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Abstract
Poorly soluble drugs often encounter low bioavailability and erratic absorption patterns in the clinical setting. Due to the rising number of compounds having solubility issues, finding ways to enhance the solubility of drugs is one of the major challenges in the pharmaceutical industry today. Polymeric micelles, which form upon self-assembly of amphiphilic macromolecules, can act as solubilizing agents for delivery of poorly soluble drugs. This manuscript examines the fundamentals of polymeric micelles through reviews of representative literature and demonstrates possible applications through recent examples of clinical trial developments. In particular, the potential of polymeric micelles for delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs, especially in the areas of oral delivery and in cancer therapy, is discussed. Key considerations in utilizing polymeric micelles' advantages and overcoming potential disadvantages have been highlighted. Lastly, other possible strategies related to particle size reduction for enhancing solubilization of poorly water-soluble drugs are introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Lu
- Purdue University, Departments of Pharmaceutics and Biomedical Engineering, West Lafayette, IN 47906, U.S.A
| | - Kinam Park
- Purdue University, Departments of Pharmaceutics and Biomedical Engineering, West Lafayette, IN 47906, U.S.A
- Kyung Hee University, School of Dentistry, Department of Maxillofacial Biomedical Engineering, Seoul, Korea
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Miyazaki O, Sekine K, Nakajima N, Ichimura E, Ebara K, Nagai D, Onda T, Miyakawa Y, Okamoto K, Morino T. Antimyeloma activity of NK012, a micelle-forming macromolecular prodrug of SN-38, in an orthotopic model. Int J Cancer 2013; 134:218-23. [PMID: 23775066 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
NK012 is a micelle-forming macromolecular prodrug of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy camptothecin (SN-38), an active metabolite of irinotecan. It is accumulated and retained in tumor tissues and gradually releases SN-38 in an enzyme-independent manner. NK012 was previously demonstrated to have stronger antitumor activity than irinotecan in a broad range of human solid-tumor xenograft models. In our study, we used an orthotopic multiple myeloma (MM) model created by injecting CD138-positive U266B1, a myeloma cell line that produces human IgE lambda light chain (monoclonal protein, M protein), into immunodeficient NOD/Shi-scid, IL-2Rγc (null) mice. This model shows typical bone marrow infiltration by the human myeloma cells. We evaluated the antimyeloma activity of intravenously administered NK012 in this model and showed that it suppressed the M protein concentration in the plasma and proliferation of myeloma cells in the bone marrow in a dose-dependent manner. NK012 suppressed the progression of hind-leg paralysis and prolonged the survival time of the mice compared to the untreated control group. In combination with bortezomib (BTZ), NK012 increased the median survival time compared to that with BTZ alone. In conclusion, these results suggest that NK012 is a potential candidate for use-alone and in combination-in the treatment of MM in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamu Miyazaki
- Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
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3
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Gong J, Chen M, Zheng Y, Wang S, Wang Y. Polymeric micelles drug delivery system in oncology. J Control Release 2012; 159:312-23. [PMID: 22285551 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 380] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Polymeric micelles (PM) system, as an efficient drug carrier, has received growing scientific attention in recent years owing to its solubilization, selective targeting, P-glycoprotein inhibition and altered drug internalization route and subcellular localization properties. Seven PM formulations of anti-tumor drugs being evaluated in clinical trials are reviewed in this paper, in terms of formulation study, in vitro cytotoxicity, in vivo pharmacokinetics, anti-tumor efficacy and safety as well as clinical trials, to shed new light on the discovery of novel PM formulations. In these seven PM formulations, PM system was employed to overcome the issues of low water solubility, high toxicity and (or) multidrug resistance accompanied with the conventional formulation, which greatly hampered their clinical application. Those promising preclinical and clinical results combined with rapid advancement and intense multidisciplinary collaboration enable the extension of the PM system to traditional Chinese medicine, imaging agents, gene and combination agent deliveries as well as some other administration routes, which facilitate the clinical translation of the PM drug delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
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4
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Matsumura Y. Preclinical and clinical studies of NK012, an SN-38-incorporating polymeric micelles, which is designed based on EPR effect. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2011; 63:184-92. [PMID: 20561951 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2010.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2010] [Revised: 05/07/2010] [Accepted: 05/21/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Polymeric micelles are ideally suited to exploit the EPR effect, and they have been used for the delivery of a range of anticancer drugs in preclinical and clinical studies. NK012 is an SN-38-loaded polymeric micelle constructed in an aqueous milieu by the self-assembly of an amphiphilic block copolymer, PEG-PGlu(SN-38). The antitumor activity was evaluated in several orthotopic tumor models including glioma, renal cancer, stomach cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Two independent phase I clinical trials were conducted in Japan and the USA. In the preclinical studies, it was demonstrated that NK012 exerted significantly more potent antitumor activity with no intestinal toxicity against various orthotopic human tumor xenografts than CPT-11. In clinical trials, predominant toxicity was neutropenia. Non-hematologic toxicity, especially diarrhea, was mostly Grade 1 or 2 during study treatments. Total 8 partial responses were obtained. According to data of preclinical studies, NK012 showing enhanced distribution with prolonged SN-38 release may be ideal for cancer treatment because the antitumor activity of SN-38 is time dependent. Clinical studies showed that NK012 was well tolerated and had antitumor activity including partial responses and several occurrences of prolonged stable disease across a variety of advanced refractory cancers. Phase II studies are ongoing in patients with colorectal cancer in Japan and in patients with triple negative breast cancer and small cell lung cancer in the USA.
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Oerlemans C, Bult W, Bos M, Storm G, Nijsen JFW, Hennink WE. Polymeric micelles in anticancer therapy: targeting, imaging and triggered release. Pharm Res 2010; 27:2569-89. [PMID: 20725771 PMCID: PMC2982955 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-010-0233-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 601] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2010] [Accepted: 07/27/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Micelles are colloidal particles with a size around 5-100 nm which are currently under investigation as carriers for hydrophobic drugs in anticancer therapy. Currently, five micellar formulations for anticancer therapy are under clinical evaluation, of which Genexol-PM has been FDA approved for use in patients with breast cancer. Micelle-based drug delivery, however, can be improved in different ways. Targeting ligands can be attached to the micelles which specifically recognize and bind to receptors overexpressed in tumor cells, and chelation or incorporation of imaging moieties enables tracking micelles in vivo for biodistribution studies. Moreover, pH-, thermo-, ultrasound-, or light-sensitive block copolymers allow for controlled micelle dissociation and triggered drug release. The combination of these approaches will further improve specificity and efficacy of micelle-based drug delivery and brings the development of a 'magic bullet' a major step forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Oerlemans
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Hamaguchi T, Doi T, Eguchi-Nakajima T, Kato K, Yamada Y, Shimada Y, Fuse N, Ohtsu A, Matsumoto SI, Takanashi M, Matsumura Y. Phase I Study of NK012, a Novel SN-38–Incorporating Micellar Nanoparticle, in Adult Patients with Solid Tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:5058-66. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-10-0387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Kaida S, Cabral H, Kumagai M, Kishimura A, Terada Y, Sekino M, Aoki I, Nishiyama N, Tani T, Kataoka K. Visible drug delivery by supramolecular nanocarriers directing to single-platformed diagnosis and therapy of pancreatic tumor model. Cancer Res 2010; 70:7031-41. [PMID: 20685894 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-0303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nanoparticle therapeutics are promising platforms for cancer therapy. However, it remains a formidable challenge to assess their distribution and clinical efficacy for therapeutic applications. Here, by using multifunctional polymeric micellar nanocarriers incorporating clinically approved gadolinium (Gd)-based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents and platinum (Pt) anticancer drugs through reversible metal chelation of Pt, simultaneous imaging and therapy of an orthotopic animal model of intractable human pancreatic tumor was successfully performed without any serious toxicity. The strong tumor contrast enhancement achieved by the micelles correlated with the 24 times increase of r(1) of the Gd chelates, the highest for the formulations using clinically approved Gd chelates reported to date. From the micro-synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectrometry scanning of the lesions, we confirmed that both the Gd chelates and Pt drugs delivered by the micelles selectively colocalized in the tumor interior. Our study provides new insights for the design of theranostic micelles with high contrast enhancement and site-specific clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachiko Kaida
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Materials Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, and Center for NanoBio Integration, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Nagano T, Yasunaga M, Goto K, Kenmotsu H, Koga Y, Kuroda JI, Nishimura Y, Sugino T, Nishiwaki Y, Matsumura Y. Synergistic antitumor activity of the SN-38-incorporating polymeric micelles NK012 with S-1 in a mouse model of non-small cell lung cancer. Int J Cancer 2010; 127:2699-706. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Kuroda JI, Kuratsu JI, Yasunaga M, Koga Y, Kenmotsu H, Sugino T, Matsumura Y. Antitumor Effect of NK012, a 7-Ethyl-10-Hydroxycamptothecin–Incorporating Polymeric Micelle, on U87MG Orthotopic Glioblastoma in Mice Compared with Irinotecan Hydrochloride in Combination with Bevacizumab. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:521-9. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-09-2393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Saito Y, Yasunaga M, Kuroda JI, Koga Y, Matsumura Y. Antitumour activity of NK012, SN-38-incorporating polymeric micelles, in hypovascular orthotopic pancreatic tumour. Eur J Cancer 2009; 46:650-8. [PMID: 20015633 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2009.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2009] [Revised: 11/06/2009] [Accepted: 11/19/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Human pancreatic cancer is refractory to chemotherapy partly because of blockage to penetration of anticancer agents. This issue must be taken into account particularly for the drug delivery system (DDS). The aim of the present study is to investigate how NK012 (SN-38-incorporating polymeric micelles) categorised as DDS exerts its antitumour effect in an orthotopic pancreatic tumour model compared with gemcitabine and irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11), a low-molecular-weight prodrug of a 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN-38). The maximum tolerated doses (MTDs) of NK012 (30 mg/kg/d), CPT-11 (66.7 mg/kg/d) and gemcitabine (16.5mg/kg/d) were administered to mice bearing human pancreatic cancer cell (SUIT-2) xenografts implanted orthotopically. Antitumour effects of these compounds were evaluated. Drug distribution within the tumour was examined by fluorescence microscopy and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). NK012 exerted potent antitumour effects compared with CPT-11 and gemcitabine. A high concentration of NK012 and SN-38 released from NK012 had been observed until 192h. On the other hand, SN-38 converted from CPT-11 was detected only 1h postinjection. Fluorescence from NK012 was detected up to 48h, whereas that from CPT-11 almost disappeared by 24h postinjection. NK012 appeared to exert potent antitumour activity against intractable stroma-rich orthotopic pancreatic tumour xenografts due to its sufficient accumulation followed by the effective sustained release of SN-38 from NK012.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Saito
- Investigative Treatment Division, Research Center for Innovative Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan
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Yurkovetskiy AV, Fram RJ. XMT-1001, a novel polymeric camptothecin pro-drug in clinical development for patients with advanced cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2009; 61:1193-202. [PMID: 19682517 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2009.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2008] [Accepted: 01/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An overview of XMT-1001 is provided in the context of other topoisomerase I inhibitors conjugated to polymers or encapsulated in liposomes. XMT-1001 is a novel polymeric pro-drug derivative of camptothecin (CPT) with a molecular weight of 70 kDa, in which CPT is chemically tethered to a hydrophilic, biodegradable polyacetal polymer, poly(1-hydroxymethylethylene hydroxymethylformal), also called PHF or Fleximer(R). XMT-1001 releases CPT via intermediates camptothecin-20-O-(N-succinimidoglycinate) (CPT-SI), and camptothecin-20-O-(N-succinamidoyl-glycinate) (CPT-SA) over an extended time period. XMT-1001 has an improved therapeutic window compared to CPT and irinotecan in human tumor xenograft models, providing a compelling rationale for clinical development. A unique feature of XMT-1001 is its dual phase release mechanism for CPT which may result in lower levels of CPT in the urine and less bladder toxicity, a serious dose limiting toxicity associated with CPT and CPT conjugated to other polymers. XMT-1001 is being evaluated in patients with advanced cancer in an ongoing Phase 1 trial.
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Nagano T, Yasunaga M, Goto K, Kenmotsu H, Koga Y, Kuroda JI, Nishimura Y, Sugino T, Nishiwaki Y, Matsumura Y. Antitumor Activity of NK012 Combined with Cisplatin against Small Cell Lung Cancer and Intestinal Mucosal Changes in Tumor-Bearing Mouse after Treatment. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:4348-55. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-08-3334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Kuroda JI, Kuratsu JI, Yasunaga M, Koga Y, Saito Y, Matsumura Y. Potent antitumor effect of SN-38-incorporating polymeric micelle, NK012, against malignant glioma. Int J Cancer 2009; 124:2505-11. [PMID: 19189401 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Recent published reports on clinical trials of CPT-11 indicate the effectiveness of this compound, a prodrug of SN-38, against malignant glioma in combination with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody. Here, we determined if NK012, and SN-38 incorporating micelle, can be an appropriate formulation for glioblastoma treatment compared with CPT-11. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated against several glioma lines with NK012, CPT-11, SN-38, ACNU, CDDP and etoposide. For the in vivo test, a human glioma line (U87MG) transfected with the luciferase gene was inoculated into nude mice brain for pharmacokinetic analysis by fluorescence microscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography after intravenous injection of NK012 and CPT-11. In vivo antitumor activity of NK012 and CPT-11 was evaluated by bioluminescence image and Kaplan-Meier analyses. The growth-inhibitory effects of NK012 were 34- to 444-fold more potent than those of CPT-11. Markedly enhanced and prolonged distribution of free SN-38 in the xenografts was observed after NK012 injection compared with CPT-11. NK012 showed significantly potent antitumor activity against an orthotopic glioblastoma multiforme xenograft and significantly longer survival rate than CPT-11 (p = 0.0014). This implies that NK012 can pass through the blood brain tumor barrier effectively. NK012, which combines enhanced distribution with prolonged sustained release, may be ideal for glioma treatment. Currently, a phase I study of NK012 is almost complete in Japan and the US. The present translational study warrants the clinical phase II study of NK012 in patients with malignant glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-ichiro Kuroda
- Investigative Treatment Division, Research Center for Innovative Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
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Matsumura Y, Kataoka K. Preclinical and clinical studies of anticancer agent-incorporating polymer micelles. Cancer Sci 2009; 100:572-9. [PMID: 19462526 PMCID: PMC11158079 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2009.01103.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 368] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2008] [Revised: 12/25/2008] [Accepted: 12/25/2008] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The size of anticancer agent-incorporating micelles can be controlled within the diameter range of 20-100 nm to ensure that they do not penetrate normal vessel walls. With this development, it is expected that the incidence of drug-induced side-effects may be decreased owing to the reduced drug distribution in normal tissue. Micelle systems can also evade non-specific capture by the reticuloendothelial system because the outer shell of a micelle is covered with polyethylene glycol. Consequently, a polymer micelle carrier can be delivered selectively to a tumor by utilizing the enhanced permeability and retention effect. Moreover, a water-insoluble drug can be incorporated into polymer micelles. Presently, several anticancer agent-incorporating micelle carrier systems are under preclinical and clinical evaluation. Furthermore, nucleic acid-incorporating micelle carrier systems are also being developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Matsumura
- Investigative Treatment Division, Research Center for Innovative Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan.
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Nakajima TE, Yanagihara K, Takigahira M, Yasunaga M, Kato K, Hamaguchi T, Yamada Y, Shimada Y, Mihara K, Ochiya T, Matsumura Y. Antitumor effect of SN-38-releasing polymeric micelles, NK012, on spontaneous peritoneal metastases from orthotopic gastric cancer in mice compared with irinotecan. Cancer Res 2008; 68:9318-22. [PMID: 19010905 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-2822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
7-Ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN-38), an active metabolite of irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11), has potent antitumor activity. Moreover, we have reported the strong antitumor activity of NK012 (i.e., SN-38-releasing polymeric micelles) against human cancer xenografts compared with CPT-11. Here, we investigated the advantages of NK012 over CPT-11 treatment in mouse models of gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination. NK012 or CPT-11 was i.v. administered thrice every 4 days at their respective maximum tolerable doses (NK012, 30 mg/kg/day; CPT-11, 67 mg/kg/day) to mice receiving orthotopic transplants of gastric cancer cell lines (44As3Luc and 58As1mLuc) transfected with the luciferase gene (n = 5). Antitumor effect was evaluated using the photon counting technique. SN-38 concentration in gastric tumors and peritoneal nodules was examined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) 1, 24, and 72 hours after each drug injection. NK012 or CPT-11 distribution in these tumors was evaluated using a fluorescence microscope on the same schedule. In both models, the antitumor activity of NK012 was superior to that of CPT-11. High concentrations of SN-38 released from NK012 were detected in gastric tumors and peritoneal nodules up to 72 hours by HPLC. Only a slight conversion from CPT-11 to SN-38 was observed from 1 to 24 hours. Fluorescence originating from NK012 was detected up to 72 hours, whereas that from CPT-11 disappeared until 24 hours. NK012 also showed antitumor activity against peritoneal nodules. Thus, NK012 showing enhanced distribution with prolonged SN-38 release may be ideal for cancer treatment because the antitumor activity of SN-38 is time dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Eguchi Nakajima
- Investigative Treatment Division, Research Center for Innovative Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
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