Elucidating the role of free polycations in gene knockdown by siRNA polyplexes.

Future improvements of non-viral vectors for siRNA delivery require better understanding of intracellular processing and vector interactions with target cells. Here, we have compared the siRNA delivery properties of a lipid derivative of bPEI 1.8kDa (DOPE-PEI) with branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) with average molecular weights of 1.8kDa (bPEI 1.8kDa) and 25kDa (bPEI 25kDa). We find mechanistic differences between the DOPE-PEI conjugate and bPEI regarding siRNA condensation and intracellular processing. bPEI 1.8kDa and bPEI 25kDa have similar properties with respect to condensation capability, but are very different regarding siRNA decondensation, cellular internalization and induction of reporter gene knockdown. Lipid conjugation of bPEI 1.8kDa improves the siRNA delivery properties, but with markedly different formulation requirements and mechanisms of action compared to conventional PEIs. Interestingly, strong knockdown using bPEI 25kDa is dependent on the presence of a free vector fraction which does not increase siRNA uptake. Finally, we have investigated the effect on lysosomal pH induced by these vectors to elucidate the differences in the proton sponge effect between lipid conjugated PEI and conventional PEI: Neither DOPE-PEI nor bPEI 25kDa affected lysosomal pH as a function of time, underlining that the possible proton sponge effect is not associated with changes in lysosomal pH. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Gene silencing therapy has the potential to treat diseases which are beyond the reach of current small molecule-based medicines. However, delivery of the small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) remains a bottleneck to clinical implementation, and the development of safe and efficient delivery systems would be one of the most important achievements in medicine today. A major reason for the lack of progress is insufficient understanding of cell-polyplex interaction. We investigate siRNA delivery using polyethyleneimine (PEI) based vectors and examine how crucial formulation parameters determine the challenges associated with PEI as a delivery vector. We further evaluate how lipid conjugation of PEI influences formulation, cytotoxicity and polymer interaction with cells and cargo as well as the proton sponge capabilities of the vectors.

EGFR Targeted Theranostic Nanoemulsion for Image-Guided Ovarian Cancer Therapy.

PURPOSE: Platinum-based therapies are the first line treatments for most types of cancer including ovarian cancer. However, their use is associated with dose-limiting toxicities and resistance. We report initial translational studies of a theranostic nanoemulsion loaded with a cisplatin derivative, myrisplatin and pro-apoptotic agent, C6-ceramide. METHODS: The surface of the nanoemulsion is annotated with an endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) binding peptide to improve targeting ability and gadolinium to provide diagnostic capability for image-guided therapy of EGFR overexpressing ovarian cancers. A high shear microfludization process was employed to produce the formulation with particle size below 150 nm. RESULTS: Pharmacokinetic study showed a prolonged blood platinum and gadolinium levels with nanoemulsions in nu/nu mice. The theranostic nanoemulsions also exhibited less toxicity and enhanced the survival time of mice as compared to an equivalent cisplatin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies indicate the theranostic nanoemulsions were effective contrast agents and could be used to track accumulation in a tumor. The MRI study additionally indicate that significantly more EGFR-targeted theranostic nanoemulsion accumulated in a tumor than non-targeted nanoemulsuion providing the feasibility of using a targeted theranostic agent in conjunction with MRI to image disease loci and quantify the disease progression.

Radiofrequency ablation-induced upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α can be suppressed with adjuvant bortezomib or liposomal chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To characterize upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α after radiofrequency (RF) ablation and the influence of an adjuvant HIF-1α inhibitor (bortezomib) and nanodrugs on modulating RF ablation-upregulated hypoxic pathways. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fisher 344 rats (n = 68) were used. First, RF ablation-induced periablational HIF-1α expression was evaluated in normal liver or subcutaneous R3230 tumors (14-16 mm). Next, the effect of varying RF ablation thermal dose (varying tip temperature 50°C-90°C for 2-20 minutes) on HIF-1α expression was studied in R3230 tumors. Third, RF ablation was performed in R3230 tumors without or with an adjuvant HIF-1α inhibitor, bortezomib (single intraperitoneal dose 0.1 mg/kg). Finally, the combination RF ablation and intravenous liposomal chemotherapeutics with known increases in periablational cellular cytotoxicity (doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and quercetin) was assessed for effect on periablational HIF-1α. Outcome measures included immunohistochemistry of HIF-1α and heat shock protein 70 (marker of nonlethal thermal injury). RESULTS: RF ablation increased periablational HIF-1α in both normal liver and R3230 tumor, peaking at 24-72 hours. Tumor RF ablation had similar HIF-1α rim thickness but significantly greater percent cell positivity compared with hepatic RF ablation (P < .001). HIF-1α after ablation was the same regardless of thermal dose. Bortezomib suppressed HIF-1α (rim thickness, 68.7 µm ± 21.5 vs 210.3 µm ± 85.1 for RF ablation alone; P < .02) and increased ablation size (11.0 mm ± 1.5 vs 7.7 mm ± 0.6 for RF ablation alone; P < .002). Finally, all three nanodrugs suppressed RF ablation-induced HIF-1α (ie, rim thickness and cell positivity; P < .02 for all comparisons), with liposomal doxorubicin suppressing HIF-1α the most (P < .03). CONCLUSIONS: RF ablation upregulates HIF-1α in normal liver and tumor in a temperature-independent manner. This progrowth, hypoxia pathway can be successfully suppressed with an adjuvant HIF-1α-specific inhibitor, bortezomib, or non-HIF-1α-specific liposomal chemotherapy.

Nanodrug-enhanced radiofrequency tumor ablation: effect of micellar or liposomal carrier on drug delivery and treatment efficacy.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of different drug-loaded nanocarriers (micelles and liposomes) on delivery and treatment efficacy for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with nanodrugs. MATERIALS/METHODS: Fischer 344 rats were used (n = 196). First, single subcutaneous R3230 tumors or normal liver underwent RFA followed by immediate administration of i.v. fluorescent beads (20, 100, and 500 nm), with fluorescent intensity measured at 4-24 hr. Next, to study carrier type on drug efficiency, RFA was combined with micellar (20 nm) or liposomal (100 nm) preparations of doxorubicin (Dox; targeting HIF-1α) or quercetin (Qu; targeting HSP70). Animals received RFA alone, RFA with Lipo-Dox or Mic-Dox (1 mg i.v., 15 min post-RFA), and RFA with Lipo-Qu or Mic-Qu given 24 hr pre- or 15 min post-RFA (0.3 mg i.v.). Tumor coagulation and HIF-1α or HSP70 expression were assessed 24 hr post-RFA. Third, the effect of RFA combined with i.v. Lipo-Dox, Mic-Dox, Lipo-Qu, or Mic-Qu (15 min post-RFA) compared to RFA alone on tumor growth and animal endpoint survival was evaluated. Finally, drug uptake was compared between RFA/Lipo-Dox and RFA/Mic-Dox at 4-72 hr. RESULTS: Smaller 20 nm beads had greater deposition and deeper tissue penetration in both tumor (100 nm/500 nm) and liver (100 nm) (p<0.05). Mic-Dox and Mic-Qu suppressed periablational HIF-1α or HSP70 rim thickness more than liposomal preparations (p<0.05). RFA/Mic-Dox had greater early (4 hr) intratumoral doxorubicin, but RFA/Lipo-Dox had progressively higher intratumoral doxorubicin at 24-72 hr post-RFA (p<0.04). No difference in tumor growth and survival was seen between RFA/Lipo-Qu and RFA/Mic-Qu. Yet, RFA/Lipo-Dox led to greater animal endpoint survival compared to RFA/Mic-Dox (p<0.03). CONCLUSION: With RF ablation, smaller particle micelles have superior penetration and more effective local molecular modulation. However, larger long-circulating liposomal carriers can result in greater intratumoral drug accumulation over time and reduced tumor growth. Accordingly, different carriers provide specific advantages, which should be considered when formulating optimal combination therapies.

On-demand intracellular amplification of chemoradiation with cancer-specific plasmonic nanobubbles.

Chemoradiation-resistant cancers limit treatment efficacy and safety. We show here the cancer cell-specific, on-demand intracellular amplification of chemotherapy and chemoradiation therapy via gold nanoparticle- and laser pulse-induced mechanical intracellular impact. Cancer aggressiveness promotes the clustering of drug nanocarriers and gold nanoparticles in cancer cells. This cluster, upon exposure to a laser pulse, generates a plasmonic nanobubble, the mechanical explosion that destroys the host cancer cell or ejects the drug into its cytoplasm by disrupting the liposome and endosome. The same cluster locally amplifies external X-rays. Intracellular synergy of the mechanical impact of plasmonic nanobubble, ejected drug and amplified X-rays improves the efficacy of standard chemoradiation in resistant and aggressive head and neck cancer by 100-fold in vitro and 17-fold in vivo, reduces the effective entry doses of drugs and X-rays to 2-6% of their clinical doses and efficiently spares normal cells. The developed quadrapeutics technology combines four clinically validated components and transforms a standard macrotherapy into an intracellular on-demand theranostic microtreatment with radically amplified therapeutic efficacy and specificity.

Targeted transferrin-modified polymeric micelles: enhanced efficacy in vitro and in vivo in ovarian carcinoma.

In this study, transferrin (Tf)-modified poly(ethylene glycol)-phosphatidylethanolamine (mPEG-PE) micelles loaded with the poorly water-soluble drug, R547 (a potent and selective ATP-competitive cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor), were prepared and evaluated for their targeting efficiency and cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo to A2780 ovarian carcinoma cells, which overexpress transferrin receptors (TfR). At 10 mM lipid concentration, both Tf-modified and plain micelles solubilized 800 µg of R547. Tf-modified micelles showed enhanced interaction with A2780 ovarian carcinoma cells in vitro. The involvement of TfR in endocytosis of Tf-modified micelles was confirmed by colocalization studies of micelle-treated cells with the endosomal marker Tf-Alexa488. We confirmed endocytosis of micelles in an intact form with micelles loaded with a fluorescent dye and additionally labeled with fluorescent lipid. The in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo tumor growth inhibition studies in A2780-tumor bearing mice confirmed the enhanced efficacy of Tf-modified R547-loaded micelles compared to free drug solution and to nonmodified micelles. The results of this study demonstrate the potential application of Tf-conjugated polymeric micelles in the treatment of tumors overexpressing TfR.

Phospholipid-modified polyethylenimine-based nanopreparations for siRNA-mediated gene silencing: implications for transfection and the role of lipid components.

The clinical application of gene silencing mediated by small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been limited by the lack of efficient and safe carriers. Phospholipid modification of low molecular weight polyethylenimine (PEI 1.8 kDa) dramatically increased its gene down-regulation capacity while keeping cytotoxicity levels low. The silencing efficacy was highly dependent on the nature of the lipid grafted to PEI and the polymer/siRNA ratio employed. Phosphoethanolamine (DOPE and DPPE) and phosphocholine (PC) conjugation did not change the physicochemical properties and siRNA binding capacity of PEI complexes but had a large impact on their transfection and ability to down-regulate Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) expression (60%, 30% and 5% decrease of GFP expression respectively). We found that the micelle-forming structure of DOPE and DPPE-PEI dramatically changed PEI's interaction with cell membranes and played a key role in promoting PEI 1.8 kDa transfection, completely ineffective in the absence of the lipid modification. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: While siRNA-based gene silencing methods could have numerous clinical applications, efficient delivery remains a major challenge. This team reports that DOPE-PEI and DPPE-PEI based micelle-forming nanostructures may be able to provide an efficient vector for siRNA transfection.

Adjuvant liposomal doxorubicin markedly affects radiofrequency ablation-induced effects on periablational microvasculature.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of radiofrequency (RF) ablation without and with adjuvant intravenous (IV) liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil) on microvessel morphology and patency and intratumoral drug delivery and retention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 133 tumors/animals used in this experiment. First, single subcutaneous tumors (R3230 in Fischer rats and 786-0 in nude mice) were randomly assigned to receive RF ablation alone or no treatment and sacrificed 0-72 hours after treatment. Next, combined RF ablation and liposomal doxorubicin (1 mg given 15 min after RF ablation) was studied in R3230 tumors at 0-72 hours after treatment. Histopathologic assessment, including immunohistochemical staining for cleaved caspase-3, heat-shock protein 70, and CD34, was performed to assess morphologic vessel appearance, vessel diameter, and microvascular density. Subsequently, tumors were randomly assigned to receive RF ablation alone, RF ablation and liposomal doxorubicin, or no treatment (control tumors), followed by IV fluorescent-labeled liposomes (a surrogate marker) given 0-24 hours after RF ablation to permit qualitative assessment. RESULTS: RF ablation alone resulted in enlarged and dysmorphic vessels from 0-4 hours, peaking at 12-24 hours after RF ablation, occurring preferentially closer to the electrode. The addition of doxorubicin resulted in earlier vessel contraction (mean vessel area, 47,539 µm(2)±9,544 vs 1,854 µm(2)±458 for RF ablation alone at 15 min; P<.05). Combined RF ablation and liposomal doxorubicin produced similar fluorescence 1 hour after treatment (40.88 AU/µm(2)±33.53 vs 22.1 AU/µm(2)±13.19; P = .14) but significantly less fluorescence at 4 hours (24.3 AU/µm(2)±3.65 vs 2.8 AU/µm(2)±3.14; P<.002) compared with RF ablation alone denoting earlier reduction in microvascular patency. CONCLUSIONS: RF ablation induces morphologic changes to vessels within the ablation zone lasting 12-24 hours after treatment. The addition of liposomal doxorubicin causes early vessel contraction and a reduction in periablational microvascular patency. Such changes would likely need to be considered when determining optimal drug administration and imaging paradigms.

The effect of dual ligand-targeted micelles on the delivery and efficacy of poorly soluble drug for cancer therapy.

We prepared and evaluated transferrin (Tf) and monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2C5-modified dual ligand-targeted poly(ethylene glycol)-phosphatidylethanolamine micelles loaded with a poorly soluble drug, R547 (a selective adenosine triphosphate-competitive cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor) for enhancement of targeting efficiency and cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo to A2780 ovarian carcinoma compared to single ligand-targeted micelles. Micellar solubilization significantly improved the solubility of R547 from 1 to 800 µg/mL. The size of modified and non-modified micelles was 13-16 nm. Flow cytometry indicated significantly enhanced cellular association of dual ligand-targeted micelles compared to single ligand-targeted micelles. Confocal microscopy confirmed the Tf receptor-mediated endocytosis of rhodamine-labeled Tf-modified micelles after staining the micelle-treated cells with the endosomal marker Tf-Alexa488. The optimized dual-targeted micelles enhanced cytotoxicity in vitro against A2780 ovarian cancer cells compared to plain and single ligand-targeted micelles. Interestingly, in vivo anti-tumor efficacy was more pronounced for the preparation with a single-targeting ligand (Tf). The specific combination Tf and mAb 2C5 did not yield the expected increase in efficacy as was observed in vitro. This observation suggests that the relationships between targeting ligands in vivo could be more complex than in simplified in vitro systems, and the results of the optimization process should always be verified in vivo.

Immunomicelles for advancing personalized therapy.

Personalized medicine, which ultimately seeks to afford tailored therapeutic regimens for individual patients, is quickly emerging as a new paradigm in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The idea of casting aside generic treatments in favor of patient-centric therapies has become feasible owing to advances in nanotechnology and drug delivery coupled with an enhanced knowledge of genomics and an understanding of disease at the molecular level. This review highlights polymeric immunomicelles as a class of nanocarriers that have the potential to combine diagnosis, targeted drug therapy, as well as imaging and monitoring of therapeutic response, to render a personalized approach to the management of disease. Smart multi-functional immunomicelles, as the next generation of nanocarriers, are poised for facilitating personalized cancer treatment. This review provides an assessment of immunomicelles as tools for advancing personalized therapy of diseases, with cancer being the major focus.

Challenges in development of targeted liposomal therapeutics.

Liposomes, phospholipid vesicles with a bilayered membrane structure, have been widely used as pharmaceutical carriers for drugs and genes, in particular for treatment of cancer. To enhance the efficacy of the liposomal drugs, drug-loaded liposomes are targeted to the tumors by means of passive (enhanced permeability and retention mediated) targeting, based on the longevity of liposomes in blood and its accumulation in pathological sites with compromised vasculature, and active targeting, based on the attachment of specific ligands to the liposomal surface to bind certain antigens on the target cells. Antibody-targeted liposomes loaded with anticancer drugs demonstrate high potential for clinical applications. This review highlights evolution of liposomes for both passive and active targeting and challenges in development of targeted liposomal therapeutics specifically antibody-targeted liposomes.

Design, synthesis, and initial biological evaluation of a steroidal anti-estrogen-doxorubicin bioconjugate for targeting estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells.

As part of our program to develop breast cancer specific therapeutic agents, we have synthesized a conjugate agent that is a conjugate of the steroidal anti-estrogen and the potent cytotoxin doxorubicin. In this effort, we employed a modular assembly approach to prepare a novel 11ß-substituted steroidal anti-estrogen functionalized with an azido-tetraethylene glycol moiety, which could be coupled to a complementary doxorubicin benzoyl hydrazone functionalized with a propargyl tetraethylene glycol moiety. Huisgen [3 + 2] cycloaddition chemistry gave the final hybrid that was evaluated for selective uptake and cytotoxicity in ER(+)-MCF-7 and ER(-)-MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. The results demonstrated that the presence of the anti-estrogenic component in the hybrid compound was critical for selectivity and cytotoxicity in ER(+)-MCF-7 human breast cancer cells as the hybrid was ~70-fold more potent than doxorubicin in inhibition of cell proliferation and promoting cell death.

Polyethyleneimine-lipid conjugate-based pH-sensitive micellar carrier for gene delivery.

A low molecular weight polyethyleneimine (PEI 1.8 kDa) was modified with dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to form the PEI-PE conjugate investigated as a transfection vector. The optimized PEI-PE/pDNA complexes at an N/P ratio of 16 had a particle size of 225 nm, a surface charge of +31 mV, and protected the pDNA from the action of DNase I. The PEI-PE conjugate had a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of about 34 µg/ml and exhibited no toxicity compared to a high molecular weight PEI (PEI 25 kDa) as tested with B16-F10 melanoma cells. The B16-F10 cells transfected with PEI-PE/pEGFP complexes showed protein expression levels higher than with PEI-1.8 or PEI-25 vectors. Complexes prepared with YOYO 1-labeled pEGFP confirmed the enhanced delivery of the plasmid with PEI-PE compared to PEI-1.8 and PEI-25. The PEI-PE/pDNA complexes were also mixed with various amounts of micelle-forming material, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-PE to improve biocompatibility. The resulting particles exhibited a neutral surface charge, resistance to salt-induced aggregation, and good transfection activity in the presence of serum in complete media. The use of the low-pH-degradable PEG-hydrazone-PE produced particles with transfection activity sensitive to changes in pH consistent with the relatively acidic tumor environment.

Combination radiofrequency (RF) ablation and IV liposomal heat shock protein suppression: reduced tumor growth and increased animal endpoint survival in a small animal tumor model.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of IV liposomal quercetin (a known down-regulator of heat shock proteins) alone and with liposomal doxorubicin on tumor growth and end-point survival when combined with radiofrequency (RF) tumor ablation in a rat tumor model. METHODS: Solitary subcutaneous R3230 mammary adenocarcinoma tumors (1.3-1.5 cm) were implanted in 48 female Fischer rats. Initially, 32 tumors (n=8, each group) were randomized into four experimental groups: (a) conventional monopolar RF alone (70°C for 5 min), (b) IV liposomal quercetin alone (1 mg/kg), (c) IV liposomal quercetin followed 24hr later with RF, and (d) no treatment. Next, 16 additional tumors were randomized into two groups (n=8, each) that received a combined RF and liposomal doxorubicin (15 min post-RF, 8 mg/kg) either with or without liposomal quercetin. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed using a tumor diameter of 3.0 cm as the defined survival endpoint. RESULTS: Differences in endpoint survival and tumor doubling time among the groups were highly significant (P<0.001). Endpoint survivals were 12.5±2.2 days for the control group, 16.6±2.9 days for tumors treated with RF alone, 15.5±2.1 days for tumors treated with liposomal quercetin alone, and 22.0±3.9 days with combined RF and quercetin. Additionally, combination quercetin/RF/doxorubicin therapy resulted in the longest survival (48.3±20.4 days), followed by RF/doxorubicin (29.9±3.8 days). CONCLUSIONS: IV liposomal quercetin in combination with RF ablation reduces tumor growth rates and improves animal endpoint survival. Further increases in endpoint survival can be seen by adding an additional anti-tumor adjuvant agent liposomal doxorubicin. This suggests that targeting several post-ablation processes with multi-drug nanotherapies can increase overall ablation efficacy.

Palmitoyl ascorbate liposomes and free ascorbic acid: comparison of anticancer therapeutic effects upon parenteral administration.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare anticancer therapeutic effect of palmitoyl ascorbate liposomes (PAL) and free ascorbic acid (AA). METHODS: Liposomes incorporating palmitoyl ascorbate (PA) were prepared and evaluated for PA content by HPLC. To elucidate mechanism of action of cell death in vitro, effect of various H(2)O(2) scavengers and metal chelators on PA-mediated cytotoxicity was studied. Effect of various combinations of PAL and free AA on in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated on 4T1 cells. In vivo, PAL formulation was modified with polyethylene glycol; effect of PEGylation on in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated. Biodistribution of PEG-PAL formulation was investigated in female Balb/c mice bearing murine mammary carcinoma (4T1 cells). In vivo anticancer activity of PEG-PAL (PEG-PAL equivalent to 20 mg/kg of PA injected intravenously on alternate days) was compared with free AA therapy in same model. RESULTS: PEG-PAL treatment was significantly more effective than free AA treatment in slowing tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: Nanoparticle formulations incorporating PA can kill cancer cells in vitro. The mechanism of PA cytotoxicity is based on production of extracellular reactive oxygen species and involves intracellular transition metals.

P-glycoprotein silencing with siRNA delivered by DOPE-modified PEI overcomes doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer cells.

AIMS: Multidrug resistance (MDR) mediated by overexpression of drug efflux transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), is a major problem, limiting successful chemotherapy of breast cancer. The use of siRNA to inhibit P-gp expression in MDR tumors is an attractive strategy to improve the effectiveness of anticancer drugs. METHOD: We have synthesized a novel conjugate between a phospholipid (dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine) and polyethylenimine (PEI) for siRNA delivery, for the purpose of silencing P-gp to overcome doxorubicin resistance in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. RESULTS: The dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine-PEI conjugate enhanced the transfection efficacy of low-molecular-weight PEI, which was otherwise totally ineffective. In addition, the polyethylene glycol/lipid coating of the new complexes gave rise to small micelle-like nanoparticles with improved biocompatibility properties. Both coated and noncoated formulations delivered P-gp-specific siRNA to MDR cells. DISCUSSION: The combination of doxorubicin and P-gp silencing formulations led to a twofold increase of doxorubicin uptake and a significant improvement of the therapeutic effect of doxorubicin in resistant cells.

Radiofrequency ablation combined with liposomal quercetin to increase tumour destruction by modulation of heat shock protein production in a small animal model.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of heat shock protein (HSP) modulation on tumour coagulation by combining radiofrequency (RF) ablation with adjuvant liposomal quercetin and/or doxorubicin in a rat tumour model. METHODS: Sixty R3230 breast adenocarcinoma tumours/animals were used in this IACUC-approved study. Initially, 60 tumours (n=6, each subgroup) were randomised into five groups: (1) RF alone, (2) intravenous (IV) liposomal quercetin alone (1 mg/kg), (3) IV liposomal quercetin followed 24 h later with RF, (4) RF followed 15 min later by IV liposomal doxorubicin (8 mg/kg), (5) IV liposomal quercetin 24 h before RF followed by IV liposomal doxorubicin 15 min post-ablation. Animals were sacrificed 4 or 24 h post-treatment and gross coagulation diameters were compared. Next, immunohistochemistry staining was performed for Hsp70 and cleaved caspase-3 expression. Comparisons were performed by using Student t-tests or ANOVA. RESULTS: Combination RF-quercetin significantly increased coagulation size compared with either RF or liposomal quercetin alone (13.1±0.7 mm vs. 8.8±1.2 mm or 2.3±1.3 mm, respectively, P<0.001 for all comparisons). Triple therapy (quercetin-RF-doxorubicin) showed larger coagulation diameter (14.5±1.0 mm) at 24 h than quercetin-RF (P=0.016) or RF-doxorubicin (13.2±1.3 mm, P=0.042). Combination quercetin-RF decreased Hsp70 expression compared with RF alone at both 4 h (percentage of stained cells/hpf 22.4±13.9% vs. 38.8±16.1%, P<0.03) and 24 h (45.2±10.5% vs. 81.1±3.6%, P<0.001). Quercetin-RF increased cleaved caspase-3 expression at both 4 h (percentage of stained cells/hpf 50.7±13.4% vs. 41.9±15.1%, P<0.03) and 24 h (37.4±7.8% vs. 33.2±6.5%, P=0.045); with, triple therapy (quercetin-RF-doxorubicin) resulting in the highest levels of apoptosis (45.1±10.7%) at 24 h. Similar trends were observed for rim thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Suppression of HSP production using adjuvant liposomal quercetin can increase apoptosis and improve RF ablation-induced tumour destruction. Further increases in tumour coagulation can be seen including an additional anti-tumour adjuvant agent such as liposomal doxorubicin.

Development of the novel PEG-PE-based polymer for the reversible attachment of specific ligands to liposomes: synthesis and in vitro characterization.

Surface grafting of liposomes with the wide variety of ligands including antibodies and other proteins is a promising approach for targeted delivery of therapeutics. In this paper, we describe a simple method of synthesizing a hydrazine-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)-phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-PE)-based amphiphilic polymer which can conjugate a variety of ligands via a reversible, pH-cleavable bond. In this method, the targeting ligand is attached to the distal end of the PEG chain, which facilitates its easy access to the targeted site of interaction. The reversible attachment of targeting ligands is useful especially in multifunctional liposomal systems, whereafter successfully performing the function of targeting to the specific site, the bulky ligands, such as proteins or antibodies, are cleaved off in response to an environmental stimulus to expose some other functionalities such as ligands for intracellular penetration or organelle-specific targeting. To investigate the applicability of the protocol, the model ligands monoclonal antinucleosome antibody 2C5 and antimyosin antibody 2G4, and glycoproteins concanavalin A (Con-A) and avidin were conjugated to the synthesized polymer and incorporated into liposomes. In vitro assays including biochemical, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry were used to confirm three key characteristics of the modified and/or liposome-attached proteins: successful conjugation of the targeting ligands to the polymer, preservation of specific activity of the ligands after the conjugation and liposome attachment, and the facile pH-sensitive ligand detachment. Monoclonal antibody 2C5 and 2G4, immobilized on the liposome surface, retained their binding affinity to corresponding antigens as confirmed by ELISA. The Con A-bearing liposomes showed significantly higher agglutination in the presence of its substrate mannan compared to plain liposomes (PL) and avidin-functionalized liposomes bound specifically with biotin-agarose. The study on the pH-dependence showed that almost 80% of the hydrazone bond was cleaved after rather brief preincubation of the immunoliposomes at pH 5 for 0.5 to 1 h. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analysis of cancer cells (HeLa and MCF-7) treated with cancer cell-specific targeting ligand mAb 2C5-bearing liposomes showed enhanced cellular binding. Studies at low pH clearly confirmed the easy cleavability of the targeting ligand from the liposomes resulting in significantly less or virtually no cellular association.

Design and synthesis of novel functional lipid-based bioconjugates for drug delivery and other applications.

The modification of biologicals such as proteins/peptides, small molecules, and other polymers with lipids provides an efficient method for mediating their insertion into liposomes and lipid-core micellar nanocarriers. In this chapter, we describe several representative protocols developed in our laboratory for the bioconjugation of liposomes and lipid-core micelles for drug/gene delivery and diagnostic imaging applications.

Cell-penetrating TAT peptide in drug delivery systems: proteolytic stability requirements.

The stability and activity of the HIV cell-penetrating TAT peptide (TATp) on the surface of TATp-modified micelles and liposomes in relation to its proteolytic cleavage was investigated. TATp moieties were attached to the surface of these nanocarriers using TATp modified with a conjugate of phosphatidyl ethanolamine with a 'short' PEG (PEG-PE). Following pre-incubation with trypsin, elastase, or collagenase, the proteolytic stability of TATp on the surface of these modified carriers was studied by HPLC with fluorescence detection using fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC) labeling. All tested enzymes produced a dose-dependent cleavage of TATp as shown by the presence of TATp Arg-Arg fragments. Inhibition of TATp cleavage occurred when these TATp-micelles were modified by the addition of longer PEG-PE blocks, indicating an effective shielding of TATp from proteolysis by these blocks. TATp-modified carriers were also tested for their ability to accumulate in EL-4, HeLa, and B16-F10 cells. Trypsin treatment of TATp-modified liposomes and micelles resulted in decreased uptake and cell interaction, as measured by fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence-activated cell sorting techniques. Furthermore, a decrease in the cytotoxicity of TATp-modified liposomes loaded with doxorubicin (Doxil) was observed following trypsin treatment. In conclusion, steric shielding of TATp is essential to ensure its in vivo therapeutic function.