Enhancing drug efficacy through nanoparticle-based delivery systems: a study on targeted cancer therapy.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the impact of lipid nanoparticles on enhancing the efficacy and reducing the toxicity of doxorubicin in cancer treatment.

METHODS

A high-pressure emulsification method prepared doxorubicin-loaded lipid nanoparticles (DOX-LNPs). Physicochemical properties were characterized, including particle size, zeta potential, and drug encapsulation efficiency. The cytotoxic effects of DOX-LNPs were evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay on MCF-7 breast cancer cells, while cellular uptake was assessed via fluorescence microscopy. In vivo , antitumor efficacy and systemic toxicity were analyzed in a murine cancer model.

RESULTS

The synthesized nanoparticles had an average size of 148 nm and an encapsulation efficiency of 91.3%. In vitro , DOX-LNPs exhibited 1.8-fold higher cytotoxicity (lower IC₅₀) and 2.3-fold increased cellular uptake compared to free doxorubicin. In vivo , DOX-LNPs achieved 78.5% tumor growth inhibition, outperforming free doxorubicin (56.8%). Furthermore, systemic toxicity, including cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, was significantly reduced in the DOX-LNP group compared to free doxorubicin.

CONCLUSION

Lipid nanoparticles improve the therapeutic index of doxorubicin by enhancing its bioavailability and reducing off-target toxicity. These findings highlight their potential as an advanced drug delivery system, warranting further preclinical and clinical investigations.