Production and antiproliferative activity of liposomes containing the antitumour drug chromomycin A(3)

In the present paper we describe the production and characterization of liposomes as specialized delivery system for chromomycin. Liposomes were prepared by reverse phase evaporation technique followed by extrusion through polycarbonate filters; afterwards the vesicles were characterized in term of dimensions, morphology and encapsulation efficacy. Aim of this work was to produce a drug delivery system able to reduce the toxicity problems related to the future administration of this drug. The analysis of the in vitro antiproliferative activity on cultured human leukemic K562 cells demonstrated that ionic and neutral liposomes containing chromomycin are almost 2 or 10-fold much more effective respectively as compared to the free drug. Based on this results and taking into account the increased solubility of the drug in this specialized system, liposomes could represent a promising delivery system for a future use in experimental therapy of chromomycin.