RGD conjugated liposome-hollow silica hybrid nanovehicles for targeted and controlled delivery of arsenic trioxide against hepatic carcinoma

To construct a targeted and controlled arsenic trioxide (ATO, a poor pharmacokinetic drug with dose-limited toxicity) delivery core-shell nanovehicle which combined the features of hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSN) and functional liposome (named as RGD-LP-CHMSN-ATO). The chlorodimethyloctadecylsilane was modified on the surface of HMSN for supporting phospholipid bilayer which enhanced the stability of nanoparticles and increased the affinity between nanoparticles and cell membrane. Improved PK features and significant hepatic tumor-specific distribution of ATO were achieved by RGD-LP-CHMSN-ATO. The antitumor efficacy in vitro (HepG2 cell line) and in vivo (H22 xenografts) was remarkably improved by RGD-LP-CHMSN-ATO. All the findings proved this favorable drug delivery system may significantly expand the potential use of arsenic compounds in treating solid tumor.