Lipid Drug Carriers for Cancer Therapeutics: An Insight into Lymphatic Targeting, P-gp, CYP3A4 Modulation and Bioavailability Enhancement

In the treatment of cancer, chemotherapy plays an important role though the efficacy of anti-cancer drug administered orally is limited, due to their poor solubility in physiological medium, inability to cross biological membrane, high Para-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated drug efflux, and pre-systemic metabolism. These all factors cumulatively reduce drug exposure at the target site leading to multidrug resistance (MDR). Lipid based carriers systems has been explored to overcome solubility and permeability related issues of anti-cancer drugs. The lipid based formulations have also been reported to circumvent the effect of P-gp and CYP3A4. Further long chain triglycerides (LCT) has shown their ability to access Lymphatic route over Medium Chain Triglycerides, as the former has been extensively used for targeting anti-cancer drugs at proliferating cells through lymphatic route. Therefore this review tries to reflect the usefulness of lipid based drug carriers systems (viz. liposome, solid lipid nanoparticle, nano-lipid carriers, self-emulsifying, lipidic pro-drugs) in targeting lymphatic system and overcoming issues related to solubility and permeability of anti-cancer drugs. Moreover, we have also tried to reflect how critically lipid based carriers are important in maximizing therapeutic safety and efficacy of anti-cancer drugs.


Introduction
Cancer can be regarded as a multiplex of disease states generated with an outcome of prolonged injuries at tissue and cellular level through interactions with cancer causing agents known as the carcinogens. The administration of tobacco (people consuming tobacco products, or are in the vicinity of tobacco smoke), irradiation with ultraviolet light (ultraviolet-A produces genetic damage and suppression of immune system whereas ultraviolet-B has penetrability to the epidermis an evident factor for skin melanoma) and various viral infections which may integrate by incorporating their genetic material into the host's DNA leading to mutation (hepatitis B virus-liver carcinoma, human papillomavirus-causative agent for cervical carcinoma, human herpesvirus 8-significantly affecting the integumentary system), epigenetic changes (alteration in gene expression without any significant change in DNA sequence namely DNA-methylation and histone modifications) and global transcriptome changes (through inflammatory pathways) these all factors increases the probability of converting healthy cells into cancerous cells. 1 Cancer cells proliferate in the human body by gaining access into the blood vasculature and lymphatic streams, producing secondary tumors through metastasis. Strategically the treatment of patient suffering from cancer is undertaken through removal of cancerous or suspected tissues employing surgical intervention which is normally a first line approach accompanied by targeted radiation therapy to kill cancerous cell and reduce the size of the tumor, and finally systemically delivering the anti-cancer and immunomodulatory agents by chemotherapy and immunotherapy. A conventional chemotherapy strategy delivers anti-cancer drugs not only to cancer cells but also have access to normal healthy cells thereby producing plethora of side effects. Therefore, several attempts have been made in this regard to target anti-cancer agents at tumor sites by researchers in the last forty years through newer delivery approaches, among them lipid based drug delivery systems have gained sufficient interest, as these systems can address the complexity of anti-cancer drug delivery safely and effectively to localized tumors as well as in the vicinity of metastatic sites. 2 This review is an attempt to address the role of lipid based drug carriers in lymphatic route drug targeting (an alternative voyage for delivering anticancer agents to metastatic cancer cells), avoiding hepatic first pass metabolism (cytochrome P-450), circumventing the effect of p-glycoprotein pump (as drug effluxer), we have also compared other nanoparticulate delivery system (polymeric and metallic) with lipid based nano-carriers in terms of formulation characteristics and their clinical interpretations.

Challenges and opportunities in targeting anticancer drugs
On a cumulative note while addressing the severities of cancer, tumor metastasis accounts for largest percentage of adversities and mortalities. Cancer cells gains access to lymphatics by invading the broad intercellular pores just adjacent to endothelial cells together with irregular basement membrane. 3,4 The cancer cell after gaining access to lymphatics uses it as a reservoir site, which results in further advancement of carcinoma distant to primary site of malignancy. [5][6][7] Role of lymphatic route The lymphatic system is a nexus that comprises of lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, spleen, thymus, Peyer's patches and tonsils which function in coordination with the circulatory system and a circulating fluid called lymph. Lymph serves the purpose of transporting lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells into the blood and bones via lymph nodes. Further, the lymphatic system serves the purpose of maintaining the homeostasis by regulating the balance of water in body through transporting cells of the immune system back to the nodes of lymph and making delivery of extracellular fluid again in the central circulation. 8,9 The potential aspects of Lymphatic drug transport for immunomodulatory agents and anti-cancer drugs using lipid based drug carrier systems have been explored by the researchers, as the lymphatic system serves as a pathway for lymphocytes particularly T and B and tumor metastasis. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] As the structure of lymphatic capillaries is extensively porous owing to their single layer of non-fenestrated endothelial cells which in turn allows the access of large particles. 18 Among the other factors like lipid composition, effective potential on the oil globules, molecular weight, dose, and particle size, the drug in-vivo behavior is more closely related with the particle size. As nano size particles persist larger surface area as compared to macro sized, therefore overall interaction with the biological membranes is enhanced providing better absorption into the lymphatic system, therefore it has been advocated that particles below 200 nm are effectively targeted into the lymphatic route. Charge on the formulations also governs the passage through luminal membrane having negative potential as a whole owing to glycosaminoglycans presence, therefore it is advocated that formulation those are neutral or bearing negative charge can be effectively transported into the lymphatic system as they can easily avoid electrostatic interaction compared with formulations having positive charge that persist stronger affinity towards the luminal membrane hence get retained. 19 Key factors responsible for effective lymphatic route targeting are represented in Figure 1.

Lymphatic transport of lipid products
The membrane-bound transporter proteins play a pivotal role for the transport of lipid digested products either by active or passive transport. The lipid transportation is advocated by enterocyte's apical membrane postparandially, as this is the time when lipid concentration in the lumen is substantially high which in turn promote passive transportation. [20][21][22] The mechanistic approach at microvillus for fatty acid uptake may be related with sodium concentration directly or indirectly together with inclusion of fatty acid binding proteins and transporters. [23][24][25] The intracellular transformation of lipid subsequent to enterocyte's absorption is governed by its chain length. Lipids with short and medium carbon chain length (i.e. having C<12) generally spread beyond the enterocytes into the capillaries for gaining access to portal vein, whereas lipid having long-chain (i.e. C≥12) gain access to mesenteric lymph after migrating from the site of absorption with subsequent re-esterification and fabrication by the endoplasmic reticulum into the lipoproteins of the intestine (chylomicron and very low density lipoproteins), here chylomicron has direct relationship with lipid load. [26][27][28][29] The magnitude of lipid access to lymphatic transport is not merely related to lipid chain length but also to its preference towards lymph (i.e. log P>5). 30,31 Vahouny & Treadwell 32 concluded from their experiments that co-administration of long chain triglycerides (LCT) increased lymphatic transport of cholesterol. Nankervis et al 33 demonstrated the effectiveness of linoleic acid and cottonseed oil (Long chain lipids) for enhancing the lymphatic absorption of retinoids over Miglyol 812, (medium-chain lipid) the latter though were less sensitive to oxidation and have comparatively higher solvent capacity. [34][35][36][37][38] Oral administration has always been attempted largely as compared with other routes considering potential benefits of patient's compliance and cost effectiveness. But oral anti-cancer drug access to systemic circulation and at the target site suffers from multitude of factors like poor aqueous solubility, extensive pre-systemic metabolism, efflux transporter activity, and these all factors collectively accounts for resistance against anti-cancer drugs.
Pre-systemic cytochrome based drug metabolism and P-glycoprotein mediated drug efflux P-glycoprotein pump (multi-drug effluxer) and Cytochrome P450 (drug metabolizer) perhaps work concomitantly as a protective barrier and are the most evident factors for reduced bioavailability of BCS Class II and IV drugs. [39][40][41][42] The first pass effect on drug metabolism is a summation of enzymatic metabolism at brush border (alkaline phosphatase, isomaltase and sucrase and peptidases) of the lumen and at the intracellular level by microsomal enzymes on the endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm. 43 Cytochrome P450 particularly CYP 3A4, are the major contributors in phase I metabolism and accounts for oxidation of many anti-cancer agents, thereby reducing the bioavailability of drugs with ester moiety like capecitabine. 44,45 The fraction of drug absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract reaches to liver (metabolizing house) through entero-hepatic circulation and undergoes biotransformation. This is known as first pass hepatic metabolism and it is the major contributor for lower oral bioavailability of many anti-cancer agents like Tamoxifen substrate for CYP3A4. 46,47 The tandem situation becomes more critical when a drug is a substrate for both CYP3A4 and p-glycoproteins (p-gp). 48 After the discovery of P-gp transporters (from the family of ATP-binding cassette transporters) expressed at carcinogenic cells, bloodbrain barrier as major obstructing and excretory tissues by Juliano and Ling in the late 1970s, further studies started in establishing the role of P-gp as anti-cancer effluxer. Anti-cancer agents which are substrate to P-gp have compromised effectiveness owing to their altered pharmacokinetics. This condition is a major contributor in multidrug resistance (MDR). Furthermore, as the drug is effluxed out by p-gp, and is now again in the vicinity of CYP3A4 to show its metabolizing affect, the drug's bioavailability gets synergistic reduction. [49][50][51][52][53][54] A number of strategies to tackle the poor bioavailability due to synergistic or lone effect for drug which is substrate to either CYP3A4 or P-gp or both have been investigated. The concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors, surfactants and polymer with anti-cancer agents in the formulations are some of the most commonly explored approaches. Sandhu et al 55 prepared SNEDDs of paclitaxel (PTX) with co-administration of curcumin. Sesame oil having high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content was used as an oil phase, whereas Labrasol and sodium deoxycholate were used as surfactant and co-surfactant respectively. The In situ intestinal perfusion study exhibited sufficient increase in permeability and absorption characteristics by PTX-Cu-SNEDDs as compared to PTX-SNEDDs and PTX suspension. Therefore we have tried to highlight the most widely used class of agents (lipid vehicles and surfactants) in lipid based drug carriers which can tackle the synergistic effect of CYP3A4 and P-gp as shown as in Figure 2. 56

Lipid based carriers for anti-cancer delivery
Lipid based formulations have attained popularity as targeted, safe and effective delivery strategy for anti-cancer agents by overcoming the drawbacks of conventional drug delivery system during last five decades. Lipid based carriers system employed for anti-cancer drug delivery has been represented underneath in Figure 3.

Liposome
Liposome vesicle is bilayered, spherical in shape and usually composed of monomers with polar head and a non polar tail. The lipophilic head groups are oriented  inside the bilayer. Liposomes were the first structured lipid based nanoparticle and possess unique characteristics to encapsulate both hydrophobic (at nonpolar lipid bilayer) and hydrophilic drug (at polar core). Their peculiar quality to permeate through the enterocytes and enhanced stability for drugs has gained sufficient interest for effective lymphatic drug targeting. 57 Liposome preparation involves some generalized sequence of events as depicted in Figure 4. 58 Ling et al 59 reported that cefotaxime (having poor bioavailability and high water solubility) in liposomal formulation have enhanced bioavailability from 2.3 to 2.7 times compared to drug solution and physical mixture respectively, moreover the concentration of liposomal formulation was also substantially more in lymph thereby suggesting possible utility of liposome in targeting lymphatic vessels and addressing bioavailability related issues. Recent studies suggested that merely encapsulating the drug into liposomes may sometimes cannot provide sufficient lymphatic targeting, owing to other properties like the particle size, which governs the passage through bio-membranes. [60][61][62] In an another study reported by Hashida et al 63 liposomal formulation of carboxyfluorescein were inefficient in significantly permeating the mucosa of the intestine, but could enter intestinal mucosa when it was co-administered with lipid-surfactant mixed micelles as the latter could interact with intestinal luminal cell membrane, advocating the role of lipid based formulation with concomitant use of surfactants. Ye et al 64 explored the potential of synthetic borneol as permeation enhancer in lymphatic targeting of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin incorporated nanoliposome (SN-38-Lips) and increase in lymph node uptake when administered through subcutaneous route. It was evident from their results that nanoliposomes when administered with 2mg/ml of Borneol exhibited enhanced lymphatic node retention and uptake.

Liposome with coating material for enhanced performance
Liposomes with surface modifications have also been developed for combating issues of drug resistance, enzymatic metabolism and membrane permeability. Li et al 65 have developed the formulation of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated liposomes of recombinant human epidermal growth factor. The area under the curve (AUC) enhanced form 1.7 to 2.5 folds which might have been an outcome of enhanced resistance towards enzymatic degradation and altered permeability. 66 Iwanaga et al 67 In an another study while examining the effect of coating on peptide drug (insulin as model drug) reported that coating the liposomal surface with polyethylene glycol, sugar portion of mucin increases the gastro-intestinal stability. Further, the coated liposomes were able to manage longer hypoglycemic effect over the uncoated liposomes. Moribe et al 68 were able to increase the encapsulation of nystatin into liposome with distearoyl-N-(monomethoxy poly (ethylene glycol) succinyl) phosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE-PEG). The usefulness of liposome based products as delivery vehicle for anti-cancer drugs has been reflected by recent research reports as summarized in Table 1.

Solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN)
SLN are lipid based drug carries which utilizes certain physiological lipids like mixtures of mono-, di-, or triglycerides along with surfactants (poloxamer and tweens). Moreover SLN are solid at room and physiological temperature. These unique characteristics offers reduced systemic toxicity and enhanced physical stability. Effective drug targeting (particularly to lymphatics) and increased drug encapsulation are additional benefits of SLN. [73][74][75] The exclusion of biotoxic solvents during the manufacturing of SLN by high pressure homogenization (HPH) supports exclusive reduced biological toxicity. 76,77 Most commonly explored technologies for SLN preparation has been depicted in Figure 5 and comparison in Table 2.
In comparison with other techniques, HPH can efficiently be explored for large-scale manufacturing of SLN. Homogenization can be done under hot and cold conditions. Both the process essentially involves dispersion/dissolution of drug into the lipid melt before HPH. Thereafter fluid is allowed to pass under high pressure (upto 200 bars) from a narrow passage in homogenizer. Dolatabadi et al 83   for inhalational use. The developed SLN formulation had particle size below 100 nm and low polydispersibility index 0.25. Furthermore the developed formulation exhibited better systemic bioavailability. Bakhtiary et al 84 also employed hot homogenization technique to prepare Erlotinib SLN as dry powder inhalation product. Erlotinib SLN exhibited particle with spherical shape and size below 100 nm. As a model for non-small cell lung cancer human alveolar adenocarcinoma epithelial A549 cell lines were used for cytotoxic investigation, and the developed formulation exhibited higher anticancer activity.

Role of SLNs in increasing anti-cancer drug absorption and permeability and cancer treatment
Eskandani et al 85 successfully incorporated Shikonin-Act into SLN through hot homogenization method for enhancement in anti-proliferative activity of Shikonin-Act. Shikonin-Act loaded SLN exhibited better therapeutic potential against intact Shikonin in MTT (cytotoxicity) and comet assay (genotoxicity). In another study form Eskandani et al 86 reported significant improvement in antiproliferative action of galbanic acid (GBA) by incorporating GBA into SLN. Hot homogenization method was used for preparation of SLN; the entrapment efficiency of developed SLN was more than 98%. GBA-SLN inhibited growth rate of A549 cells, moreover the cytotoxic effect of GBA-SLN was more prominent after 48 hours. Therefore result of their study depicted sustained and enhanced antiproliferative action form GBA-SLN. Findings from Hamishehkar et al 87 were also in the agreement that sclareol (poorly water soluble) incorporated SLN was able to exhibit sustained (after 48 hours) and improved antiproliferative activity in A549 cell line.
Reports from the study conducted by Reddy et al 88 on formulation of radiolabelled ( 99m Tc) etoposide loaded tripalmitin (ETPL) solid lipid nanoparticle depicted that among the three route explored for administration; subcutaneous, intraperitoneal and intravenous the tumor uptake specificity was highest after 24 hours in subcutaneous followed by intraperitoneal and intravenous administration which was 8-folds and 59-folds respectively, their finding suggested the specificity of ETPL in targeting lymphatic route associated metastasis.
Few recent research findings depicting the potential of SLN in enhancing anti-cancer drug efficacy are given in Table 3.

Nano-structured lipid carriers (NLCs)
The SLN suffered from multitude of drawbacks particularly of insufficient drug loading capacity and leaching of drug during storage (alteration to β type); thereby lipid-based nano-carriers were fabricated to address the shortcomings of SLN, using both solid and liquid characteristics of lipids. 100 This peculiar characteristic offers better drug entrapment during product shelf life, which in turn increases drug solubilizing potential of NLCs system. Studies have also been conducted for exploring the potential of SLN for targeted and sustained delivery of drugs. Moreover judiciously formulated NLCs system (tailoring the composition and formulation processing parameters) can be used for effective intestinal absorption of drugs which can synergistically improves drug bioavailability. 101 Therefore NLCs are categorized as second generation lipid based nano-drug carriers. [102][103][104][105][106] Dolatabadi et al 107 successfully prepared Ketotifen incorporated NLCs with enhanced systemic exposure and reduced cellular toxicity. Hot homogenization and ultrasonication method was used for NLCs preparation. Ketotifen loaded NLC has particle size below 100 nm with high encapsulation efficiency of 70%.

NLCs and their role in increasing anti cancer drug absorption and permeability
Delivery of drug substances with poor bioavailability owing to their low aqueous solubility, permeability and high metabolic activity has been a herculious task for the formulation scientist since long. Majority of problems can be addressed by incorporating them into NLCs such as fenofibrate, isoliquiritigenin, baicalin. [108][109][110] Metabolism of CYP3A4 substrate drug can be prevented by using surfactant (polysorbates, cremophors, and poloxamer) which are inhibitor of the CYP3A4 activity. Moreover conversion of drug physical state from crystalline to amorphous enhances dissolution velocity and increases the uptake of drug by lymphatic system. Making an overall  [111][112][113][114] The entrapment of drug into the lipid matrix provides stealth effect to photolabile and also to drug prone to hydrolytic degradation. Tailoring the globular size of NLCs in the range from 120 to 200 nm reduces the uptake by RES, thereby providing effective enhancement in oral bioavailability. 115,116 Ding et al 117 reported the usefulness of NLCs in co-delivery of PTX and indocyanine green (ICG). The developed formulation have dual characteristic of chemo as well as photodynamic therapy. ICG was reported to enhance the drug release by laser irritation, further increased intracellular uptake and cytotoxicity was obtained by concomitant use of PTX and ICG.

Limited lymphatic uptake of NLCs
Drug incorporated NLCs which are tailor made convert into mixed micelles on interaction with bile salts in the GIT, making them capable of gaining access into lymphatic system thereby circumventing the metabolic activity of liver. The limited lymphatic access also serves the purpose of dose frequency reduction, enhanced concentration of anti-cancer drug at localized and metastatic tumor cells. These factors advocate effective management in cancer chemotherapy and associated side effects. 118 Anti-cancer drugs benefitted by NLCs are shown in Table 4.

Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SEDDs)
SEDDs are complex mixture of Lipid, Surfactant and Cosurfactant the later may or may not be used. Lipid Based drug delivery system have emerged from simplistic oily solutions; they can be either self-micro emulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDs) or self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDs). Whether SEDDs, SMEDDs or SNEDDs they have unique characteristic to selfemulsify into oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion in-vivo on subsequent dilution and agitation by the physiological system. [125][126][127][128] SEDDs formulations have proven their utility in addressing the issue of bioavailability for BCS Class II and IV candidates and essentially comprises of lipid globule size in the range of 200 nm-5 mm. [129][130][131] When the globular size of the inner phase ranges from 100-200 nm they are termed as SMEDDs and makes transparent microemulsions on dilution. Whereas, those self emulsifying lipid based formulations having lipid globular size below 100 nm are categorized as SNEDDs. 132,133 A plethora of research article have been published which clearly exhibits the usefulness of SMEDDs and SNEDDs for lymphatic route targeting. As the drug is in pre-solubilized state into the lipid component it presents drug in ready to be absorbed condition, it also circumvents the effect of metabolic enzymes and drug effluxer, therefore contributes to overall enhancement in drug bioavailability. 134,135 The faith of drug substance incorporated into lipid based drug delivery system invivo is dependent on the factors like physiochemical properties of drug, nature of lipid used (SCT, MCT or LCT). Therefore, judicious selection of surfactant and cosurfactant blend and its ratio is required as it is a guiding process in drug absorption into the luminal lymphatic pathway and effective drug concentration to tumor cells. [136][137][138] The type of oils used for the formulation of SMEDDs is given in Table 5. Anti-cancer drugs benefitted by SEDDs and SMEDDs are given in Table 6.

SNEDDs for hydrophobic drugs
As the absorption of drug substance (hydrophobic) is the limiting factor owing to crystalline structure of the molecule, the entire dose of drug in SNEDDs exists in dissolved state in the lipid concentrate, therefore overall enhancement in absorption of the drug substance takes  place. This finally promotes partitioning through the enterocytes and into the systemic circulation. [156][157][158][159][160] Furthermore the lipid based formulations (emulsified in the stomach) or lipid digestion products after reaching to the enteric system (duodenum) instigate bile juice secretion (bile salts and biliary lipids) stored in the gall bladder. The composition of bile juice is such that it supports further processing of lipid based formulations as they act as a medium for the solubilization of hydrophobic fatty acids, mono and di-glyceride which are incorporated in series of colloidal structure at intestinal lumen. The hydrophilic part of the micelles orients into the aqueous phase whereas hydrophobic chain forms the central part. [161][162][163] The overall solubilizing potential of the intestinal lumen is enhanced by the formation of mixed micellar phase, through lipid based formulations reducing precipitation of hydrophobic drugs. Their solubilizing potential is related with the ability to utilize enormous interfacial surface where the hydrophobic drug partitions. 164,165 SNEDDs as remedy for CYP3A4, P-gp substrate drugs The mechanistic approach behind enhanced oral bioavailability of SNEDDs based formulation as hypothesized by many researchers might be an outcome of enhanced permeability by trans-cellular route, as the formulation components associates with transcellular membrane makes it more fluidic which in turn provide massive passive permeation of formulation components. 166,167 The other theories have originated from the functionality of lipid based excipients; as they have ability to inhibit the efflux transporters making conformational changes to the efflux causing pumps (pgp) thereby enhancing drug concentration at the target site. 168,169 Conventional theory advocated the dominant role of liver in pre-systemic metabolism of drugs whereas the newer finding suggests that intestinal lumen is a major obstacle for drug substance permeability. This hypothesis was generalized on experimental findings which reflected high level of concentration of proteins associated with drug metabolizing enzymes in liver rather than small intestine. 170 Though CYP3A associated drug metabolizing enzymes were largely expressed at the developed villus tip of enterocytes in the small intestine. 171 The CYP3A subfamily of enzymes is considered to have a major role in Phase I metabolism in human beings. In fact, the CYP3A sub-family is responsible for the oxidative metabolism of ~50% of currently marketed drugs. 172 Recent research done by several researchers has shown that more than 70% of the enzymes associated with CYP3A4 prevails in small intestine, whereas its prevalence in hepatic was comparatively low to 30%, which somewhat have demystified the dominant role of liver in first pass effect. 173 The SNEDDs formulation serves the purpose of delivering hydrophobic drugs by presenting the drug in pre-solubilized state in nano sized globules which are thermodynamically stable with enhanced absorptive potential. The overall bioavailability is also enhanced owing to reduced pre-systemic metabolism by CYP3A4 and reduced or negligible P-gp mediated drug efflux. 174 The role of CYP3A4 and P-gp was discussed when addressing low bioavailability of cyclosporine by Wu et al 175 a BCS Class II compound and P-gp, CYP3A4 substrate. The SNEDDs formulation exhibited better permeability through membranes when administered in solubilized state with corn oil as lipid vehicle, but reduced bioavailability was observed owing to higher metabolism by CYP3A4 and also as it was highly effluxed out from the cells. These suggestions were in agreement that merely solubilizing the drug in lipid do not suffices the condition of poor bioavailability as the incorporation of vehicles that can inhibit the effect of P-gp and CYP3A4 is also equally important. Akhtar et al 176 developed SNEDDs of etoposide (a p-gp substrate), and reported higher permeability coefficient in apical to basolateral direction from optimized SNEDDs formulation across Caco-2 monolayers as 2.6 and 11-fold in comparison to marketed formulation and lone drug solution respectively. Enhanced permeability and bioavailability has been attributed to Cremophor RH 40 (as surfactant) ability to inhibit the P-gp efflux activity in the gut and ability of Transcutol P (as co-surfactant) to alter membrane permeability. The SNEDDs has been explored for maximizing the therapeutic potential of anticancer drugs and results of their study are listed in Table 7.

Lipid prodrug
A plethora of lipid carriers have been investigated for the development of lipid prodrug which are generally a unique mixture of glyceride, fatty acids, and phospholipids. The drug is linked either at the carboxylate group or at the ω-position of the carbon chain at its terminal part. 180 A Glyceride conjugation is an outcome of attaching carboxylate group of drug moiety through ester linkage, whereas the drug can also be linked through phosphate group or at the glycerol backbone. The enhanced permeability exhibited by drugs attached to the glycerol backbone is attributed to their ability to permeate apical membrane of the intestinal lumen and the blood brain through natural absorption pathway of phospholipids. 181 Drug-lipid conjugations can reduce total quantity of drug being effluxes out from the cells by P-gp or MDR transporters which in turn will increase permeation to cancerous cells and prolonging the retention of anti-cancer agents Figure 6

Targeted lipid nano-carriers for cancer therapeutics
Targeting anti-cancer drugs to proliferating cells through lipid based delivery systems have proven benefits in selectively targeting the cancerous cells, avoidance of exposure to healthy cells, hydrophobic drug delivery and prolonged exposure over conventional chemotherapy strategies which have dose dependent side effects due to their non-selective bio-distribution. 184 Targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs can be achieved either by active or passive targeting. The active targeting is achieved by attaching lipid based nano-carriers with tumor specific binding ligand. These specific bindings results in selective accumulation at target site. Whereas, passive targeting approach delivers the drug cargo passively to proliferating cells utilizing the rapid vascularization of hyper-permeable cells. The nano-particulate size (10-100 nm) and its surface properties (hydrophilic) are decisive in passive targeting and assembly within tumors. 185