Liposomal co-delivery of omacetaxine mepesuccinate and doxorubicin for synergistic potentiation of antitumor activity

Gayong Shim, Sangbin Lee, Junhyeok Choi, Soondong Lee, Chan Wha Kim, Yu Kyoung Oh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: Anticancer chemotherapy usually involves the administration of several anticancer drugs that differ in their action mechanisms. Here, we aimed to test whether the combination of omacetaxine mepesuccinate (OMT) and doxorubicin (DOX) could show synergism, and whether the liposomal co-delivery of these two drugs could enhance their antitumor effects in cervical carcinoma model.

Method: OMT-loaded liposomes (OL) were prepared by loading the drug in the lipid bilayers. OL were then electrostatically complexed with DOX, yielding double-loaded liposomes (DOL). DOX-loaded liposomes (DL) were formulated by electrostatic interaction with negatively charged empty liposomes (EL). The combination index (CI) values were calculated to evaluate the synergism of two drugs. In vitro antitumor effects against HeLa cells were measured using CCK-8, calcein staining, and crystal violet staining. In vivo antitumor effects of various liposomes were tested using HeLa cell-bearing mice.

Results: Combination of DOX and OMT had ratio-dependent synergistic activities, with very strong synergism observed at a molar ratio of 4:1 (DOX:OMT). The sizes of EL, DL, OL, and DOL did not significantly differ, but the zeta potentials of DL and DOL were slightly higher than those of OL and EL. In vitro, DOL showed higher antitumor activity than OL, DL or EL in cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. In vivo, unlike other liposomes, DOL reduced the tumor growths by 98.6% and 97.3% relative to the untreated control on day 15 and 25 after the cessation of treatment, respectively.

Conclusions: These results suggest that liposomal co-delivery of DOX and OMT could synergistically potentiate antitumor effects.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2178-2185
Number of pages8
JournalPharmaceutical research
Volume31
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014 Aug

Keywords

  • antitumor effects
  • co-delivery
  • combination therapy
  • liposomes
  • omacetaxine mepesuccinate

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmaceutical Science
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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