Background: Topotecan (TPT) is a water-soluble derivate of camptothecin, which undergoes ring-opening hydrolysis in neutral solutions, leading to stability loss and poor cellular uptake. Lipid nanoencapsulation can improve TPT stability, and polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles (PLN) are interesting alternatives to improve TPT nanoencapsulation.
Objective: This study seeks to prepare complexes between the cationic TPT and the negatively charged dextran sulfate (DS) with a view of improving drug loading, chemical stability and release control.