Characterization and Evaluation of Nano-niosomes Encapsulating Docetaxel against Human Breast, Pancreatic, and Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma Cancer Cell Lines

Docetaxel (DXL) is an antineoplastic agent for cancer treatment, the therapeutic efficiency of which is limited due to low solubility, hydrophobicity, and tissue specificity.
In this study, nano-niosomes were introduced for improving therapeutic index of DXL.
In this experimental study, two nano-niosomes were synthesized using Span 20® and Span 80® and a thin film hydration method with DXL loading (DXL-Span20 and DXL-Span80). Characterization, in-vitro cytotoxicity and bioavailability of the nano-niosomes was also evaluated via in-vivo experiments.
DXL-Span20 and DXL-Span80 have vesicles size in a range of 84-90 nm and negative zeta potentials. DXL entrapment efficiencies were obtained as 69.6 and 74.0% for DXL-Span20 and DXL-Span80, respectively; with an in-vitro sustained release patterns. Cytotoxicity assays were performed against MDA-MB-231, Calu-6, and AsPC-1 cell lines, and the results indicated that DXL loading into nano-niosomes led to decrement in values of half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) at least 2.5 times and at most 6.5 times, compared to free DXL. Moreover, the rat blood bioavailability of DXL after intraperitoneal administration and the pharmacokinetic parameters indicated higher DXL plasma level and the higher effectiveness of DXL-Span80 compared to DXL-Span20. 
Carrying DXL by the nano-niosomes led to enhanced cytotoxicity (and lower IC50 values) and higher efficacy with enhanced pharmacokinetic parameters.