Liposomes in Cancer Therapy

The 1989 document discusses the potential of liposomes in cancer therapy, particularly for delivering anticancer drugs while reducing their toxicity to normal cells. Preclinical studies indicated that liposomal doxorubicin could increase the therapeutic index by reducing cardiotoxicity and maintaining or enhancing antitumor activity. Phase I and II clinical trials showed that liposomal doxorubicin was well tolerated with minimal side effects and altered pharmacokinetics, leading to higher peak plasma concentrations and lower distribution volumes compared to the free drug. Preliminary results from a Phase II study suggested significant activity against recurrent breast carcinoma. The document also addresses the issue of multi-drug resistance and the potential of liposomes to modulate this resistance. While some alkylating agents showed no significant therapeutic gain when encapsulated in liposomes, lipophilic drugs like nitrosourea derivatives and cisplatin encapsulated in liposomes displayed increased therapeutic properties and altered pharmacokinetics, suggesting potential value in organ-specific tumor treatment and reduced gastrointestinal toxicity. The conclusion is that liposome-incorporated antitumor drugs, especially anthracyclines and platinum compounds, have shown progress in reducing toxicity and improving efficacy in animal models and clinical investigations.