Delivery of liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil) in a breast cancer tumor model: investigation of potential enhancement by pulsed-high intensity focused ultrasound exposure.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the potential of using pulsed high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) exposures to enhance the delivery, and hence therapeutic effect of liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil) in a murine breast cancer tumor model.


METHODS
Tumors were grown in the bilateral flanks of mice using a mammary adenocarcinoma cell line. Experiments consisted of exposing one of two tumors to pulsed-HIFU, followed by tail vein injections of Doxil. Tumor growth rates were monitored, and assays carried out for doxorubicin concentration in these tumors as well as in a second (squamous cell carcinoma) tumor model and in muscle. Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used with fluorescent probes to observe both the uptake of polystyrene nanoparticles and dilation of exposed blood vessels. Additional experiments involving histologic analysis and real-time temperature measurements were performed to determine the safety of the exposures.


RESULTS
Pulsed-HIFU exposures were shown to be safe, producing no apparent deleterious effects in the tumors. The exposures, however, were not found to enhance the delivery of Doxil, and consequently did not allow for lower doses for obtaining tumor regression. Imaging with a fluorescent dextran showed blood vessels to be dilated as a result of the exposures. Experiments with polystyrene nanoparticles of similar size to the liposomes showed a greater abundance to be present in the treated tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
Although past studies have shown the advantages of pulsed-HIFU exposures for enhancing delivery, this was not observed with the liposomes, apparently because of their inherent ability to preferentially accumulate into tumors on their own. Potential mechanisms for enhanced uptake of non-liposomal nanoparticles are discussed.
Diagnostic Radiology Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 1N306a, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. vfrenkel@cc.nih.gov
Victor
V
Frenkel
Amena
A
Etherington
Maiya
M
Greene
Jade
J
Quijano
Jianwu
J
Xie
Finie
F
Hunter
Sergio
S
Dromi
King C P
KC
Li
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013010:Sonication; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008081:Liposomes; D004317:Doxorubicin