Reduced toxicity and superior therapeutic activity of a mitomycin C lipid-based prodrug incorporated in pegylated liposomes.
OBJECTIVE
A lipid-based prodrug of mitomycin C [MMC; 2,3-(distearoyloxy)propane-1-dithio-4'-benzyloxycarbonyl-MMC] was designed for liposome formulation. The purpose of this study was to examine the in vitro cytotoxicity, pharmacokinetics, in vivo toxicity, and in vivo antitumor activity of this new lipid-based prodrug formulated in polyethylene glycol-coated (pegylated) liposomes.


METHODS
MMC was released from the MMC lipid-based prodrug (MLP) by thiolytic-induced cleavage with a variety of thiol-containing reducing agents. MLP was incorporated with nearly 100% efficiency in cholesterol-free pegylated liposomes with hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine as the main component and a mean vesicle size of approximately 90 nm. This formulation was used for in vitro and in vivo tests in rodents.


RESULTS
In vitro, the cytotoxic activity of pegylated liposomal MLP (PL-MLP) was drastically reduced compared with free MMC. However, in the presence of reducing agents, such as cysteine or N-acetyl-cysteine, its activity increased to nearly comparable levels to those of free MMC. Intravenous administration of PL-MLP in rats resulted in a slow clearance indicating stable prodrug retention in liposomes and long circulation time kinetics, with a pharmacokinetic profile substantially different from that of free MMC. In vivo, PL-MLP was approximately 3-fold less toxic than free MMC. The therapeutic index and absolute antitumor efficacy of PL-MLP were superior to that of free MMC in the three tumor models tested. In addition, PL-MLP was significantly more active than a formulation of doxorubicin in pegylated liposomes (DOXIL) in the M109R tumor model, a mouse tumor cell line with a multidrug-resistant phenotype.


CONCLUSIONS
Delivery of MLP in pegylated liposomes is a potential approach for effective treatment of multidrug-resistant tumors while significantly buffering the toxicity of MMC.
Gabizon
Alberto A
AA
Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. alberto@md.huji.ac.il
Tzemach
Dinah
D
Horowitz
Aviva T
AT
Shmeeda
Hilary
H
Yeh
Jerry
J
Zalipsky
Samuel
S
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008937:Mitomycins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C514878:2,3-(distearoyloxy)propane-1-dithio-4'-benzyloxycarbonyl-mitomycin C; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008081:Liposomes; D008937:Mitomycins; D011355:Prodrugs; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols