Biotin is used to enhance the targeting capabilities of doxorubicin liposomes. Through the high-affinity binding interaction between biotin and avidin or streptavidin, these liposomes can be directed more efficiently to biotin-receptor expressing cells, improving the delivery of doxorubicin to target cancer cells.
PEGylation extends the circulation time of the liposomes in the bloodstream by creating a hydrophilic barrier around the liposomes. This reduces opsonization by the mononuclear phagocyte system, thereby preventing premature clearance from the bloodstream and allowing more time for the liposomes to reach and accumulate at the tumor site.
Yes, by encapsulating doxorubicin within liposomes, the direct exposure of the drug to healthy tissues is minimized, reducing the typical side effects associated with free doxorubicin such as cardiotoxicity and myelosuppression. This targeted approach allows for a higher concentration of the drug to reach the tumor with less systemic toxicity.
These liposomes are typically administered intravenously to ensure that they can circulate throughout the body and reach the tumor site effectively. The administration route allows the liposomes to exploit the enhanced permeability and retention effect of tumors.
Biodistribution of EGFR-targeted and non-targeted doxorubicin-liposomes in mice bearing i.p. SKOV-3 xenografts.
This study focused at the tumor-targeting effects of biotin-doxorubicin liposome (PEGylated) that have been modified with antibodies. Researchers incubated a complex of neutravidin and biotinylated cetuximab with biotinylated liposomes to obtain cetuximab-biotin-doxorubicin-liposomes. Subsequently, they examined the distribution and tumor accumulation of cetuximab-biotin-doxorubicin-liposomes (targeted) and biotin-doxorubicin-liposomes (non-targeted) in SKOV-3 xenograft bearing mice. The figure illustrates the doxorubicin concentrations in various tissues and serum 24 hours post-administration. The results indicate that the targeted liposome group had higher levels of doxorubicin in the liver and spleen compared to the non-targeted liposome group, while demonstrating lower levels in the serum. This study demonstrates the potential of biotin-doxorubicin liposomes for developing targeted delivery systems to improve doxorubicin efficiency in reaching the liver and spleen.
Lehtinen, Julia, et al. "Pre-targeting and direct immunotargeting of liposomal drug carriers to ovarian carcinoma." PloS one 7.7 (2012): e41410. Under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.
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