title: Effectiveness of liposomal paclitaxel against MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
abstract: Paclitaxel is an effective chemotherapeutic agent that is widely used for the treatment of several cancers, including breast, ovarian, and non-small-cell lung cancer. Due to its high lipophilicity, paclitaxel is difficult to administer and requires solubilization with Cremophor EL (polyethoxylated castor oil) and ethanol, which often lead to adverse side effects, including life-threatening anaphylaxis. Incorporation of paclitaxel in dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine:dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPC:DMPG) liposomes can facilitate its delivery to cancer cells and eliminate the adverse reactions associated with the Cremophor EL vehicle. Accordingly, the effectiveness of liposomal paclitaxel on MCF-7 breast cancer cells was examined. The results from this study showed that (i) the lipid components of the liposomal formulation were nontoxic, (ii) the cytotoxic effects of liposomal paclitaxel were improved when compared with those seen with conventional paclitaxel, and (iii) the intracellular paclitaxel levels were higher in MCF-7 cells treated with the liposomal paclitaxel formulation. The results of these studies showed that delivery of paclitaxel as a liposomal formulation could be a promising strategy for enhancing its chemotherapeutic effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heney
authors.forename: Misagh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alipour
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vergidis
authors.forename: Abdelwahab
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Omri
authors.forename: Clement
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mugabe
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Th'ng
authors.forename: Zacharias
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Suntres
mesh_terms: D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine / Q000737:chemistry; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D004134:Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D008081:Liposomes; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols; D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine; C002773:dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol; D017239:Paclitaxel; D004134:Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine