Liposome- or LDL-administered Zn (II)-phthalocyanine as a photodynamic agent for tumours. I. Pharmacokinetic properties and phototherapeutic efficiency

Br J Cancer. 1990 Mar;61(3):407-11. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1990.89.

Abstract

The pharmacokinetics of Zn-phthalocyanine (Zn-Pc) in mice bearing a transplanted MS-2 fibrosarcoma has been studied using dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes and low density lipoproteins (LDL) as drug delivery systems. LDL induce a higher Zn-Pc uptake by the tumour and improve the selectivity of tumour targeting as compared to DPPC liposomes. Experimental photodynamic therapy (PDT) of the MS-2 fibrosarcoma has been performed using liposome-delivered Zn-Pc and the efficiency of tumour necrosis has been measured following four different irradiation protocols. We found that Zn-Pc doses as low as 0.07-0.35 mg kg-1 are sufficient for inducing an efficient tumour response that is linearly dependent on the injected dose. The amount of Zn-Pc in the tumour decreases very slowly as a function of time, hence PDT gives satisfactory results even if performed at relatively long time intervals after administration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drug Carriers
  • Female
  • Fibrosarcoma / drug therapy*
  • Indoles / administration & dosage
  • Indoles / pharmacokinetics*
  • Indoles / therapeutic use
  • Isoindoles
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Liposomes
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Organometallic Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Organometallic Compounds / pharmacokinetics*
  • Organometallic Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Zinc / administration & dosage
  • Zinc / pharmacokinetics*
  • Zinc / therapeutic use
  • Zinc Compounds

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Indoles
  • Isoindoles
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Liposomes
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Zinc Compounds
  • Zn(II)-phthalocyanine
  • Zinc