TFC034 In vitro skin penetration studies of Doxorubicin from solid lipid nanoparticles dispersed in a nanogel

Abstract

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an antineoplastic agent widely used in solid tumors treatment. However, when topically applied, DOX cannot reach deep layers of the epidermis, where skin tumors are commonly located. It is because DOX strongly interacts with negatively charged lipids of the stratum corneum (SC) (Taveira et al., 2011), the outside skin layer. DOX physicochemical characteristics can be cloaked by encapsulating it in a nanoparticulate delivery system, likely decreasing this SC interaction and favoring DOX penetration through the SC until the tumor site. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) are a new generation of nanoparticles formed by lipids that are solid at room and body temperature. They can protect the drug against degradation and may favor its delivery to deep skin layers. However, SLN dispersions have a low viscosity, making difficult its topical administration. Their incorporation in hydrophilic polymers can facilitate SLN administration as well as increase the retention time of the formulation on the skin.