A lyophilized sterically stabilized liposome-containing docetaxel: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

AbstractObjectives: In this study, an improved lyophilized PEGylated liposomal formulation of docetaxel (DOC) has been developed.Methods: PEGylated docetaxel liposome (PL-DOC) was prepared by thin-film evaporation method and lyophilization. The effect of various components of the lipids and their compatibility with DOC on the entrapment efficiency (EE) of liposome was investigated. The lyophilized PL-DOC was characterized by morphology, particle size, zeta potential, EE, release in vitro and stability. Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in vivo of lyophilized PL-DOC were also investigated.Results: The optimal liposome formulation was egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC):cholesterol (CH):DSPE-PEG2000:DOC = 56:40:4:4 (molar ratio). Sucrose and mannitol were chosen as cryoprotectant in the lyophilization (cryoprotectant-to-lipid (C/L) mass ratio  = 8:1). The size of lyophilized PL-DOC was 152.3 ± 1.0 nm with negative charge and the EE was 89.75 ± 1.79%. Compared with nonlyophilized PL-DOC, the lyophilized PL-DOC ...