Enhancement of the efficacy of therapeutic proteins by formulation with PEGylated liposomes; a case of FVIII, FVIIa and G-CSF.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

Improving the pharmacodynamics of protein drugs has the potential to improve the care and the quality of life of patients suffering from a variety of diseases.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

Four approaches to improve protein drugs are described: PEGylation, amino acid substitution, fusion to carrier proteins and encapsulation. A new platform technology based on the binding of proteins/peptides to the outer surface of PEGylated liposomes (PEGLip) is then presented. Binding of proteins to PEGLip is non-covalent, highly specific and dependent on an amino acid consensus sequence within the proteins. Association of proteins with PEGLip results in substantial enhancement of the pharmacodynamic properties of proteins following administration. This has been demonstrated in preclinical studies and clinical trials with coagulation factors VIII and VIIa. It has also been demonstrated in preclinical studies with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. A mechanism is presented that explains the improvements in hemostatic efficacy of PEGLip-formulated coagulation factors VIII and VIIa.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

The reader will gain an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each of the approaches discussed.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

PEGLip formulation is an important new approach to improve the pharmacodynamics of protein drugs. This approach may be applied to further therapeutic proteins in the future.