Fabrication and evaluation of multiple drugs-loaded liposome for the management of hr positive breast cancer

Abstract

Background: Target delivery of multiple therapeutic agents selectively to cancer cells remains a challenge. This necessitates the development of multifunctional drug delivery platform
Objectives: The aim of this study is to construct a novel drug delivery system that can entrap and selectively deliver two anticancer drugs.
Methods: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to study the interactions between the pure drugs and the excipients while the liposomes were prepared by film hydration technique. Cryo-Transmission electron microscopy was use to study the morphology and the degree of entrapment, while the zeta potential, size distribution and particle determinations were obtained using a Zetasizer Nano ZS90. The in-vitro release and release kinetics were determined by the use of dialysis membrane and UV spectroscopy.
Results: There were no chemical interaction between the drugs and the excipients. The incorporation of drugs in a single liposome structure was successful and exhibited synergy as evident from the MTT viable cell assay. Liposomes obtained were nanosized and negatively charged smooth surfaces with degrees of entrapment above 80%. All had PDI values less than 0.25 indicating homogenous dispersion with particle size ranked, FD2≥FD1≥ FD3 ≥ FD4 ≥ FD5. The release profiles of all the formulations were biphasic with an initial bust followed by sustained release. The mechanism of drug release which best fitted the Korsmeyer model was essentially a combination of diffusion and erosion.
Conclusion: FD2 had the highest degree of entrapment, achieved sustained drug release and was able to synergistically kill MCF-7 breast cancer cell line in-vitro. It may be suitable for HR breast cancer treatment due to its good formulation parameters.

Keywords: Liposomes, breast cancer, fulvestrant, doxorubicin, chemotherapy