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Nanomedicine for uterine leiomyoma therapy
Hazem Ali1, Gokhan Kilic, Kathleen Vincent
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
Background:
The purpose of this work was to engineer polymeric nanoparticles to encapsulate and deliver 2-methoxyestradiol, a potential antitumor drug for treatment of uterine leiomyoma (fibroids), the most common hormone-dependent pathology affecting women of reproductive age.
Methods/Results:
Encapsulation efficiency and drug release from the nanoparticles were monitored by HPLC. Cell morphology and in vitro cytotoxicity experiments were carried out in a human leiomyoma cell line. The nanoparticles displayed high encapsulation efficiency (>86%), which was verified by differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffraction. Excellent long-term stability of the nanoparticles and gradual drug release without burst were also observed. Cellular uptake of fluorescent nanoparticles was confirmed by confocal imaging. The drug-loaded poly(lactic acid) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles induced cytotoxicity in human leiomyoma cells to a significantly greater extent than the free drug at 0.35 µM.
Conclusion:
This novel approach represents a potential fertility-preserving alternative to hysterectomy.
