POxylated Dendrimer-Based Nano-in-Micro Dry Powder Formulations for Inhalation Chemotherapy.

POxylated polyurea dendrimer (PUREOOx)-based nanoparticles were loaded with paclitaxel (PTX) and doxorubicin (DOX) and micronized with chitosan (CHT) by using supercritical CO-assisted spray drying (SASD). Respirable, biocompatible, and biodegradable dry powder formulations (DPFs) were produced to effectively transport and deliver the chemotherapeutics with a controlled rate to the deep lung. In vitro studies performed with the use of the lung adenocarcinoma cell line showed that DOX@PUREOOx nanoparticles were much more cytotoxic than the free drug.