Liquid crystalline nanogel targets skin cancer via low-frequency ultrasound treatment

Author(s)

Pereira, Tatiana Aparecida ; Ramos, Danielle Nishida ; Sobral, Lays Martin ; Martins, Yugo Araujo ; Petrilli, Raquel ; Fantini, Marcia de Abreu Carvalho ; Leopoldino, Andreia Machado ; Lopez, Renata Fonseca Vianna

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics; v. 646, p. 13-pg., 2023-09-28.

Abstract

The potential of low-frequency ultrasound (LFU) combined with nanotechnology-based formulations in improving skin tumors topical treatment was investigated. The impact of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and hydrophilic nanogels as coupling media on LFU-induced skin localized transport regions (LTR) and the penetration of doxorubicin (DOX) in LFU-pretreated skin was evaluated. SLN were prepared by the microemulsion technique and liquid crystalline nanogels using Poloxamer. In vitro, the skin was pretreated with LFU until skin resistivity of similar to 1 K Omega.cm(2) using the various coupling media followed by evaluation of DOX penetration from DOX-nanogel and SLN-DOX in skin layers. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) induced in mice was LFU-treated using the nanogel with the LFU tip placed 5 mm or 10 mm from the tumor surface, followed by DOX-nanogel application. LFU with nanogel coupling achieved larger LTR areas than LFU with SLN coupling. In LFU-pretreated skin, DOX-nanogel significantly improved drug penetration to the viable epidermis, while SLN-DOX hindered drug transport through LTR. In vivo, LFU-nanogel pretreatment with the 10 mm tip distance induced significant tumor inhibition and reduced tumor cell numbers and necrosis. These findings suggest the importance of optimizing nanoparticle-based formulations and LFU parameters for the clinical application of LFU technology in skin tumor treatment. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/20794-3 - Influence of low frequency ultrasound (LFU) associated with different coupling medium in skin permeability and topical skin cancer treatment.
• Grantee: Tatiana Aparecida Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• 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: 14/50928-2 - INCT 2014: Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology: a transdisciplinary approach
• Grantee: Maria Vitória Lopes Badra Bentley
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants