QbD guided early pharmaceutical development study: Production of lipid nanoparticles by high pressure homogenization for skin cancer treatment.

This research attempts to bring together the positive aspects of lipid nanoparticles and Quality by Design (QbD) approach for developing a novel drug delivery system for skin cancers and aktinic keratosis. Lipid nanoparticles which is one of the most efficacious options for topical treatment of skin diseases were prepared due to their ability to overcome the complex structure of skin barrier and to enhance the skin penetration. Since the formulation development contains complex variables of active ingredients, raw materials or production method; all the variables of the product should be elaborated. QbD approach which refers to design and develop formulations and manufacturing processes to maintain the prescribed product quality was also successfully adopted to achieve a time- and cost-saving process ensuring a high-quality product. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) loaded lipid nanoparticles, both solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers, were developed and characterized by following QbD steps. Optimal lipid nanoparticle formulation with guaranteed quality which was within the design space has been reached through the artificial neural networks. The optimal lipid nanoparticle formulation which is a NLC formulation with a mean particle size of 205,8 ± 9,34 nm, narrow size distribution (0.279 ± 0.01) and negative zeta potantial -30,20 ± 0,92 was produced by high pressure homogenization method. Cytotoxicity profiles of the optimal NLC was determined by cell culture studies on epidermoid carcinoma cells and human keratinocyte cells. Optimal NLC showed significantly higher anticancer effect on epidermoid carcinoma cells than free 5-FU and also less cytotoxicity towards human keratinocyte cells. Optimal NLC was formulated in hydrogel formulation for ease of application which has suitable occlusive and mechanical properties, viscocity and pH for patient complience. The cumulative amount of 5-FU in dermal tissues of rat skin was found 20.11 ± 2.14 μg/cm2 and 9.73 ± 0.87 μg/cm2 after application of NLC enriched hydrogel and 5-FU hydrogel respectively. In conclusion, this study showed that a time and cost saving process ensuring a high-quality product can be obtained by QbD guided formulation development study with the help of artificial neural networks. A novel semisolid dosage form enriched by NLC which is promising for topical treatment of skin cancers was developed.