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m ‐THPC‐mediated photodynamic therapy of malignant gliomas: Assessment of a new transfection strategy
Author(s) -
Molinari Agnese,
Bombelli Cecilia,
Mannino Stefano,
Stringaro Annarita,
Toccacieli Laura,
Calcabrini Annarica,
Colone Marisa,
Mangiola Annunziato,
Maira Giulio,
Luciani Paola,
Mancini Giovanna,
Arancia Giuseppe
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.22793
Subject(s) - photodynamic therapy , liposome , cationic liposome , cancer research , chlorin , transfection , phosphatidylcholine , glioblastoma , glioma , chemistry , cytotoxic t cell , medicine , pharmacology , in vitro , membrane , biochemistry , phospholipid , organic chemistry , gene
Malignant gliomas represent the most common primary brain tumor: more than 50% of them are glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Photodynamic therapy may offer a very good chance of targeted destruction of infiltrating GBM cells, thus increasing the survival time and recurrence‐free interval of GBM patients. Among photosensitizing agents, meta ‐tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin ( m ‐THPC) is promising for the treatment of brain tumors. In previous studies, we investigated the transfection activity of dimyristoyl‐ sn‐glycero ‐phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) liposomes, containing a cationic gemini surfactant, loaded with m ‐THPC on human colon adenocarcinoma and glioblastoma cell lines. In this paper, the uptake and the intracellular distribution of m ‐THPC, loaded in several formulations of cationic liposomes, were analyzed, by making a comparison with those obtained using the same chlorin in the pharmaceutical form (Foscan®). Moreover, by cloning efficiency assay the potential therapeutic efficiency of chlorin delivered by liposome formulations was compared with that of the pharmaceutical compound, before and after irradiation with laser light at 652 nm. The obtained results indicated that cationic liposomes ( i ) transferred m ‐THPC in glioblastoma cells more efficiently than pharmaceutical formulation; ( ii ) significantly ( p < 0.001) increased the m ‐THPC cytotoxic effect after laser irradiation; ( iii ) seemed to exert their cytotoxic action in the early phase of interaction with the cells, during adhesion to the plasma membrane. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.