Development of novel docetaxel phospholipid nanoparticles for intravenous administration: quality by design approach

Is it advantageous to use quality by design (QbD) to develop nanoparticle-based dosage forms for parenteral drug administration?

Parenteral administration is one of the most commonly used drug delivery routes for nanoparticle-based dosage forms, such as lipid-based and polymeric nanoparticles. For the treatment of various diseases, parenteral administration include intravenous, subcutaneous, and intramuscular route. In drug development phase, multiparameter strategy with a focus on drug physicochemical properties and the specificity of the administration route is required. Nanoparticle properties in terms of size and targeted delivery, among others, are able to surpass many drawbacks of conventional dosage forms, but these unique properties can be a bottleneck for approval by regulatory authorities. Quality by Design (QbD) approach has been widely utilized in development of parenteral nanoparticle-based dosage forms. It fosters knowledge of product and process quality by involving sound scientific data and risk assessment strategies. A full and comprehensive investigation into the state of implementation and applications of the QbD approach in these complex drug products can highlight the gaps and challenges. In this review, the analysis of critical attributes and Design of Experiment (DoE) approach in different nanoparticulate systems, together with the proper utilization of Process Analytical Technology (PAT) applications are described. The essential of QbD approach for the design and development of nanoparticle-based dosage forms for delivery via parenteral routes is discussed thoroughly.

QbD enabled optimization of solvent shifting method for fabrication of PLGA-based nanoparticles for promising delivery of Capecitabine for antitumor activity

The key objective of the current research was to fabricate and optimize Capecitabine (Cap)-loaded [poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)] PLGA-based nanoparticles (NPs) by enabling quality by design (QbD) approach for enhancing antitumor activity by promising delivery of the drug at the colonic site. The current research was based on fabricating PLGA-based nanoparticles along with Eudragit S100 as enteric polymer employing solvent shifting method followed by optimization using QbD approach. This approach was found to be useful for understanding the multiple factors and their interaction influencing the product by utilizing Design of Experiment (DOE). Box-Behnken design (BBD) was adopted to achieve the required critical quality attributes (CQAs), i.e., minimizing particle size, maximizing entrapment efficiency, and minimizing PDI value. The optimized nanoparticles were lyophilized and characterized by FT-IR, DSC, TEM, DLS, MTT assay using HT-29 cell lines, and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies. The optimized PLGA-based nanoparticles were found to possess average particle size, PDI, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency of 195 nm, 0.214, -6.65 mV, and 65%, respectively. TEM analysis revealed the spherical nature of nanoparticles. The FT-IR and DSC studies revealed no interaction. The bioavailability of Cap-loaded nanoparticles was found to be two fold increased than the pure drug, and also, it exhibited significantly more cytotoxic to tumor cells as compared to pure drug as confirmed by MTT assay. The optimized PLGA-based nanoparticles found to possess enhanced bioavailability and significantly more cytotoxic potential as compared to pure drug.

Albumin-Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles of Docetaxel: Preparation, Characterization, and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation

The potential of albumin-coated hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (A-HMSNs) to optimize the chemotherapeutic efficacy of docetaxel (DTX) was explored. The synthesized A-DTX-HMSNs had a nanometric size range, offered large surface area with numerous pores, and offered high drug entrapment and loading, that is, 79.18% ± 1.4% and 19.11% ± 1.30%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry studies confirmed drug loading and the presence of albumin onto the developed systems, and the drug release followed Higuchi profile. A-HMSNs significantly enhanced the pharmacokinetic profile of DTX by eightfold vis-à-vis the pure DTX. The enhanced plasma levels (C_max, T_max, area under the curve), prolonged drug release, long circulation time, lower clearance, hemocompatability, and substantially higher drug loading offered by these nanocarriers inherit promise of a safer and efficacious formulation of DTX.

Development and Evaluation of Docetaxel-Phospholipid Complex Loaded Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System: Optimization and In Vitro/Ex Vivo Studies

Docetaxel (DTX) has clinical efficacy in the treatment of breast cancer, but it is difficult to develop a product for oral administration, due to low solubility and permeability. This study focused on preparing a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SME) loaded with DTX-phospholipid complex (DTX@PLC), to improve the dissolution and gastrointestinal (GI) permeability of DTX. A dual technique combining the phospholipid complexation and SME formulation described as improving upon the disadvantages of DTX has been proposed. We hypothesized that the complexation of DTX with phospholipids can improve the lipophilicity of DTX, thereby increasing the affinity of the drug to the cell lipid membrane, and simultaneously improving permeability through the GI barrier. Meanwhile, DTX@PLC-loaded SME (DTX@PLC-SME) increases the dissolution and surface area of DTX by forming a microemulsion in the intestinal fluid, providing sufficient opportunity for the drug to contact the GI membrane. First, we prepared DTX@PLC-SME by combining dual technologies, which are advantages for oral absorption. Next, we optimized DTX@PLC-SME with nanosized droplets (117.1 nm), low precipitation (8.9%), and high solubility (33.0 mg/g), which formed a homogeneous microemulsion in the aqueous phase. Dissolution and cellular uptake studies demonstrated that DTX@PLC-SME showed 5.6-fold higher dissolution and 2.3-fold higher DTX uptake in Caco-2 cells than raw material. In addition, an ex vivo gut sac study confirmed that DTX@PLC-SME improved GI permeability of DTX by 2.6-fold compared to raw material. These results suggested that DTX@PLC-SME can significantly overcome the disadvantages of anticancer agents, such as low solubility and permeability.

Development of self-assembled nanocarriers to enhance antitumor efficacy of docetaxel trihydrate in MDA-MB-231 cell line

Self-assembled nanocarriers (SANs) as a novel colloidal controlled delivery for docetaxel trihydrate (DTX) were engineered by high-pressure homogenization method to overcome the several clinical problems. Drug-excipient compatibility was studied using DSC and FTIR spectroscopy. The fabricated SANs was characterized by particle size, zeta potential, and SEM. QbD based central composite design of experiment was employed for formula optimization. The cell viability of DTX-hydroalcoholic solution (DTX-HA) and DTX-loaded SANs has been determined in MDA-MB-231 cell line by MTT assay. The stability study of selected SANs formulations were carried out at various storage conditions as per ICH guidelines. The summary of results obtained shows high drug content with higher entrapment efficiency (91.23 ± 3.41% w/w) of DTX-loaded SANs. It shows diffusion controlled release of DTX over the period of 12 h which is higher than DTX-HA solution, releases the DTX within 4 h. The MTT assay expressed lower cellular viability and improved cell inhibition leads to increase cytotoxicity of formulations towards cells. The stability study reveals stability of DTX-loaded SANs formulations at various storage conditions over a period of three months. The strong experimental evidence confirms the SANs as an effective approach to formulate the controlled delivery system of antineoplastics with improved stability.

Polymeric nanocapsules embedded with ultra-small silver nanoclusters for synergistic pharmacology and improved oral delivery of Docetaxel

Despite of the remarkable cytotoxic and imaging potential of ultra-small metal nanoclusters, their toxicity-free and targeted delivery to cancerous cells remains a substantial challenge that hinders their clinical applications. In this study, a polymeric scaffold was first synthesized by grafting folic acid and thiol groups to chitosan (CS) for cancer cell targeting and improved gastric permeation. Furthermore, silver nanocluster (Ag NCs) were synthesized in situ, within CS scaffold by microwave irradiation and core-shell nanocapsules (NCPs) were prepared with hydrophobic docetaxel (DTX) in the core and Ag NCs embedded CS in the shell. A significant cytotoxicity synergism (~300 folds) was observed for DTX with co-delivery of Ag NCs against breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Following oral administration, the DTX-Ag-NCPs increased bioavailability due to enhanced drug transport across gut (9 times), circulation half-life (~6.8 times) and mean residence time (~6.7 times), as compared to the control DTX suspension. Moreover, 14 days acute oral toxicity of the DTX-Ag-NCPs was performed in mice and evaluated for changes in blood biochemistry parameters, organ to body weight index and histopathology of liver and kidney tissues that revealed no significant evidence of toxicity suggesting the safety and efficiency of the DTX-Ag-NCPs as hybrid nanocarrier for biocompatible delivery of metal nanoclusters.

Multi-Reservoir Phospholipid Shell Encapsulating Protamine Nanocapsules for Co-Delivery of Letrozole and Celecoxib in Breast Cancer Therapy

PURPOSE

In the current work, we propose a combined delivery nanoplatform for letrozole (LTZ) and celecoxib (CXB).

METHODS

Multi-reservoir nanocarriers were developed by enveloping protamine nanocapsules (PRM-NCs) within drug-phospholipid complex bilayer.

RESULTS

Encapsulation of NCs within phospholipid bilayer was confirmed by both size increase from 109.7 to 179.8 nm and reduction of surface charge from +19.0 to +7.78 mV. The multi-compartmental core-shell structure enabled biphasic CXB release with initial fast release induced by complexation with phospholipid shell followed by prolonged release from oily core. Moreover, phospholipid coating provided protection for cationic PRM-NCs against interaction with RBCs and serum proteins enabling their systemic administration. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated prolonged circulation and delayed clearance of both drugs after intravenous administration into rats. The superior anti-tumor efficacy of multi-reservoir NCs was manifested as powerful cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells and marked reduction in the mammary tumor volume in Ehrlich ascites bearing mice compared with free LTZ-CXB combination. Moreover, the NCs induced apoptotic caspase activation and marked inhibition of aromatase expression and angiogenic marker, VEGF as well as inhibition of both NFκB and TNFα.

CONCLUSIONS

Multi-reservoir phospholipid shell coating PRM-NCs could serve as a promising nanocarrier for parenteral combined delivery of LTZ and CXB.

Enhanced antitumor effect on intrapulmonary tumors of docetaxel lung-targeted liposomes in a rabbit model of VX2 orthotopic lung cancer

Allergic reactions and severe systemic toxicity are two major challenges for the clinical application of docetaxel (DTX) for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We developed a novel lung-targeted DTX-loaded liposome (DTX-LP), an efficient drug delivery system, with a patented DBaumNC technology to overcome these deficiencies. In the present study, we describe the targeting activity, tumor inhibition rate (TIR), survival, pathology, tumor apoptosis and metabolism of DTX after intravenous injection of DTX-LP compared to the DTX injection (DTX-IN) formulation based on the VX2 orthotopic lung cancer rabbit model. Biodistribution studies revealed the highest accumulation in lung and tumor within 12 h after the injection of DTX-LP. The increased TIR indicates that the growth of tumor was slowed. Pathology tests demonstrated that DTX-LP can reduce metastasis and toxicity to non-targeted organs, leading to greatly extended survival time and improved survival of tumor-bearing rabbits. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry confirmed that DTX-LP is highly efficacious in tumor tissue, leading to a significant increase of tumor apoptosis and decrease of proliferation and angiogenesis. The results from this study demonstrate the increased intrapulmonary tumor targeting activity, enhanced antitumor effect and reduced toxicity of DTX-LP compared to DTX-IN and highlight its clinical prospects for NSCLC therapy.

Quality by design case study 1: Design of 5-fluorouracil loaded lipid nanoparticles by the W/O/W double emulsion - Solvent evaporation method

With Quality by Design (QbD), a systematic approach involving design and development of all production processes to achieve the final product with a predetermined quality, you work within a design space that determines the critical formulation and process parameters. Verification of the quality of the final product is no longer necessary. In the current study, the QbD approach was used in the preparation of lipid nanoparticle formulations to improve skin penetration of 5-Fluorouracil, a widely-used compound for treating non-melanoma skin cancer. 5-Fluorouracil-loaded lipid nanoparticles were prepared by the W/O/W double emulsion - solvent evaporation method. Artificial neural network software was used to evaluate the data obtained from the lipid nanoparticle formulations, to establish the design space, and to optimize the formulations. Two different artificial neural network models were developed. The limit values of the design space of the inputs and outputs obtained by both models were found to be within the knowledge space. The optimal formulations recommended by the models were prepared and the critical quality attributes belonging to those formulations were assigned. The experimental results remained within the design space limit values. Consequently, optimal formulations with the critical quality attributes determined to achieve the Quality Target Product Profile were successfully obtained within the design space by following the QbD steps.