Phytosterol-loaded CD44 receptor-targeted PEGylated nano-hybrid phyto-liposomes for synergistic chemotherapy

Background: Phytosterols significantly reduce the risk of cancer by directly inhibiting tumor growth, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting tumor metastasis. Stigmasterol (STS), a phytosterol, exhibits anticancer effects against various cancers, including breast cancer. Chemotherapeutics, including doxorubicin (DOX), might act synergistically with phytosterol against the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer. Although such compounds can show potential anticancer activity, their combined effect with suitable formulation has not investigated yet. Methods: Hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified PEGylated DOX-STS loaded phyto-liposome was fabricated via a thin-film hydration method. The prepared phyto-liposome was optimized with regards to its physicochemical and other properties. Further, in vitro and in vivo study was carried out in breast cancer cells expressing a different level of CD44 receptors. Results: The particle size of prepared HA-DOX-STS-lipo was 173.9 ± 2.4 nm, and showed pH-depended DOX release, favoring the effective tumor targetability. The in vitro anticancer activity of HA-DOX-STS-lipo was significantly enhanced in MDA-MB-231, CD44-overexpressing cells relative to MCF-7 cells demonstrating HA-mediated targeting effect. HA-DOX-STS-lipo accumulated more and increased antitumor efficacy in the MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumor model expressing high levels of CD44, suggesting the potential of carrier system toward CD44-overexpressing tumors.