番茄红素微囊的体内外药剂学行为

目的考察番茄红素微囊的体外释放、番茄红素原料及番茄红素微囊在家犬体内的药代动力学、体外释放和体内吸收的相关性。方法用分光光度法测定释放介质中番茄红素的含量。用HPLC法测定家犬体内的番茄红素含量，数据用3P87程序处理，得到各主要药代动力学参数。体内吸收与体外释放进行点点相关。结果微囊体外释放呈肠溶性，原料及番茄红素微囊的T_1/2α分别为7.30和15.06 h；T_1/2β分别为28.10和46.76 h；T_max分别为22.32和41.03 h；AUC_0-∞分别为1.67和2.08 μg·h·L^-1。体内外相关性良好。结论微囊较原料药呈现缓释特征，体内外相关性结果表明可以根据体外释放情况预测体内的吸收。     

盐酸地尔硫爆破型脉冲控释片研究

目的以盐酸地尔硫为(diltiazem hydrochloride,DIL)模型药物,研制爆破型脉冲控释片并考察其体内外脉冲释药特性。方法以乙基纤维素和丙烯酸树脂(Eudragit L)为包衣材料,采用薄膜包衣法,制备含盐酸地尔硫60 mg的脉冲控释片。通过体外释放度实验,考察了处方因素对脉冲控释片体外释放的影响;通过吸水实验确定了脉冲控释片的释药机理;以高效液相色谱法测定8名受试者的体内血药浓度,研究脉冲控释片的体内药代动力学和生物利用度。结果片芯处方、包衣组成和包衣厚度影响盐酸地尔硫的脉冲释放。该制剂在体外延迟释放时间T₁₀为4.4 h,释放至最大的时间T_rm为8.0 h,脉冲释放时间T_rm-10为3.6 h;其体内的延迟释放时间T_lag为4.9 h,达峰时间T_max为8.0 h,从开始释放到达峰的时间T_psi为3.1 h。脉冲控释片的相对生物利用度为105%。结论盐酸地尔硫爆破型脉冲控释片在体内外都具有脉冲释放特性。     

番茄红素脂质体的体外释放及大鼠体内药代动力学和抗氧化功能

利用旋转薄膜-超声法制备了番茄红素脂质体并研究其体外释放，大鼠体内药代动力学和对机体抗氧化能力的影响。用液相色谱法测定大鼠体内的番茄红素含量，所得数据进行3P97程序处理，得到各主要药代动力学参数；配制人工胃液和肠液，比较番茄红素油和番茄红素脂质体的体外释放效果；番茄红素油和番茄红素脂质体灌胃后，用试剂盒测定大鼠血清和肝组织匀浆中的超氧化物歧化酶活性、丙二醛、总抗氧化能力、过氧化氢酶及谷胱甘肽过氧化酶的含量。结果显示，脂质体体外释放呈肠溶性；番茄红素油及番茄红素脂质体的T_max分别为4.45和7.45 h；C_max为0.473和0.654 μg·mL^-1；AUC分别为12.38和21.67 μg·h·mL^-1。抗氧化指标测定结果表明：番茄红素脂质体比番茄红素油显著地提高机体内抗氧化酶的活力，抑制脂质过氧化。     

莲子心总碱缓释片体外释放度试验

目的 考察莲子心总碱缓释片体外释放度。方法 模拟人体体内环境,用紫外分光光度法测定莲子心总碱的体外释放度。结果 莲子心总碱释药方程:log(100-R_n)=2.112-0.128t(F=219.310,P<0.001),r=-0.982(P<0.001),T₅₀=3.233h,T_d=4.274h,K_r=0.128h^-1。结论 莲子心总碱缓释片体外释药符合一级释药模式,具有缓释特点。     

胸腺肽α1缓释注射微球的研究

制备胸腺肽α₁(Tα₁)的长效注射微球，并对微球的体外释放特性、体外活性及药效学进行考察。采用复乳法(W/O/W)制备了载Tα₁聚乳酸-羟基乙酸嵌段共聚物(PLGA)的微球；考察微球的粒径大小、外观及包封率等理化特性；以HPLC法测定微球的体外释放速率；采用CCK-8法评价微球制备工艺和体外释放过程中Tα₁的生物学活性；体内药效学研究中采用流式细胞仪检测免疫抑制模型大鼠给予Tα₁微球后所产生的CD₄⁺，CD₈⁺因子的量，根据CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺的比值变化评价体内药效。微球球形圆整，分散性好，两个优选处方(外水相中加入5%氯化钠和10%葡萄糖)的微球包封率分别为87.8%和90.2%；Tα₁微球1个月的体外累积释放可达90%以上。使用含10%葡萄糖的PVA溶液作为外水相，较好地保持了制备工艺过程中的Tα₁生物学活性，在体外释放过程中Tα₁的生物学活性略有下降；Tα₁微球可显著提高免疫抑制模型小鼠的免疫力。用可生物降解的聚合物PLGA作为载体材料，可以将Tα₁制备成缓释1个月的注射微球。     

复方丹参pH依赖型延迟释药微丸在家犬体内的药效动力学

目的制备复方丹参pH依赖型延迟释药微丸填充胶囊并进行家犬体内药效动力学研究。方法分别用HPMC，Eudragit L-30D-55，Eudragit L100/S100 (1∶6)包衣制备pH依赖型延迟释药微丸，测定体外释放曲线，并用血清药理学方法进行家犬体内的药效动力学研究。结果制备了复方丹参pH依赖型延迟释药微丸，体外溶出曲线呈pH依赖特征。单剂量给药后自制速释片R的药效动力学参数T_max为0.58 h，E_max为34.63%，延迟释药胶囊T1和T2的T_max分别延长至2.42和3.17 h，E_max分别降低至13.57%和14.52%，相对生物利用度分别为99.3%和133.6%。多剂量给药后自制速释片R波动度DF 7.32，延迟释药胶囊T1和T2的波动度DF 3.40和3.03。结论复方丹参pH依赖型延迟释药胶囊体外释放具有pH依赖特征，体内具有明显的延迟释药作用，多剂量达到稳态时，药效动力学波动系数低于普通片。     

柔红霉素长循环脂质体的药剂学性质及大鼠体内药代动力学研究

目的研究柔红霉素长循环脂质体的药剂学性质及大鼠体内药代动力学。方法考察柔红霉素长循环脂质体的形态和粒径分布、包封率和加速实验稳定性;建立脂质体中柔红霉素含量测定的可见分光光度法和HPLC方法;考察脂质体在Hepes缓冲液(pH 7.5)和大鼠血清中的体外释放行为。考察脂质体在大鼠体内的药代动力学行为。结果制备的柔红霉素长循环脂质体包封率高(>85%)、稳定性好,平均粒径为56.3 nm,体外释放慢;长循环脂质体的T_1/2α和AUC分别是注射剂的17.6和96倍。结论制备的长循环脂质体包封率较高,药剂学性质稳定,在大鼠体内的药代动力学参数优于注射剂,能达到长循环目的。     

盐酸西布曲明在中国志愿者体内的药代动力学

目的研究西布曲明主要药理活性代谢产物N-去二甲基西布曲明（BTS 54505）在中国志愿者体内的药代动力学。方法20名健康中国志愿者采用随机交叉自身对照的方式，单剂量po盐酸西布曲明胶囊20 mg。给药后，连续采集血样至72 h。分离得到的血浆，采用高效液相色谱-电喷雾-二级质谱分析BTS 54505的血药浓度。结果国产和进口胶囊剂的体内药代动力学参数AUC_0-t，AUC_0-∞，C_max，T_max,T_1/2,Kelm和MRT均与文献报道相似。结论国产和进口胶囊剂生物等效。     

三氧化二砷对胃癌细胞SGC7901多药耐药的逆转作用及其机制

研究三氧化二砷(arsenic trioxide，As₂O₃)对胃癌细胞多药耐药的逆转作用及其机制。逐渐递增长春新碱(VCR)的浓度诱导胃癌细胞株SGC7901产生多药耐药性(SGC7901/VCR)。MTT法测定药物对肿瘤细胞的杀伤作用；Western blotting检测肿瘤细胞内P-糖蛋白(P-gp)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GST-s)表达。结果表明，胃癌SGC7901/VCR细胞对长春新碱(VCR)、5-氟尿嘧啶(5-Fu)及表阿霉素的耐药倍数分别为16.56倍、2.69倍及13.05倍。经As₂O₃预处理24 h后，长春新碱、5-氟尿嘧啶及表阿霉素对SGC7901/VCR的耐药倍数显著下降(P<0.05)。SGC7901/VCR在静息时细胞内P-gp、GST-s蛋白表达显著高于SGC7901。而As₂O₃可使SGC7901/VCR细胞内P-gp、GST-s蛋白表达显著下降，但是对SGC7901无明显作用。从而证实As₂O₃部分逆转SGC7901/VCR的耐药性，其机制可能与P-gp、GST-s蛋白表达降低有关。     

诺氟沙星注射剂和胶囊剂的人体药代动力学

目的：考察自制的肌注诺氟沙星注射剂在体内的动态行为,并与诺氟沙星胶囊剂进行比较。方法：用HPLC法测定这两种制剂在人体的血药浓度,并用非线性最小二乘法迭代程序进行数据处理。结果：注射剂在体内的过程可用开放型二室模型描述,其主要体内参数为：AUC=5.84 h.μg.mL^-1,T_max=0.35 h,C_max=1.14 μg.mL^-1,MRT=7.32 h;而胶囊剂则符合一室模型,主要体内参数为：AUC=4.29 h.μg.mL^-1,T_max=1.28 h,C_max=0.72 μg.mL^-1,MRT=6.16 h。结论：注射剂较胶囊剂生物利用度高,起效快,峰浓度高,作用持久。     

Treatment of Experimental Brain Metastasis with MTO-Liposomes: Impact of Fluidity and LRP-Targeting on the Therapeutic Result

Purpose

To test targeted liposomes in an effort to improve drug transport across cellular barriers into the brain.

Methods

Therefore we prepared Mitoxantrone (MTO) entrapping, rigid and fluid liposomes, equipped with a 19-mer angiopeptide as ligand for LDL lipoprotein receptor related protein (LRP) targeting.

Results

Fluid, ligand bearing liposomes showed in vitro the highest cellular uptake and transcytosis and were significantly better than the corresponding ligand-free liposomes and rigid, ligand-bearing vesicles. Treatment of mice, transplanted with human breast cancer cells subcutaneously and into the brain, with fluid membrane liposomes resulted in a significant reduction in the tumor volume by more than 80% and in a clear reduction in drug toxicity. The improvement was mainly depended on liposome fluidity while the targeting contributed only to a minor degree. Pharmacokinetic parameters were also improved for liposomal MTO formulations in comparison to the free drug. So the area under the curve was increased and t_1/2 was extended for liposomes.

Conclusion

Our data show that it is possible to significantly improve the therapy of brain metastases if MTO-encapsulating, fluid membrane liposomes are used instead of free MTO. This effect could be further enhanced by fluid, ligand bearing liposomes.     

A novel and simple type of liposome carrier for recombinant interleukin-2

The strong interaction between recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) and liposome was characterized and its possible application to drug-delivery control considered. The liposomes were prepared with egg phosphatidylcholine, distearoyl-phosphatidylglycerol (DSPG), dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylglycerol or distearoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DSPC). Small and hydrophobic liposomes were selected, which were composed of saturated and long-fatty-acid-chain phospholipids. When the composition and the mixture ratio of IL-2 and the liposomewere optimized, morethan 95% ofthe lyophilized IL-2 (Imunace, 350000 JRU) was adsorbed consistently onto the DSPC-DSPG liposome (molar ratio, 10:1; 25 micromol mL(-1); 30 nm in size). Merely mixing IL-2 lyophilized with liposome suspension is convenient pharmaceutically. After intravenous administration to mice, liposomal IL-2 was eliminated half as slowly from the systemic circulation as free IL-2, with more than 13 and 18 times more IL-2 being delivered to the liver and spleen, respectively. After subcutaneous administration of liposomal IL-2 to mice, the mean residence time of IL-2 in the systemic circulation was 8 times that of free IL-2. These results show that IL-2 consistently adsorbs onto the surface of liposomes after optimization of its composition and mixing ratio. Intravenous and subcutaneous administration to mice demonstrates the gradual release of IL-2. Further trials are warranted using these liposomes.     

Pharmacokinetic comparison of intravenous carbendazim and remote loaded carbendazim liposomes in nude mice

Carbendazim is a novel anticancer agent. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize a remote loaded liposome preparation of carbendazim, and compare its pharmacokinetic profile to that of unencapsulated carbendazim. Carbendazim was encapsulated in liposomes composed of sphingomyelin-cholesterol (3:1, w/w) by remote loading in response to a transmembrane pH gradient (pH 0.5 in/pH 4.0 out), which resulted in encapsulation of more than 95% of the available drug in preformed vesicles. High drug/lipid ratios were prepared which correspond to a molar ratio of up to 0.8. Physical isolation of the free drug and dialysis were used to determine the in vitro release of carbendazim from liposomes. The release was independent of the initial drug/lipid ratio and choice of internal buffer composition. Liposomal carbendazim (200 mg kg(-1)) was intravenously administered to athymic nude mice and the serum levels of free carbendazim were determined by HPLC analysis after a methanol-induced protein precipitation. Administration of liposomal carbendazim to mice resulted in significant alterations in the pharmacokinetics. Serum levels of free carbendazim were approximately 10-fold greater than those achieved for the same dose of unencapsulated drug. Liposomal carbendazim showed both high C(max), AUC and low clearance rate. Liposomal carbendazim and unencapsulated carbendazim displayed a similar terminal half-life (43-48 min). The relatively large volume of distribution of carbendazim suggests that the compound may partially enter cells or be bound to some extravascular structures. The results indicate that the liposomal formulation of carbendazim significantly increases its blood concentrations.     

Pyrocatechol violet as a marker to characterize liposomal membrane permeability using the chelation and the first-order derivative spectrophotometry

Pyrocatechol violet (PV), a chelating agent for cupric ions was used to characterize liposomal membrane permeability. After cupric ions were added to PV liposomes, free PV turned into its chelate (PV-Cu), and encapsulated PV kept stable since liposomal membranes prevented metal ions from permeating. After the light scattering background of liposomes and the absorbance of PV were eliminated by the first-order derivative spectrophotometric method, PV-Cu i.e. free PV in liposome suspensions could be determined without separation. The released PV from liposomes could also be determined. Because PV release is relevant to liposomal membrane permeability, PV becomes a marker to characterize the membrane permeability. This new method was simple, rapid, sensitive, and was used to measure the temperature-dependent liposomal membrane permeability in this paper. Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and soybean lecithin liposomes showed the peaks of release at 40 degrees C and 39 degrees C, respectively.     

A targeted liposome delivery system for combretastatin A4: formulation optimization through drug loading and in vitro release studies

Efficient liposomal therapeutics require high drug loading and low leakage. The objective of this study is to develop a targeted liposome delivery system for combretastatin A4 (CA4), a novel antivascular agent, with high loading and stable drug encapsulation. Liposomes composed of hydrogenated soybean phosphatidylcholine (HSPC), cholesterol, and distearoyl phosphoethanolamine-PEG-2000 conjugate (DSPE-PEG) were prepared by the lipid film hydration and extrusion process. Cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptides with affinity for alphav beta3-integrins overexpressed on tumor vascular endothelial cells were coupled to the distal end of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the liposomes sterically stabilized with PEG (non-targeted liposomes; LCLs). Effect of lipid concentration, drug-to-lipid ratio, cholesterol, and DSPE-PEG content in the formulation on CA4 loading and its release from the liposomes was studied. Total liposomal CA4 levels obtained increased with increasing lipid concentration in the formulation. As the drug-to-lipid ratio increased from 10:100 to 20:100, total drug in the liposome formulation increased from 1.05+/-0.11 mg/mL to 1.55+/-0.13 mg/mL, respectively. When the drug-to-lipid ratio was further raised to 40:100, the total drug in liposome formulation did not increase, but the amount of free drug increased significantly, thereby decreasing the percent of entrapped drug. Increasing cholesterol content in the formulation decreased drug loading. In vitro drug leakage from the liposomes increased with increase in drug-to-lipid ratio or DSPE-PEG content in the formulation; whereas increasing cholesterol content of the formulation up to 30 mol-percent, decreased CA4 leakage from the liposomes. Ligand coupling to the liposome surface increased drug leakage as a function of ligand density. Optimized liposome formulation with 100 mM lipid concentration, 20:100 drug-to-lipid ratio, 30 mol-percent cholesterol, 4 mol-percent DSPE-PEG, and 1 mol-percent DSPE-PEG-maleimide content yielded 1.77+/-0.14 mg/mL liposomal CA4 with 85.70+/-1.71% of this being entrapped in the liposomes. These liposomes, with measured size of 123.84+/-41.23 nm, released no significant amount of the encapsulated drug over 48 h at 37 degrees C.     

Translocation of liposomes into cancer cells by cell-penetrating peptides penetratin and tat: a kinetic and efficacy study

Unlike conventional liposomes, sterically stabilized liposomes, with their smaller volume of distribution and reduced clearance, preferentially convey encapsulated drugs into tumor sites. Despite these improvements, intracellular delivery is hampered by the stable drug retention of the liposomes, which diminishes the efficacy of the liposomal drug. To facilitate uptake of liposomal drugs into cells, two cell-penetrating peptides, penetratin (PEN) and TAT, derived from the HIV-1 TAT protein, were studied. In contrast to control peptides, both TAT and PEN enhanced the translocation efficiency of liposomes in proportion to the number of peptides attached to the liposomal surface. A peptide number of as few as five could enhance the intracellular delivery of liposomes. The kinetics of uptake was peptide- and cell-type dependent. Intracellular accumulation of TAT-liposomes increased with incubation time, but PEN-liposomes peaked at 1 h and then declined gradually. After treatment with 1 microg/ml doxorubicin equivalents of liposome for 2 h, TAT increased the doxorubicin uptake of A431 cells by 12-fold. However, the improvement of uptake of liposomal doxorubicin was not reflected by cytotoxicity in vitro or tumor control in vivo. Our results demonstrated that merely adding CPP to a liposome encapsulating anticancer drug was inadequate in improving its antitumor activity. An additional approach to enhance the intracellular release of the encapsulated drug is obviously necessary.     

A pegylated liposomal platform: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity in mice using doxorubicin as a model drug

Aims were to observe pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity for constructing a Sino-pegylated liposomal platform. Human hepatocarcinoma cells (Bel7402) and murine hepatocarcinoma cells (H(22)) were used for the cytotoxicity assay and the in vivo solid xenograft tumor model in mice, respectively. Pharmacokinetic results in mice showed that the pegylated liposomal doxorubicin markedly prolonged the blood circulation of doxorubicin. Elimination half-time (T(1/2,gamma)) of pegylated, regular liposomal doxorubicin and free doxorubicin were 46.09 +/- 14.44, 26.04 +/- 3.34, and 23.72 +/- 5.13 h, respectively. The area under the concentration-time curves (AUC(0- infinity )) (h. microg/g) of the pegylated and regular liposomal doxorubicin were 6.8- and 2.6-fold higher than that of free doxorubicin, respectively. Cytotoxicity and antitumor activity in vivo indicated that activity of the pegylated liposomal doxorubicin was higher than that of the regular or the free one, respectively. After two weeks of tail intravenous injection of the pegylated liposomal doxorubicin at a single dose of 10 mg/kg, no significant damage was observed in gastric, intestinal mucosa, and heart muscle, but pronounced damages were found in the control group after dosing free doxorubicin. The results demonstrate that the pegylated liposomes improve the efficacy of toxics and reduce the toxicity, therefore providing favorable evidence for building a pegylated liposomal platform.     

Enhanced solubility and stability of PEGylated liposomal paclitaxel: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

An improved PEGylated liposomal formulation of paclitaxel has been developed with the purpose of improving the solubility of paclitaxel as well as the physicochemical stability of liposome in comparison to the current Taxol formulation. The use of 3% (v/v) Tween 80 in the hydration media was able to increase the solubility of drug. The addition of sucrose as a lyoprotectant in the freeze-drying process increased the stability of the liposome particles. There was no significant difference in the entrapment efficiency of paclitaxel between the conventional non-PEGylated liposomes and our PEGylated liposomes. Cytotoxicity in human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3) of our paclitaxel formulation was less potent compared to Taxol after 24h incubation, but was equipotent after 72 h due to the slower release of drug from the liposome. Our PEGylated liposomes increased the biological half-life of paclitaxel from 5.05 (+/-1.52)h to 17.8 (+/-2.35)h compared to the conventional liposomes in rats. Biodistribution studies in breast cancer xenografted nude mouse model showed that our liposomes significantly decreased the uptake in reticuloendothelial system (RES)-containing organs (liver, spleen and lung) while increasing the uptake in tumor tissues after injection compared to Taxol or the conventional liposomal formulation. Moreover, the PEGylated liposome showed greater tumor growth inhibition effect in in vivo studies. Therefore, our PEGylated liposomal formulation of paclitaxel could serve as a better alternative for the passive targeting of human breast tumors.     

PLGA/Liposome Hybrid Nanoparticles for Short-Chain Ceramide Delivery

Purpose

Rapid premature release of lipophilic drugs from liposomal lipid bilayer to plasma proteins and biological membranes is a challenge for targeted drug delivery. The purpose of this study is to reduce premature release of lipophilic short-chain ceramides by encapsulating ceramides into liposomal aqueous interior with the aid of poly (lactic-coglycolicacid) (PLGA).

Methods

BODIPY FL labeled ceramide (FL-ceramide) and BODIPY-TR labeled ceramide (TR-ceramide) were encapsulated into carboxy-terminated PLGA nanoparticles. The negatively charged PLGA nanoparticles were then encapsulated into cationic liposomes to obtain PLGA/liposome hybrids. As a control, FL-ceramide and/or TR ceramide co-loaded liposomes without PLGA were prepared. The release of ceramides from PLGA/liposome hybrids and liposomes in rat plasma, cultured MDA-MB-231 cells, and rat blood circulation was compared using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between FL-ceramide (donor) and TR-ceramide (acceptor).

Results

FRET analysis showed that FL-ceramide and TR-ceramide in liposomal lipid bilayer were rapidly released during incubation with rat plasma. In contrast, the FL-ceramide and TR-ceramide in PLGA/liposome hybrids showed extended release. FRET images of cells revealed that ceramides in liposomal bilayer were rapidly transferred to cell membranes. In contrast, ceramides in PLGA/liposome hybrids were internalized into cells with nanoparticles simultaneously. Upon intravenous administration to rats, ceramides encapsulated in liposomal bilayer were completely released in 2 min. In contrast, ceramides encapsulated in the PLGA core were retained in PLGA/liposome hybrids for 4 h.

Conclusions

The PLGA/liposome hybrid nanoparticles reduced in vitro and in vivo premature release of ceramides and offer a viable platform for targeted delivery of lipophilic drugs.     

Plasma membrane targeting by short chain sphingolipids inserted in liposomes improves anti-tumor activity of mitoxantrone in an orthotopic breast carcinoma xenograft model

Mitoxantrone (MTO) is clinically used for treatment of various types of cancers providing an alternative for similarly active, but more toxic chemotherapeutic drugs such as anthracyclines. To further decrease its toxicity MTO was encapsulated into liposomes. Although liposomal drugs can accumulate in target tumor tissue, they still face the plasma membrane barrier for effective intracellular delivery. Aiming to improve MTO tumor cell availability, we used short chain lipids to target and modulate the tumor cell membrane, promoting MTO plasma membrane traversal. MTO was encapsulated in liposomes containing the short chain sphingolipid (SCS), C₈-Glucosylceramide (C₈-GluCer) or C₈-Galactosylceramide (C₈-GalCer) in their bilayer. These new SCS-liposomes containing MTO (SCS-MTOL) were tested in vivo for tolerability, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, tumor drug delivery by intravital microscopy and efficacy, and compared to standard MTO liposomes (MTOL) and free MTO.Liposomal encapsulation decreased MTO toxicity and allowed administration of higher drug doses. SCS-MTOL displayed increased clearance and lower skin accumulation compared to standard MTOL. Intratumoral liposomal drug delivery was heterogeneous and rather limited in hypoxic tumor areas, yet SCS-MTOL improved intracellular drug uptake in comparison with MTOL. The increased MTO availability correlated well with the improved antitumor activity of SCS-MTOL in a MDAMB-231 breast carcinoma model. Multiple dosing of liposomal MTO strongly delayed tumor growth compared to free MTO and prolonged mouse survival, whereas among the liposomal MTO treatments, C8-GluCer-MTOL was most effective. Targeting plasma membranes with SCS improved MTO tumor availability and thereby therapeutic activity and represents a promising approach to improve MTO-based chemotherapy.