Dual encapsulated dacarbazine and indocyanine green in hyaluronic acid-coated liposomes for actively targeted treatment of melanoma by combined therapy

A novel method for treating melanoma which is a fatal skin cancer is proposed in this article. By combining chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT), it provides us a more effective and efficient way for the treatment of melanoma. The dacarbazine which is reported to be a relatively mild drug in inhibiting melanoma is combined with the indocyanine green that can be used as a photosensitizer for PDT to realize the combined therapy. Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and 1,2-Dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propan (DOTAP) was used to synthesize the liposomes which gave it a positively charged surface for electrostatic coating with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid molecules are utilized to modify the liposomes surface to achieve the purpose of active targeting to the melanoma sites. This nanoparticle is expected to show enhanced cytotoxicity and its therapeutic effect compared with regular treatment against melanoma.