Folate-Targeted Nanoliposomal Chemophototherapy

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

• Light-responsive liposomes enable on-demand drug release for enhanced cancer therapy.
• Efficient delivery of chemotherapeutics to tumors for theranostics remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate folic acid-conjugated, light-sensitive porphyrin-phospholipid (PoP) liposomes for targeted chemophototherapy (CPT) of cancer.
• To assess the efficacy of Doxorubicin (Dox)-loaded FA-PoP liposomes in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods:

• PoP liposomes and FA-PoP liposomes were synthesized and loaded with Doxorubicin.
• In vitro studies involved incubating liposomes with human KB cancer cells overexpressing folate receptors.
• In vivo studies utilized mice bearing subcutaneous KB tumors treated with liposomes and laser irradiation.

Main Results:

• FA-PoP liposomes demonstrated increased uptake by FA receptor-overexpressing cancer cells compared to non-targeted PoP liposomes.
• Both Dox and PoP contributed to chemophototherapy, with liposomes inducing cancer cell death in vitro.
• In vivo, Dox-loaded PoP and FA-PoP liposomes, combined with laser treatment, delayed tumor growth and improved survival in mice.
• Laser irradiation enhanced Dox delivery to tumors for both liposome formulations.

Conclusions:

• Doxorubicin-loaded FA-PoP liposomes are effective for cancer treatment when administered systemically and activated by local light irradiation.
• The folic acid targeting moiety was not essential for the observed anti-tumor responses in this specific tumor model.