Ethosomes as delivery system for treatment of melanoma: a mini-review

Introduction

Drug delivery systems are important components in the strategy to carry drugs for the treatment of several diseases, including cancer and other dermatological conditions [1]. Among these, ethosomes are a type of nanocarrier used for topical and transdermal applications because they combine the properties of their organic components (phospholipids and ethanol 20–45 %) to overcome low skin permeability and achieve therapeutic efficacy while reducing adverse effects [2].

Ethosomes

Ethosomes (lipid vesicular carriers) were developed as novel lipid carriers, composed of phospholipids, ethanol, and water (Figure 1). These vesicular systems can be defined as the second generation of liposomes, characterized by greater malleability, stability and ability to trap hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules. They possess attractive properties in terms of cost-effectiveness and ease of application [3].

Figure 1:

Ethosome structure.

Alcohol induces a mechanism in which it interacts with the polar region of the lipid molecules, resulting in a reduction of the melting point of the corneal layer lipids (Figure 2). Due to the fluidizing effect of alcohol on lipids, ethosomes can penetrate the stratum corneum and reach the deeper layers of the skin [4].

Figure 2:

Proposed permeability mechanism of ethosomes: (A) Stratum corneum lipid layer; (B) ethanol interacts with lipid molecules; (C) ethanol increases lipid layer density; (D) interaction of ethanol and ethosomes on stratum corneum; (E) penetration and release of ethosomes into deep layers of skin.

Among the techniques for preparing ethosomes, the literature highlights simple and low-cost methods: (I) thin film hydration [5]; (II) mechanical dispersion [6]; (III) a cold method based on dropwise addition of bidistilled water to an ethanol solution [7] and (IV) single-step injection [8].

The commercialization of ethosome technology began in 2000 and is an increasingly evolving field. Several commercial products based on ethosomal technology have been developed. These include Nanominox^®, a product containing minoxidil, a hair growth promoter, from Sirene of Germany; Supravir^® cream, for the treatment of the herpes virus, from Trima of Israel; Cellutight EF^®, a topical cream for cellulite, from Hampden Health of the USA; Decorin^® cream, an anti-aging cream, from Genome Cosmetics, Pennsylvania, U. S.; the Noicellex^®, topical anti-cellulite cream, from Novel Therapeutic Technologies of Israel and Skin genuity^®, for the treatment of cellulite from Physonics, Nottingham, UK [9].

Table 1 shows some therapeutic applications of ethosomes. In a study conducted by Paolino and colleagues, ethosomes were formulated using commercially available Phospholipon 90, ethanol, active molecules, and water through dropwise addition of water [10]. They observed that the dimension varied depending on the composition used, and ethanol typically reduced the mean diameter. Their formulation led to an increase of the percutaneous permeation of the active ingredient, both in vitro and in vivo, with good tolerability in human volunteers.

Mishra and collaborators prepared ethosomes using soya phosphatidylcholine, ethanol, antigen and/or probes through thin film hydration [15]. They observed that the antigen-loaded ethosomes exhibited higher skin permeability compared to conventional liposomes and soluble antigen. This finding may have implication to the development of vaccines.

The literature highlights the main advantages of ethosome systems, including the improvement of photoprotection and stability of encapsulated actives, as well as the reduction or elimination of topical adverse effects (irritation). They also enhance therapeutic efficiency by allowing gradual release and longer duration on the skin. Disadvantages are cited, such as the risk of non-enzymatic hydrolysis and microbiological contamination of the formulation. Another limitation includes temporal stability, as these vesicles may form aggregates or undergo particle fusion over time when in aqueous medium [1]. Complementary discussion about limitations can be found elsewhere [16].

Application of ethosomes to melanoma

Ethosomes can encapsulate hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs within their structure, enabling transdermal absorption. The absorption of drugs through the skin poses a challenge due to the protective barrier it provides. However, ethosomes, with their specific size and composition, possess permeabilizing properties that aid in overcoming this barrier, facilitating efficient delivery to melanoma cells in the skin. Recent studies highlighting the use of ethosomes in the treatment of melanoma are presented in Table 2.

As observed in Table 2, ethosomes are still underexplored as a delivery system for treating melanoma, indicating the potential application of this system in facilitating the treatment of this type of cancer. The results of these studies suggest that ethosomes may serve as an effective drug delivery system for melanoma treatment, owing to their ability to penetrate the skin and target melanoma cells, leading to enhanced therapeutic efficacy observed in the studies. However, further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ethosomes as a drug delivery system for melanoma treatment.

Nanotechnology has enabled the encapsulation of active molecules within supramolecular structures, such as nanospheres, nanocapsules, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, ethosomes, and others. Each of these structures has advantages and disadvantages that can be explored based on the target and resource availability. Comparative studies of these nanostructures can be found in the literature, aiding in the selection of the most suitable system [28].

Future studies with ethosomes are expected to have an impact on the treatment and prevention of skin diseases. Ethosomes, containing alcohol, and their second-generation counterparts, transferosomes, containing surfactant, may carry chemoprotective actives such as natural antioxidants, acting as a step prior to cancer establishment in chemoprevention.

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for melanoma treatment, and mRNA vaccines, which introduce genetic material encoding specific tumor antigens expressed by melanoma cells, play a crucial role in this approach. The use of nanocarriers, including ethosomes, is essential for effective delivery in this application.

Additionally, gene and RNA interference (RNAi) therapy are other promising approaches for melanoma treatment, involving the introduction of genetic material into cells using nanocarriers, with ethosomes being a potential choice for this task.

In summary, ethosomes serve as a drug delivery system that can play important roles in targeting skin disorders. With further research, we can expect the development of novel therapeutics utilizing ethosomes to improve patient outcomes.