Antitumor activity of the tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate encapsulated in targeted vesicles after intravenous administration.
OBJECTIVE
The therapeutic potential of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol with anticancer properties, is limited by its inability to specifically reach tumors following intravenous administration. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a tumor-targeted vesicular formulation of EGCG would suppress the growth of A431 epidermoid carcinoma and B16-F10 melanoma in vitro and in vivo.


METHODS
Transferrin-bearing vesicles encapsulating EGCG were administered intravenously to mice bearing subcutaneous A431 and B16-F10 tumors.


RESULTS
The intravenous administration of EGCG encapsulated in transferrin-bearing vesicles resulted in tumor suppression in 40% of A431 and B16-F10 tumors. Animal survival was improved by more than 20 days compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Encapsulation of EGCG in transferrin-bearing vesicles is a promising therapeutic strategy.
Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK.
Fanny
F
Lemarié
Chun Wai
CW
Chang
David R
DR
Blatchford
Rumelo
R
Amor
Greg
G
Norris
Laurence
L
Tetley
Gail
G
McConnell
Christine
C
Dufès
D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
D013662:Tea; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate