A NEW APPLICATION FOR LIPOSOMES IN CANCER-THERAPY - IMMUNOLIPOSOMES BEARING ENZYMES (IMMUNO-ENZYMOSOMES) FOR SITE-SPECIFIC ACTIVATION OF PRODRUGS

We have tested a new type of immunoliposomes which may effectively med iate the targeting of enzymes to be used for site-specific prodrug act ivation (immuno-enzymosomes). The enzyme beta-glucuronidase, capable o f activating the prodrug epirubicin-glucuronide (epi-glu), was coupled to the external surface of immunoliposomes directed towards ovarian c ancer cells. A significant increase in cytotoxicity of the prodrug epi -glu was shown when the in vitro cultured cancer cells were pretreated with these immuno-enzymosomes.