Skin cancer treatment effectiveness is improved by iontophoresis of EGFR-targeted liposomes containing 5-FU compared with subcutaneous injection

Author(s)

Petrilli, Raquel ^{[1, 2]} ; Eloy, Josimar O. ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Saggioro, Fabiano P. ^[4] ; Chesca, Deise L. ^[4] ; de Souza, Marina Claro ^[2] ; Dias, Marcos V. S. ^[5] ; daSilva, Luis L. P. ^[5] ; Lee, Robert J. ^[1] ; Lopez, Renata F. V. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Ohio State Univ, Coll Pharm, 500 W 12Th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210 - USA

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, Av Cafe S-N, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Ceara, Sch Pharm Dent & Nursing, 1210 Capitao Francisco Pedro St, BR-60430372 Fortaleza, CE - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med Ribeirao Preto, Ave Bandeirantes S-N, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Cell & Mol Biol, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE; v. 283, p. 151-162, AUG 10 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant tumor in which epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression is associated with poor prognosis and malignancy. For SCC treatment, cetuximab, an anti-EGFR antibody, is administered in combination with a chemotherapeutic drug for improved efficacy. In this work, an EGFR-targeted immunoliposome loaded with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was developed to allow co-administration of the antibody and the chemotherapeutic agent and selective delivery to SCC cells. Topically applied iontophoresis and subcutaneous injections of the 5-FU-loaded immunoliposomes were employed in an SCC xenograft animal model to evaluate the influence of the administration route on therapeutic efficacy. In vitro, cellular uptake of cetuximab-immunoliposomes by EGFR-positive SCC cells was 3.5-fold greater than the uptake of control liposomes. Skin penetration studies showed that iontophoresis of immunoliposomes doubled the 5-FU penetration into the viable epidermis compared with the same treatment with control liposomes. In vivo, subcutaneous injection of immunoliposomes reduced tumor volume by >60% compared with the negative control and approximately 50% compared with the 5-FU solution and control liposome treatments. Interestingly, topical administration via iontophoresis improved tumor reduction by almost 2-fold compared with subcutaneous administration of 5-FU solution and control liposomes but was equally effective for the immunoliposome treatment. However, histological analysis showed that iontophoresis of immunoliposomes was more effective than subcutaneous injection in reducing cell proliferation, resulting in cells with less aggressive characteristics. In conclusion, topical administration of immunoliposomes containing 5-FU using iontophoresis is a promising strategy for SCC treatment. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/22451-7 - Sustained drug delivery systems targeting the epithelial tissue
• Grantee: Renata Fonseca Vianna Lopez
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/15134-2 - Preparation of immunoliposomes for topical skin cancer treatment
• Grantee: Raquel Petrilli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 12/23764-3 - Topical application of liposomes containing Cetuximab: the effect of physical skin penetration enhancement techniques for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
• Grantee: Raquel Petrilli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate