Further Development of Near-Infrared Mediated Quantum Dots and Paclitaxel Co-loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carrier System for Cancer Theragnostic

Abstract

Of colloidal systems, ceteris paribus, nanostructured lipid carriers are second to none in offering a single-unit platform for multifunctional benefits. Quantum dots are known to possess unique properties that make them ideal for imaging purpose and that they may be used for cancer detection. For several decades, paclitaxel has been the most effective drug against a wide range of solid tumours. Theragnostic nanomedicine provides a platform to monitor, evaluate, and individualize treatment in real time. Evaluation of cancer treatment outcome at an early stage therapy is key to increase survival prospects of a patient. Previously, a novel co-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers' theragnostic system for parenteral administration was developed. The aim of this study was to further investigate the co-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers in order to provide interpretation necessary for preclinical elucidation of the formulation, in part. The co-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers were prepared by oil/water emulsification-solvent evaporation technique. In this study, stability and co-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers' internalization by MCF 7 and HepG2 cells were investigated. The co-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers was stable at 4°C for 1 month. The formulation was successfully internalized by MCF-7 and HepG2 cells. Nevertheless, the co-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier was more apt for MCF-7 cells. This finding affirms the formulation to be the most appropriate for breast cancer treatment. In addition, if taken correctly by a patient for a month, the formulation would give true reflection of the contents' amounts, the factor paramount to appropriate changes in treatment protocol. It can therefore safely be concluded that the co-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier formulation may be potentially an effective theragnostic translational system.

Keywords: cellular uptake; co-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier; stability study; theragnostic; translational system.

Figure 1.

Representative photographs of (A) b-NLC and (B) co-loaded NLC. b-NLC indicates blank NLC; NLC, nanostructured lipid carrier.

Figure 2.

Stability study of co-loaded NLC as measured by particle size and encapsulation efficacy every week for 1 month (n = 3). The co-loaded NLC was stored at 4°C prior to analysis. NLC indicates nanostructured lipid carrier.

Figure 3.

Internalization of co-loaded NLC by MCF-7 and HepG2 cells following exposure at 37°C for 3 hours. The cells nuclei were stained blue by Hoechst 33342 (excitation wavelength = 347 nm, emission wavelength = 483 nm) and overlaid with red fluorescent micrographs of co-loaded NLC (excitation wavelength = 675 nm, emission wavelength = 710 nm). All scale bars: 50 µm. Magnification: ×63. NLC indicates nanostructured lipid carrier.