Polymeric (Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)) Particles Entrapping Perfluorocarbons Are Stable for a Minimum of Six Years

Polymeric particles, particularly poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NPs), have gained widespread utility in drug delivery, including their incorporation into established clinical formulations. However, their significance is enhanced when loaded with perfluorocarbons (PFCs). This integration enables precise in vivo imaging and quantification using advanced techniques such as ¹⁹F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or magnetic resonance imaging. These PFC-loaded nanoparticles offer substantial biomedical advantages, including quantitative in vivo cell tracking and trackable drug delivery. It is imperative to develop a stable nanoformulation with well-characterized parameters (size, PDI, and PFC content) to facilitate their translation into clinical trials. Another crucial aspect related to their clinical translation is the need for practical storage conditions that are convenient for clinical handling and long-term storage. This study provides compelling evidence of the exceptional long-term stability of PLGA-PFCE (perfluoro-15-crown-5-ether) NPs synthesized via a single-oil-in-water method. When stored at -20 °C, these NPs exhibit remarkable stability for over 6 years. Furthermore, our investigations extend to the behavior of the NPs in powder and suspension forms, demonstrating resilience even after enduring multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Additionally, we explore their stability under various conditions, including water and culture medium, revealing robustness at 4 °C, room temperature (RT), and 37 °C for up to 30 days.