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Tumor-penetrating aerosol nanocomposite microparticles
for the treatment of lung cancer
Elisa A. Torrico-Guzman1, Samantha A. Meenach1, 2
1
Department of Chemical Engineering, 2Department of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
[email protected]
1. Background and Objective: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in
the United States. Intravenous (I.V.) chemotherapy with paclitaxel (PTX) is a common treatment
option, however it is often associated with significant adverse side effects and limited efficacy.
Thus, there is an unmet need for more effective treatment options. Aerosols are commonly used
to treat pulmonary diseases as they significantly reduce side effects in comparison with I.V.
systemic delivery. We have developed a dry powder nanocomposite microparticle (nCmP)
aerosol containing PTX-loaded nanoparticles (PTX-NP) conjugated to a tumor penetrating
peptide, iRGD, to overcome some of the aforementioned limitations.
2. Methods: PTX-NP were synthesized using a biodegradable polymer, acetalated dextran, via
single emulsion. The NP were spray dried with mannitol to obtain nCmP. The effectiveness of
the complex formulation was tested on an A549 adenocarcinoma lung cancer cell line in twodimensional and three-dimensional cell culture studies.
3. Results: Viability studies showed a lower IC50 value for PTX-NP than pure PTX. The nCmP
exhibited appropriate size and aerosol distribution to ensure alveolar tissue deposition.
4. Discussion and Conclusions: nCmP were successfully formed and characterized. PTX-NP
enhanced cytotoxicity when compared to pure drug. This system shows promise to improve
pulmonary delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, offering a more effective treatment of lung
cancer.
Acknowledgment: This research is supported by RI-INBRE (2P20GM103430) and the URI
Council of Research.