title: Liposome-mediated therapy of neuroblastoma.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Therapy Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Di Paolo
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loi
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pastorino
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brignole
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marimpietri
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Becherini
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Caffa
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zorzoli
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Longhi
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gagliani
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tacchetti
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corti
authors.forename: Theresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Mirco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ponzoni
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pagnan
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005732:Gangliosides; D008081:Liposomes; D017313:Fenretinide; C019403:ganglioside, GD2; D006046:Gold; D004317:Doxorubicin