Antitumor Effects of Doxorubicin-Loaded Cellulose Nanoparticles in the Rabbit VX2 Liver Tumor Model

To evaluate the preclinical efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using doxorubicin-loaded biocompatible cellulose nanoparticles in a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model.

Following institutional animal care committee approval, 23 rabbits with VX2 liver tumors were randomized into three groups: Group A (n = 9) received doxorubicin-loaded cellulose nanoparticles with ethiodized oil; Group B (n = 9) received doxorubicin with ethiodized oil; and Group C (n = 5) served as untreated controls. Tumor size was monitored via ultrasound for 4 weeks, and serum liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase) were measured on days 1, 3, and 7 to assess hepatotoxicity. An additional 10 healthy rabbits were randomized into two groups: Group D (n = 5) received doxorubicin-loaded cellulose nanoparticles with ethiodized oil, and Group E (n = 5) received doxorubicin with ethiodized oil, to measure serum doxorubicin concentrations up to 30 min post-treatment.

Group A demonstrated significantly slower overall tumor growth compared to Group C (p = 0.005) and slower growth between days 24 and 27 compared to Group B (p = 0.037). Pharmacokinetic analysis showed significantly lower serum doxorubicin levels in Group D than Group E at 2 and 5 min post-delivery (p < 0.05). Hepatotoxicity peaked at 24 h, with significantly lower alanine transaminase levels in Group A compared to Group B (p = 0.025), normalizing by day 7.

TACE using doxorubicin-loaded cellulose nanoparticles demonstrated promising preclinical efficacy and safety compared to conventional TACE.

No level of evidence, Animal Study.