Camptothecin encapsulated with N-trimethyl chitosan exhibits anti-cancer properties in a preclinical mouse model of liver cancer. - GreenMedInfo Summary
In vivo antitumor and antimetastatic activities of camptothecin encapsulated with N-trimethyl chitosan in a preclinical mouse model of liver cancer.
Cancer Lett. 2010 Nov 1 ;297(1):56-64. Epub 2010 May 23. PMID: 20546992
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
Application of camptothecin (CPT) is hampered due to its extreme water insolubility and unpredictable side effects. Therefore, it is essential to establish an efficient and safe protocol for the administration of camptothecin against tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we encapsulated camptothecin with N-trimethyl chitosan (CPT-TMC) and tested it on BALB/c mice subcutaneously injected with murine hepatocellular carcinoma cells at the hindlimb feet pad. CPT-TMC effectively inhibited tumor growth and lymphatic metastasis, prolonged survival time, yet without apparent toxic effects. Thus, CPT-TMC may provide a novel and effective therapeutic strategy against human advanced hepatic cancer without conspicuous systemic toxic effects.