The simultaneous delivery of paclitaxel and Herceptin® using solid lipid nanoparticles: In vitro evaluation

This study was aimed at formulating Paclitaxel®-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) complexed with Herceptin®. The physicochemical characterizations of the SLNs/Herceptin® complexes such as particle size and shape, zeta potential, drug incorporation efficiency or in vitro PTX and Herceptin® release were examined using zeta sizer, scanning electron microscopy and HPLC. The effect of formulation conditions on Herceptin® was assessed with SDS-PAGE. Cell culture studies were done via MTT assays in HER2-positive MDA-MB-453, and HER2-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Results showed that particle sizes of complexes were below 200 nm, with a positive zeta potential after addition of cationic agents and Herceptin®. Paclitaxel®-loaded cationic SLN/Herceptin® complexes were more toxic to MDA-MB-453 cell line when compared to Paclitaxel®-loaded anionic and cationic SLNs. These in vitro results suggest that Paclitaxel® and Herceptin® could be simultaneously delivered using SLNs as delivery system whilst retaining the functionality of the antibody as targeting moiety.

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