Application of PLGA Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 627

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
Interests: nanotechnology; pH-responsive drug delivery system; in vitro methods; cell culture; antitumor activity; drug targeting; drug quality control; liquid chromatography; toxicology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pharmaceutics is excited to present a Special Issue focused on the “Application of PLGA Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy”.

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles are at the forefront of cancer treatment innovations due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to encapsulate a wide range of therapeutic agents. These nanoparticles enhance the targeted delivery and controlled release of anticancer drugs, reducing side effects and improving treatment efficacy. The scientific background highlights PLGA's versatility in overcoming biological barriers and enhancing drug solubility. This Special Issue aims to explore the latest advancements in PLGA nanoparticle research, focusing on formulation strategies, targeting mechanisms, and clinical applications. Researchers are invited to contribute studies on novel PLGA-based therapies, characterization techniques, and the integration of imaging for theranostic applications. By gathering cutting-edge research, this Special Issue seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential and future directions of PLGA nanoparticles in cancer therapy.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome to be submitted. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Daniele Rubert Nogueira-Librelotto
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • PLGA nanoparticles
  • cancer therapy
  • drug delivery
  • biocompatibility
  • controlled release
  • targeted therapy
  • theranostics
  • formulation strategies

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 1573 KB  
Article
Enhancing the Solubility and Antibacterial Efficacy of Sulfamethoxazole by Incorporating Functionalized PLGA and Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles into the Crystal Structure
by Mohammad Saiful Islam, Indrani Gupta, Edgardo T. Farinas and Somenath Mitra
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(11), 1460; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17111460 - 12 Nov 2025
Viewed by 243
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The widespread use of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) has led to increasing antibiotic resistance, and there is a need for improved formulations to enhance its therapeutic effectiveness. In this study, we investigated the biocidal potential of SMX composite crystals incorporated with functionalized poly(lactic-co-glycolic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The widespread use of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) has led to increasing antibiotic resistance, and there is a need for improved formulations to enhance its therapeutic effectiveness. In this study, we investigated the biocidal potential of SMX composite crystals incorporated with functionalized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (nfPLGA) and nano-graphene oxide (nGO). Methods: The composites, namely SMX-nfPLGA and SMX-nGO, were synthesized via antisolvent precipitation and evaluated using Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion assays. Results: Incorporation of nfPLGA and nGO significantly improved SMX solubility, increasing it from 0.029 mg/mL to 0.058 mg/mL and 0.063 mg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the log partition coefficient (log P or Kw) also improved from 1.4 to 0.86 for nGO and 0.92 for nfPLGA composites. Both formulations exhibited improved antibacterial activity with distinct time-dependent bactericidal effects. Compared to pure SMX, the SMX-nfPLGA showed 60% and 53% greater bacterial inhibition at concentrations of 50 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL, respectively. Although SMX-nGO was slightly less potent, it still surpassed pure SMX, with 50% and 33% higher inhibition at the same concentrations. Conclusions: Importantly, neither nfPLGA nor nGO showed any biocidal effects, confirming that the observed enhancement was due to improved SMX solubility caused by their incorporation. These findings suggest that embedding solubility-enhancing nanoparticles into the existing crystal structure of the antibiotic is a promising strategy for enhancing the effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of PLGA Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy)
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