Studies from Northeastern University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences provide new data on drug delivery
2007 NOV 19 -- Research findings, 'The drug loading, cytotoxicty and tumor vascular targeting characteristics of magnetite in magnetic drug targeting,' are discussed in a new report. According to recent research from the United States, "Chemotherapy is a popular treatment approach against cancer but significant uptake of drugs by normal tissues is still a major limitation. Magnetic drug targeting (MDT) has been used to improve localized drug delivery to interstitial tumor targets." "MDT is now being developed to improve drug delivery to tumor vessels. We thus seek to understand the role of magnetite (MAG-C) in drug loading, influence on cytotoxicity and vascular targeting characteristics. The inclusion of MAG-C at lower concentrations (0.5 mg/ml) in cationic liposomes did not alter the efficiency of loading etoposide, but at higher concentrations (2.5 mg/ml) incorporation decreased from 80±3.4% to 44±4.26%. MAG-C reduced the incorporation of dacarbazine. The incorporation was significantly lower compared to liposomal etoposide, both in the presence and absence of MAG-C. The incorporation efficiency of vinblastine sulfate in cationic liposomes was similar for low and relatively high MAG-C content; values for incorporation were 21±0.11 and 23±2, respectively. Polyethylene-glycol improved the efficiency of loading chemotherapeutic agents regardless of drug type. Additionally, cytotoxicity and tumor vascular targeting characteristics of liposome therapeutics were not influenced by MAG-C," wrote S. Dandamudi and colleagues, Northeastern University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The researchers concluded: "The components used to prepare magnetic liposomes for MDT should be optimized for maximum therapeutic benefit." Dandamudi and colleagues published their study in Biomaterials (The drug loading, cytotoxicty and tumor vascular targeting characteristics of magnetite in magnetic drug targeting. Biomaterials, 2007;28(31):4673-83). For additional information, contact S. Dandamudi, Bouve College of Health Sciences, Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 110 Mugar Hall, Boston, MA 02115 USA.. Publisher contact information for the journal Biomaterials is: Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, Oxon, England. Keywords: United States, Boston, Biotechnology, Drug Delivery, Drug Development, Drugs, Etoposide, Pharmaceuticals, Therapy, Treatment. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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