Trastuzumab-Conjugated Nanoliposomes for Targeted Capecitabine Delivery to Suppress HER2-Positive Breast Tumor - Efficacy Analysis in NOD SCID Mice Xenografts

Sep 23, 2026

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Advanced HER2-positive breast cancer remains difficult to treat, since routine chemotherapy is limited by adverse effects and toxicity. This study evaluates experimental capecitabine-loaded nanoliposomes conjugated with trastuzumab (TZ) to enable HER2-targeted delivery. Nanoliposomes were characterized by FESEM, AFM, TEM, zeta potential, and drug release. In NOD SCID mice xenografts, TZ-CNLs significantly suppressed tumor growth, improved safety indicators, and showed enhanced pharmacokinetic performance and improved tolerability.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time1 h 21 min

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Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

International Journal of Nanomedicine Open Access Full Text Article ORIGINAL RESEARCH Trastuzumab-Conjugated Nanoliposomes for Targeted Capecitabine Delivery to Suppress HER2-Positive Breast Tumor: Efficacy Analysis in NOD SCID Mice Xenografts Shubhashree Das 1 , Bhabani Sankar Satapathy2 , Mohamed Rahamathulla 3 , Yahya Alhamhoom 3 , Sovan Pattanaik4 , Saurabh Chawla 5 , 6 , Gurudutta Pattnaik 1 , Diptirani Rath 7 , Mohammed Muqtader Ahmed8 , Ismail Pasha 9 1Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India; 2Department of Pharmaceutics, GITAM School of Pharmacy, GITAM Deemed to be University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; 3Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Al Faraa, Abha, 62223, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India; 5School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Khurda, Odisha, India; 6Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, India; 7Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India; 8Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdul Aziz University, Al Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia; 9Department of Pharmacology, Orotta College of Medicine and Health Science, Asmara, Eritrea Correspondence: Gurudutta Pattnaik, School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, [Email gurudutta.pattnaik@cutm.ac.in](Email gurudutta.pattnaik@cutm.ac.in); Ismail Pasha, Department of Pharmacology, Orotta college of medicine and Health Science, Asmara, Eritrea, Email [ismail.orotta@gmail.com](ismail.orotta@gmail.com) Introduction: Treatment of advanced breast cancer has proven to be difficult. Routine chemotherapy has limitations due to unavoidable and dreaded adverse effects during and after treatment, necessitating the development of tailored therapies. Capecitabine is a commonly used anticancer drug that comes in tablet form for oral administration. However, high doses and frequent administration-related toxicities limit its efficacy in HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Methods: The current work seeks to target capecitabine using experimental nanoliposomes coupled to trastuzumab (TZ) (HER2-targeting monoclonal antibody) and assess anticancer activity in a NOD SCID mice xenograft model of breast cancer. Experimental capecitabine-loaded trastuzumab-nanoliposomes (TZ-CNLs) were developed by a previously reported method. FESEM, AFM, TEM, zeta potential, and drug release studies were used to characterize TZ-CNLs. In vivo effectiveness of CNLs/TZ-CNLs was carried out in experimental mice and compared with the free capecitabine-treated group. Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological analyses of experimental CNLs/TZ-CNLs were conducted across different treatment groups compared with the control. Results: Experimental TZ-CNLs were spherical, smooth, and uniformly distributed, with an average size (198.6 nm), a zeta potential (−27.91 mV), and a drug loading (9.6±0.51%) . The AFM indicated that TZ conjugation had no effect on texture. TZ-CNLs released 81.5 ± 3.05% capecitabine after 96 h, compared to CNLs/free capecitabine. After 12 days of treatment, TZ-CNLs significantly reduced tumor development (97 .91 ± 3.0 mm3) compared to unconjugated CNLs/free capecitabine in NOD SCID mice xenografts. The enhanced antitumor activity observed with TZ-CNLs is consistent with HER2-targeted delivery mediated by TZ conjugation. Furthermore, TZ-CNL-treated animals maintained a healthier body-weight profile compared with free capecitabine and CNL-treated groups, suggesting improved treatment tolerability and reduced sys

FAQs

What is the therapeutic goal of trastuzumab-conjugated nanoliposomes in this study?

To target capecitabine delivery to HER2-positive breast tumors by conjugating nanoliposomes with trastuzumab, enabling more effective and safer anticancer activity.

How were the nanoliposomes characterized before in vivo evaluation?

TZ-CNLs were characterized using FESEM, AFM, TEM, zeta potential measurements, and drug release studies.

What were the key efficacy outcomes in the NOD SCID mouse xenograft model?

TZ-CNLs achieved controlled release and significantly reduced tumor development compared with unconjugated CNLs/free capecitabine, consistent with HER2-targeted delivery.

Sep 23, 2026

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