Liposomal Doxorubicin Delivery Systems: Effects of Formulation and Processing Parameters on Drug Loading and Release Behavior

Liposomes can serve as promising carriers for targeting delivery and controlled release of anti-cancer drugs. Doxorubicin-loaded liposomes have achieved enhanced efficacy in some solid tumors due to EPR effect with prolonged circulation and reduced toxicity. In this study the effects of liposomal structure have been investigated on the loading efficiency and controlled release behavior. Liposomes with various compositions were prepared through a thin film hydration method, and extruded to large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) with mean particle size (Z ave~ 100 nm) by high-pressure extrusion technique. Then, doxorubicin was loaded into liposomes using remote active loading strategy. The loading efficiency and drug release behavior were evaluated using various parameters such as medium pH, liposome compositions and cholesterol concentrations. Liposomes prepared with different compositions showed high levels of drug encapsulation. Drug loading efficiencies (>90%) achieved with high final drug/lipid ratio (0.18-0.2). Faster release was observed at pH 5.5 when compared to pH 7.4 for all formulations. The fastest release rate was observed for unsaturated lipid (<48hr) and the slowest release rate was observed for saturated lipids with high phase transition temperature such as 1, 2-distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine (HSPC) (10-18 days). The sustained release was observed for liposomal formulations containing cholesterol. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that drug release rate could be controlled by manipulating the composition of liposomal structures.