure to the cubosome solution and at larger carrier concentrations. Langmuir monolayer observations correspond well to results of studies of HeLa cells exposed to cubosomes. The larger toxicity of PT cubosomes was confirmed by MTS. Their ability to disrupt lipid membranes was imaged by confocal microscopy. On the other hand, PT cubosomes easily penetrated cellular membranes and released cargo into various cellular compartments more effectively than GMO-based nanocarriers. Therefore, at low concentrations, they may be further investigated as a promising drug delivery tool.

Poloxamer: A versatile tri-block copolymer for biomedical applications

Poloxamers, also called Pluronic, belong to a unique class of synthetic tri-block copolymers containing central hydrophobic chains of poly(propylene oxide) sandwiched between two hydrophilic chains of poly(ethylene oxide). Some chemical characteristics of poloxamers such as temperature-dependent self-assembly and thermo-reversible behavior along with biocompatibility and physiochemical properties make poloxamer-based biomaterials promising candidates for biomedical application such as tissue engineering and drug delivery. The microstructure, bioactivity, and mechanical properties of poloxamers can be tailored to mimic the behavior of various types of tissues. Moreover, their amphiphilic nature and the potential to self-assemble into the micelles make them promising drug carriers with the ability to improve the drug availability to make cancer cells more vulnerable to drugs. Poloxamers are also used for the modification of hydrophobic tissue-engineered constructs. This article collects the recent advances in design and application of poloxamer-based biomaterials in tissue engineering, drug/gene delivery, theranostic devices, and bioinks for 3D printing. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Poloxamers, also called Pluronic, belong to a unique class of synthetic tri-block copolymers containing central hydrophobic chains of poly(propylene oxide) sandwiched between two hydrophilic chains of poly(ethylene oxide). The microstructure, bioactivity, and mechanical properties of poloxamers can be tailored to mimic the behavior of various types of tissues. Moreover, their amphiphilic nature and the potential to self-assemble into the micelles make them promising drug carriers with the ability to improve the drug availability to make cancer cells more vulnerable to drugs. However, no reports have systematically reviewed the critical role of poloxamer for biomedical applications. Research on poloxamers is growing today opening new scenarios that expand the potential of these biomaterials from "traditional" treatments to a new era of tissue engineering. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review article in which such issue is systematically reviewed and critically discussed in the light of the existing literature.

Silymarin encapsulated nanoliquid crystals for improved activity against beta amyloid induced cytotoxicity

Silymarin (SLY) a natural Aβ aggregation inhibitor, antioxidant and act as neuroprotectant. In the present study, we have prepared nano liquid crystals (NLCs) of negatively charged glycerylmonooleate (GMO) loaded with SLY for enhancing activity against Aβ_1-42 induced toxicity. SLY-NLCs are characterized for physicochemical parameters such as particle size, zeta potential, and drug-loading. The average particle size, zeta potential and % DL were found ≤200 nm, -22 mV, and 8.73% respectively. The amorphous form and entrapment of SLY in NLC were confirmed using DSC and FTIR analysis. The cubosomal SLY-NLCs shape was characterized by SEM and TEM. The cumulative drug release of SLY was ~76% at pH 7.4 (cerebrospinal fluid) from lyophilized SLY-NLC in 48 h. In order to understand the Aβ_1-42 aggregation inhibition due to SLY-NLC ThT (Thioflavin T) kinetic binding assay was also performed. The cell viability assessment of SLY-NLC was performed on SHSY5Y cell line that showed the highest viability in comparison to free SLY treated groups. ROS and apoptosis activity study SLY-NLCs reduced the Aβ_1-42 induced free radical with cell death. Cellular uptake study proved enhanced intracellular internalization of FITC tagged NLCs in 24 h. SLY-NLCs can offer great prospects in the field of drug delivery for neuroprotection.

Nanomedicines for cancer therapy: current status, challenges and future prospects

The emergence of nanomedicine as an innovative and promising alternative technology shows many advantages over conventional cancer therapies and provides new opportunities for early detection, improved treatment, and diagnosis of cancer. Despite the cancer nanomedicines’ capability of delivering chemotherapeutic agents while providing lower systemic toxicity, it is paramount to consider the cancer complexity and dynamics for bridging the translational bench-to-bedside gap. It is important to conduct appropriate investigations for exploiting the tumor microenvironment, and achieving a more comprehensive understanding of the fundamental biological processes in cancer and their roles in modulating nanoparticle–protein interactions, blood circulation, and tumor penetration. This review provides an overview of the current cancer nanomedicines, the major challenges, and the future opportunities in this research area.

Citrem–phosphatidylcholine nano-self-assemblies: solubilization of bupivacaine and its role in triggering a colloidal transition from vesicles to cubosomes and hexosomes

In concentration- and lipid composition-dependent manners, bupivacaine triggers lamellar–nonlamellar phase transitions in citrem/soy phosphatidylcholine nanodispersions.

Lipid-polymer hybrid nanocarrier-mediated cancer therapeutics: current status and future directions

The new generation of nanoparticles (NPs) encompass attributes of lipids and polymers and are referred to as 'lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles' (LPHNPs). LPHNPs have helped shed light on the mechanisms involved in targeted and non-specific drug delivery. Research has also highlighted the opportunities and challenges faced by the use of nanomedicine as personalized therapies in oncology. Here, we review the development of LPHNPs as cancer therapeutics, focusing on the methods deployed for enhancing the targeting efficiency and applications of LPHNPs.

Nonlamellar liquid crystals: a new paradigm for the delivery of small molecules and bio-macromolecules

The aim of this article is to collate the recent developments in the field of drug delivery, medical therapeutics and diagnostics specifically involving the nonlamellar liquid crystalline (NLC) systems. This review highlights different NLC phases having cubic, hexagonal and sponge internal structures, and their application in the field of drug delivery, such as dose reduction, toxicity reduction and therapeutic efficacy enhancement either in the form of nanoparticles, colloidal dispersion or gels. In addition, application of NLC systems as vehicles for peptides, proteins and as a theranostic system in cancer and other disease conditions is also elaborated, which is a growing platform of interest. Overall, the present review gives us a complete outlook on applications of NLC systems in the field of medicine.

Polymer-free cubosomes for simultaneous bioimaging and photodynamic action of photosensitizers in melanoma skin cancer cells

We designed novel polymer-free cubic bicontinuous liquid crystalline dispersions (cubosomes) using monoolein as molecular building block, phospholipids as stabilizers, propylene glycol as hydrotrope. Their kinetic stability was evaluated by analysing the backscattering profiles upon ageing, and the most stable formulation was chosen as potential photosensitizers delivery vehicle for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of human skin melanoma cells. Morphological and topological features of such formulation alternatively loaded with Chlorin e6 or meso-Tetraphenylporphine-Mn(III) chloride photosensitizing dyes were investigated by cryo-TEM, DLS, and SAXS. Bioimaging studies demonstrated that Me45 and MeWo cell lines effectively internalized these cubosomes formulations. Particularly, photodynamic activity experiments proved both the very low cytotoxicity of the cubosomes formulation loaded with Chlorin e6 dye in the "dark" condition, and its significant cytotoxic effect after photoirradiation. The toxic effect recorded when the photosensitizer was encapsulated within the cubosomes was shown to be one order of magnitude higher than that caused by the free photosensitizer. This is the first report of biocompatible polymer-free cubosomes for potential application in both PDT and bioimaging of skin malignant melanoma.

Anisamide-Anchored Lyotropic Nano-Liquid Crystalline Particles with AIE Effect: A Smart Optical Beacon for Tumor Imaging and Therapy

The prospective design of nanocarriers for personalized oncotherapy should be an ensemble of targeting, imaging, and noninvasive therapeutic capabilities. Herein, we report the development of the inverse hexagonal nano-liquid crystalline (NLC) particles that are able to host formononetin (FMN), a phytoestrogen with known anticancer activity, and tetraphenylethene (TPE), an iconic optical beacon with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) signature, simultaneously. Ordered three-dimensional mesoporous internal structure and high-lipid-volume fraction of NLC nanoparticles (NLC NPs) frame the outer compartment for the better settlement of payloads. Embellishment of these nanoparticles by anisamide (AA), a novel sigma receptor targeting ligand using carbodiimide coupling chemistry ensured NLC's as an outstanding vehicle for possible utility in surveillance of tumor location as well as the FMN delivery through active AIE imaging. The size and structural integrity of nanoparticles were evaluated by quasi-elastic light scattering, cryo field emission scanning electron microscopy small-angle X-ray scattering. The existence of AIE effect in the nanoparticles was evidenced through the photophysical studies that advocate the application of NLC NPs in fluorescence-based bioimaging. Moreover, confocal microscopy illustrated the single living cell imaging ability endowed by the NLC NPs. In vitro and in vivo studies supported the enhanced efficacy of targeted nanoparticles (AA-NLC-TF) in comparison to nontargeted nanoparticles (NLC-TF) and free drug. Apparently, this critically designed multimodal NLC NPs may establish a promising platform for targeted and image-guided chemotherapy for breast cancer.

A novel lactoferrin-modified stealth liposome for hepatoma-delivery of triiodothyronine

Triiodothyronine (T3), a thyroid hormone synthesized and secreted by the thyroid gland, plays an essential role in morphogenesis and differentiation through interaction with its nuclear receptors (TRs). However, there are increasing evidences for its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) suppression. The aim of this work was to develop an effective hepatocellular carcinoma targeting drug delivery system to improve T3 delivery to hepatic cancer cells as well as to reduce toxic side effects. Three different liposomal systems, such as unmodified, Stealth (PEGylated) and Lactoferrin (Lf)-modified-Stealth liposomes were successfully prepared by the film hydration method, and fully characterized. Liposome cell interactions and cellular uptake were evaluated in three different HCC target cells (FaO, HepG2 and SKHep) by confocal microscopy. Finally, in vitro cytotoxicity studies were carried out by using MTT assay to evaluate toxicity of the liposome delivery system and to test the effect of T3 when incorporated into liposomes. Internalization studies, performed using Lf-modified-liposomes labeled with the lipophilic marker Rho-PE and loaded with the hydrophilic probe CF, clearly demonstrated the effective internalization of both hydrophilic and lipophilic markers. Lf-liposomes might markedly enhance the specific cell binding and cellular uptake in hepatoma cells due to the mediating of Lf that could bind with high affinity to multiple receptors on cell surface, such as ASGP-R. Results obtained from this study highlight that the Lf- modified-liposomal delivery system may ensure a specific and sustained T3 delivery, thus, allowing reduced therapeutic doses and deleterious side effects of T3.

New nanoparticles obtained by co-assembly of amphiphilic cyclodextrins and nonlamellar single-chain lipids: Preparation and characterization

This work aimed at preparing new nanoscale assemblies based on an amphiphilic bio-esterified β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), substituted at the secondary face with n-decanoic fatty acid chains (β-CD-C₁₀), and monoolein (MO) as new carriers for parenteral drug delivery. Stable binary (β-CD-C₁₀/MO) and ternary (β-CD-C₁₀/MO/stabilizer) nanoscale assemblies close to 100nm in size were successfully prepared in water by the solvent displacement method. The generated nanoparticles were fully characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, residual solvent analysis, complement activation and the contribution of each formulation parameter was determined by principal component analysis. The β-CD-C₁₀ units were shown to self-organize into nanoparticles with a hexagonal supramolecular packing that was significantly modulated by the molar ratio of the constituents and the presence of a steric or electrostatic stabilizer (DOPE-PEG₂₀₀₀ or DOPA/POPA, respectively). Indeed, nanoparticles differing in morphology and in hexagonal lattice parameters were obtained while the co-existence of multiple mesophases was observed in some formulations, in particular for the β-CD-C₁₀/MO/DOPA and β-CD-C₁₀/MO/POPA systems. The mixed β-CD-C₁₀/MO/DOPE-PEG₂₀₀₀ nanoparticles (49:49:2 in mol%) appeared to be the most suitable for use as a drug delivery system since they contained a very low amount of residual solvent and showed a low level of complement C3 activation.