The Use of Mannose-Grafted and Lipopetide-Conjugated PE Liposomes in the Delivery of Docetaxel for the Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Research Protocol

Abstract

Introduction: One of the biggest obstacles in delivering anti-cancer drugs to brain tumours is the penetration of the blood-brain barrier. Docetaxel is a promising drug used for glioblastoma multiforme that works by promoting mitotic arrest and cell death of tumorous cells, yet it encounters this obstacle presented by the selectivity of the blood-brain barrier. Due to the barrier’s highly selective nature and the imprecision of current cancer treatments, the use of nanoparticles in drug delivery has been an area of significant interest. To address these issues, we propose using mannose and lipopeptide-grafted phosphatidylethanolamine liposomes as a drug delivery mechanism to effectively eliminate the obstacle of penetrating the blood-brain barrier in the treatment of glioblastomas. The truncated fibroblast growth factor and GALA lipopeptides increase the precision of the chemotherapeutic agent in targeting the tumour cells. Simultaneously, the mannose allows the nanoparticle to be recognized by sugar receptors on the blood-brain barrier, enabling it to pass through. This novel drug delivery system broadens the variety and increases the effectiveness of anti-tumoral drugs used in the treatment of brain cancer. Methods: The lipopeptides are prepared through pyridyl disulfide reactions. The phosphatidylethanolamine liposomes are prepared using standard thin-film hydration in which the lipopeptides, docetaxel, and calcein (to track the drug delivery) are incorporated into the liposomal lumen. Mannose is then grafted onto the liposomal surfaces through the covalent coupling of p-aminophenyl-D-glycosides to phosphatidylethanolamine liposomes. The synthesized liposomes would be administered intravenously alongside radiation. Statistical analyses will be conducted to measure the growth of the tumour and the accuracy of drug delivery. Discussion: The tumour cells should display a greater level of fluorescence, indicating a more accurate administration of the drug. It is expected that the patients will respond favourably to the treatment with the tumorous tissues showing a reduced growth rate and greater bioavailability of the drug. Conclusion: The liposomal drug delivery mechanism presents a novel method by which anti-tumoral drugs can both cross the blood-brain barrier and precisely target the tumorous mass, thereby reducing the risk of drugs getting lost within the vasculature and expanding the horizons for brain tumour prognoses.