Newly Engineered Magnetic Erythrocytes for Sustained and Targeted Delivery of Anti-Cancer Therapeutic Compounds

Abstract

Cytotoxic chemotherapy of cancer is limited by serious, sometimes life-threatening, side effects that arise from toxicities to sensitive normal cells because the therapies are not selective for malignant cells. So how can they be selectively improved? Alternative pharmaceutical formulations of anti-cancer agents have been investigated in order to improve conventional chemotherapy treatment. These formulations are associated with problems like severe toxic side effects on healthy organs, drug resistance and limited access of the drug to the tumor sites suggested the need to focus on site-specific controlled drug delivery systems. In response to these concerns, we have developed a new drug delivery system based on magnetic erythrocytes engineered with a viral spike fusion protein. This new erythrocyte-based drug delivery system has the potential for magnetic-controlled site-specific localization and highly efficient fusion capability with the targeted cells. Here we show that the erythro-magneto-HA virosomes drug delivery system is able to attach and fuse with the target cells and to efficiently release therapeutic compounds inside the cells. The efficacy of the anti-cancer drug employed is increased and the dose required is 10 time less than that needed with conventional therapy.

Preclinical evaluation of recombinant human IFNα2b-containing magnetoliposomes for treating hepatocellular carcinoma

“…One strategy to improve tissue specificity is to encapsulate the drug into a drug-delivery system capable of directing therapeutic compounds to a target site. 25 Increases in drug concentration and drug-residence time in the target area will greatly decrease drug toxicity in nontarget organs and further improve the effectiveness of the drug. rhIFNα 2 b is a good anticancer cytokine, especially for solid tumors, such as HCC.…”

Virosome, a hybrid vehicle for efficient and safe drug delivery and its emerging application in cancer treatment

“…Recently, cancer cell-specifi c siRNAs have been delivered using a modifi ed virosome system on which affi body molecules of HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, o en expressed on breast and ovarian cells) were displayed (79). Magnetic force can also be used to drive virosome-formulated anti-cancer medicines into tumor tissues (80). A novel formulation of Decitabine, based on the use of the erythro-magneto-hemagglutinin virosomes (EMHVs) drug delivery system has been refi ned by Cinti's team (63).…”

Global Initiative for Interdisciplinary Approach to Improve Innovative Clinical Research and Treatment Outcomes in Geriatrics: Biological Cell-Based Targeted Drug Delivery Systems for Geriatrics

“…81 This new erythrocyte-based DDS has the potential for magnetic-controlled site-specific localization and highly efficient fusion capability with the targeted cells. They showed that the erythro-magneto-HA virosomes DDS is able to attach and fuse with the target cells and to efficiently release therapeutic compounds inside the cells.…”