title: Nanotechnology in oncology: Characterization and in vitro release kinetics of cisplatin-loaded albumin nanoparticles: Implications in anticancer drug delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nanotechnology is an empowering technology that holds promise in cancer therapeutics by increasing the ratio of tumor control probability to normal tissue complication probability. It can increase the bioavailability of the drug at the target site, reduce the frequency of administration and reach otherwise lesser-accessible sites. The present study shows the feasibility of the cisplatin-loaded albumin nanoparticle as a sustained delivery system.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Cisplatin is one of the most widely used chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of malignant disorders. Conventional cisplatin formulation given as intravenous infusion has low bioavailability to the target organ in addition to significant side-effects, like ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to develop a protein-based nanoparticulate system for sustained release of cisplatin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nanoparticles were prepared by the coacervaton method of microcapsulation and chemical cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. Particle size was characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using the coacervation method, nanoparticles of less than 70 nm diameter were produced. Drug encapsulation measured by ultraviolet spectroscopy varied from 30% to 80% for different ratios of cisplatin and protein. In vitro release kinetics shows that the nanoparticle-based formulation has biphasic release kinetics and is capable of sustained release compared with the free drug (80% release in 45 h). The study proves the feasibility of the albumin-based cisplatin nanoparticle formulation as a sustained release vehicle of cisplatin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Christian Medical College, Vellore - 632004, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Saikat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Lavanya
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jagan
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Isiah
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rajesh
authors.forename: Selvamani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Backianathan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Subhashini