H. Takeuchi et al., Evaluation of the anti-tumour activity of liposomal doxorubicin coated with hydrophilic polymers in tumour-bearing mice, STP PHARM S, 11(4), 2001, pp. 271-274
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of polymer-coat
ed liposomes as a carrier of the anticancer drug, doxorubicin, via intraven
ous administration. The size-controlled doxorubicin-loaded liposomes (egg p
hosphatidylcholine/cholesterol 1/1 in molar ratio) were coated with hydroph
ilic polymers having a hydrophobic moiety in the molecules (PVA-R, HPMC-R).
The therapeutic efficiency of the drug encapsulated into th e polymer-coat
ed liposomes was evaluated by measuring the tumour size and the mean surviv
al time in Ehrlich ascite carcinoma-bearing mice. A significant improvement
in the therapeutic efficacy of the drug was observed with the PVA-R- and H
PMC-R-coated liposomal formulation. We ascertained that polymers having a h
ydrophobic moiety in the molecule such as PVA-R and HPMC-R are suitable mat
erials for modifying the surfaces of the doxorubicin-loaded liposome to enh
ance the therapeutic efficacy of the drug.