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

摘要

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.