Application of fusogenic liposomes containing fragment A of diphtheria toxin to cancer therapy

Br J Cancer. 1996 Feb;73(4):472-6. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1996.83.

Abstract

Previously we reported that fusogenic liposomes, prepared by fusing simple liposomes with Sendai virus particles, could introduce their contents directly and efficiently into the cytoplasm. In this study, we examined the anti-tumour activity of fusogenic liposomes containing fragment A of diphtheria toxin (DTA). Fusogenic liposomes containing DTA showed high cytotoxicity against sarcoma-180 (S-180) cells in vitro. When these liposomes were administered into the abdominal cavity of ddY mice carrying S-180, tumour cells completely disappeared in four of six tumour-bearing mice without decrease in body weight. Neither simple liposomes containing DTA nor empty fusogenic liposomes had any effect on tumour suppression. We conclude that fusogenic liposomes containing DTA are new and potentially effective tools for the treatment of ascites tumours without any severe side-effects.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / toxicity
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Diphtheria Toxin / administration & dosage*
  • Diphtheria Toxin / therapeutic use
  • Diphtheria Toxin / toxicity
  • Drug Carriers
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Liposomes
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Male
  • Membrane Fusion
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human
  • Peptide Fragments / administration & dosage*
  • Peptide Fragments / therapeutic use
  • Peptide Fragments / toxicity
  • Sarcoma 180 / drug therapy*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Diphtheria Toxin
  • Drug Carriers
  • Liposomes
  • Peptide Fragments
  • diphtheria toxin fragment A