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This article was published in Biotech Business Week, which you can subscribe to online.
2007 NOV 19 -- Investigators publish new data in the report 'In vivo evaluation of lipid nanocapsules as a promising colloidal carrier for paclitaxel.' "Paclitaxel-loaded lipid nanocapsules (PX-LNC) exhibit interesting in vitro characteristics with improved antitumoral activity compared with free PX formulation. Biodistribution studies were realized with the use of (14)C-trimyristin ((14)C-TM) or (14)C-phosphatidylcholine ((14)C-PC) whereas antitumoral activity of PX-LNC formulations was based on the animal survival in a chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in Wistar rats," investigators in Angers, France report.

"Blood concentration-time profiles for both labeled (14)C-TM-LNC and (14)C-PC-LNC were similar; the t(1/2) and MRT values (over 2h and close to 3h, respectively, for both formulations) indicated the long circulating properties of the LNC carrier with a slow distribution and elimination phase. Survival curves of paclitaxel treated groups showed a statistical significant difference compared to the control survival curve (p=0.0036 and 0.0408). Animals treated with 4x 70 mg/m2 of PX-LNC showed the most significant increase in mean survival times compared to the controls (IST(mean) 72%) and cases of long-term survivors were preferentially observed in the PX-LNC treated group (37.5%; 3/8)," wrote F. Lacoeuille and colleagues, INSERM.

The researchers concluded: "These results demonstrate the great interest to use LNC as drug delivery system for paclitaxel, permitting with an equivalent therapeutic efficiency to avoid the use of excipients such as polyoxyethylated castor oil for its formulation."

Lacoeuille and colleagues published their study in International Journal of Pharmaceutics (In vivo evaluation of lipid nanocapsules as a promising colloidal carrier for paclitaxel. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2007;344(1-2):143-9).

For additional information, contact F. Lacoeuille, Inserm U646, 10 rue A Boquel, F-49100 Angers, France.

The publisher of the International Journal of Pharmaceutics can be contacted at: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Keywords: France, Angers, Biotechnology, Chemicals, Drug Delivery, Drugs, Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Nanocapsules, Nanopowder Catalysts, Nanotechnology, Paclitaxel, 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.