Title:Development and Evaluation of Biotin Functionalized Fullerenes for the
Delivery of Irinotecan to Colon Tumors
Volume: 20
Issue: 7
Author(s): Shikha Dhiman, Amardeep Kaur, Girdhari L. Gupta and Manu Sharma*
Affiliation:
- M. M. College of Pharmacy, M. M. Deemed to be University, Mullana 133207, Haryana, India
Keywords:
Irinotecan, fullerenes, biotin, nanoparticles, drug delivery, colon cancer, cell membrane.
Abstract:
Background: Irinotecan is a promising antitumor agent approved by FDA for intravenous
use in colon cancer treatment either alone or in combination. It is a topoisomerase inhibitor and by
blocking the topoisomerase-I enzyme, it causes DNA damage and results in cell death. However, it
lacks selectivity and specificity for tumor cells, resulting in systemic toxicity. Thus, it is essential to
reduce its side effects and improve therapeutic efficacy.
Objective: The study aimed to improve the therapeutic efficacy and minimize the toxic effects of irinotecan
by developing a fullerene functionalized biotin drug delivery system and adsorbing irinotecan
on the surface of the functionalized fullerene-biotin complex.
Methods: Fullerene (C60) has been observed as a potential drug delivery agent and the aminefunctionalized
C60-NH2 was synthesized by functionalizing ethylenediamine on the surface of C60. The
PEI functionalized C60 was further synthesized by polymerization of aziridine on the surface of C60-
NH2. Biotin was attached by an amide linkage to C60-PEI and the anti-colon cancer drug irinotecan (IRI)
was encapsulated (C60-PEI-Biotin/IRI). The C60-PEI-Biotin/IRI was characterized and evaluated for in
vivo anti-colon cancer activity in rats and the results were compared with the parent drug irinotecan.
Results: The results showed that C60-PEI-Biotin/IRI conjugate had a controlled release profile according
to in vitro HPLC studies. Moreover in vivo anti-tumor studies suggested that the conjugate proved to be
less toxic to vital organs and had high efficacy towards tumor cells. Statistical studies confirmed less
tumor index and tumor burden in the case of conjugate when compared to irinotecan.
Conclusion: It is hypothesized that the conjugate (C60-PEI-Biotin/IRI) could cross the cell membrane
easily through overexpressed biotin receptors on the cell surface of colon cancer cells and showed better
efficacy and less toxicity in comparison to IRI in the colon cancer rat model.