Doxorubicin loaded liposomes for lung tumor targeting: in vivo cell line study in human lung cancer.

In the present investigation the hydrophilic drug doxorubicin (DOX) was successfully incorporated with the drug carrier GE11 which serves as marker for tumor cells in non small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) to form the liposomal formulation. The formulation was fabricated in two steps: one being the preparation of liposomal formulation using reverse phase evaporation method and second is synthesis of DSPE-PEG 2000 - GE 11complex. Thus prepared liposomes when evaluated via scanning electron spectroscopy showed smooth and spherical surface with particle size ranging between 102±0.3 to 120±0.5 nm. The percent encapsulation efficiency was 65.34 with highest drug release of 98% up to 45 h. The cytotoxic study revealed the non-toxic nature of carrier protein (i.e. GE11). The microbiological study has shown the antibiotic efficiency of liposomal formulation to be comparable with pure drug. In vivo cellular uptake study showed efficiency of GE11 protein in accumulation in tumor cells. The study conducted in mice showed more reduction in tumor size with liposomal formulation (312 mm3) than with pure drug (540 mm3). DOX loaded liposomes with GE11 as carriers were successfully formulated by using reverse phase evaporation method. The prepared liposomal formulation was found to be most effective in combating cancer cells when compared to pure drug.