Preparation of liposomal nanocarriers containing all-trans retinoic acid and docetaxel and their evaluation in a lung cancer cell line

Abstract

Abstract Lung cancer remains a major global health challenge, in part because the efficacy of current treatment modalities is reduced by drug resistance and substantial adverse effects. This study assessed the suitability of liposomes as a drug delivery system to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of docetaxel (DTX) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) against lung cancer. DTX- and ATRA-encapsulated liposomes were synthesized and characterized, exhibiting desirable physicochemical properties such as an appropriate particle size, a negative surface charge, and high drug encapsulation efficiency. in vitro assays using A549 lung cancer cells demonstrated that these liposomes produced markedly greater cytotoxicity compared to free drugs; additionally, these two medications acted synergistically to enhance antitumor activity. Treatment with the liposomes resulted in upregulation of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax and downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2, indicating activation of apoptotic pathways. Furthermore, the liposomes inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro, suggesting that they could suppress tumor metastasis. Collectively, these findings provide evidence that liposomes containing DTX and ATRA possess favorable properties for the treatment of lung cancer and may overcome existing challenges to improve patient treatment outcomes. However, comprehensive in vivo studies are required to validate the efficacy and clinical potential of these nanocarriers.