Preparation and characterization of yeast-encapsulated doxorubicin microparticles

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) provide a slide for delivering drugs to tumor cells. Here, we demonstrate a doxorubicin-yeast (Dox-yeast) microparticle that can targetedly deliver doxorubicin hydrochloride (Dox) to macrophages. Dox could be efficiently encapsulated in inactive yeast with a mean particle size of 4.7 +/- 0.8 mu m, a drug loading capacity of 11.4 +/- 1.4% and encapsulation efficiency of 62.7 +/- 3.1%. The obtained Dox-Yeast microparticles can specifically deliver doxorubicin to macrophages in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, Dox-Yeast microparticles are able to sustainably release Dox and prolong the retention of Dox in tumor tissues after intratumoral injection. In summary, our study indicates that the yeast shows potential in loading and delivering Dox for cancer therapy.