Simvastatin-loaded liposome nanoparticles treatment for uterine leiomyoma in a patient-derived xenograft mouse model: a pilot study

Uterine leiomyomas are complex tumours with limited medical treatment options. Simvastatin is used to treat hypercholesterolaemia and has shown promising effects as a treatment option for leiomyomas. Previously, our group demonstrated a promising effect of simvastatin treatment in a patient-derived xeno- graft mouse model. Here, we tested the efficacy of simvastatin liposomal nanoparticles (NPs). After bilat- simvastatin and simvastatin-loaded liposome NPs (simvastatin-NPs). Treatment with simvastatin signifi- eral leiomyoma xenograft implantation, mice (N¼12) were divided into three treatment arms: control, cantly reduced tumour volume and inhibited the Ki67 expression when compared to the control group. There was a trend of reduced tumour volume and Ki67 expression after treatment with simvastatin-NP; however, the results were not significant. Due to low bioavailability and short half-life of simvastatin, lipo- somal NPs have the potential to enhance drug delivery, however, in this study NP did not provide improvement over simvastatin, but did demonstrate their potential for the delivery of simvastatin.