Antineoplastics Encapsulated in Nanostructured Lipid Carriers

Abstract

Ideally, antineoplastic treatment aims to selectively eradicate cancer cells without causing systemic toxicity. A great number of antineoplastic agents (AAs) are available nowadays, with well-defined therapeutic protocols. The poor bioavailability, non-selective action, high systemic toxicity, and lack of effectiveness of most AAs have stimulated the search for novel chemotherapy protocols, including technological approaches that provide drug delivery systems (DDS) for gold standard medicines. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) are DDS that contain a core of solid and lipid liquids stabilised by surfactants. NLC have high upload capacity for lipophilic drugs, such as the majority of AAs. These nanoparticles can be prepared with a diversity of biocompatible (synthetic or natural) lipid blends, administered by different routes and functionalised for targeting purposes. This review focused on the research carried out from 2000 to now, regarding NLC formulations for AAs (antimetabolites, antimitotics, alkylating agents, and antibiotics) encapsulation, with special emphasis on studies carried out in vivo. NLC systems for codelivery of AAs were also considered, as well as those for non-classical drugs and therapies (natural products and photosensitisers). NLC have emerged as powerful DDS to improve the bioavailability, targeting and efficacy of antineoplastics, while decreasing their toxic effect in the treatment of different types of cancer.

Looking back, moving forward: protein corona of lipid nanoparticles

“…2B. 48,49 Liquid lipids disrupt the lattice structure of solid lipids and hamper their recrystallization, and meanwhile, drug loading is increased by increasing the proportion of irregular crystal forms through spatial expansion. 50 Simultaneously, owing to the imperfect structure exhibited by the conglomeration of liquid and solid lipids in the NLCs, ingredients and drugs are first dissolved in liquid lipids and later incorporated into the solid lipid cores of NLCs, which has great potential to augment the encapsulation of both bioactive ingredients and hydrophobic drugs.…”

Overcoming multidrug resistance by reversan and exterminating glioblastoma and glioblastoma stem cells by delivering drug-loaded nanostructure hybrid lipid capsules (nHLCs)

“…Encapsulating RF and CMN in nHLC system has shown similar results in vitro. Encapsulation of these two drugs into the delivery system is also essential for their synergistic action in the tumor cells in vivo as well as their possible tumor site speci c preferential accumulation/delivery due to EPR effect and thus reduced systemic toxicity [17,52].…”

The Golden Liposomes: Preparation and Biomedical Applications of Gold-Liposome Nanocomposites

“…Moreover, liposomes have been widely applied throughout the years for delivering hydrophobic drugs with improved bioavailability and controlled release profiles [101]. For instance, docetaxel is known as a very powerful antineoplastic and antiangiogenic agent [102]; however, its clinical applications are limited because of its poor water-solubility and high toxicity [103]. This issue was addressed through loading docetaxel into liposomal nanocarriers, solubilizing the drug, and achieving a controlled drug release formulation [104].…”