Evaluation of liposomal and microbubbles mediated delivery of doxorubicin in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models for breast cancer

Abstract

Objective: Liposomal cancer treatment strategies are useful in removing the side effects that were the main concern in recent years. In this study, we prepared microbubble (MBs) conjugated with DOX-loaded liposomes (DOX-loaded MBs) and investigated their effectiveness in in vitro breast cancer cells in two dimensions (2D) and three dimensions (3D). Materials and Methods: With this aim, breast cancer cells with different features (4T1, MDA-MB231, MCF-7) were growth in 2D and 3D dimensions. The cytotoxic and cell death effects under different conditions, durations and doses were evaluated with WST-1, trypan-blue, colony counts. Apoptotic effects were investigated with flow cytometric Annexin-V-PI and immunohistochemical (Ki-67, caspase 3, 8, 9) methods. Results: After free DOX and LipoDOX were applied, the proliferation index of three cell lines reduced. Intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways were activated in both 2D and 3D models. However, this effect was observed at lower levels in the 3D model due to the difficulty of diffusion of DOX into the spheroids. Additionally, the suitability of the 3D model for breast cancer cells was supported by formation of ductus-like structures and spheroids. Cell deaths were not observed significantly with the DOX-loaded microbubbles due to rising of MBs to the surface and not reaching spheroids held in matrigel of 3D model. Conclusion: DOX and LipoDOX showed anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects in breast cancer cells. However, these effects indicated variability depending on the cell lines and 2D or 3D model types.