PEG-coated irinotecan cationic liposomes improve the therapeutic efficacy of breast cancer in animals.

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among females owing.

AIM

This study aimed to construct a kind of PEG-coated irinotecan cationic liposomes for investigating its efficacy and mechanism of action in the treatment of breast cancer in preclinical models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Evaluations were performed on the MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells, the xenografted MDA-MB231 cancer cells in Female nude mice and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. The liposomes were characterized through assays of cytotoxicity, intracellular uptake, nuclei morphology, antitumor activities, pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution.

RESULTS

The zeta potential of PEG-coated irinotecan cationic liposomes was approximately 23 mV. The PEG-coated irinotecan cationic liposomes were approximately 66nm in diameter, significantly increased the intracellular uptake of irinotecan, and showed strong inhibitory effect on MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells. A significant antitumor efficacy in the xenografted MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells in nude mice was evidenced by intravenous administration of PEG-coated irinotecan cationic liposomes. PEG-coated irinotecan cationic liposomes also improved the irinotecan blood circulation time and showed an enhanced drug concentration in tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

PEG-coated irinotecan cationic liposomes had significant inhibitory effect against breast cancer in vitro and in vivo, hence providing a new strategy for treating breast cancer.