Breakthrough in Cancer Gene Therapy: Targeted Delivery of Chloroaluminum Phthalocyanine Using Immunoliposomes

Research conducted by a team of scientists from the Federal University of Ceara has made a significant breakthrough in cancer gene therapy by developing a targeted delivery system for the photosensitizer chloroaluminum phthalocyanine (ClAlPc). The study aimed to address the challenges associated with ClAlPc's lipophilic nature and aggregation in aqueous media by encapsulating it in immunoliposomes.

Key Takeaways:

• The research team developed immunoliposomes containing ClAlPc and oleic acid for targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that overexpresses epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).
• The immunoliposomes were characterized using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and conjugated with cetuximab, an anti-EGFR antibody, achieving an encapsulation and conjugation efficiency of 71.24% and 66.12%, respectively.
• In vitro studies in EGFR-positive cell lines (A431) demonstrated greater cytotoxicity of immunoliposomal ClAlPc compared to the free ClAlPc solution, with effects dependent on treatment time and concentration.
• In vitro skin penetration studies demonstrated that ClAlPc encapsulation in both liposomes and immunoliposomes enhanced skin permeation, particularly when combined with sonophoresis and microneedling techniques.
• Mathematical modeling of drug diffusion from liposomes in the skin corroborated the formulation's retention behavior and slow diffusion, which is ideal for topical application (R² = 0.94, Dsc = 1.78x10-9 m²/h).

Statistics:

• 71.24% encapsulation efficiency of ClAlPc in immunoliposomes.
• 66.12% conjugation efficiency of cetuximab with ClAlPc in immunoliposomes.
• 2-fold increase in skin penetration of ClAlPc using microneedling techniques.
• R² = 0.94, Dsc = 1.78x10-9 m²/h for mathematical modeling of drug diffusion from liposomes.

Sources:

• Federal University of Ceara, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Dept. of Pharmacy, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
• Colloids and Surfaces B-biointerfaces, 2025;256:114978
• Alice Vitoria Frota Reis, Karina Alexandre Barros Nogueira, Joao Isaac Silva Miranda, Andrea da Silva Pereira, Fabio de Oliveira Silva Ribeiro, Alyne Rodrigues de Araujo Nobre, Josimar O. Eloy, Ivanildo Jose da Silva Junior, and Raquel Petrilli
• NewsRx. New Findings from Federal University of Ceara in the Area of Cancer Gene Therapy Described (Physical methods associated with liposomes and immunoliposomes improve the topical delivery of Chloroaluminum Phthalocyanine). Immunotherapy Weekly. August 20, 2025; p 49.