Research Article

Development of erlotinib-loaded nanotransferosomal gel for the topical treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ

Centre for Advanced Formulation & Technology, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi, 110017, India

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Priya Mittal

Centre for Advanced Formulation & Technology, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi, 110017, India

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Pankaj Kumar

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4207-8319

Centre for Advanced Formulation & Technology, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi, 110017, India

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Shamama Javed

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2145-9956

Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, PO box no. 114, Jazan, Saudi Arabia

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Waquar Ahsan

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5987-2933

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, PO box no. 114, Jazan, Saudi Arabia

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Geeta Aggarwal

*Author for correspondence:

E-mail Address: prof.geetaaggarwal@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0568-4267

Centre for Advanced Formulation & Technology, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi, 110017, India

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Published Online:5 Mar 2024https://doi.org/10.2217/nnm-2023-0260

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Abstract

Aims: This study was aimed to formulate erlotinib (ERL)-loaded transferosomal gel (ERL@TG) intended for topical application for the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ. Materials & methods: The optimized process involved a thin-film hydration method to generate ERL-loaded transferosomes (ERL@TFS), which was incorporated into a carbopol gel matrix to generate ERL@TG. The optimized formulation was characterized in vitro followed by cytotoxicity evaluation on MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and acute toxicity and skin irritation studies was performed in vivo. Results: In a comparative assessment against plain ERL, ERL@TG displayed enhanced efficacy against MCF-7 cell lines, reflected in considerably lower IC₅₀ values with an enhanced safety profile. Conclusion: Optimized ERL@TG was identified as a promising avenue for addressing ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer.

Plain language summary

Despite progress, breast cancer remains a significant cause of death. This study aimed to revolutionize the treatment of noninvasive ductal carcinoma in situ, a type of breast cancer, by developing a special gel that can be applied directly to the breast. The developed gel was in the nanoform, a ‘nanotransfersomal’ gel that contained erlotinib, a potent drug for breast cancer. To ensure its effectiveness, we evaluated the erlotinib-loaded transfersomal gel through various tests. The results confirmed that the gel was nano-sized and loaded with a high amount of erlotinib. Animal studies were conducted to check if the prepared gel caused any skin irritation and interestingly, there was no irritation observed on the animals' skin. Furthermore, we treated breast cancer cells with the developed gel using a method called MTT assay and the results showed improved cell-killing activity in comparison to plain drug. In conclusion, this special gel represents a breakthrough in breast cancer treatment. It offers hope for better outcomes in the fight against this disease. This innovative approach involves directly applying the gel on the affected area topically to increase patient compliance and decreasing side effects of drugs. This could potentially transform ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer treatment, bringing us closer to improved treatments and outcomes.

Keywords:

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

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Vol. 19, No. 10

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History

Received 13 September 2023

Accepted 8 February 2024

Published online 5 March 2024

Published in print April 2024

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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-2023-0260

Author contributions

Conceptualization: B Mangla, G Aggarwal; data curation: B Mangla, P Mittal, P Kumar; formal analysis: B Mangla, PM; investigation: B Mangla, P Mittal, PK; methodology: B Mangla, S Javed, W Ahsan; project administration: B Mangla, G Aggarwal; resources: B Mangla, S Javed, W Ahsan, GA; Software: B Mangla, G Aggarwal, S Javed, W Ahsan; supervision: B Mangla, G Aggarwal; validation: B Mangla, G Aggarwal, S Javed, W Ahsan; roles/writing - original draft: B Mangla, P Mittal, P Kumar, S Javed, W Ahsan; writing - review and editing: B Mangla, G Aggarwal, S Javed, W Ahsan.

Financial disclosure

The authors have no 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. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Writing disclosure

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

Ethical conduct of research

The animal study protocols were approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee at the Delhi Pharmaceutical Science and Research University, New Delhi (Reg no. 215/GO/ReBi/S/2000/CPCSEA). All the experimental procedures were approved by the committee with approval number IAEC/2023/I-24.

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