Investigation of sorafenib tosylate loaded liposomal dry powder inhaler for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

The present hypothesis was to identify the potential of sorafenib tosylate (ST) loaded liposomal dry powder inhaler (ST-LDPI) for targeting non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ST-LDPI was obtained by spray drying the ST loaded liposomes, evaluated for physicochemical properties and in vitro lung deposition by Andersen Cascade Impactor (ACI). Optimized liposomal formulation showed the particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and drug content of 111.15 +/- 1.03 nm, -29.87 +/- 0.56 mV, 93.13 +/- 1.11% and 84.47 +/- 1.28%, respectively. Furthermore, ST-LDPI exhibited low density and good flowability. FESEM confirmed the spherical nature of particles with mean size of 3.15 +/- 0.51 mu m. The DSC and FTIR spectra revealed complete encapsulation of ST. Further, the PXRD showed reduced crystallinity ST. In vitro deposition demonstrated the fine particle fraction of 83.7 +/- 0.09%, recovery of 95.43 +/- 0.03%, mean mass aerodynamic diameter 3.15 +/- 0.2 mu m, geometric standard deviation 1.78 +/- 0.15 mu m and 85 +/- 0.1% dispersibility. The In vitro drug release revealed biphasic release pattern, burst release in the first 6 h followed by sustained release up to 72 h. Hence this novel approach could be a targeted delivery of ST to the NSCLC treatment.