Doxorubicin-loaded PLGA microparticles with internal pores for long-acting release in pulmonary tumor inhalation treatment

Doxorubicin (DOX) loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles with internal pores (MP-D) were developed for long-acting release in pulmonary inhalation treatment. The PLGA microparticles exhibited favorable aerodynamic properties for pulmonary delivery. In vitro drug release profile suggested that MP-D have the advantage of long-term maintenance of drug concentrations. MTT assay demonstrated the in vitro anti-tumor efficiency of the DOX loaded PLGA microparticles. Furthermore, melanoma lung metastasis model was established to determine the in vivo antitumor efficiency. The mice treated with MP-D showed significantly fewer lesions than the untreated ones. The survival analysis indicated that MP-D prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. These results suggested that DOX loaded PLGA microparticles with internal pores have the potential to be used as long-acting release carriers in clinical lung cancer treatment.