Formulations Based on Drug Loaded Aptamer-Conjugated Liposomes as a Viable Strategy for the Topical Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma—In Vitro Tests

Abstract

Topical liposomal drug formulations containing AS1411-aptamer conjugated liposomes were designed to deliver in a sustained way the 5-fluorouracil to the tumor site but also to increase the compliance of patients with basal cell carcinoma. The 5-fluorouracil penetrability efficiency through the Strat-M membrane and the skin irritation potential of the obtained topical liposomal formulations were evaluated in vitro and the Korsmeyer Peppas equation was considered as the most appropriate to model the drug release. Additionally, the efficiency of cytostatic activity for targeted antitumor therapy and the hemolytic capacity were performed in vitro. The obtained results showed that the optimal liposomal formulation is a crosslinked gel based on sodium alginate and hyaluronic acid containing AS1411-aptamer conjugated liposomes loaded with 5-fluorouracil, which appeared to have favorable biosafety effects and may be used as a new therapeutic approach for the topical treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

Electrohydrodynamic Techniques for the Manufacture and/or Immobilization of Vesicles

“…They provide passive targeting via enhanced permeability and retention effect in tumor area [ 12 ]. Furthermore, the surface of liposomes can be functionalized with specific ligands in order to direct the liposomes to a site of action, thus assuring the targeted therapy [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Nowadays, there are marketed liposomal formulations for cancer treatment, fungal treatment, photodynamic therapy, and pain management.…”

Design and development of topical liposomal formulations in a regulatory perspective

“…Similarly, an HSE was employed to demonstrate that liposomes loaded with antioxidants could reduce the cell damage triggered by a mustard gas analogue. When developing a topical 5-fluorouracil liposomal formulation for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma, Cadinoiu et al determined its irritation potential on normal cells using a commercial RHE [ 130 ]. Expanding the discussion to nanoparticles of different nature: the silencing efficacy of siRNAs conjugated to gold nanoparticles was assessed (together with their permeation) using a commercial RHE [ 131 ].…”

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Docetaxel Adsorption on Graphene Quantum Dots Surface Modified by PEG-b-PLA Copolymers

“…One of the efficient methods to avoid the side effects of chemotherapy is to create new drug delivery systems which have the ability to encapsulate anticancer drugs inside nanocarriers and deliver them exclusively to tumor sites by active targeting [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Targeted delivery can also ensure that the drug reaches the area where it is needed, without any damage that may be transmitted through body systems, such as the gastrointestinal tract or the circulatory system [ 17 ].…”