A NOVEL CLASS OF PHOTOTRIGGERABLE LIPOSOMES CONTAINING PACLITAXEL FOR THE TREATMENT OF SKIN CANCER

Success of nanocarriers-mediated drug delivery solely depends on delivery of therapeutics to a specified target. Secondly therapeutically active amount of drug should be released within defined space and time (triggered release). Recently, we formulated a novel class of photo-triggerable liposomes prepared from soy lecithin (SPC), cholesterol (CHOL) and photosensitive agent ketoprofen that can efficiently released entrapped paclitaxel upon UV light treatment. To explore these formulations for in vivo applications, we have examined the effect of released anticancer drugs on cellular toxicity. Liposomes were loaded with paclitaxel and biophysical properties (including liposome size and stability) and paclitaxel encapsulation efficiency of the liposomes were determined. Subsequently, the effect of UV light treatment on paclitaxel release, and cellular toxicity by released paclitaxel were examined. Since liposomes using the 5:1 molar ratio of SPC and CHOL, showed highest encapsulation of paclitaxel, these formulations were investigated further. UV light treatment of co-cultures containing paclitaxel loaded liposomes and cells (SK-MEL-2) resulted in improved cell killing as compared to untreated samples. These phototriggerable liposomes described here may provide a platform for future drug delivery applications.Â