A new lipid-based nano formulation of vinorelbine

Optimization of PLGA-DSPE hybrid nano-micelles with enhanced hydrophobic capacity for curcumin delivery

Poly (D, L Lactic-co-Glycolic acid) (PLGA) is an FDA-approved polymer. It is distinguished from other biocompatible polymers by its feasibility of production and safety for intravenous cancer tumor targeting. Curcumin (CUR) is a natural molecule with versatile bioactivities including inhibiting the nuclear Factor kappa B (Nf-kB) levels in cancer cells, increased by chemotherapy agents. Our group previously reported a successful decrease in the p65 (RelA) subunit of Nf-kB using 125 µg/ml CUR loaded into PLGA nano-micelles. However, this amount was insufficient to reduce all Nf-kB subunits. This study aimed to increase the hydrophobic capacity of PLGA toward CUR using 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoethanolamine (DSPE), an FDA-approved phospholipid. PLGA-DSPE hybrid nano-micelles (HNM) were prepared using two different methods, oil-in-water (OiWa) and film preparation-rehydration (FiRe). The encapsulated CUR was successfully increased to 250 µg/ml using the FiRe method. Physicochemical characterization of CUR-loaded HNM was performed using DLS FT-IR, DSC, and HPLC. In HNM with a size of 156.6 nm, DSPE, incorporated with all functional groups of PLGA, and CUR was trapped in the core of this structure. The release profile of CUR was suitable for targeted cancer therapy and the Encapsulation Efficacy was 92%.

A review of FDA approved drugs and their formulations for the treatment of breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most diagnosed solid cancers globally. Extensive research has been going on for decades to meet the challenges of treating solid tumors with selective compounds. This article aims to summarize the therapeutic agents which are either being used or are currently under approval for use in the treatment or mitigation of breast cancer by the US FDA, to date. A structured search of bibliographic databases for previously published peer-reviewed research papers on registered molecules was explored and data was sorted in terms of various categories of drugs used in first line/adjuvant therapy for different stages of breast cancer. We included more than 300 peer-reviewed papers, including both research and reviews articles, in order to provide readers an useful comprehensive information. A list of 39 drugs are discussed along with their current status, dose protocols, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, possible side effects, and marketed formulations. Another interesting aspect of the article included focusing on novel formulations of these drugs which are currently in clinical trials or in the process of approval. This exhaustive review thus shall be a one-stop solution for researchers who are working in the areas of formulation development for these drugs.

Anticancer Drugs: Recent Strategies to Improve Stability Profile, Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Properties

In past decades, anticancer research has led to remarkable results despite many of the approved drugs still being characterized by high systemic toxicity mainly due to the lack of tumor selectivity and present pharmacokinetic drawbacks, including low water solubility, that negatively affect the drug circulation time and bioavailability. The stability studies, performed in mild conditions during their development or under stressing exposure to high temperature, hydrolytic medium or light source, have demonstrated the sensitivity of anticancer drugs to many parameters. For this reason, the formation of degradation products is assessed both in pharmaceutical formulations and in the environment as hospital waste. To date, numerous formulations have been developed for achieving tissue-specific drug targeting and reducing toxic side effects, as well as for improving drug stability. The development of prodrugs represents a promising strategy in targeted cancer therapy for improving the selectivity, efficacy and stability of active compounds. Recent studies show that the incorporation of anticancer drugs into vesicular systems, such as polymeric micelles or cyclodextrins, or the use of nanocarriers containing chemotherapeutics that conjugate to monoclonal antibodies can improve solubility, pharmacokinetics, cellular absorption and stability. In this study, we summarize the latest advances in knowledge regarding the development of effective highly stable anticancer drugs formulated as stable prodrugs or entrapped in nanosystems.

Lipid-Based Nanocarrier Systems for Drug Delivery: Advances and Applications

Lipid-based nanocarriers have been extensively investigated for drug delivery due to their advantages including biodegradability, biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and nonimmunogenicity. However, the shortcomings of traditional lipid-based nanocarriers such as insufficient targeting, capture by the reticuloendothelial system, and fast elimination limit the efficiency of drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, a series of multifunctional lipid-based nanocarriers have been developed to enhance the accumulation of drugs in the lesion site, aiming for improved diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. In this review, we summarized the advances and applications of lipid-based nanocarriers from traditional to novel functional lipid preparations, including liposomes, stimuli-responsive lipid-based nanocarriers, ionizable lipid nanoparticles, lipid hybrid nanocarriers, as well as biomembrane-camouflaged nanoparticles, and further discussed the challenges and prospects of this system. This exploration may give a complete idea viewing the lipid-based nanocarriers as a promising choice for drug delivery system, and fuel the advancement of pharmaceutical products by materials innovation and nanotechnology.

Ultrasound-responsive nutlin-loaded nanoparticles for combined chemotherapy and piezoelectric treatment of glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), also known as grade IV astrocytoma, represents the most aggressive primary brain tumor. The complex genetic heterogeneity, the acquired drug resistance, and the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) limit the efficacy of the current therapies, with effectiveness demonstrated only in a small subset of patients. To overcome these issues, here we propose an anticancer approach based on ultrasound-responsive drug-loaded organic piezoelectric nanoparticles. This anticancer nanoplatform consists of nutlin-3a-loaded ApoE-functionalized P(VDF-TrFE) nanoparticles, that can be remotely activated with ultrasound-based mechanical stimulations to induce drug release and to locally deliver anticancer electric cues. The combination of chemotherapy treatment with chronic piezoelectric stimulation resulted in activation of cell apoptosis and anti-proliferation pathways, induction of cell necrosis, inhibition of cancer migration, and reduction of cell invasiveness in drug-resistant GBM cells. Obtained results pave the way for the use of innovative multifunctional nanomaterials in less invasive and more focused anticancer treatments, able to reduce drug resistance in GBM.

Enhancing the Kinetic Stability of Polymeric Nanomicelles (PLGA) Using Nano-Montmorillonite for Effective Targeting of Cancer Tumors

The toxic profile of chemical cross-linkers used in enhancing the stability of self-assembled nanomicelles made of amphiphilic polymeric materials hinders their use in clinical applications. This study was aimed to use the layered structure of Na-montmorillonite (MMT) as a stabilizer for nanomicelles made of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) amphiphilic polymer. The size of Na-MMT was reduced below 40 nm (nano-MMT) by processing in an attritor prior to its incorporation with PLGA. Hybrid PLGA nano-MMT (PM) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using dialysis nanoprecipitation. The size distribution was measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS). Loading 1250 μg of the model drug molecule curcumin to PM (PMC) resulted in obtaining 88 nm-sized particles, suitable for passive targeting of cancer tumors. The structure of nano-MMT and its position in PMC were investigated using FT-IR, differential scanning chalorimetry (DSC), XRF, XRD, ESEM, and EDAX assays, all of which showed the exfoliated structure of nano-MMT incorporated with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks of PLGA. Curcumin was mutually loaded to PLGA and nano-MMT. This firm incorporation caused a serious extension in the release of curcumin from PMC compared to PLGA (PC). Fitting the release profile to different mathematical models showed the remarkable role of nano-MMT in surface modification of PLGA NPs. The ex vivo dynamic model showed the enhanced stability of PMC in simulated blood flow, while cytotoxicity assays showed that nano-MMT does not aggravate the good toxic profile of PLGA but improves the anticancer effect of payload. Nano-MMT could be used as an effective nontoxic stabilizer agent for self-assembled NPs.

Do Lipid-based Nanoparticles Hold Promise for Advancing the Clinical Translation of Anticancer Alkaloids?

Since the commercialization of morphine in 1826, numerous alkaloids have been isolated and exploited effectively for the betterment of mankind, including cancer treatment. However, the commercialization of alkaloids as anticancer agents has generally been limited by serious side effects due to their lack of specificity to cancer cells, indiscriminate tissue distribution and toxic formulation excipients. Lipid-based nanoparticles represent the most effective drug delivery system concerning clinical translation owing to their unique, appealing characteristics for drug delivery. To the extent of our knowledge, this is the first review to compile in vitro and in vivo evidence of encapsulating anticancer alkaloids in lipid-based nanoparticles. Alkaloids encapsulated in lipid-based nanoparticles have generally displayed enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity and an improved in vivo efficacy and toxicity profile than free alkaloids in various cancers. Encapsulated alkaloids also demonstrated the ability to overcome multidrug resistance in vitro and in vivo. These findings support the broad application of lipid-based nanoparticles to encapsulate anticancer alkaloids and facilitate their clinical translation. The review then discusses several limitations of the studies analyzed, particularly the discrepancies in reporting the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and toxicity data. Finally, we conclude with examples of clinically successful encapsulated alkaloids that have received regulatory approval and are undergoing clinical evaluation.

Anticancer potential of indole derivatives: an update

The heterocyclic indole is one of the most prevalent pharmacophores in nature. It has been a highly privileged scaffold for designing targeted and anticancer therapeutics. Countless fused heterocyclic templates have been developed with diverse physicochemical and biological properties. Due to their versatile ethanobotanical and pharmacological values, indole and its derivatives seek high demand in the chemical and healthcare sectors. Extensive anticancer research has been conducted in this decade to evaluate their efficacy for diverse malignancies. The chapter explores the anticancer activity of natural and synthetic indole derivatives expressed through targeting different biological receptors and enzymes.

Targeting breast cancer using pirarubicin-loaded vasoactive intestinal peptide grafted sterically stabilized micelles

In this study the chemotherapeutic agent Pirarubicin (PRB) which is known for its serious side effects was actively targeted to the breast cancer cells by uploading it to the biocompatible and biodegradable Sterically Stabilized Micelles (SSMs) made of 1,2- Distearoyl- sn- glycero‑3- phosphoethanolamine- N- methoxy‑ polyethylene glycol 2000 (DSPE-PEG₂₀₀₀) to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), the receptors of which are overexpressed on the breast cancer cells, was grafted on the surface of the micelles. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on active targeting of PRB to tumor site. For this purpose, PRB loaded VIP grafted SSMs (PRB-SSM-VIP) were synthesized and characterized. The in vitro efficiency of PRB-SSM-VIP along with SSM and free PRB was investigated on the MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the in vivo effects were studied on the 4T1 breast cancer bearing nude mice. Solubilizing 300 µg of PRB using 2.81 mg of DSPE-PEG₂₀₀₀ resulted in obtaining monodispersed particles of 12.16 ± 2.7 nm with slow drug release profile. Incorporation of PRB within the hydrophobic DSPE core of SSM was confirmed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the spherical shape of the synthesized particles was demonstrated using atomic force microscope (AFM). Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed significantly higher activity of PRB-SSM-VIP compared to free PRB. In vivo imaging showed successful accumulation of PRB-SSM-VIP at the tumor site and 98.8% tumor eradication was obtained with no signs of side effects. Current study suggests that SSM-VIP could be used as new drug delivery system for targeting PRB to the breast cancer cells.

A Lipid Micellar System Loaded with Dexamethasone Palmitate Alleviates Rheumatoid Arthritis

Glucocorticoids have been confirmed to be effective in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases. However, their application encounters limitations in terms of tissue distribution and bioavailability in vivo. To address these key issues, we designed and developed a nanopreparation by using egg yolk lecithin/sodium glycocholate (EYL/SGC) and utilize such mixed micelles (MMs) to encapsulate dexamethasone palmitate (DMP) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The prepared DMP-MMs had an average particle size of 49.18 ± 0.43 nm and were compared with an emulsion-based dexamethasone palmitate. Pharmacokinetic and in vivo fluorescence imaging showed that mixed micelles had higher bioavailability and targeting efficiency in inflammatory sites. An arthritis rat model was established via induction by Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA), followed by the efficacy studies by the observations of paw volume, histology, spleen index, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and CT images. It was confirmed that intravenous injection of DMP-MMs exhibited advantages in alleviating joint inflammation compared with the emulsion system. Composed of pharmaceutical adjuvants only, the nanoscale mixed micelles seem a promising carrier system for the RA treatment with lipophilic drugs.

Soft- and hard-lipid nanoparticles: a novel approach to lymphatic drug delivery

With the current advance in nanotechnology, the development has accelerated of a number of nanoparticle-type drugs such as nano-emulsions, lipid emulsions, liposomes, and cell therapeutics. With these developments, attempts are being made to apply these new drugs to healing many intractable diseases related to antibody production, autoimmune disorders, cancer, and organ transplantation in both clinical and nonclinical trials. Drug delivery to the lymphatic system is indispensable for treating these diseases, but the core technologies related to the in vivo distribution characteristics and lymphatic delivery evaluation of these particle-type drugs have not yet been established. Additionally, the core technologies for setting up the pharmacotherapeutic aspects such as their usage and dosages in the development of new drugs do not meet the needs of the market. Therefore, it is necessary to consider dividing these particle-type drugs into soft-lipid nanoparticles that can change size in the process of body distribution and hard-lipid nanoparticles whose surfaces are hardened and whose sizes do not easily change in vivo; these soft- and hard-lipid nanoparticles likely possess different biodistribution characteristics including delivery to the lymphatic system. In this review, we summarize the different types, advantages, limitations, possible remedies, and body distribution characteristics of soft- and hard-lipid nanoparticles based on their administration routes. We also emphasize that it will be necessary to fully understand the differences in distribution between these soft- and hard-lipid nanoparticle-type drugs and to establish pharmacokinetic models for their more ideal lymphatic delivery.

Cytotoxic, Apoptotic and Genotoxic Effects of Lipid-Based and Polymeric Nano Micelles, an In Vitro Evaluation

Self-assembly systems (SAS) mainly consist of micelles, and liposomes are the classes of Nano Drug Delivery Systems with superior properties compared to traditional therapeutics in targeting cancer tumors. All commercially available nano-formulations of chemotherapeutics currently consist of SAS. According to our knowledge, a specific toxicity comparison based on material differences has not yet been performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the toxicity of two SAS consisting of Sterically Stabilized Micelles (SSM) made of a lipid-based amphiphilic distearoyl-sn-glycero-phosphatidylethanolamine-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-2000 and a polymeric micelle (PM) consisting of Y-shape amphiphilic block copolymer, synthesized using poly ε-caprolactone and PEG. The mechanism of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of micelles on L-929 healthy mouse fibroblast cells was assessed using Sulforhodamine-B, WST-1, Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide and alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assays. Results showed that SSM in conc. of 40 mg/mL shows very low cytotoxicity at the end of 24, 48 and 72 h. The DNA damage caused by SSM was much lower than PM while the latter one showed significant toxicity by causing apoptosis with the ED50 value of 3 mg/mL. While the DNA damage caused by SSM was ignorable, some DNA chain breaks were detected on cells treated with PM.

Friend or foe? Mitochondria as a pharmacological target in cancer treatment

Mitochondria have acquired numerous functions over the course of evolution, such as those involved in controlling energy production, cellular metabolism, cell survival, apoptosis and autophagy within host cells. Tumor cells can develop defects in mitochondrial function, presenting a potential strategy for designing selective anticancer therapies. Therefore, cancer has been the main focus of recent research to uncover possible mitochondrial targets for therapeutic benefit. This comprehensive review covers not only the recent discoveries of the roles of mitochondria in cancer development, progression and therapeutic implications but also the findings regarding emerging mitochondrial therapeutic targets and mitochondria-targeted agents. Current challenges and future directions for developments and applications of mitochondrial-targeted therapeutics are also discussed.

Effect of Surface Modification on the In vitro Protein Adsorption and Cell Cytotoxicity of Vinorelbine Nanoparticles

Context:

Nanocarriers possessing long-circulating abilities could take advantage of the pathophysiology of tumor vasculature to achieve spatial placement. To attain such qualities, the drug carriers should possess suitable physicochemical properties such as size and surface hydrophilicity.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to prepare poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with vinorelbine bitartrate (VB) and to modify its steric properties using polyethylene glycol and poloxamer. Furthermore, the influence of surface modification of NPs on their physicochemical and cell interactive properties was evaluated.

Materials and Methods:

NPs were prepared by double emulsion solvent extraction–evaporation technique. The prepared NPs were evaluated for their physicochemical properties, in vitro protein adsorption and cell cytotoxicity.

Results and Discussion:

The NPs were <250 nm with an entrapment efficiency ranging between 40% and 52%. The zeta potential of the NPs varied from −7.52 mV to −1.27 mV depending on the surface modification. The in vitro release studies exhibited a biphasic pattern with an initial burst release followed by controlled release of the drug over 72 h. The protein adsorption studies revealed that the ability to resist protein adsorption was influenced by the concentration of surface-modifying agents and the amount of proteins available for interaction. The surface-modified NPs produced cell cytotoxicity comparable to free VB at higher concentrations owing to sustained release of the drug into the cellular environment.

Conclusion:

The results emphasize that surface modification of nanocarriers is an essential and effective tool to dodge opsonization and phagocytosis in the physiological milieu.