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  • A bacterial protein enhances the release and efficacy of liposomal cancer drugs.

A bacterial protein enhances the release and efficacy of liposomal cancer drugs.

Science (New York, N.Y.) (2006-11-25)
Ian Cheong, Xin Huang, Chetan Bettegowda, Luis A Diaz, Kenneth W Kinzler, Shibin Zhou, Bert Vogelstein
ABSTRACT

Clostridium novyi-NT is an anaerobic bacterium that can infect hypoxic regions within experimental tumors. Because C. novyi-NT lyses red blood cells, we hypothesized that its membrane-disrupting properties could be exploited to enhance the release of liposome-encapsulated drugs within tumors. Here, we show that treatment of mice bearing large, established tumors with C. novyi-NT plus a single dose of liposomal doxorubicin often led to eradication of the tumors. The bacterial factor responsible for the enhanced drug release was identified as a previously unrecognized protein termed liposomase. This protein could potentially be incorporated into diverse experimental approaches for the specific delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to tumors.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Lipopolysaccharides from Escherichia coli O111:B4, purified by gel-filtration chromatography
Sigma-Aldrich
1-Butanol, for molecular biology, ≥99%
Sigma-Aldrich
Precast Agarose Gels, 8-well (portrait orientation)
Sigma-Aldrich
Ethyl alcohol, Pure, 200 proof, for molecular biology