The results obtained in this study esablis that liposome formulations incorporating a synthetic polyethylene glycol-derivatied phospholipid have a pronounced effect on liposome tissue dt n and can produce a large increase in the pharmaologial eflkacy of encapsulated antitumor drugs. This effect is i ly greater than that observed previously with conventionl lposomes and is ith a more than 5-fold

No abstract

Development of therapeutic agents for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) viral infection using short interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibitors exemplifies a powerful new means to combat emerging infectious diseases. Potent siRNA inhibitors of SARS coronavirus (SCV) in vitro were further evaluated for efficacy and safety in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) SARS model using clinically viable delivery while comparing three dosing regimens. Observations of SARS-like symptoms, measurements of SCV RNA presence and lung histopathology and immunohistochemistry consistently showed siRNA-mediated anti-SARS efficacy by either prophylactic or therapeutic regimens. The siRNAs used provided relief from SCV infection-induced fever, diminished SCV viral levels and reduced acute diffuse alveoli damage. The 10-40 mg/kg accumulated dosages of siRNA did not show any sign of siRNA-induced toxicity. These results suggest that a clinical investigation is warranted and illustrate the prospects for siRNA to enable a massive reduction in development time for new targeted therapeutic agents.

Lipid-conjugates of two amphipatic polymers, poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (PMOZ) and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEOZ) (degree of polymerization approximately 50) were synthesized by linking glutarate esters of the polymers to distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE) or alternatively by termination of the polymerization process with DSPE. Surface-modified liposomes (90 +/- 5 nm) prepared from either conjugate (5 mol % of total lipid) were injected into rats and followed by blood level and tissue distribution measurements. Both polymers PEOZ and PMOZ were found to convey long circulation and low hepatosplenic uptake to liposomes to the same extent as polyethylene glycol (PEG), the best known material for this purpose. This is the first demonstration of protection from rapid recognition and clearance conveyed by alternative polymers, which is equal to the effect of PEG.

Ocular neovascularization often results in vision impairment. Frequently vascular endothelial cell growth factors (VEGFs) are mainly responsible for the pathological neovascularization as in the case in neovascularization induced by CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and herpes simplex virus infection in this report. siRNAs targeting either VEGFA, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, or a mix of the three were shown to significantly inhibit neovascularization induced by CpG when given locally or systemically. The efficacy of systemic administration was facilitated by the use of a polymer delivery vehicle. Additional experiments showed a significant inhibitory effect of the siRNAs mix when given either locally or systemically in vehicle against herpes simplex virus-induced angiogenesis as well as against lesions of stromal keratitis. These results indicate that the use of VEGF pathway-specific siRNAs represents a useful therapy against neovascularization-related eye diseases.