Liposome-mediated therapy of neuroblastoma.
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood and the most frequently diagnosed neoplasm during infancy. Despite of aggressive treatment strategies, the 5-year survival rate for metastatic disease is still less than 60% and, consequently, novel therapeutic approaches are needed. For increasing the therapeutic index of anticancer drugs, while reducing side effects, one of the most promising strategies in modern chemotherapy is based on the development of innovative drug delivery systems, such as liposomes. "Anticancer drug"-loaded liposomes have demonstrated enhanced ability to target to the affected area, as well as increased antitumor efficacy compared to conventional drugs. Liposomes tend to extravasate preferentially and to accumulate into tumor interstitial fluids, due to the defective structure of the new angiogenic vessels within the tumor masses. This inherent tumor selectivity can be increased further by coupling tumor-specific antibodies or other targeting moieties to the surface of the lipid envelope. Here, we describe the methodology used in these studies, as well as the antitumor results obtained by the use of several "anticancer drugs," encapsulated into antibody- and peptide-targeted liposomal formulations, against NB.
Di Paolo
Daniela
D
Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
Loi
Monica
M
Pastorino
Fabio
F
Brignole
Chiara
C
Marimpietri
Danilo
D
Becherini
Pamela
P
Caffa
Irene
I
Zorzoli
Alessia
A
Longhi
Renato
R
Gagliani
Cristina
C
Tacchetti
Carlo
C
Corti
Angelo
A
Allen
Theresa M
TM
Ponzoni
Mirco
M
Pagnan
Gabriella
G
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D017313:Fenretinide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000737:chemistry; D006046:Gold; D008081:Liposomes; D051379:Mice; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005732:Gangliosides; D008081:Liposomes; D017313:Fenretinide; C019403:ganglioside, GD2; D006046:Gold; D004317:Doxorubicin