Liposomal doxorubicin-loaded chitosan microspheres capable of controlling release of doxorubicin for anti-cancer chemoembolization: in vitro characteristics

The aim of this study was to develop liposomal doxorubicin-loaded chitosan microspheres (LDox-CSMS) for anti-cancer chemoembolization. LDox-CSMS and doxorubicin-loaded CSMS (Dox-CSMS) devoid of liposomal carrier were prepared with an emulsification and cross-linking method. Various stirring rates were required to obtain large fractions of CSMS in the size range of 300–500 μm. Drug loading amounts were considerably influenced by the amount of doxorubicin-loaded liposomes added. Drug release from LDox-CSMS was controlled by the drug loading amount, which was varied by the addition of liposomal doxorubicin. These results indicate that LDox-CSMS can be used as an advanced chemoembolic agent that can control drug release behaviors.