Therapeutic evaluation of liposome-encapsulated Daunoblastin in murine tumor models

Daunoblastin in free and liposome-encapsulated form was tested in the L1210 murine leukemia and the intramuscularly transplanted 276A sarcoma. Both therapeutic (% ILS, tumor volume inhibition) and toxicologic (leukocytes, body weight difference) parameters were evaluated. The liposome preparations showed similar therapeutic effects as the free substance but caused a lower toxicity with a lower mortality rate, higher leukocyte values and smaller body weight reduction. Longer sonication time with the output of more smaller unilamellar vesicles had no influence on the parameters in the solid model, but resulted in shorter ILS values in the L1210 model. Administration of empty liposomes immediately before liposomal Daunoblastin did not result in better antineoplastic activity but yielded higher leukocyte values.