Antiproliferative activity of liposomal epirubicin on experimental human gliomas in vitro and in vivo after intratumoral/interstitial application.

Liposomal epirubicin was prepared using the controlled detergent dialysis method. The entrapment rate was 65.5 +/- 6.4%. The mean particle size was 210 +/- 38 nm. In vitro, a concentration-dependent antiproliferative activity of free epirubicin was observed. Liposome-entrapped epirubicin was superior to the free drug; the ID50 of the liposomal preparation was about 1.6-fold lower as compared to the free drug. Intratumoral/interstitial (i.t./i.s.) application of liposomal epirubicin was likewise superior to i.t./i.s. application of the free drug.