Doxorubicin delivery systems based on doped CaCO₃ cores and polyanion drug conjugates

Morphology of hybrid doxorubicin delivery systems (dextran sulfate-coated CaCO3 vaterites) in human blood plasma

“…This work is a continuation of the research concerning the in vitro and in vivo behavior of targeted drug delivery systems based on CaCO 3 vaterites and carrying anti-cancer drug doxorubicin as described in our earlier publications [12,22,23]. Our previous results suggest that porous СаСО 3 vaterites coated with DexS may be safe for medicinal use and undergo bioresorption in a living organism.…”

“…Porous vaterite is the least stable of three СаСО 3 polymorphs, whereas calcite and needle-shaped aragonite are not porous. In our previous publications [12,22], it has been shown that the exposure of vaterites to blood plasma led to gradual destruction of calcium carbonate cores. This destruction may be caused, e.g., by interaction between vaterites and phosphate ions present in blood plasma, thus causing gradual development of macroporous СаНРО 4 structures [24].…”

“…1. SEM micrographs of non-coated vaterites and calcites in plasma are also provided [12]. SEM micrographs demonstrate that delivery systems of various structures have different resistance upon incubation with blood plasma.…”

“…In the recent years, a large number of nano-and submicron-sized delivery systems for anti-cancer drugs have been developed [3]. The basic structure of carriers may vary; bio-organic objects are commonly used as carriers: exosomes [4], liposomes [5], dendrimers, macrophages [6], micelles [7], as well as inorganic substances, e.g., carbon nanotubes [8], calcium phosphates [9,10], SiO 2 [11], and CaCO 3 [12]. It should be noted that manufacturing of most DS is rather laborious; in a number of cases, it is necessary to synthesize complex polymers.…”

“…The lipid-coated СаСО 3 cores saturated with DOX help to overcome chemoresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma [21]. In our earlier works, it has been demonstrated [12] that the properties of СаСО 3 -based delivery systems for DOX may be improved. In particular, the drug load can be increased, the carrier morphology can be stabilized, and drug release can be prolonged by covering the cores with polyelectrolytes (dextran sulfate, polyacrylic acid, and polyvinyl sulfonate).…”