Liposome Technology Inc. scientists have published results ofthe company's Stealth liposomes in mice, showing that theencapsulating particles can accumulate in experimental tumorsand persist in the bloodstream for increased periods of time.

As a delivery system for anti-cancer and anti-fungal drugs,conventional liposomes can cut drug toxicity. But themicroscopic particles are selectively scavenged by the liver,spleen and other components of the reticuloendothelial system,limiting their use in transporting drugs to other sites.

The Stealth technology enables liposomes to evade livercapture by including polyethylene glycol in their coating.

The animal data showed the accumulation of the cancer drugdoxorubicin, delivered by the coated liposomes, in tumorsimplanted experimentally in mice.

Reporting Saturday in the Proceedings of the National Academyof Sciences, the scientists concluded that properties of thetechnology "have expanded considerably the prospects ofliposomes as an effective carrier system for a variety ofpharmacologically active macromolecules." Collaborating withthe scientists at the Menlo Park, Calif., company wereresearchers at University of California, San Francisco;University of Alberta; Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo,N.Y.; and Hadassah Medical Center in Israel.

The company's stock (NASDAQ:LTIZ) closed up 38 centsMonday at $18.50. -- Roberta Friedman, Ph.D.

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