Nanoparticulate delivery of LHRH analogue for the treatment of prostate cancer

Abstract

Goserelin acetate (Gos) is a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist, used in treatment of prostate cancer in which desired concentration of Gos in blood is maintained for longer duration. The aim of this study is to improve the efficacy of Gos targeted at the site of action and eliminate the need for frequent administration. Gos-encapsulated nanoparticles were fabricated by double emulsification process. The physicochemical traits of the nanoparticles including morphology, particle size, zeta-potential, entrapment efficiency, and in-vitro release profile were studied. The in-vitro cytotoxicity of the blank nanoparticles and Gos-loaded nanoparticles were also evaluated on LNCaP cell line by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Blank methoxy PEG–poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (mPEG–PCL) nanoparticles exhibited low cytotoxicity, which increased with increase in concentration of Gos-loaded nanoparticles. Serum Gos and testosterone levels were analyzed after subcutaneous administration in Wistar rats. In-vivo study showed that a sustained serum level of Gos successfully suppressed the plasma testosterone concentration to castration level. So, it can be concluded that mPEG–PCL nanoparticles might prove to be useful for site specific and sustain protein delivery.

Keywords::

• prostate cancer
• LHRH analogue
• testosterone level
• nanoparticles
• LNCaP cell line

Acknowledgment

Authors are thankful to Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior for providing the facility to complete the research work.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors do not have any commercial or other association that might pose a conflict of interest in this publication. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.