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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Fluorescence-quenching of a Liposomal-encapsulated Near-infrared Fluorophore as a Tool for In Vivo Optical Imaging
Published on: January 5, 2015
Intra and inter-molecular interactions dictate the aggregation state of irinotecan co-encapsulated with floxuridine
Awa Dicko1, April A Frazier, Barry D Liboiron
1Celator Pharmaceuticals Corp., 1779 W 75th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V6P6P2, Canada.
Purpose:
The inter/intramolecular interactions between drugs (floxuridine, irinotecan) and excipients (copper gluconate, triethanolamine) in the dual-drug liposomal formulation CPX-1 were elucidated in order to identify the physicochemical properties that allow coordinated release of irinotecan and floxuridine and maintenance of the two agents at a fixed, synergistic 1:1 molar ratio.
Methods:
Release of irinotecan and floxuridine from the liposomes was assessed using an in vitro-release assay. Fluorescence, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and UV-Vis were used to characterize the aggregation state of the drugs within the liposomes.
Results:
Coordinated release of the drugs from liposomes was disrupted by removing copper gluconate. Approximately 45% of the total irinotecan was detectable in the copper-containing CPX-1 formulation by NMR, which decreased to 19% without copper present in the liposomal interior. Formation of higher order, NMR-silent aggregates was associated with slower and uncoordinated irinotecan release relative to floxuridine and loss of the synergistic drug/drug ratio. Solution spectroscopy and calorimetry revealed that while all formulation components were required to achieve the highest solubility of irinotecan, direct drug-excipient binding interactions were absent.
Conclusions:
Long-range interactions between irinotecan, floxuridine and excipients modulate the aggregation state of irinotecan, allowing for simultaneous release of both drugs from the liposomes.
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