Preparation of pH-sensitive, long-circulating and EGFR-targeted immunoliposomes

Arch Pharm Res. 2008 Apr;31(4):539-46. doi: 10.1007/s12272-001-1190-9. Epub 2008 May 1.

Abstract

A long-circulating formulation of pH-sensitive liposomes (PSLs) with antibodies against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) attached was designed, expecting an increase in binding and delivery of liposomes to the target cells including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Physicochemical properties of the PSLs were measured by SEM and DLS. Leakage of a self-quenching fluorescent probe, calcein, from the liposome was studied for the evaluation of pH-sensitivity. Encapsulation efficiency of gemcitabine (an anti-cancer drug) in PSLs was about 67%. Average size of liposomes was 88 nm in diameter. The PSL of DOPE/CHEMS (6:4 molar ratio) formulation showed a dramatic pH-sensitivity at/around pH 5.5, whereas non-PSL of DPPC/Chol or PC/CHEMS formulation did not. Anti-proliferation effect of gemcitabine-encapsulating PSLs & Ab-PSLs in A549 cells was 2-fold higher than the free drug, which was further elucidated by the apoptosis of the cells by gemcitabine (approximately 10% apoptosis for PSL or Ab-PSL formulation vs. approximately 1% for free drug or non-PSL formulation) using FACS analysis. These data demonstrate delivery of gemcitabine to tumor cells can be improved by long-circulating PSLs or Ab-PSLs formulations in vitro.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / chemistry
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism*
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / chemistry
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / pharmacology*
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Separation
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Deoxycytidine / chemistry
  • Deoxycytidine / pharmacology
  • Deoxycytidine / therapeutic use
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Compounding
  • ErbB Receptors / immunology
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluoresceins / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Gemcitabine
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Liposomes
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Particle Size
  • Tumor Stem Cell Assay

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Fluoresceins
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Lipids
  • Liposomes
  • Deoxycytidine
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • fluorexon
  • Gemcitabine