Application of RES-avoiding liposomes encapsulated adriamycin for cancer therapy.

Reticuloendothelial system (RES)-avoiding liposomes having long circulating character have been expected for a useful drug carrier especially for a carrier of anticancer agents, since they tend to accumulate passively in tumor tissues. Liposomes modified with a uronic acid derivative, palmityl-glucuronide (PGlcUA), were developed previously for this purpose, PGlcUA-liposomes composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and PGlcUA remaining in the plasma for longer period of time than control liposomes containing dipalmitoytphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) instead of PGLcUA. when these liposomes were administered intravenously into normal mice. Thus, the therapeutic efficacy of adriamycin encapsulated in PG1cUA-liposomes was examined using Meth A sarcoma-baring mice. Liposomal formulation, especially formulation of RES-avoiding liposomes, was efficient for reducing tumor growth and prolonging survival time. Therefore, PGlcUA-liposomes might be appropriate for practical usage as durg carriers of anticancer agents.