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Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Formulating and Characterizing Lipid Nanoparticles for Gene Delivery using a Microfluidic Mixing Platform
Published on: February 25, 2021
Enhanced combination cancer therapy using lipid-calcium carbonate/phosphate nanoparticles as a targeted delivery
Yilun Wu1, Wenyi Gu1, Zhi Ping Xu1
1Australian Institute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
Aim:
Melanoma, the most life-threatening skin cancer, requires more effective therapies.
Methodology:
A new folic acid (FA) receptor-targeted lipid-coated calcium carbonate/phosphate (LCCP) nanoparticle was synthesized, incorporating two often-used therapeutics, cell death siRNA and α-tocopheryl succinate.
Results:
The nanoparticles were spherical, with an average size of 40 nm. The nanoparticles exhibited a high gene/drug loading efficiency (60%), with folic acid-enhanced cellular uptake. The nanoparticles with both therapeutics enhanced inhibition of B16F0 melanoma cell growth, showing a moderate synergistic effect. The mechanism of the inhibition is associated with induction of cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase.
Conclusion:
Our data indicate that lipid-coated calcium carbonate/phosphate nanoparticles are a potential platform for targeted therapy for melanoma.
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