Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Detection of Endotoxin in Nano-formulations Using Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) Assays
Published on: January 30, 2019
Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) versus Nanolipoxin A4 (Nano-LXA4) for osteosarcoma
Natália Cristina Gomes-da-Silva1, Amanda Cavalcanti2, Gabriela Alves2
1Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, Nuclear Engineering Institute, Laboratory of Nanoradiopharmacy and Synthesis of New Radiopharmaceuticals, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941906, Brazil.
Abstract:
Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) is a specialized pro-resolving lipid mediator with reported antitumor and immunomodulatory activity, but its translation is limited by chemical lability and formulation constraints. Here, we evaluated free LXA4 ("Lipoxin") versus a Pluronic F-127 micellar nanoformulation ("Nanolipoxin") in a human osteosarcoma patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model and assessed In vivo biodistribution using 99mTc labeling. Nanolipoxin exhibited nanostructures with heterogeneous dimensions by SEM (mean length 65 nm; mean diameter 41 nm) and was stored at 2-8 °C to preserve stability. PDX-bearing NSG mice received intraperitoneal treatment (1 µg; n = 3/group) and were monitored for 15 days. Both Lipoxin and Nanolipoxin produced a modest inhibition of tumor growth versus saline, reaching statistical significance on day 9 (*P = 0.0319) and day 15 (**P = 0.0076), while no significant differences were detected between the two active treatments. No clinical toxicity was observed (clinical score 0; stable body weight). Serum biochemistry showed no ALT differences versus control and an AST decrease for both treatments; Nanolipoxin increased lipase relative to control (*P = 0.0334). Dynamic planar scintigraphy demonstrated preferential tumor retention of 99mTc-Nanolipoxin at 60 min (lesion 350.47 kBq), with moderate renal/hepatic uptake and low bladder signal. Collectively, these data support LXA4-based strategies in osteosarcoma and demonstrate that nanoformulation provides tumor-localizing behavior while maintaining an acceptable short-term tolerability profile in this PDX setting.
Insights
Lipoxin A4 nanoformulation showed similar modest tumor inhibition in osteosarcoma models as free Lipoxin A4. The nanoformulation demonstrated preferential tumor retention and good short-term tolerability, supporting its use in osteosarcoma treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanomedicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lipoxin A4 (LXA 4 ) is a specialized pro-resolving lipid mediator with potential antitumor and immunomodulatory effects.
- Its clinical application is hindered by chemical instability and formulation challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and biodistribution of a Pluronic F-127 micellar nanoformulation of LXA 4 (Nanolipoxin) compared to free LXA 4 in an osteosarcoma patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model.
- To assess the in vivo biodistribution of Nanolipoxin using 99m Tc labeling.
Main Methods:
- Nanolipoxin was characterized by SEM and stored under refrigeration.
- Human osteosarcoma PDX models in NSG mice received intraperitoneal treatment with free LXA 4 or Nanolipoxin.
- Tumor growth, clinical toxicity, serum biochemistry, and in vivo biodistribution via scintigraphy were monitored.
Main Results:
- Both free LXA 4 and Nanolipoxin demonstrated modest, statistically significant inhibition of tumor growth compared to saline.
- No significant differences in tumor inhibition were observed between free LXA 4 and Nanolipoxin.
- Nanolipoxin showed preferential tumor retention, moderate renal/hepatic uptake, and low bladder signal in biodistribution studies. No significant clinical toxicity was observed.
Conclusions:
- LXA 4 -based strategies show promise for osteosarcoma treatment.
- Nanolipoxin formulation facilitates tumor localization and exhibits acceptable short-term tolerability in this PDX model.
More Related Videos
10:26Using In Vitro Live-cell Imaging to Explore Chemotherapeutics Delivered by Lipid-based Nanoparticles
Published on: November 1, 2017
08:47Improved Visualization of Lung Metastases at Single Cell Resolution in Mice by Combined In-situ Perfusion of Lung Tissue and X-Gal Staining of lacZ-Tagged Tumor Cells
Published on: August 21, 2012