Advances in encapsulated dermal formulations in chemoprevention of melanoma: An overview

Abstract

Background The three forms of skin cancer are cutaneous malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma skin cancer is an aggressive type and one of the most chemotherapy‐resistant malignancies. Conventional topical products are beset with limitations, leading to lower efficacy. There is a growing need to develop topical formulations encapsulated in polymeric and lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, dendrimers, and liposomes exhibiting enhanced skin penetration and longer skin retention leading to better efficacy. Objective The objective of this article is the screening of reported novel drug encapsulated delivery systems effective topically in melanoma chemoprevention. Aim The scope of this work is to provide an overview pertaining to the development and evaluation of three exemplary drug delivery systems (DDS), namely vesicular, particulate, and specialized emulsions. Methods Topical drug delivery approaches targeting skin cancer have been reviewed and discussed. The focal point of the article is presentation of insights from published studies. Results This review focuses on the novel delivery systems in chemoprevention of melanoma with discussion highlighting on advances in topical delivery. Conclusion Literature indicates that drug‐loaded encapsulated topical formulations when compared with conventional dosage forms for skin cancer treatment exhibit greater efficacy and provide benefits like extended drug release, protection of the active ingredient against degradation, and lower skin irritation. Incorporation of phytoconstituents in newer delivery systems will be the way forward for improved topical chemoprevention strategy in melanoma. This has raised hope in making dermal therapy more useful and acceptable.

Lipid-Based Nanosystems as a Tool to Overcome Skin Barrier

“…Transfersomes have the same advantages of liposomes, thanks to the inner aqueous compartment surrounded by lipid bilayers and the biocompatibility of the components. Moreover, their development improved the efficiency of vesicular systems in topical application [ 48 ]. The elastic behavior of transfersomes given by the presence of ellagic acid improves their penetration through the skin, allowing the transdermal delivery of encapsulated drugs, when in non-occlusive conditions [ 38 , 49 ].…”

“…The employment of non-ionic surfactants mainly benefits both topical and transdermal delivery since they are considered nontoxic and non-irritant as compared to both cationic and anionic surfactants [ 62 , 63 ]. The amphiphilic nature of the system ensures the main advantages reported for liposomes, such as the encapsulation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs as well as their biodegradability [ 33 , 48 , 59 ]. However, the presence of non-ionic surfactants instead of lipids guarantees the physical and chemical stability of the system and easy formulation with low-cost and large-scale production [ 59 , 64 ].…”

“…Apart from cosmetic application, niosomes have been studied for the encapsulation of numerous drugs, such as anticancer, antioxidant, diabetic therapy, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-Alzheimer, and vaccines [ 48 , 59 , 61 ], thanks to the wide range of administration routes exploited by these types of vesicles. In fact, the versatile behavior of niosomes ensures a great pharmaceutical potential of the oral, transdermal, ocular, intravenous, vaginal, and pulmonary delivery routes [ 61 ].…”

Cancer Chemoprevention Using Nanotechnology-Based Approaches

“…In the area of skin cancer prevention, nanotechnology-based drug formulation such as nanoemulsion of 5-fluorouracil, bromelain polymeric NPs using PLGA, solid lipid NPs of doxorubicin, 5-flurouracil have been reported (Bhatnagar et al, 2015;Shakeel et al, 2015;Ravikumar and Tatke, 2019). Use of NPs to enhance the skin deposition of chemopreventive agents is an ideal way to enhance the chemopreventive efficacy.…”

“…Such examples include shell-enriched solid lipid NPs of 5-fluorouracil, curcumin-ceramide niososmes, etc. (Heenatigala Palliyage et al, 2019;Ravikumar and Tatke, 2019). NPs have also been developed and studied to elicit enhanced protection against UV radiation.…”