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Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles
Published on: August 28, 2015
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Double-targeted polymersomes and liposomes for multiple barrier crossing.
M Sánchez-Purrà1, V Ramos2, V A Petrenko3
1Materials Engineering Group (GEMAT), Institut Químic de Sarrià-Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain; Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicine (CPBN), Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|August 8, 2016
Summary
New dual-targeted carriers effectively cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and target brain metastasis. These novel polymersomes show promise for delivering drugs across the BBB and killing tumor cells, outperforming liposomes in some aspects.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Drug delivery to the brain faces significant challenges due to physical barriers like the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
- Targeted delivery systems are crucial for overcoming these barriers and effectively treating brain metastases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and compare dual-targeted vesicle-like carriers (polymersomes and liposomes) for brain metastasis treatment.
- To functionalize carriers with an MCF-7-specific phage protein and a BBB-specific peptide for enhanced targeting and delivery.
Main Methods:
- Surface modification of polymersomes and liposomes with specific targeting ligands.
- Evaluation of drug loading, targeting efficiency, release kinetics, and in vitro cytotoxicity.
- Assessment of BBB model penetration and effects on cancer cells in the abluminal compartment.
Main Results:
- Both polymersomes and liposomes demonstrated the ability to cross a BBB model without causing damage.
- Differences in membrane permeability, ligand combinations, and targeting influenced release, uptake, and tumor cell killing efficacy.
- Preliminary data indicated cytotoxic activity in the abluminal compartment after BBB model penetration.
Conclusions:
- Dual-targeted polymersomes show potential as advanced drug delivery systems for brain metastases.
- The study highlights the importance of carrier design and ligand selection for effective BBB penetration and targeted cancer therapy.
- Further research is warranted to optimize these systems for clinical applications.
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