Highly Stable Antitumor Silver-Lipid Nanoparticles Optimized for Targeted Therapy.

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibit broad-spectrum biocidal activity with potential for antitumor applications.
• Encapsulating AgNPs in liposomes can improve bioavailability, reduce toxicity, and enable targeted drug delivery.
• This study focused on creating stable and effective AgNP-loaded liposomal formulations (LAgs) for cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop highly stable and effective liposomal formulations of silver nanoparticles (LAgs) for antitumor applications.
• To characterize the physicochemical properties and stability of the LAgs.
• To evaluate the in vitro antitumor efficacy of the LAgs against melanoma cells and their invasiveness.

Main Methods:

• AgNPs were encapsulated into liposomes using the lipid film hydration method, followed by purification via size exclusion chromatography (SEC).
• Liposomal formulations were characterized using UV-VIS, DLS, XRD, ICP-MS, TEM, and DGC.
• Liposomal stability was assessed by carboxyfluorescein (CF) leakage, and antitumor effects were evaluated using MTT, clonogenic, and 3D spheroid invasion assays.

Main Results:

• SEC-purified liposomes successfully encapsulated AgNPs, with encapsulation efficiencies ranging from 18.7% to 25.5%.
• Liposomes containing specific phospholipid mixtures (PC/PG/SM) exhibited superior stability.
• LAgs demonstrated significant inhibition of melanoma cell viability, survival, and invasion, with reduced toxicity to non-tumor cells compared to free AgNPs.

Conclusions:

• Highly stable and purified LAg formulations were successfully created.
• These LAgs effectively inhibit melanoma cell survival, clonogenic potential, and invasion.
• LAgs represent a promising platform for targeted tumor therapy, leveraging the antitumor properties of silver nanoparticles.