Christian B. Hansen

Liposomes containing synthetic lipid derivatives of poly(ethylene glycol) show prolonged circulation half-lives in vivo.

Novel synthetic lipid derivatives of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) have been synthesized and tested for their ability to decrease uptake of liposomes into the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS, reticuloendothelial system) in mice and to prolong circulation half-lives of liposomes. A carbamate derivative of PEG-1900 with distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-DSPE) had the greatest ability to decrease MPS uptake of liposomes, at optimum concentrations of 5-7 mol% in liposomes composed of sphingomyelin/egg phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol (SM/PC/Chol, 1:1:1, molar ratio). Results obtained with this compound were equivalent to results previously obtained with 10 mol% monosialoganglioside GM1 in liposomes of similar compositions (Allen, T.M. and Chonn, A. (1987) FEBS Lett. 223, 42-46). Non-derivatized methyl PEG or PEG-stearic acid (PEG-SA) were incapable of decreasing MPS uptake of liposomes. PEG-Chol and PEG-dipalmitoylglycerol (PEG-DPG) were intermediate in their effects on MPS uptake. Altering liposome size for liposomes containing PEG-DSPE resulted in only minor changes in blood levels of liposomes. Half-lives of 0.1 microns liposomes of SM/PC/Chol/PEG-DSPE (1:1:1:0.2, molar ratio) in circulation was in excess of 20 h following either i.v. or i.p. injection. Liver plus spleen liposome levels for these liposomes was below 15% of injected label at 48 h following i.v. liposome injection and below 10% following i.p. injection. The major site of liposome uptake was in carcass tissues, with over 50% of label remaining in vivo at 48 h post-injections, either i.v. or i.p., in the carcass.

Pharmacokinetics of stealth versus conventional liposomes: effect of dose

Liposomes which substantially avoid uptake into the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), termed Stealth liposomes, have recently been formulated (Allen, T.M. and Chonn, A., (1987) FEBS Lett. 223, 42-46). The pharmacokinetics of stealth liposomes as a function of liposome dose and a comparison to conventional liposome pharmacokinetics, was the subject of the present study. We have examined the tissue distribution of two different formulations of stealth liposomes, i.e., sphingomyelin:egg phosphatidylcholine:cholesterol:monosialoganglioside GM1 (SM:PC:CHOL:GM1) 1:1:1:0.2 and SM:PC:CHOL:polyethylene glycol distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (PEG(1990)-DSPE) 1:1:1:0.2, and compared them with the tissue distributions seen for a liposomal formulation which is avidly removed from circulation by the cells of the MP system (PC:CHOL, 2:1). Tissue distribution in mice was examined over a 100-fold concentration range (0.1 to 10 mumol phospholipid/mouse) and at several time points over a 48 h time period. Liposome size ranged from 92-123 nm in diameter for all compositions. Clearance from blood of PC:CHOL liposomes following intravenous administration showed a marked dose dependence (i.e., saturation-type or Michaelis-Menten kinetics), with MPS uptake decreasing and % of injected dose in blood increasing as dose increased, over the entire dosage range. Injection of stealth liposomes, on the other hand, resulted in % of injected doses of liposomes in MPS, blood and carcass which were dose-independent and log-linear (first order kinetics) over the entire dosage range. The doses of stealth liposomes containing PEG(1900)-DSPE required for MPS saturation was higher than 10 mumol phospholipid/mouse or 400 mumol/kg. The dosage-independence of the pharmacokinetics of stealth liposomes and their lack of MPS saturation within the therapeutic dose range are two more assets, in addition to the prolonged circulation half-lives, leading towards their eventual use as drug delivery systems in the clinic.

Liposomes with prolonged circulation times: factors affecting uptake by reticuloendothelial and other tissues

Many of the applications of liposomes drug-delivery systems have been limited by their short circulation half-lives as a result of rapid uptake into the reticuloendothelial (mononuclear phagocyte) system. We have recently described liposomes formulations with long circulation half-lives in mice (Allen, T.M. and Chonn, A. (1987) FEBS Lett. 223, 42-46). A study of the principal factors important to the attainment of liposomes with prolonged circulation half-lives is presented in this manuscript. Liposomes with the longest circulation half-lives, in mice, had compositions which mimicked the outer leaflet of red blood cell membranes (egg phosphatidylcholine/sphingomyelin/cholesterol/ganglioside GM1, molar ratio 1:1:1:0.14). Several other gangliosides and glycolipids were examined, but none could substitute for GM1 in their ability to prolong circulation half-lives. However, other negatively charged lipids with bulky headgroups, i.e., sulfatides and phosphatidylinositol, had some effect in prolonging circulation half-lives, but GM1 was clearly superior in this regard. Bilayer rigidity, imparted by sphingomyelin or other high-phase-transition lipids, acted synergistically with the negatively charged components, especially GM1, in extending circulation times. Circulation half-lives of liposomes increased with decreasing size, but even larger (0.2-0.4 microns) liposomes of the optimum formulations had significantly prolonged half-lives in circulation. Uptake of liposomes into tissues other than liver and spleen increased with increasing circulation times of the liposomes for i.v. and for i.p. injections. Liposomes appeared to move from the circulation into the carcass between 6 and 24 h post-injection. Our ability to achieve significant prolongation in circulation times of liposomes makes possible a number of therapeutic applications of liposomes which, until now, have not been achievable.

A new strategy for attachment of antibodies to sterically stabilized liposomes resulting in efficient targeting to cancer cells

The development of long-circulating formulations of liposomes (S-liposomes), sterically stabilized with lipid derivatives of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), has increased the likelihood that these liposomes, coupled to targeting ligands such as antibodies, could be used as drug carriers to deliver therapeutic drugs to specific target cell populations in vivo. We have developed a new methodology for attaching monoclonal antibodies to the terminus of PEG on S-liposomes. A new end-group functionalized PEG-lipid derivative pyridylthiopropionoylamino-PEG- distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (PDP-PEG-DSPE) was synthesized for this purpose. Incorporation of PDP-PEG-DSPE into S-liposomes followed by mild thiolysis of the PDP groups resulted in formation of reactive thiol groups at the periphery of the lipid vesicles. Efficient attachment of maleimide-derivatized antibodies took place under mild conditions even when the content of the functionalized PEG-lipid in S-liposomes was below 1% of total lipid. The resulting S-immunoliposomes showed efficient drug remote loading, slow drug release rates and increased survival times in circulation compared to liposomes lacking PEG. When antibodies recognizing several different tumor-associated antigens were coupled to the PEG terminus of S-liposomes a significant increase in the in vitro binding of liposomes to the target cells was observed. The binding of S-immunoliposomes containing entrapped doxorubicin to their target cell population resulted in increased cytotoxicity compared to liposomes lacking the targeting antibody.

Pharmacokinetics of long-circulating liposomes

Abstract Association of drugs with carriers such as liposomes has marked effects on both the pharmacokinetic profiles of the carrier and of the carrier-associated drug. In general, association of drugs with liposomes delays drug absorption, alters and restricts drug biodistribution, decreases the volume of distribution, delays clearance and retards drug metabolism. Surface modification of liposomes by the inclusion of hydrophilic components (e.g., carbohydrates, glycolipids or polymers) to form long-circulating liposomes causes changes in the pharmacokinetic pattern seen for unmodified (classical) liposomes. While classical liposomes have non-linear, saturable kinetics, long-circulating liposomes possess dose-independent, non-saturable, log-linear kinetics. The log-linear kinetics for long-circulating liposomes results from a significant decrease in the first phase of clearance into a high affinity, low capacity system, probably the cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system. An understanding of the pharmacokinetics of liposome-associated drugs is critical to the development of rationale strategies for therapeutic applications of long-circulating liposomes.

Subcutaneous administration of liposomes: a comparison with the intravenous and intraperitoneal routes of injection

The development of long-circulating liposomes containing lipid derivatives of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), termed Stealth liposomes, has considerably improved the prospects for therapeutic applications of liposomal drug delivery systems. We have examined the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of long-circulating, as compared to conventional, liposomes after subcutaneous (sc) administration in mice. Results obtained after subcutaneous administration were compared to those obtained after intravenous (iv) and intraperitoneal (ip) administration. Liposomes, following sc administration, appeared intact in the circulation subsequent to moving down the lymph node chains that drain the site of injection. Liposomes containing PEG-distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-DSPE) resulted in the highest levels of small (80-90 nm) liposomes in the blood, with up to 30% of vivo label appearing in the blood at 12 to 24 h post-injection. In the absence PEG-DSPE approx. 4-fold lower levels of liposomes were found in the blood. Small size of the liposomes was critical to their ability to move into the circulation, with liposomes above 110-120 nm not appearing in blood to any significant extent. The presence of PEG-DSPE and cholesterol was important for the in vivo stability of the liposome after sc administration. Although liposome levels were significantly higher in the draining lymph nodes after sc administration, levels associated with other tissues were proportionately reduced relative to the iv and ip routes of administration. Liposomes appeared in blood after ip and sc administration with half-lives of approx. 0.6 and 9 h, respectively, and subsequent to appearing in blood had similar biodistribution, pharmacokinetics and half-lives (20.4 h) to liposomes given by the iv route.

Antibody-Mediated Targeting of Long-Circulating (StealthR) Liposomes

AbstractLong-circulating or StealthR liposomes (S-liposomes) have a number of important properties which make them good candidates for targeting applications. These include long circulation half-lives, dose-independent pharmacokinetics and ability to move through the lymph after subcutaneous injection. A number of techniques are available for attaching antibodies to the surface of S-liposomes. S-liposomes retain their prolonged circulation times in the presence of bound antibody. In the case of liposomes containing polyethylene glycol-lipid derivatives, the ability of bound antibody to recognize its target is dependent on the molecular weight of polyethylene glycol contained in the liposomes. Antibody-mediated specific binding of S-liposomes to cells in culture could be demonstrated, as well as increased cytotoxicity in vitro of targeted S-liposomes containing anticancer drugs. Targeting of antibody-containing S-liposomes could also be demonstrated in vivo. In one therapeutic application, dramatic increas...

Long-circulating, polyethylene glycol-grafted immunoliposomes

In the last few years a number of advances took place in development of methodologies for preparation of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-grafted immunoliposomes. Several new end-group functionalized PEG lipids were introduced for this purpose. These include pyridyldithiopropionate-PEG- and hydrazide-PEG-PE derivatives, which incorporate well into liposomes and are used for covalent attachment of antibodies to extremities of the liposome-grafted polymeric chains. Methods previously known for linking antibodies to classical liposomes are in some cases applicable to preparation of PEG-grafted immunoliposomes. In these methods antibodies are fixed directly to the lipid bilayer through reactive residues on the polar headgroups of lipids. Attributes of the new methods and their comparison to the traditional methods for preparation of immunoliposomes are the main focus of this manuscript. Particular attention is paid to reactivities, potential and observed complications as well as to the relationship between the conjugation chemistry and biological activity. It is clear that having numerous possible pathways for generating long-circulating immunoliposomes is of great value, since some antibodies tend to be sensitive to different chemical conditions. The current state of the field should facilitate rapid accumulation of in vivo results, which are critical for determination of the true value of this technology.

A growth factor antagonist as a targeting agent for sterically stabilized liposomes in human small cell lung cancer

The ability of a growth factor antagonist, [D-Arg(6),D-Trp(7,9)-N(me)Phe(8)]-substance P(6-11), named antagonist G, to selectively target polyethylene glycol-grafted liposomes (known as sterically stabilized liposomes) to a human classical small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell line, H69, was examined. Our results showed that radiolabeled antagonist G-targeted sterically stabilized liposomes (SLG) bound to H69 cells with higher avidity than free antagonist G and were internalized (reaching a maximum of 13000 SLG/cell), mainly through a receptor-mediated process, likely involving clathrin-coated pits. This interaction was confirmed by confocal microscopy to be peptide- and cell-specific. Moreover, it was shown that SLG significantly improved the nuclear delivery of encapsulated doxorubicin to the target cells, increasing the cytotoxic activity of the drug over non-targeted liposomes. In mice, [(125)I]tyraminylinulin-containing SLG were long circulating, with a half-life of 13 h. Use of peptides like antagonist G to promote binding and internalization of sterically stabilized liposomes, with their accompanying drug loads, i.e., anticancer drugs, genes or antisense oligonucleotides, into target cells has the potential to improve therapy of SCLC.

Lipid-derivatized poly(ethylene glycol) micellar formulations of benzoporphyrin derivatives.

In this paper, we describe the development of micellar formulations for increasing the solubility of lipophilic benzoporphyrins. Using a simple procedure that is readily adaptable for large-scale manufacturing, both A-ring (1) and B-ring isomers (2) of benzoporphyrins could be readily formulated, at concentrations up to 1-2 mg/ml, into small micelles (<20 nm in diameter) of methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (M(r) 2000) covalently attached to the lipid anchor distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (mPEG-DSPE). The formulations spontaneously formed upon hydration of a thin film containing mPEG-lipid and photosensitizer and were stable upon storage at 4 degrees C for at least 1 month. Self-association of the B-ring benzoporphyrin isomer in micelles could be efficiently inhibited by either increasing the molar ratio of mPEG(2000)-DSPE to benzoporphyrin or by increasing the pH of the preparation to pH 8.5. The formulation could be freeze-dried and stored indefinitely in the lyophilized form, with restoration of the original properties upon reconstitution. In vivo, the A-ring benzoporphyrin, verteporfin, had higher levels of delivery and greater tumor control in mice than the B-ring derivative when formulated in mPEG(2000)-DSPE micelles and administered intravenously. mPEG(2000)-DSPE micellar formulations also showed tumor control when administered by a single intratumoral injection followed by light irradiation to the tumor within 45-60 min after drug administration. PEG-containing micellar formulations may be a promising delivery system for benzoporphyrin monoesters for clinical applications.