Albumin nanocapsules containing fenretinide: pre-clinical evaluation of cytotoxic activity in experimental models of human non-small cell lung cancer

Fenretinide (4-HPR) is the most promising retinoid derivative with anticancer activity and a low toxicity profile. Despite its excellent tolerability, the formulations of 4-HPR clinically evaluated until now provided low plasma concentrations not sufficient to elicit its therapeutic activity. In the present work we tested in in vitro and in vivo models the antitumor activity of a novel formulation of 4-HPR encapsulated in nanospheres of albumin (4-HPR-HSA). Our data showed the efficacy of 4-HPR-HSA in experimental models of human NSCLC, indicating that the drug was efficiently delivered by albumin nanospheres without impairment of its entry inside the cells.47