In this study, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were developed and employed to obtain in situ thermosensitive formulations for the ductal administration and prolonged retention of drugs as a new strategy for breast cancer local treatment. NLC size was influenced by the type and concentration of the oil phase, surfactants, and drug incorporation, ranging from 221.6 to 467.5 nm. The type of liquid lipid influenced paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil cytotoxicity, with tributyrin-containing NLC reducing IC50 values by 2.0-7.0-fold compared to tricaprylin NLC in MCF-7, T-47D and MDA-MB-231 cells. In spheroids, the NLCs reduced IC50 compared to either drug solution (3.2-6.2-fold). Although a significant reduction (1.26 points, p < 0.001) on the health index of Galleria mellonella larvae was observed 5 days after NLC administration, survival was not significantly reduced. To produce thermosensitive gels, the NLCs were incorporated in a poloxamer (11 %, w/w) dispersion, which gained viscosity (2-fold) at 37 °C. After 24 h, ∼53 % of paclitaxel and 83 % of 5-fluorouracil were released from the NLC; incorporation in the poloxamer gel further prolonged release. Intraductal administration of NLC-loaded gel increased the permanence of hydrophilic (2.2-3.0-fold) and lipophilic (2.1-2.3-fold) fluorescent markers in the mammary tissue compared to the NLC (as dispersion) and the markers solutions. In conclusion, these results contribute to improving our understanding of nanocarrier design with increased cytotoxicity and prolonged retention for the intraductal route. Tributyrin incorporation increased the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil in monolayer and spheroids, while NLC incorporation in thermosensitive gels prolonged tissue retention of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds.
Keywords: 5-fluorouracil; Breast cancer; Intraductal; Lipid nanoparticles; Paclitaxel; Thermosensitive gel.
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