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Verteporfin encapsulated in cationic liposomes as an alternative drug for PDT
Author(s) -
RANJBAR M,
MARTIN G,
AGOSTINI HT
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2009.433.x
Subject(s) - verteporfin , photodynamic therapy , cationic liposome , choroidal neovascularization , cationic polymerization , liposome , medicine , chemistry , ophthalmology , macular degeneration , biochemistry , transfection , organic chemistry , gene
Purpose Cationic liposomes bind specifically to activated endothelial cells like tissue affected by inflammation. They can be loaded with various drugs and are used as a drug carrier system to reach a locally higher concentration of the drug. We used photodynamic therapy (PDT) to compare the established verteporfin (Visudyne®) with cationic liposome‐bound verteporfin (Lipovert) in laser‐induced choroidal neovascularization (L‐CNV) of mice. Methods Cationic liposomes were loaded with verteporfin (resulting in Lipovert). C57BL/6 mice underwent Argon laser coagulation on day 0 (d0). Lipovert or verteporfin were injected into the tail vein on d10. The CNVs were irradiated with non‐thermic red light (689 nm) 1 min (verteporfin) or 60 min (Lipovert) after injection as pre‐experiments showed the accumulation peak of the drugs during that time. Animals were perfused with FITC‐dextran at d12, d14 or d17. Choroido‐scleral flat mounts were prepared for quantification of the CNV by measuring the area of FITC‐dextran positive vessels. Results The mean CNV areas of mice treated with Lipovert or verteporfin were clearly reduced to about half of the control. Lipovert was slightly more effective than verteporfin. Conclusion In our experiments, Lipovert can be substituted for verteporfin. Therefore, it has the potential as a drug for photodynamic therapy. As Lipovert accumulates specifically at the sites of activated endothelial cells, it may show less side effects.