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Two high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection methods have been developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of genistein (GNS) and all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) as a novel anticancer combination therapy in their co-formulated nanoparticles and in rat plasma. Separation was performed on C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) using celecoxib as internal standard. A mobile phase containing acetonitrile and water adjusted to pH 3 using 1% trifluoroacetic acid was delivered in gradient elution modes with time programmed UV detection. For extraction of the drugs and the internal standard from rat plasma, liquid- liquid extraction was applied. The proposed methods were validated as per International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines (in the range 0.1–10 μg/mL for analysis of GNS and ATRA in nanoparticles) or according to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance on bioanalytical method validation (in the range 0.025–20 μg/mL for analysis of GNS and ATRA in rat plasma). Pharmacokinetic study in six rats was performed following intravenous (IV) administration of a single dose of 0.5 mg/Kg of GNS and ATRA. The drugs’ concentrations were measured up to 24 hours, and different pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. The obtained parameters were comparable with the reported values for IV administration of each drug alone in rats. This confirms the applicability of the proposed method in monitoring the levels of the two drugs in vivo following their coadministration and indicating that the two drugs could be coadministered as a promising novel combination therapy for the treatment of lung cancer without great alteration in their pharmacokinetic parameters compared with their individual IV administration.

Aim: Multicompartmental lipid–protein nanohybrids (MLPNs) were developed for combined delivery of the anticancer drugs tretinoin (TRE) and genistein (GEN) as synergistic therapy of lung cancer. Materials & methods: The GEN-loaded lipid core was first prepared and then coated with TRE-loaded zein shell via nanoprecipitation. Results: TRE/GEN-MLPNs demonstrated a size of 154.5 nm. In situ ion pair formation between anionic TRE and the cationic stearyl amine improved the drug encapsulation with enhanced stability of MLPNs. TRE/GEN-coloaded MLPNs were more cytotoxic against A549 cancer cells compared with combined free GEN/TRE. In vivo, lung cancer bearing mice treated with TRE/GEN-MLPNs displayed higher apoptotic caspase activation compared with mice-treated free combined GEN/TRE. Conclusion: TRE/GEN-MLPNs might serve as a promising parenteral nanovehicles for lung cancer therapy.

Localized pulmonary delivery of anticancer agents to lungs has proven to be pioneering approach for lung cancer therapy. Hybrid lipid nanocore-protein shell nanoparticles (HLPNPs) coloaded with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and genistein (GNS) were prepared via sequential solvent evaporation followed by nanoprecipitation of zein shell onto the lipid core. The outer protein shell of HLPNPs provided additional drug reservoir for encapsulation of ATRA/stearyl amine ion pair and enabled dual tumor-targeting with biotin and ATRA. Enhanced uptake and cytotoxic activity of HLPNPs against A549 lung cancer cells was confirmed. To improve their deep lung deposition, dual-targeted drug-loaded HLPNP nanocomposites were fabricated. The nanocomposites prepared using mannitol/HPβCD/leucine demonstrated favorable aerosolization (MMAD = 2.47 μm and FPF = 70.81%). In vivo, the inhalable nanocomposites were superior to aerosolized or i.v. nanoparticle suspension against lung carcinoma bearing mice. Overall, inhalable dual-targeted HLPNPs nanocomposites provided localized codelivery of GNS and ATRA for lung cancer therapy.

There is progressive evolution in the use of inhalable drug delivery systems (DDSs) for lung cancer therapy. The inhalation route offers many advantages, being non-invasive method of drug administration as well as localized delivery of anti-cancer drugs to tumor tissue. This article reviews various inhalable colloidal systems studied for tumor-targeted drug delivery including polymeric, lipid, hybrid and inorganic nanocarriers. The active targeting approaches for enhanced delivery of nanocarriers to lung cancer cells were illustrated. This article also reviews the recent advances of inhalable microparticle-based drug delivery systems for lung cancer therapy including bioresponsive, large porous, solid lipid and drug-complex microparticles. The possible strategies to improve the aerosolization behavior and maintain the critical physicochemical parameters for efficient delivery of drugs deep into lungs were also discussed. Therefore, a strong emphasis is placed on the approaches which combine the merits of both nanocarriers and microparticles including inhalable nanocomposites and nanoaggregates and on the optimization of such formulations using the proper techniques and carriers. Finally, the toxicological behavior and market potential of the inhalable anti-cancer drug delivery systems are discussed.

Protein-based nanocarriers have gained considerable attention as colloidal carrier systems for the delivery of anticancer drugs. Protein nanocarriers possess various advantages including their low cytotoxicity, abundant renewable sources, high drug-binding capacity, and significant uptake into the targeted tumor cells. Moreover, the unique protein structure offers the possibility of site-specific drug conjugation and tumor targeting using various ligands modifying the surface of protein nanocarriers. In this chapter, we highlight the most important applications of protein nanoparticles (NPs) for the delivery of anticancer drugs. We examine the various techniques that have been utilized for the preparation of anticancer drug-loaded protein NPs. Finally, the current chapter also reviews the major outcomes of the in vitro and in vivo investigations of surface-modified tumor-targeted protein NPs.

Protein-based nanocarriers have gained considerable attention as colloidal carrier systems for the delivery of anticancer drugs. Protein nanocarriers possess various advantages including their low cytotoxicity, abundant renewable sources, high drug-binding capacity, and significant uptake into the targeted tumor cells. Moreover, the unique protein structure offers the possibility of site-specific drug conjugation and tumor targeting using various ligands modifying the surface of protein nanocarriers. In this chapter, we highlight the most important applications of protein nanoparticles (NPs) for the delivery of anticancer drugs. We examine the various techniques that have been utilized for the preparation of anticancer drug-loaded protein NPs. Finally, the current chapter also reviews the major outcomes of the in vitro and in vivo investigations of surface-modified tumor-targeted protein NPs.