Kelly S. Persons, Shwetha Hareesh, Vikram J. Eddy and Rahul Ray
Encapsulating cytotoxic drugs in liposomal vehicles allows for the targeting of tumors while protecting the drugs from premature degradation. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-3?-bromoacetate (1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE), a vitamin D receptor-alkylating agent inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a liposomal preparation of 1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE versus 1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE in modulating the growth of prostate cancer cells. Results demonstrate that liposomal 1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE is significantly better than 1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE in inhibiting the growth. In addition, liposomal 1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE was found to be stable in human serum. Taken together, results of the studies delineated here suggest a therapeutic potential of liposomal 1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE in prostate cancer.
