Recent Advances in Lipid-Based Nanovesicular Delivery Systems for Melanoma Therapy.

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer with limited treatment options available. Successful treatment involves a combination of surgical resection of the tumor; chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Given their complex nature, the rapid development of drug resistance and metastatic spread, nanotechnology-based therapeutics are an attractive option for effective melanoma treatment. Nano-vesicular-based delivery systems hold the promise of aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma. These formulations can improve targeted delivery, deliver insoluble drugs belonging to class II, biopharmaceutical classification system, and alter drug pharmacokinetics and exposure profiles. These nanometer-sized carriers predominantly bypass the reticuloendothelial system and, thereby, improve blood circulation time and enhance tumor cell uptake with reduced toxicity. In this review, various lipid-based nano-formulations used in the diagnosis, treatment, or both for melanoma are discussed. Utilization of these na-no-formulations with a single drug or a combination of drugs, nucleic acid-based compounds (small interfering RNA, DNA) and targeting antibodies as other possibilities for melanoma are reviewed. We also present a state-of-the-art overview of alternative therapeutic approaches for the treatment of melanoma, such as photodynamic, immune, and gene therapies.

Co-Delivery of Hispolon and Doxorubicin Liposomes Improves Efficacy Against Melanoma Cells.

Hispolon is a small molecular weight polyphenol that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative activities. Our recent study has demonstrated hispolon as a potent apoptosis inducer in melanoma cell lines. Doxorubicin is a broad spectrum first-line treatment for various kinds of cancers. In this study, co-delivery of doxorubicin and hispolon using a liposomal system in B16BL6 melanoma cell lines for synergistic cytotoxic effects was investigated. Liposomes were prepared using a lipid film hydration method and loaded with doxorubicin or hispolon. The formulations were characterized for particle size distribution, release profile, and encapsulation efficiency (EE). In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity, in vitro cell apoptosis, and cellular uptake were evaluated. Liposomes exhibited small particle size (mean diameter ~ 100 nm) and narrow size distribution (polydispersity index (< 0.2) and high drug EE% (> 90%). The release from liposomes showed slower release compared to free drug solution as an additional time required for the release of drug from the liposome lipid bilayer. Liposome loaded with doxorubicin or hispolon exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity against B16BL6 melanoma cells as compared to doxorubicin solution or hispolon solution. Likewise, co-delivery of hispolon and doxorubicin liposomes showed two-fold and three-fold higher cytotoxicity, as compared to hispolon liposomes or doxorubicin liposomes, respectively. In addition, co-delivery of doxorubicin and hispolon in liposomes enhanced apoptosis more than the individual drugs in the liposome formulation. In conclusion, the co-delivery of hispolon and doxorubicin could be a promising therapeutic approach to improve clinical outcomes against melanoma.