Docetaxel-loaded lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles for breast cancer therapeutics

In spite of extensive research over the decades, breast cancer therapy is still a big challenge because of non-specific delivery of the chemotherapy agents and could be overcome by limiting the distribution of chemotherapeutic agents towards the cancer cells. The current study was designed to develop docetaxel (DTX) encapsulated lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNPs-DTX) for controlled and sustained delivery of this drug. LPHNPs-DTX were prepared by self-assembled nano-precipitation technique and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, PDI, entrapment efficiency and in-vitro drug release. The characterized formulations were used to evaluate cell viability, cellular uptake, apoptosis, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution in vital organs, % changes in tumor volume and animal survival. In-vitro cell studies showed better cytotoxicity and greater cellular uptake of docetaxel at lower IC50 in breast cancer cell lines. Further, improved apoptosis was estimated with Flow cytometry. Furthermore, in-vivo studies exhibited better pharmacokinetics and tumor targetability with the least drug distribution in various organs with LPHNPs-DTX as compared to free DTX. Moreover, a noticeable % reduction in tumor burden was observed with LPHNPs-DTX as compared to free DTX. Our studies with LPHNPs-DTX exhibited promising outcomes to advance therapeutic interventions to combat breast cancer.