_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Corresponding author: E-mail: pgoudanavar01@gmail.com; Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International 33(41A): 230-238, 2021; Article no.JPRI.72209 ISSN: 2456-9119 (Past name: British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Past ISSN: 2231-2919, NLM ID: 101631759) Irinotecan Engineered Proniosomes: In vitro and In vivo Characterization Prakash Goudanavar 1* , B. Ramesh 1 , Santosh Fattepur 2 and Nagaraja Sreeharsha 3 1 Department of Pharmaceutics, Sri Adichunchanagiri College of Pharmacy, Adichunchanagiri University B. G. Nagara-571448, Karnataka, India. 2 School of Pharmacy, Management and Science University, Seksyen 13, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. 3 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa-31982, Saudi Arabia. Author’s contribution This work was carried out in collaboration among all authors. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/JPRI/2021/v33i41A32322 Editor(s): (1) Dr. Giuseppe Murdaca, University of Genoa, Italy. Reviewers: (1) Hind Shakir Ahmed, University of Baghdad, Iraq. (2) P. Muthu, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, India. Complete Peer review History: https://www.sdiarticle4.com/review-history/72209 Received 06 June 2021 Accepted 12 August 2021 Published 18 August 2021 ABSTRACT Objective: The focus of this research has been to improve efficacy, decrease tolerance and increase the irinotecan pharmacokinetic profile. Methods: Proniosomesformulated with various surfactants, cholesterol and dicetyl phosphate using the slurry method. A slurry process was used to prepare proniosomes with maltodextrin as the carrier by using surfactants span 20, span 60, tween 20 and tween 80. Results: The preparations were characterized in terms of shape and specific surface area, entrapment efficacy, in vitro release studies, in vivo tissue diffusion and stability testing. The proniosome surface was found to be smoother in nature showing thin and compact layer with skim milk powder. For formulation 2 (73.942.8%), the maximum entrapment efficacy was found. Conclusion: The formulation 3 obtained the desired maximum release profile within 24 hours (98.06%). The in vivo tissue distribution studies for the proniosomes reveal that the drug was Original Research Article