LIPOSOME DRUG-DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR MURINE NEUROBLASTOMA

Purpose: The effects of liposome-infused doxorubicin on C-1300 murine neuroblastoma were studied. The liposome surface was covered with poly ethylene glycol to avoid migration toward the reticuloendothelial syst em and to prolong its presence in the bloodstream. Liposome-infused do xorubicin hydrochloride (DXR), an anthracycline was used as an antican cer antibiotic substance. Methods: Each A/J mouse was transplanted wit h 1 x 10(5) C-1300 murine neuroblastoma cells subcutaneously in the th igh. The experiment was conducted when the maximum tumor dimension was 1 cm. The control group was given only physiological saline solutions , the second group was given DXR alone, and the third group received l iposome-infused DXR (Lip-DXR). The survival and doubling times were me asured. One, 12, and 24 hours after the injection, the DXR concentrati on in the cardiac tissues was measured for statistical comparison. Res ults: The survival time of the mice was found to be 27 +/- 5.10 days i n the control group, 31.40 +/- 3.15 days in the DXR group, and 43.86 /- 2.13 days in the Lip-DXR group. The Lip-DXR group showed the longes t survival time. The tumor-doubling time was found to be 9.07 +/- 2.30 , 10.75 +/- 3.49, and 19.80 +/- 3.26 days, for each group, respectivel y. When comparing the DXR concentration in the heart tissues, the Lip- DXR-administered mice showed significantly lower DXR accumulation in t he cardiac tissues after 1 and 12 hours than the DXR-administered mice . Conclusion: This study proved that liposome-infused DXR could be use d effectively on murine neuroblastoma (C-1300 tumor cell model) and ma y reduce the incidence of cardiac toxicity as compared with DXR alone. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.