Aim: To develop an optimized approach for encapsulating a 2-alkylthioimidazolone-based copper coordination compound within liposomes, which could offer treatment of cancer and bacterial infections by reactive oxygen species generation toxicity mechanisms. Materials & methods: For drug-loaded liposome preparation, lipids and drug mixture in organic solvents was injected into copper salt solution, forming a coordination compound simultaneously embedded in the lipid bilayer. In vitro tests were performed on MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Results: Liposomes had a loading capacity of up to 1.75% (molar drug-to-lipid ratio). In vitro tests showed increased viability and accumulation of the liposomal formulation compared with free drug as well as lack of cytotoxicity in hepatocytes. Conclusion: This optimized technique for encapsulating large copper complexes in liposomes could be used to improve their delivery and better treat cancer and bacterial infections.

Plain language summary

This work introduces a new technique for copper-containing drugs encapsulation in a drug-delivery system. The drug, a promising copper compound, is embedded in lipid nanovesicles – tiny fat particles – for intravenous injection. In addition to chemical characterization of the obtained drug form, tests on cancer cells showed a noticeable effect, whereas healthy cell types were not harmed. Copper possesses not only anticancer effects but also antimicrobial properties, which are also shown by the drug form, and a test of combined suppression of cancer cell lines and bacteria was successful. Hence, the obtained drug form has the potential for dual treatment of cancer and bacterial infections.

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Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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Vol. 18, No. 28

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History

Received 27 July 2023

Accepted 1 November 2023

Published online 21 December 2023

Published in print December 2023

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Keywords

Supplementary data

To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper please visit the journal website at: www.futuremedicine.com/doi/suppl/10.2217/nnm-2023-0210

Author contributions

KY Vlasova designed the study. TM Iakimova, AA Bubley, OP Boychenko, DA Guk, OO Krasnovskaya, AN Prusov and A Vaneev performed the research. TM Iakimova, KY Vlasova, A Erofeev, P Gorelkin and NL Klyachko analyzed the data. TM Iakimova and KY Vlasova wrote the manuscript.

Financial disclosure

The authors acknowledge the Shared Facilities Center of Lomonosov Moscow State University sponsored by the Russian Federation Ministry of Education and Science and Research. Development of the intracellular nanosensor was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant no. 19-74-10059). Electrochemical measurements were supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Russian Federation Government decree no. 218 dated 9 April 2010, agreement no. 075-11-2022-022 dated 6 April 2022, between the NT-MDT Company and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no other competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with an interest in or conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

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Liposomal form of 2-alkylthioimidazolone-based copper complexes for combined cancer therapy

Abstract

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References