Copper-Doxorubicin as a Nanoparticle Cargo Retains Efficacy with Minimal Toxicity

The study found that copper-doxorubicin liposomes effectively treated aggressive tumors while minimizing systemic toxicity compared to traditional Doxil. In a 28-day trial with 80 mice for efficacy and 32 for toxicity, the copper-doxorubicin liposomes showed stable circulation and reduced cardiac and skin toxicity, with no observed systemic toxicity such as cardiac hypertrophy, weight loss, or hair loss. The treatment's efficacy was enhanced by combining it with mTOR inhibition using rapamycin and therapeutic ultrasound, which increased tumor accumulation and led to tumor regression. The copper-doxorubicin liposomes demonstrated a lower IC50 of 0.33 μM compared to Doxil's 1.72 μM, indicating higher in vitro cytotoxicity. Overall, the study suggested that copper-doxorubicin liposomes could be a safer and effective cancer treatment option with reduced toxicity.