Self-assembled squalenoyl-cytarabine nanostructures as a potent nanomedicine for treatment of leukemic diseases.

Background: In this investigation, the antileukemic activity of a new nanomedicine based on the conjugation of 1,1',2-tris-nor-squalenic acid with cytarabine (Ara-C) was evaluated.

Methods: Squalenoyl-Ara-C conjugate (Sq-Ara-C) self-assembled nanosystems were obtained by the nanoprecipitation method and characterized in vitro and in vivo.

Results: This new nanomedicine, which had a mean diameter of approximately 150 nm, improved the in vitro antitumoral activity of Ara-C in different cancer cell lines (L1210, K562, and MCF-7).