Farnesylthiosalicylic acid‐loaded lipid–polyethylene glycol–polymer hybrid nanoparticles for treatment of glioblastoma

Objectives We aimed to develop lipid–polyethylene glycol ( PEG )–polymer hybrid nanoparticles, which have high affinity to tumour tissue with active ingredient, a new generation antineoplastic drug, farnesylthiosalicylic acid ( FTA ) for treatment of glioblastoma. Method Farnesylthiosalicylic acid‐loaded poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid)‐1,2 distearoyl‐glycerol‐3‐phospho‐ethanolamine‐N [methoxy ( PEG )‐2000] ammonium salt ( PLGA ‐ DSPE ‐ PEG ) with or without 1,2‐dioleoyl‐3‐trimethylammonium‐propane ( DOTAP ) hybrid nanoparticles has been prepared and evaluated for in‐vitro characterization. Cytotoxicity of FTA ‐loaded nanoparticles along with its efficacy on rat glioma‐2 ( RG 2) cells was also evaluated both in vitro (in comparison with non‐malignant cell line, L929) and in vivo. Key findings Scanning electron microscopy studies showed that all formulations prepared had smooth surface and spherical in shape. FTA and FTA ‐loaded nanoparticles have cytotoxic activity against RG 2 glioma cell lines in cell culture studies, which further increases with addition of DOTAP . Magnetic resonance imaging and histopathologic evaluation on RG 2 tumour cells in rat glioma model (49 female Wistar rats, 250–300 g) comparing intravenous and intratumoral injections of the drug have been performed and FTA ‐loaded nanoparticles reduced tumour size significantly in in‐vivo studies, with higher efficiency of intratumoral administration than intravenous route. Conclusion Farnesylthiosalicylic acid‐loaded PLGA ‐ DSPE ‐ PEG ‐ DOTAP hybrid nanoparticles are proven to be effective against glioblastoma in both in‐vitro and in‐vivo experiments.