Formulation and Characterization of Camptothecin Cubosomes for Anti-Cancer Treatment

Cancer remains a leading cause of global mortality due to its aggressive progression and systemic impact. Conventional chemotherapeutic agents, although effective, often suffer from non-specificity and associated systemic toxicity. In this study, a novel camptothecin (CPT)-loaded cubosomal drug delivery system was developed to boost therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects. Cubosomes—nanoscale lipid-based carriers—were prepared using a microfluidization method with glyceryl monooleate and Poloxamer 407. A Quality by Design (QbD) approach employing Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was used to optimize formulation parameters such as the concentration of lipid and surfactant and the number of microfluidizer cycles. Thirteen trial batches were analyzed to evaluate critical quality attributes including particle size, zeta potential, and drug entrapment efficiency. The optimized formulation shown a particle size of 101.7nm, zeta potential of 33mV, and entrapment efficiency of 99.8%. FTIR studies confirmed successful drug encapsulation with preservation of the active lactone form of camptothecin. Stability assessments showed physical integrity under varied storage conditions. Cytotoxicity studies using the MTT assay contrary to MCF-7 breast cancer cells revealed a dose-dependent response, with an IC₅₀ of 49.79μg/ml, indicating significant anticancer potential. Overall, the camptothecin-loaded cubosomal formulation demonstrated favorable physicochemical properties, enhanced cytotoxicity, and strong potential as a targeted delivery system for cancer therapy.