EP1677763A1 - Vehicule d'administration de medicament lipophile et methodes d'utilisation de ce vehicule - Google Patents

Vehicule d'administration de medicament lipophile et methodes d'utilisation de ce vehicule

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Publication number
EP1677763A1
EP1677763A1 EP04780277A EP04780277A EP1677763A1 EP 1677763 A1 EP1677763 A1 EP 1677763A1 EP 04780277 A EP04780277 A EP 04780277A EP 04780277 A EP04780277 A EP 04780277A EP 1677763 A1 EP1677763 A1 EP 1677763A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bioactive agent
lipid
particles
agent delivery
delivery particle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04780277A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Robert O. Ryan
Michael N. Oda
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Childrens Hospital Oakland Research Center
Original Assignee
Childrens Hospital Oakland Research Center
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from PCT/US2004/004295 external-priority patent/WO2004073684A2/fr
Application filed by Childrens Hospital Oakland Research Center filed Critical Childrens Hospital Oakland Research Center
Publication of EP1677763A1 publication Critical patent/EP1677763A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/10—Dispersions; Emulsions
    • A61K9/127—Liposomes
    • A61K9/1275—Lipoproteins; Chylomicrons; Artificial HDL, LDL, VLDL, protein-free species thereof; Precursors thereof
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
    • A61P31/10—Antimycotics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents

Definitions

  • This application relates to compositions and methods for delivery of bioactive agents.
  • the application relates to bioactive agent delivery particles that include a lipid binding polypeptide, a lipid bilayer, and a bioactive agent.
  • Bioactive substances such as therapeutic agents, vaccine immunogens, and nutrients often cannot be administered in pure form, but must be incorporated into biocompatible formulations that enhance solubility of the bioactive material and package it in a suitable form to achieve optimal beneficial effects while minimizing undesirable side effects. Efficient delivery of bioactive agents is often hindered by a short clearance time of an agent in the body, inefficient targeting to a site of action, or the nature of the bioactive agent itself, for example, poor solubility in aqueous media or hydrophobicity. Thus, many formulation strategies have been developed to improve delivery, including controlled release formulations, emulsions, and liposomal preparations.
  • Liposomes are completely closed, spherical lipid bilayer membranes containing an entrapped aqueous volume.
  • the lipid bilayer includes two lipid monolayers composed of lipids having a hydrophobic tail region and a hydrophilic head region.
  • the structure of the membrane bilayer is such that the hydrophobic, nonpolar tails of the lipid molecules orient toward the center of the bilayer while the hydrophilic heads orient toward the aqueous phases both on the exterior and the interior of the liposome.
  • the aqueous, hydrophilic core region of a liposome may include a dissolved bioactive substance.
  • hydrophobic substances Delivery of pharmaceutically useful hydrophobic substances is often particularly problematic because they are insoluble or poorly soluble in an aqueous environment.
  • direct injection may be impossible or highly problematic, resulting in such dangerous conditions as hemolysis, phlebitis, hypersensitivity, organ failure, and/or death.
  • improved formulations for hydrophobic bioactive substances that will promote stability in an aqueous environment and allow efficient delivery of such substances to a desired site of action.
  • the invention provides compositions and methods for delivery of a bioactive agent to an individual.
  • the invention provides a bioactive agent delivery particle that includes a lipid binding polypeptide, a lipid bilayer with an interior that includes a hydrophobic region, and a bioactive agent associated with the hydrophobic region of the lipid bilayer.
  • Bioactive agent delivery particles generally do not include a hydrophilic or aqueous core.
  • Bioactive agent delivery particles include one or more bioactive agents that include at least one hydrophobic region and are incorporated into, or associated with, the hydrophobic interior of the lipid bilayer.
  • the hydrophobic region(s) of a bioactive agent are generally associated with hydrophobic surfaces in the interior of the lipid bilayer, e.g., fatty acyl chains.
  • the bioactive agent is amphotericin B (AmB).
  • the bioactive agent is camptofhecin.
  • Particles are typically disc shaped, with a diameter in the range of about 7 to about 29 nm.
  • Bioactive agent delivery particles include bilayer-forming lipids, for example phospholipids.
  • a bioactive agent delivery particle includes both bilayer-forming and non-bilayer-forming lipids.
  • the lipid bilayer of a bioactive agent delivery particle includes phospholipids.
  • the phospholipids incorporated into a delivery particle include dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG).
  • DMPC dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine
  • DMPG dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol
  • the lipid bilayer includes DMPC and DMPG in a 7:3 molar ratio.
  • the lipid binding polypeptide is an apolipoprotein.
  • the predominant interaction between lipid binding polypeptides, e.g., apolipoprotein molecules, and the lipid bilayer is generally a hydrophobic interaction between residues on a hydrophobic face of an amphipathic structure, e.g., a ⁇ -helix of the lipid binding polypeptide and fatty acyl chains of lipids on an exterior surface at the perimeter of the particle.
  • Particles of the invention may include exchangeable and/or non-exchangeable apolipoproteins.
  • the lipid binding polypeptide is Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I).
  • particles are provided that include lipid binding polypeptide molecules, e.g., apolipoprotein molecules, that have been modified to increase stability of the particle.
  • the modification includes introduction of cysteine residues to form intramolecular and/or intermolecular disulfide bonds.
  • particles are provided that include a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide molecule, e.g., a.
  • chimeric apolipoprotein molecule with one or more bound functional moieties, for example one or more targeting moieties and/or one or more moieties having a desired biological activity, e.g., antimicrobial activity, which may augment or work in synergy with the activity of a bioactive agent incorporated into the delivery particle.
  • one or more bound functional moieties for example one or more targeting moieties and/or one or more moieties having a desired biological activity, e.g., antimicrobial activity, which may augment or work in synergy with the activity of a bioactive agent incorporated into the delivery particle.
  • a pharmaceutical composition in another aspect, includes a bioactive agent delivery particle in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • a method for administering a bioactive agent to an individual is also provided, which includes administering a pharmaceutical composition containing bioactive agent delivery particles in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the individual.
  • a therapeutically effective amount of the bioactive agent is administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • administration is parenteral, for example intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, transmucosal, or intrathecal.
  • particles are administered as an aerosol.
  • the bioactive agent is formulated for controlled release.
  • a method for treating a fungal infection in an individual including administering a anti- fungal agent, for example, AmB, incorporated into bioactive agent delivery particles of the invention, often in a therapeutically effective amount in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • a method for treating a tumor in an individual including administering an anti-tumor agent, for example, camptothecin, incorporated into bioactive agent delivery particles of the invention, often in a therapeutically effective amount in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the bioactive agent delivery particles include a lipid binding polypeptide with an attached vasoactive intestinal peptide targeting moiety, and the tumor is a breast tumor.
  • the formulation process includes contacting a mixture that includes bilayer-forming lipids and a bioactive agent to form a lipid vesicle-bioactive agent mixture, and contacting the lipid vesicle-bioactive agent mixture with a lipid binding polypeptide.
  • the formulation process includes formation of a dispersion of pre-formed bilayer-containing lipid vesicles to which a bioactive agent, dissolved in an appropriate solvent, is added.
  • solvents for solubilizing a bioactive agent for this procedure include solvents with polar or hydrophilic character that are capable of solubilizing a bioactive agent to be incorporated into a delivery particle of the invention.
  • suitable solvents include, but are not limited to, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide.
  • DMSO dimethylsulfoxide
  • lipid binding polypeptides are added, followed by incubation, sonication, or both.
  • the bioactive agent incorporated into a delivery particle by any of the above processes is amphotericin B.
  • the amphotericin B is solubilized in DMSO.
  • the bioactive agent is camptothecin.
  • the camptothecin is solubilized in DMSO.
  • the invention includes bioactive agent delivery particles prepared according to any of the processes described above, and pharmaceutical compositions including particles prepared according to any of the above processes and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • kits including any of the bioactive agent delivery particles or pharmaceutical compositions described above, or delivery particles prepared by any of the above methods, and/or reagents for formulating the particles and/or instructions for use in a method for administering a bioactive agent to an individual.
  • Figure 1 depicts a UV/Visible absorbance spectrum, from 250-450 nm, of ApoA- I-phospholipid particles without a bioactive agent, prepared as in Example 1:
  • Figure 2 depicts a UV/Visible absorbance spectrum, from 250-450 nm, of ApoA- I-phospholipid-AmB particles, prepared as in Example 1.
  • Figure 3 depicts a plot of fraction number versus protein concentration for ApoA- I-phospholipid-AmB particles after density gradient ultracentrifugation. Particles were prepared as described in Example 2 and adjusted to 1.3 g/ml density by the addition of KBr. The solution was centrifuged in a discontinuous gradient for 5 hours at 275,000 x g at 10°C. Following centrifugation, the tube contents were fractionated from the top and the protein content in each fraction determined.
  • Figure 4 depicts a native polyacrylamide gel elecfrophoresis (PAGE) analysis of ApoA-I-phospholipid particles, on a 4-20% acrylamide gradient slab gel.
  • Particles were prepared with ApoA-I and two different lipid preparations, DMPC/DMPG or palmitoyloleylphosphatidylcholine (POPC). The gel was stained with Coomassie Blue.
  • Lane 1 ApoA-I POPC particles
  • Lane 2 ApoA-I-POPC-AmB particles
  • Lane 3 ApoA-I- DMPC/DMPG-AmB particles. The relative migration of size standards is shown on the left.
  • Figure 5 depicts a comparison of effects of different storage conditions on the size and structural integrity of Apoliprotein E N-terminal domain (ApoE3NT)- DMPC/DMPG-AmB particle stability. Particles were isolated by density ultracentrifugation and then subjected to elecfrophoresis on a native PAGE 4-20% gradient slab gel. The gel was stained with Amido Black. Lane 1 : particles stored in phosphate buffer at 4°C for 24 hours; Lane 2: particles stored in phosphate buffer at -20°C for 24 hours; Lane 3: particles lyophilized and frozen at -80°C for 24 hours, and then redissolved in H 2 O. The relative migration of size standards is shown on the left. [0024] Figure 6 schematically illustrates the shape and molecular organization of a bioactive agent delivery particle.
  • Figure 7 schematically illustrates chimeric lipid binding polypeptides and their incorporation into a bioactive agent delivery particle.
  • the chimeric proteins may include a targeting moiety (Figure 7A) or a moiety with a desired biological activity (Figure 7B).
  • Figure 7C schematically illustrates incorporation of the chimeric polypeptides shown in Figures 7A and 7B into a bioactive agent delivery particle.
  • Figure 8 graphically depicts antifungal activity of AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles against Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) in culture, as described in Example 2.
  • Figure 9 is a freeze fracture electron micrograph of AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles, prepared as described in Example 10.
  • Figure 10 shows a comparison between the ability of ApoA-I-DMPC/DMPG-
  • Figure 11 shows, fluorescence spectral comparison between camptothecin solubilized in SDS (Figure 11 A) and camptothecin-containing bioactive agent delivery particles (Figure 11B), as described in Example 9.
  • Figure 12 depicts a UV/visible spectral comparison of AmB incorporation into lipid particles prepared as described in Example 7 ( Figure 12A) and bioactive agent delivery particles prepared as described in Example 6 ( Figure 12B).
  • Figure 13 is an illustration of an embodiment of a bioactive agent delivery particle preparation procedure.
  • Figure 14 shows changes in body weight of mice administered the indicated dosages of AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles as described in Example 13.
  • Figure 15 shows serum levels of urea (Figure 15 A), creatinine (Figure 15B), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ( Figure 15C), and alanine aminotransferase ( Figure 15 A).
  • Figure 16 shows the survival rate of mice administered the indicated treatment as described in Example 14.
  • AMB-ND AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles;
  • AmB AmBisome
  • FLCZ Fluconazole
  • ND non- AmB-containing disc particles.
  • Figure 17 shows changes in body weight of mice administered the indicated treatment as described in Figure 14.
  • AMB-ND AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles
  • AmB AmBisome
  • FLCZ Fluconazole
  • ND non-AmB-containing disc particles.
  • Figure 18 shows tissue fungal burden in mice administered the indicated treatment as described in Example 14.
  • AMB-ND AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles
  • AmB AmBisome
  • FLCZ Fluconazole
  • ND non-AmB-containing disc particles.
  • Figure 19 shows the effect of apolipoprotein A-I on the light scattering intensity of AmB phospholipid vesicles. Two hundred micrograms of phospholipid (DMPC and DMPG (7:3 molar ratio) and 50 micrograms AmB were dispersed into 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.4 by vortexing and incubated at 24 °C in the presence and absence of apolipoprotein.
  • Sample right angle light scattering intensity was measured as a function of time in a Perkin-Elmer Model LS50b luminescence spectrometer. The excitation and emission monochromators were set at 600 nm with a slit width of 4 nm.
  • the invention provides compositions and methods for delivery of a bioactive agent to an individual.
  • Delivery vehicles are provided in the form of a bioactive agent incorporated into a particle that includes a lipid binding polypeptide and a lipid bilayer.
  • the interior of the particle includes a hydrophobic region of the lipid bilayer that includes hydrophobic portions of lipid molecules, e.g., fatty acyl chains of lipids, in contrast to liposomes, which include a wholly enclosed aqueous interior surrounded by lipid hydrophilic surfaces of a bilayer.
  • incorporation of hydrophobic molecules permits incorporation of hydrophobic molecules, for example, by intercalation between lipid molecules in the bilayer or sequestration into the hydrophobic region between leaflets of the bilayer.
  • a bioactive agent that includes at least one hydrophobic region may be incorporated into the hydrophobic interior of the particle.
  • incorpororation of a bioactive agent into the hydrophobic region of a lipid bilayer refers to solubilization into or association with a hydrophobic region or hydrophobic portions of lipid molecules of the bilayer, e.g., fatty acyl chains of lipids that form the bilayer, or intercalation with the fatty acyl chains.
  • the particles are generally disc shaped, with a diameter in the range of about 7 to 29 nm, as determined by native pore limiting gradient gel elecfrophoresis, in comparison with standards of known Stokes' diameter, as described, for example, in Blanche et al. (1981) Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 665(3):408-19.
  • the particles are stable in solution and may be lyophilized for long term storage, followed by reconstitution in aqueous solution.
  • the lipid binding polypeptide component defines the boundary of the discoidal bilayer and provides structure and stability to the particles.
  • Chimeric lipid binding polypeptide molecules e.g. , apolipoprotein molecules
  • apolipoprotein molecules are also provided and may be used to incorporate various additional functional properties into the delivery particles of the invention.
  • the particles may be administered to an individual to deliver a bioactive agent to the individual.
  • the invention provides a "particle” (also termed “delivery particle” or “bioactive agent delivery particle” herein) that includes one or more types of lipid binding polypeptide, a lipid bilayer comprising one or more types of bilayer-forming lipid, and one or more bioactive agents.
  • a delivery particle also includes one or more types of non-bilayer-forming lipid.
  • Compositions including the particles are also provided.
  • a pharmaceutical composition is provided that includes delivery particles and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the interior of a particle includes a hydrophobic region (e.g. , comprised of lipid fatty acyl chains).
  • Particles of the invention typically do not comprise a hydrophilic or aqueous core.
  • the particles are generally disc shaped, having a flat, discoidal, roughly circular lipid bilayer circumscribed by amphipathic ⁇ -helices and/or ⁇ -sheets of the lipid binding polypeptides, which are associated with hydrophobic surfaces of the bilayer around the periphery of the disc.
  • An illustrative example of a disc shaped bioactive agent delivery particle of the invention is schematically depicted in Fig. 6.
  • the diameter of a disc shaped delivery particle is about 7 to about 29 nm, often about 10 to about 25 nm, often about 15 to about 20 nm. "Diameter” refers to the diameter of one of the roughly circular shaped faces of the disc.
  • lipid binding polypeptide refers to any synthetic or naturally occurring peptide or protein that forms a stable interaction with lipid surfaces and can function to stabilize the lipid bilayer of a particle of the invention.
  • Particles may include one or more types of lipid binding polypeptides, i.e., the lipid binding polypeptides in a single particle may be identical or may be composed of two or more different polypeptide sequences.
  • the lipid binding polypeptides circumscribe the periphery of the particle.
  • lipid binding polypeptides useful for producing delivery particles in accordance with the invention include proteins having an amino acid sequence of a naturally occurring protein, or a fragment, natural variant, isoform, analog, or chimeric form thereof, proteins having a non-naturally occurring sequence, and proteins or peptides of any length that possess lipid binding properties consistent with known apolipoproteins, and may be purified from natural sources, produced recombinantly, or produced synthetically. An analog of a naturally-occurring protein may be used.
  • a lipid binding polypeptide may include one or more non-natural amino acids (e.g., D-amino acids), amino acid analogs, or a peptidomimetic structure, in which the peptide bond is replaced by a structure more resistant to metabolic degradation, or individual amino acids are replaced by analogous structures.
  • non-natural amino acids e.g., D-amino acids
  • amino acid analogs e.g., amino acid analogs
  • a peptidomimetic structure in which the peptide bond is replaced by a structure more resistant to metabolic degradation, or individual amino acids are replaced by analogous structures.
  • the lipid binding polypeptide is an apolipoprotein. Any apolipoprotein or fragment or analog thereof may be used that is capable of associating with a lipid bilayer to form a disc shaped particle. Particles may include exchangeable, no ⁇ -exchangeable, or a mixture of exchangeable and non-exchangeable apolipoprotein molecules.
  • Apolipoproteins generally possess a class A amphipafhic ⁇ -helix structural motif (Segrest et al. (1994) Adv. Protein Chem. 45:303-369), and/or a ⁇ -sheet motif.
  • Apolipoproteins generally include a high content of ⁇ -helix secondary structure with the ability to bind to hydrophobic surfaces.
  • a characteristic feature of these proteins is their ability to interact with certain lipid bilayer vesicles and to transform them into disc-shaped complexes (for a review, see Narayanaswami and Ryan (2000) Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1483:15-36).
  • the protein Upon contact with lipids, the protein undergoes a conformational change, adapting its structure to accommodate lipid interaction.
  • the predominant interaction between apolipoproteins and the lipid bilayer in a particle is through a hydrophobic interaction between residues on the hydrophobic faces of amphipathic ⁇ -helices of apolipoprotein molecules and hydrophobic surfaces of lipids, for example, phospholipid fatty acyl chains, at the edge of the bilayer at the periphery of the bioactive agent delivery particle.
  • An amphipathic ⁇ -helix of an apolipoprotein molecule includes both a hydrophobic surface in contact with a hydrophobic surface of the lipid bilayer at the periphery of the particle, and a hydrophilic surface facing the exterior of the particle and in contact with the aqueous environment when the particle is suspended in aqueous medium.
  • an apolipoprotein may include an amphipathic ⁇ -sheet structure wherein hydrophobic residues of the ⁇ -sheet interact with lipid hydrophobic surfaces at the periphery of the disc.
  • a bioactive agent delivery particle often comprises about 1 to about 10 molecules of one or more types of apolipoprotein per particle.
  • the amount of amphipathic ⁇ -helix contributed by the apolipoproteins in a particle is generally sufficient to cover the otherwise exposed hydrophobic surface of the lipid molecules located at the edge of the disc shaped lipid bilayer (i.e., the periphery of the particle).
  • a particle comprises 2 ApoA-I molecules in a ratio of about 80 molecules of phospholipid to about 1 molecule of ApoA-I.
  • apolipoproteins which may be used for formation of the delivery particles of the invention include, but are not limited to, ApoA-I, apolipoprotein E (ApoE), and apolipophorin III (ApoIII), apolipoprotein A-IV (ApoA-IV), apolipoprotein A-V (ApoA-V), apolipoprotein C-I (ApoC-I), apolipoprotein C-II (ApoC-II), apolipoprotein C- III (ApoC-III), apolipoprotein D (ApoD), apolipoprotein A-II (ApoA-II), apolipoprotein B- 100 (ApoB-100), apolipoprotein J (ApoJ), apolipoprotein H (ApoH), or fragments, natural variants, isoforms, analogs, or chimeric forms thereof.
  • ApoA-I
  • the apolipoprotein is human ApoA-I. In other embodiments, the apolipoprotein is the C- terminal or N-terminal domain of apolipoprotein E3, or isoforms thereof. In some embodiments, the apolipoprotein includes a functional moiety that has been attached either synthetically or recombinantly, such as a targeting moiety or a moiety having biological activity, that is not intrinsic to the apolipoprotein (see, e.g., Fig. 7). [0052] In some embodiments, an exchangeable apolipoprotein is used.
  • exchangeable apolipoprotein may be displaced from a preformed discoidal particle of the invention by another protein or peptide with lipid binding affinity, without destroying the integrity of the particle.
  • Exchangeable apolipoproteins include synthetic or natural peptides or proteins capable of forming a stable binding interaction with lipids. More than a dozen unique exchangeable apolipoproteins have been identified in both vertebrates and invertebrates (see, e.g., Narayanaswami and Ryan, supra).
  • non-exchangeable apolipoprotein refers to a protein or peptide that forms a stable interaction with lipid surfaces and can function to stabilize the phospholipid bilayer of particles of the invention, but cannot be removed from the surface of the particle without destroying the intrinsic structure of the particle.
  • the delivery particles include one or more bioactive agents.
  • bioactive agent refers to any compound or composition having biological, including therapeutic or diagnostic, activity.
  • a bioactive agent may be a pharmaceutical agent, drug, compound, or composition that is useful in medical treatment, diagnosis, or prophylaxis.
  • Bioactive agents incorporated into delivery particles as described herein generally include at least one hydrophobic (e.g., lipophilic) region capable of associating with or integrating into the hydrophobic portion of a lipid bilayer. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the bioactive agent is intercalated between lipid molecules in the interior of the delivery particle.
  • bioactive agents examples include, but are not limited to, antibiotic or antimicrobial (e.g., antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral) agents, antimetabolic agents, antineoplastic agents, steroids, peptides, proteins, such as, for example, cell receptor proteins, enzymes, hormones, and neurotransmitters, radiolabels such as radioisotopes and radioisotope-labeled compounds, fluorescent compounds, anesthetics, bioactive lipids, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory agents, nutrients, antigens, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, or a photosensitizing agent used in photodynamic therapy.
  • antibiotic or antimicrobial e.g., antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral
  • antimetabolic agents e.g., antimetabolic agents, antineoplastic agents, steroids
  • peptides, proteins such as, for example, cell receptor proteins, enzymes, hormones, and neurotransmitters
  • radiolabels such as radioisotopes and radio
  • the bioactive agent is the anti-fungal agent AmB.
  • the bioactive agent is camptothecin, all-trans retinoic acid, annamycin, nystatin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, or etiopurpurins.
  • Bioactive agents that include at least one hydrophobic region are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, ibuprofen, diazepam, griseofulvin, cyclosporin, cortisone, proleukin, etoposide, taxane, ⁇ -tocopherol, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, and lipopolysaccharides. See, for example, Kagkadis et al.
  • a bioactive agent incorporated into a delivery particle of the invention is a non-polypeptide.
  • a bioactive agent and the delivery particle that includes the bioactive agent are substantially nonimmunogenic when administered to an individual.
  • a bioactive agent incorporated into a delivery particle of the invention exhibits improved solubility when compared to the solubility of the bioactive agent in an aqueous medium.
  • formulation into a delivery particle results in decreased turbidity of an aqueous composition comprising the bioactive agent. This is often reflected in an altered spectroscopic profile for the bioactive agent upon formulation into a delivery particle. A decrease in turbidity may be detected and/or quantified by measurement of optical density of a sample.
  • the invention provides a bioactive agent delivery particle comprising a lipid binding polypeptide, a lipid bilayer, and a bioactive agent, wherein the interior of the lipid bilayer comprises a hydrophobic region, wherein the bioactive agent is associated with the hydrophobic region of the lipid bilayer, and wherein the bioactive agent delivery particle comprises a bioactive agent with greater solubility in aqueous medium than the bioactive agent in aqueous medium alone (i.e., without formulation into a bioactive agent delivery particle).
  • AmB exhibits greater aqueous solubility in delivery particles than in aqueous medium.
  • camptothecin exhibits greater aqueous solubility in delivery particles than in aqueous medium.
  • the invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising bioactive agents with greater solubility by virtue of their incorporation into delivery particles than in aqueous medium without incorporation into delivery particles.
  • increased solubility can be observed by a decrease in precipitable material upon centrifugation, decreased light scattering, and/or decreased ability to filter solid material.
  • improved solubility of a bioactive agent permits its administration at a lower dosage than would be possible and/or efficacious without formulation into a delivery particle or administration in a different formulation, e.g., an aqueous formulation, a liposomal formulation, a colloid suspension, a cochleate, or a complex with cyclodextrins.
  • the improved solubility of a bioactive agent results in lower toxicity and/or improved toxicity profile when administered to an individual, such as a mammalian individual, for example a human individual, than would be the case if the bioactive agent were administered without formulation into a delivery particle or administered in a different formulation, e.g., an aqueous formulation, a liposomal formulation, an aqueous formulation, a liposomal formulation, a colloid suspension, a cochleate, or a complex with cyclodextrins.
  • an individual such as a mammalian individual, for example a human individual
  • a different formulation e.g., an aqueous formulation, a liposomal formulation, an aqueous formulation, a liposomal formulation, a colloid suspension, a cochleate, or a complex with cyclodextrins.
  • the improved solubility of a bioactive agent results in greater efficacy when administered to an individual, such as a mammalian individual for example a human individual, than would be the case if the bioactive agent were administered without formulation into a delivery particle or administered in a different formulation, e.g., an aqueous formulation, a liposomal formulation, an aqueous formulation, a liposomal formulation, a colloid suspension, a cochleate, or a complex with cyclodextrins.
  • an individual such as a mammalian individual for example a human individual
  • a different formulation e.g., an aqueous formulation, a liposomal formulation, an aqueous formulation, a liposomal formulation, a colloid suspension, a cochleate, or a complex with cyclodextrins.
  • Particles of the invention include a lipid bilayer, with the generally circular faces of the disc comprising polar head groups facing away from the interior of the particle, and the interior of the particle (i.e., the space between the circular faces) comprising a hydrophobic region of the lipid bilayer that contains hydrophobic portions of bilayer- forming lipid(s) and other lipid components, if present. Hydrophobic surfaces of the lipid molecules at the edge of the bilayer (the surface at the periphery of the bioactive agent delivery particle) contact the lipid binding polypeptides of the particles, as discussed above.
  • Particles may include one or more types of bilayer-forming lipids, or a mixture of one or more types of bilayer-forming and one or more types of non-bilayer-forming lipids.
  • lipid refers to a substance of biological or synthetic origin that is soluble or partially soluble in organic solvents or which partitions into a hydrophobic environment when present in aqueous phase.
  • bilayer-forming lipid refers to a lipid that is capable of forming a lipid bilayer with a hydrophobic interior and a hydrophilic exterior.
  • Bilayer-forming lipids include, but are not limited to, phospholipids, sphingolipids, glycolipids, alkylphospholipids, ether lipids, and plasmalogens.
  • One type of bilayer-forming lipid may be used or a mixture of two or more types.
  • the lipid bilayer includes phospholipids.
  • Suitable phospholipids include, but are not limited to, DMPC, DMPG, POPC, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine (DPPS), cardiolipin, dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG), distearoylphosphatidylglycerol (DSPG), egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (egg PC), soy bean phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, sphingomyelin, and cationic phospholipids.
  • suitable bilayer-forming lipids include cationic lipids and glycolipids.
  • the particles include a phospholipid bilayer of DMPC and DMPG, often in a molar ratio of about 7:3.
  • the particles include a phospholipid bilayer of POPC.
  • mixtures of bilayer- forming lipids may be used in molar ratios of any of at least about 1 : 100, 1 : 50, 1 :20, 1:10, 1:5, 3:7, 1:2, or 1:1.
  • Particles may also include lipids that are not bilayer-forming lipids.
  • lipids include, but are not limited to, cholesterol, cardiolipin, phosphatidylethanolamine (this lipid may form bilayers under certain circumstances), oxysterols, plant sterols, ergosterol, sitosterol, cationic lipids, cerebrosides, sphingosine, ceramide, diacylglycerol, monoacylglycerol, triacylglycerol, gangliosides, ether lipids, alkylphospholipids, plasmalogens, prostaglandins, and lysophospholipids.
  • a lipid used for preparation of a delivery particle may include one or more bound functional moieties, such as targeting moieties, bioactive agents, or tags for purification or detection.
  • the invention provides chimeric lipid binding polypeptides, which may be used to prepare the delivery particles described above.
  • a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide may include one or more attached "functional moieties," such as for example, one or more targeting moieties, a moiety having a desired biological activity, an affinity tag to assist with purification, and/or a reporter molecule for characterization or localization studies.
  • An attached moiety with biological activity may have an activity that is capable of augmenting and/or synergizing with the biological activity of a bioactive agent incorporated into the delivery particle.
  • a moiety with biological activity may have antimicrobial (for example, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-protozoal, bacteriostatic, fungistatic, or antiviral) activity.
  • an attached functional moiety of a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide is not in contact with hydrophobic surfaces of the lipid bilayer when the lipid binding polypeptide is incorporated into a bioactive agent delivery particle. In another embodiment, an attached functional moiety is in contact with hydrophobic surfaces of the lipid bilayer when the lipid binding polypeptide is incorporated into a bioactive agent delivery particle. In some embodiments, a functional moiety of a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide may be intrinsic to a natural protein. In some embodiments, a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide includes a ligand or sequence recognized by or capable of interaction with a cell surface receptor or other cell surface moiety.
  • a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide is a chimeric apolipoprotein.
  • a chimeric apolipoprotein includes a targeting moiety that is not intrinsic to the native apolipoprotein, such as for example, S. cerevisiae ⁇ -mating factor peptide, folic acid, transferrin, or lactoferrin.
  • a chimeric apolipoprotein in another embodiment, includes a moiety with a desired biological activity that augments and/or synergizes with the activity of a bioactive agent incorporated into the delivery particle, such as for example, histatin-5, magainin peptide, mellitin, defensin, colicin, N-terminal lactoferrin peptide, echinocandin, hepcidin, bactenicin, or cyclosporine.
  • a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide may include a functional moiety intrinsic to an apolipoprotein.
  • an apolipoprotein intrinsic functional moiety is the intrinsic targeting moiety formed approximately by amino acids 130-150 of human ApoE, which comprises the receptor binding region recognized by members of the low density lipoprotein receptor family.
  • Other examples of apolipoprotein intrinsic functional moieties include the region of ApoB-100 that interacts with the low density lipoprotein receptor and the region of ApoA-I that interacts with scavenger receptor type Bl.
  • a functional moiety may be added synthetically or recombinantly to produce a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide.
  • chimeric refers to two or more molecules that are capable of existing separately and are joined together to form a single molecule having the desired functionality of all of its constituent molecules.
  • the constituent molecules of a chimeric molecule may be joined synthetically by chemical conjugation or, where the constituent molecules are all polypeptides or analogs thereof, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides may be fused together recombinantly such that a single continuous polypeptide is expressed.
  • a chimeric molecule is termed a fusion protein.
  • a "fusion protein” is a chimeric molecule in which the constituent molecules are all polypeptides and are attached (fused) to each other such that the chimeric molecule forms a continuous single chain.
  • the various constituents can be directly attached to each other or can be coupled through one or more linkers.
  • a "linker” or “spacer” as used herein in reference to a chimeric molecule refers to any molecule that links or joins the constituent molecules of the chimeric molecule.
  • linker molecules are commercially available, for example from Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford Illinois. Suitable linkers are well known to those of skill in the art and include, but are not limited to, straight or branched-chain carbon linkers, heterocyclic carbon linkers, or peptide linkers.
  • the linker may be a peptide that joins the proteins comprising a fusion protein.
  • a spacer generally has no specific biological activity other than to join the proteins or to preserve some minimum distance or other spatial relationship between them, the constituent amino acids of a peptide spacer may be selected to influence some property of the molecule such as the folding, net charge, or hydrophobicity.
  • a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide such as a chimeric apolipoprotein, is prepared by chemically conjugating the lipid binding polypeptide molecule and the functional moiety to be attached.
  • Means of chemically conjugating molecules are well known to those of skill in the art. Such means will vary according to the structure of the moiety to be attached, but will be readily ascertainable to those of skill in the art.
  • Polypeptides typically contain a variety of functional groups, e.g. , carboxylic acid (-COOH), free amino (-NH 2 ), or sulfhydryl (-SH) groups, that are available for'reaction with a suitable functional group on the functional moiety or on a linker to bind the moiety thereto.
  • a functional moiety may be attached at the N-terminus, the C-terminus, or to a functional group on an interior residue (i.e., a residue at a position intermediate between the N- and C- termini) of an apolipoprotein molecule.
  • the apolipoprotein and/or the moiety to be tagged can be derivatized to expose or attach additional reactive functional groups.
  • lipid binding polypeptide fusion proteins that include a polypeptide functional moiety are synthesized using recombinant expression systems. Typically, this involves creating a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) sequence that encodes the lipid binding polypeptide and the functional moiety such that the two polypeptides will be in frame when expressed, placing the DNA under the control of a promoter, expressing the protein in a host cell, and isolating the expressed protein.
  • a nucleic acid e.g., DNA
  • Lipid binding polypeptide sequences and sequences encoding functional moieties as described herein may be cloned, or amplified by in vitro methods, such as, for example, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the ligase chain reaction (LCR), the transcription- based amplification system (TAS), or the self-sustained sequence replication system (SSR).
  • PCR polymerase chain reaction
  • LCR ligase chain reaction
  • TAS transcription- based amplification system
  • SSR self-sustained sequence replication system
  • a wide variety of cloning and in vitro amplification methodologies are well known to persons of skill. Examples of techniques sufficient to direct persons of skill through in vitro amplification methods are found for example, in Mullis et al, (1987) U.S. Patent No. 4,683,202; PCR Protocols A Guide to Methods and Applications (Innis et al.
  • DNA encoding desired fusion protein sequences may be prepared synthetically using methods that are well known to those of skill in the art, including, for example, direct chemical synthesis by methods such as the phosphotriester method of Narang et al. (1979) Meth. Enzymol. 68: 90-99, the phosphodiester method of Brown et al( ⁇ 919) Meth. Enzymol. 68: 109-151, the diethylphosphoramidite method of Beaucage et al. (1981) Tetra. Lett, 22: 1859-1862, or the solid support method of U.S. Patent No. 4,458,066. ⁇
  • a nucleic acid encoding a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide fusion polypeptide can be incorporated into a recombinant expression vector in a form suitable for expression in a host cell.
  • an "expression vector” is a nucleic acid which, when introduced into an appropriate host cell, can be transcribed and translated into a polypeptide.
  • the vector may also include regulatory sequences such as promoters, enhancers, or other expression control elements (e.g., polyadenylation signals). Such regulatory sequences are known to those skilled in the art (see, e.g., Goeddel (1990) Gene Expression Technology: Meth. Enzymol.
  • a recombinant expression vector for production of a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide is a plasmid or cosmid.
  • the expression vector is a virus, or portion thereof, that allows for expression of a protein encoded by the nucleic acid introduced into the viral nucleic acid.
  • replication defective retroviruses, adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses can be used.
  • Expression vectors may be derived from bacteriophage, including all DNA and RNA phage (e.g., cosmids), or viral vectors derived from all eukaryotic viruses, such as baculoviruses and retroviruses, adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses, Herpes viruses, Vaccinia viruses and all single-stranded, double-stranded, and partially double-stranded DNA viruses, all positive and negative stranded RNA viruses, and replication defective retroviruses.
  • YAC yeast artificial chromosome
  • YAC yeast artificial chromosome
  • the chimeric lipid binding polypeptide fusion proteins of this invention can be expressed in a host cell.
  • the term "host cell” refers to any cell or cell line into which a recombinant expression vector for production of a chimeric apolipoprotein fusion protein, as described above, may be transfected for expression.
  • Host cells include progeny of a single host cell, and the progeny may not necessarily be completely identical (in morphology or in total genomic DNA complement) to the original parent cell due to natural, accidental, or deliberate mutation.
  • a host cell includes cells transfected or transformed in vivo with an expression vector as described above.
  • Suitable host cells include, but are not limited to, bacterial cells (e.g. E. coli), fungal cells (e.g., S. cerevisiae), invertebrate cells (e.g. insect cells such as SF9 cells), and vertebrate cells including mammalian cells.
  • bacterial cells e.g. E. coli
  • fungal cells e.g., S. cerevisiae
  • invertebrate cells e.g. insect cells such as SF9 cells
  • vertebrate cells including mammalian cells.
  • An expression vector encoding a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide fusion protein can be transfected into a host cell using standard techniques.
  • Transfection or “transformation” refers to the insertion of an exogenous polynucleotide into a host cell.
  • the exogenous polynucleotide may be maintained as a non-integrated vector, such as for example a plasmid, or alternatively may be integrated into the host cell genome.
  • transfection techniques include, but are not limited to, calcium phosphate co- precipitation, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection, lipofection, electroporation and microinjection. Suitable methods for transfecting host cells can be found in Sambrook et al.
  • Nucleic acid can also be transferred into cells via a delivery mechanism suitable for introduction of nucleic acid into cells in vivo, such as via a retroviral vector (see e.g., Ferry et al. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA, 88: 8377-8381; and Kay et al. (1992) Human Gene Therapy 3: 641-647), an adenoviral vector (see, e.g., Rosenfeld (1992) Cell 68: 143-155; and Herz and Gerard (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad.
  • a retroviral vector see e.g., Ferry et al. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA, 88: 8377-8381; and Kay et al. (1992) Human Gene Therapy 3: 641-647
  • an adenoviral vector see, e.g., Rosenfeld (1992) Cell 68: 143-155; and Herz and Gerard (1993)
  • the chimeric lipid binding polypeptides may be purified according to standard procedures of the art, including, but not limited to affinity purification, ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography, or gel elecfrophoresis.
  • a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide may be produced using a cell free expression system or via solid-state peptide synthesis.
  • a lipid binding polypeptide is provided that has been modified such that when the polypeptide is incorporated into a bioactive agent delivery particle as described above, the modification will increase stability of the particle or confer targeting ability.
  • the modification permits the lipid binding polypeptides of a particle to stabilize the particle's disc shaped structure or conformation.
  • the modification includes introduction of cysteine residues into apolipoprotein molecules to permit formation of intramolecular or intermolecular disulfide bonds, e.g., by site-directed mutagenesis.
  • a chemical crosslinking agent is used to form intermolecular links between apolipoprotein molecules to enhance stability of the particles. Intermolecular crosslinking prevents or reduces dissociation of apolipoprotein molecules from the particles and/or prevents displacement by apolipoprotein molecules within an individual to whom the particles are administered.
  • a lipid binding polypeptide is modified either by chemical derivatization of one or more amino acid residues or by site directed mutagenesis, to confer targeting ability to or recognition by a cell surface receptor.
  • Delivery system for delivery of a bioactive agent to an individual [0080] The invention provides a delivery system for delivery of a bioactive agent to an individual, comprising bioactive agent delivery particles as described above and a carrier, optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, the delivery system comprises an effective amount of the bioactive agent.
  • the individual refers to any prokaryote or eukaryote to which one desires to deliver a bioactive agent.
  • the individual is a prokaryote such as a bacterium.
  • the individual is a eukaryote, such as a fungus, a plant, an invertebrate animal, such as an insect, or a vertebrate animal.
  • the individual is a vertebrate, such as a human, a nonhuman primate, an experimental animal, such as a mouse or rat, a pet animal, such as a cat or dog, or a farm animal, such as a horse, sheep, cow, or pig, a bird (i.e., avian individual), or a reptile (i.e., reptilian individual).
  • a vertebrate such as a human, a nonhuman primate
  • an experimental animal such as a mouse or rat
  • a pet animal such as a cat or dog
  • a farm animal such as a horse, sheep, cow, or pig
  • a bird i.e., avian individual
  • reptile i.e., reptilian individual
  • delivery particles are formulated in a suitable carrier for administration to an individual.
  • carrier refers to a relatively inert substance that facilitates administration of a bioactive agent.
  • a carrier can give form or consistency to the composition or can act as a diluent.
  • “Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers” refer to carriers that are biocompatible (i.e., not toxic to the host) and suitable for a particular route of administration for a pharmacologically effective substance. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include but are not limited to stabilizing agents, wetting and emulsifying agents, salts for varying osmolarity, encapsulating agents, buffers, and skin penetration enhancers. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are described in Remington 's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Alfonso R. Gennaro, ed., 18th edition, 1990).
  • an effective amount refers to an amount of a bioactive agent sufficient to effect desired results.
  • a “therapeutically effective amount” or “therapeutic dose” refers to an amount of a bioactive agent sufficient to effect beneficial clinical results, such as for example reduction or alleviation of a symptom of a disease, reduction or alleviation of a fungal or bacterial infection, etc.
  • the delivery system is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a bioactive agent delivery particle and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the pharmaceutical composition comprises a bioactive agent delivery particle that contains a non-polypeptide bioactive agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the bioactive agent delivery particle and the bioactive agent are non-immunogenic when administered to an individual. Immunogenicity may be measured by methods that are well known in the art. For example, immunogenicity may be assessed by an ELISA method, for example by probing serum from an individual to whom bioactive agent delivery particles have been administered for antibody binding to equivalent bioactive agent delivery particles bound to an immunosorbent plate.
  • the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a bioactive agent delivery particle, wherein the bioactive agent exhibits greater solubility in aqueous medium by virtue of its incorporation into the delivery particle than the bioactive agent in aqueous medium without incorporation into the delivery particle.
  • the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a bioactive agent delivery particle, wherein the bioactive agent exhibits lower toxicity and/or an improved toxicity profile when administered to an individual, such as a mammalian individual, for example a human individual, than the bioactive agent without formulation into the bioactive agent delivery particle or administered in a different formulation, for example an aqueous formulation, a liposomal formulation, a colloid suspension, a cochleate, or a complex with cyclodextrins.
  • an individual such as a mammalian individual, for example a human individual
  • a different formulation for example an aqueous formulation, a liposomal formulation, a colloid suspension, a cochleate, or a complex with cyclodextrins.
  • the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a bioactive agent delivery particle, wherein the bioactive agent exhibits improved efficacy in treating a condition, for example an infection, such as a bacterial or fungal infection, a disease condition, a tumor, etc., than the bioactive agent without formulation into the bioactive agent delivery particle or administered in a different formulation, for example an aqueous formulation, a liposomal formulation, a colloid suspension, a cochleate, or a complex with cyclodextrins.
  • a bioactive agent with improved solubility, toxicity profile, and/or efficacy is AmB.
  • a bioactive agent with improved solubility, toxicity profile, and/or efficacy is camptothecin.
  • the invention provides methods for administering a bioactive agent to an individual.
  • the methods of the invention include administering a delivery particle as described above that includes a lipid binding polypeptide, a lipid bilayer, and a bioactive agent, wherein the interior of the particle includes hydrophobic surfaces of the lipid bilayer.
  • a therapeutically effective amount of the particles is administered, optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the particles are disc shaped, with a diameter of about 7 to about 29 nm, as measured by native pore limiting gradient gel elecfrophoresis.
  • the bioactive agent includes at least one hydrophobic region, which may be integrated into a hydrophobic region of the lipid bilayer.
  • the route of administration may vary according to the nature of the bioactive agent to be administered, the individual, or the condition to be treated. Where the individual is a mammal, generally administration is parenteral. Routes of administration include, but are not limited to, intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, fransmucosal, nasal, intrathecal, topical, and transdermal.
  • the particles are administered as an aerosol. Delivery particles may be formulated in a pharmaceutically acceptable form for administration to an individual, optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
  • the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions in the form of delivery particles in a solution for parenteral administration. For preparing such compositions, methods well known in the art may be used, and any pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, excipients, or other additives normally used in the art may be used.
  • the delivery particles of the present invention can be made into pharmaceutical compositions by combination with appropriate medical carriers or diluents.
  • the delivery particles can be solubilized in solvents commonly used in the preparation of injectable solutions, such as for example, physiological saline, water, or aqueous dextrose.
  • suitable pharmaceutical carriers and their formulations are described in Remington 's Pharmaceutical Sciences, supra.
  • Such formulations may be made up in sterile vials containing delivery particles and optionally an excipient in a dry powder or lyophilized powder form.
  • the physiologically acceptable diluent Prior to use, the physiologically acceptable diluent is added and the solution withdrawn via syringe for administration to an individual.
  • Delivery particles may also be formulated for controlled release.
  • controlled release refers to release of a bioactive agent from a formulation at a rate that the blood concentration of the agent in an individual is maintained within the therapeutic range for an extended duration, over a time period on the order of hours, days, weeks, or longer.
  • Delivery particles may be formulated in a bioerodible or nonbioerodible controlled matrix, a number of which are well known in the art.
  • a controlled release matrix may include a synthetic polymer or copolymer, for example in the form of a hydrogel.
  • polymers examples include polyesters, polyorthoesters, polyanhydrides, polysaccharides, poly(phosphoesters), polyamides, polyurethanes, poly(imidocarbonates) and poly(phosphazenes), and poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA), a copolymer of poly(lactic acid) and poly(glycolic acid). Collagen, albumin, and fibrinogen containing materials may also be used.
  • Delivery particles may be administered according to the methods described herein to treat a number of conditions including, but not limited to, bacterial infections, fungal infections, disease conditions, metabolic disorders, or as a prophylactic medication, for example to prevent a bacterial or fungal infection (e.g. , pre- or post-surgically). Delivery particles may be used, for example, to deliver an anti-tumor agent (e.g., chemotherapeutic agent, radionuclide) to a tumor.
  • the lipid binding polypeptide includes a moiety that targets the particle to a particular tumor. Delivery particles may also be used for administration of nutraceutical substances, i.e., a food or dietary supplement that provides health benefits.
  • delivery particles are co-administered with other conventional therapies, for example, as part of a multiple drug "cocktail,” or in combination with one or more orally administered agents, for example, for treatment of a fungal infection. Delivery particles may also be administered as insecticides or herbicides.
  • the invention provides a method for treating a fungal infection in an individual. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-fungal agent in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the individual, wherein the anti-fungal agent is incorporated into a particle that includes a lipid binding polypeptide and a lipid bilayer, wherein the interior of the lipid bilayer is hydrophobic.
  • the anti-fungal agent is AmB, incorporated into the hydrophobic interior of the lipid bilayer.
  • the lipid binding polypeptide is a chimeric protein that includes a targeting moiety and/or a moiety with biological activity.
  • the lipid binding polypeptide includes the targeting moiety yeast ⁇ -mating factor peptide.
  • the lipid binding polypeptide includes the antimicrobial peptide histatin 5.
  • the invention provides a method for treating a tumor in an individual.
  • the method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a chemotherapeutic agent in bioactive agent delivery particles as described above, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the chemotherapeutic agent is camptothecin.
  • a lipid binding polypeptide component of the delivery particles may include a targeting moiety to target the particles to tumor cells.
  • vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is attached to the lipid binding polypeptide. Since breast cancer cells often overexpress the VIP receptor, in one embodiment, bioactive agent delivery particles comprising camptothecin and lipid binding polypeptide- VIP chimeras are used in a method of treatment for breast cancer.
  • a delivery particle of the invention may include a targeting functionality, for example to target the particles to a particular cell or tissue type, or to the infectious agent itself.
  • the particle includes a targeting moiety attached to a lipid binding polypeptide or lipid component.
  • the bioactive agent that is incorporated into the particle has a targeting capability.
  • the particles can be targeted to a specific cell surface receptor.
  • bioactive agent delivery particles may be I targeted to a particular cell type known to harbor a particular type of infectious agent, for example by modifying the lipid binding polypeptide component of the particles to render it capable of interacting with a receptor on the surface of the cell type being targeted.
  • a receptor-mediated targeting strategy may be used to deliver antileishmanial agents to macrophages, which are the primary site of infection for protozoal parasites from the genus Leishmania.
  • Bioactive agent delivery particles containing an antileishmanial agent may be targeted to macrophages by altering the lipid binding polypeptide component of the particles to confer recognition by the macrophage endocytic class A scavenger receptor (SR-A).
  • SR-A macrophage endocytic class A scavenger receptor
  • an apolipoprotein which has been chemically or genetically modified to interact with SR-A may be incorporated into delivery particles that contain one or more bioactive agents that are effective against Leishmania species, such as, for example, AmB, a pentavalent antimonial, and/or hexadecylphosphocholine.
  • Targeting of delivery particles that contain an antileishmanial I agent specifically to macrophages may be used as a means of inhibiting the growth and proliferation of Leishmania spp.
  • an SR-A targeted bioactive agent delivery particle containing AmB is administered to an individual in need of treatment for a leishmanial infection.
  • another antileishmanial agent such as hexadecylphosphocholine is administered prior, concurrently, or subsequent to treatment with the AmB containing- particles.
  • targeting is achieved by modifying a lipid binding polypeptide, such as an apolipoprotein, to be incorporated into the bioactive agent delivery particle, thereby conferring SR-A binding ability to the particle.
  • targeting is achieved by altering the charge density of the lipid binding polypeptide by chemically modifying one or more lysine residues, for example with malondialdehyde, maleic anhydride, or acetic anhydride at alkaline pH (see, e.g., Goldstein et al. (1979) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 98:241-260).
  • Apo B-100 or a truncated form thereof is modified by reaction with malondialdehyde.
  • an apolipoprotein molecule such as any of the apolipoproteins described herein, may also be chemically modified by, for example acetylation or maleylation, and incorporated into a bioactive agent delivery particle containing an antileishmanial agent.
  • SR-A binding ability is conferred to a delivery particle by modifying the lipid binding polypeptide by site directed mutagenesis to replace one or more positively charged amino acids with a neutral or negatively charged amino acid.
  • SR-A recognition is conferred by preparing a chimeric lipid binding polypeptide that includes an N- or C-terminal extension having a ligand recognized by SR-A or an amino acid sequence with a high concentration of negatively charged residues. A negatively charged polypeptide extension would not be attracted to the lipid surface of the bioactive agent delivery particle, thereby rendering it more accessible to the ligand binding site of the receptor.
  • the invention provides methods for formulating a bioactive agent delivery particle.
  • a process is provided that includes adding lipid binding polypeptide molecules to a mixture that includes bilayer-forming lipids and bioactive agent molecules.
  • the lipid-bioactive agent mixture also includes a detergent, such as for example sodium cholate, cholic acid, or octyl glucoside, and the process further includes removing the detergent after the lipid binding polypeptide has been added.
  • a detergent such as for example sodium cholate, cholic acid, or octyl glucoside
  • the detergent is removed by dialysis or gel filtration.
  • the process includes combining bilayer-forming lipids and bioactive agent molecules in a solvent to form a-bioactive agent mixture, drying the mixture to remove the solvent (e.g., under a stream of N 2 and/or by lyophilization), contacting the dried mixture with a solution that includes a detergent to form a lipid-bioactive agent-detergent mixture, adding lipid binding polypeptide molecules to this mixture, and then removing the detergent.
  • the particles are prepared using a microfluidizer processor. This procedure employs high pressure, forcing the components together in a reaction chamber.
  • the particles are prepared by incubation of a suspension of lipid vesicles containing a bioactive agent in the presence of a lipid binding polypeptide, such as an apolipoprotein. In one embodiment, the suspension is sonicated.
  • delivery particles are prepared from a pre-formed vesicle dispersion. Lipids, e.g., phospholipids, are hydrated with buffer and dispersed by agitation or sonication. To the dispersion of lipid bilayer vesicles, solubilized bioactive agent is added in a suitable solvent to form a lipid-bioactive agent complex.
  • the solvent is volatile or dialyzable for convenient removal after addition of bioactive agent to the lipid bilayer vesicle dispersion.
  • lipid binding polypeptide is added and the sample is incubated, mixed by agitation, and/or sonicated.
  • the vesicles and apolipoprotein are incubated at or near the gel to liquid crystalline phase transition temperature of the particular bilayer forming lipid or mixture of bilayer-forming lipids being used.
  • the phase transition temperature may be determined by calorimetry.
  • a suitable bilayer-forming lipid composition is used such that, upon dispersion in aqueous media, the lipid vesicles provide a suitable environment to transition a bioactive agent from a carrier solvent into an aqueous milieu without precipitation or phase separation of the bioactive agent.
  • the pre-formed lipid bilayer vesicles are also preferably capable of undergoing lipid binding polypeptide-induced transformation to form the delivery particles of the invention.
  • the lipid-bioactive agent complex preferably retains properties of the lipid vesicles that permit transformation into bioactive agent delivery particles upon incubation with a lipid binding polypeptide under appropriate conditions.
  • lipid substrate-bioactive agent complex organization and lipid binding polypeptide properties combine to create a system whereby, under appropriate conditions of pH, ionic strength, temperature, and lipid - bioactive agent -lipid binding polypeptide concentration, a ternary structural reorganization of these materials occurs wherein stable lipid binding polypeptide circumscribing lipid bilayers are created with a bioactive agent incorporated into the lipid milieu of the bilayer.
  • the particles prepared by any of the above processes may be further purified, for example by dialysis, density gradient centrifugation and/or gel permeation chromatography.
  • bioactive agent delivery particles preferably at least about 70, more preferably at least about 80, even more preferably at least about 90, even more preferably at least about 95 percent of the bioactive agent used in the procedure is incorporated into the particles.
  • the invention provides bioactive agent delivery particles prepared by any of the above methods.
  • the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a delivery particle prepared by any of the above methods and a >* pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • Particles of the invention are stable for long periods of time under a variety of conditions (see, for example, Fig. 5).
  • Particles, or compositions comprising particles of the invention may be stored at room temperature, refrigerated (e.g., about 4°C), or frozen (e.g., about -20°C to about -80°C). They may be stored in solution or dried (e.g., lyophilized).
  • Bioactive agent delivery particles may be stored in a lyophilized state under inert atmosphere, frozen, or in solution at 4°C.
  • Particles may be stored in a liquid medium, such as a buffer (e.g., phosphate or other suitable buffer), or in a carrier, such as for example a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use in methods of administration of a bioactive agent to an individual.
  • a liquid medium such as a buffer (e.g., phosphate or other suitable buffer)
  • a carrier such as for example a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier
  • particles may be stored in a dried, lyophilized form and then reconstituted in liquid medium prior to use.
  • kits of the invention include any of the following, separately or in combination: lipid binding polypeptides (e.g., apolipoproteins), phospholipids, bioactive agents, vectors, reagents, enzymes, host cells and/or growth medium for cloning and/or expression of recombinant lipid binding polypeptides (e.g., recombinant apolipoproteins) and/or lipid binding polypeptide chimeras (e.g., apolipoprotein chimeras), and reagents and/or pharmaceutically acceptable carriers for formulating delivery particles for administration to an individual.
  • lipid binding polypeptides e.g., apolipoproteins
  • phospholipids e.g., phospholipids
  • bioactive agents e.g., phospholipid binding polypeptides
  • vectors e.g., recombinant apolipoproteins
  • enzymes e.g., recombinant apoli
  • Each reagent or formulation is supplied in a solid form, liquid buffer, or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier that is suitable for inventory storage, or optionally for exchange or addition into a reaction, culture, or injectable medium.
  • suitable packaging is provided.
  • packaging refers to a solid matrix or material customarily used in a system and capable of holding within fixed limits one or more of the reagents or components (e.g., delivery particles) for use in a method for delivery of a bioactive agent or one or more reagents for preparing or formulating delivery particles (e.g., apolipoprotein molecules, phospholipids, bioactive agents).
  • Such materials include, but are not limited to, glass and plastic (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, and polycarbonate) bottles, vials, paper, plastic, and plastic-foil laminated envelopes, and the like.
  • kits may optionally provide additional components that are useful in the methods and formulation procedures of the invention, such as buffers, reacting surfaces, or means of purifying delivery particles.
  • kits optionally include labeling and/or instructional or interpretive materials providing directions (i.e., protocols) for the practice of the methods of this invention, such as preparation, formulation and/or use of delivery particles.
  • instructional materials typically comprise written or printed materials they are not limited to these formats. Any medium capable of storing such instructions and communicating them to an end user is contemplated by this invention. Such media include, but are not limited to electronic storage media (e.g., magnetic discs, tapes, cartridges, chips), optical media (e.g., CD ROM), and the like. Such media may include addresses to Internet sites that provide such instructional materials.
  • ApoA-I-phospholipid-AmB particles were prepared as follows:
  • a 7:3 molar ratio of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) were dissolved in chloroform:methanol (3:1, v/v).
  • DMPC/DMPG mixture 0.25 ml of AmB (2 mg/ml; solubilized in acidified chloroform:mefhanol (3:1, v/v)) was added.
  • the mixture was dried under a stream of N 2 gas to create a thin film on the vessel wall.
  • the dried sample was then subjected to lyophilization for sixteen hours to remove traces of solvent.
  • the dried lipid mixture was resuspended in 0.5 ml Tris-Saline buffer (10 mM Tris base 150 mM NaCl, pH 8), and the mixture was vortexed for 30 seconds.
  • the sample was further purified by density gradient ultracentrifugation.
  • the solution was adjusted to a density of 1.30 g/ml by the addition of solid KBr in 1.5 ml.
  • the sample was transferred to a 3 ml centrifuge tube, overlayered with saline and centrifuged at 275,000 x g for 3 hours in a Beckman L7-55 centrifuge.
  • the particles prepared according to this procedure were stable for more than 3 months in lyophilized form.
  • Fig. 1 shows the scan for particles that do not include AmB. The only peak observed was a protein peak at around 280 nm.
  • Fig. 2 shows the scan for AmB-containing particles prepared as described above. In addition to the peak at around 280 nm, a number of additional peaks were observed in the 300-400 nm region of the spectrum, confirming the presence of AmB. Free AmB is insoluble in aqueous media and has different spectral properties than observed in Fig. 2. Madden et al. (1990) Chemistry and Physics of Lipids, 52:189-98.
  • ApoA-I-DMPC/DMPG-AmB particles were prepared as described in Example 1 and used to determine antifungal activity of the complexes. Cultures of S. cerevisiae were grown in YPD medium in the presence of varying amounts of ApoA-I-DMPC/DMPG- AmB particles (0-25 ⁇ g AmB/ml). The cultures were grown for 16 hours at 30°C, and the extent of culture growth monitored spectrophotometrically. As shown in Fig. 8, the AmB- containing particles were extremely effective in inhibiting fungal growth in a dose- dependent manner.
  • ApoE3NT-terminal domain (ApoE3NT) was prepared as in Fisher et al. (1997) Biochem Cell Biol 75:45-53. ApoE3NT- AmB-containing particles were prepared via the cholate dialysis method described in Example 1, and used to assess long- term stability.
  • Fig. 5 shows a native PAGE 4-20% gradient slab gel of particles stored in phosphate buffer at 4°C (lane 1), stored in phosphate buffer at -20°C (lane 2), or frozen in phosphate buffer at -80°C, lyophilized, and redissolved in H 2 O prior to analysis.
  • the size and mobility of the AmB-containing particles were unaffected by freezing and thawing, or by lyophilization and resolubilization, indicating that the particles retained their integrity under these conditions. These are important parameters with regard to scale up and long- term storage of AmB delivery particles.
  • ApoA-I-POPC particles were prepared using the cholate dialysis method described in Example 1.
  • a native PAGE gradient gel analysis of ApoA-I-POPC particles is shown in Fig. 4.
  • Particles without AmB are shown in lane 1 and particles with AmB are shown in lane 2.
  • the gel indicates that incorporation of AmB into the particles does not alter their size.
  • the gel indicates that the POPC containing particles are a different size than DMPC/DMPG particles, shown in lane 3.
  • Example 5 Preparation of AmB-containing Particles with a Microfluidizer Processor
  • a suspension of AmB-containing phospholipid vesicles was prepared by adding an aliquot of a 20-40 mg/ml solution of AmB in DMSO, corresponding to 2.5 mg AmB, to a preformed phospholipid aqueous dispersion containing a molar ratio of 7:3 DMPC:DMPG.
  • the vesicles were incubated at the gel to liquid phase transition temperature of the phospholipids (about 24° C). Addition of 4 mg apolipoprotein led to a time-dependent decrease in sample turbidity, consistent with formation of AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles.
  • the particles were frozen at -20°C or lyophilized. Freezing/thawing had no effect on the size distribution of the particles. Likewise, subjecting the particles to lyophilization and re-dissolving in H 2 O did not affect the size distribution or sample appearance.
  • the sonication mixture was then centrifuged for 3 minutes to remove large particles and insoluble material and the supernatant analyzed by UV/Visible spectrophotometry to assess the amount of amphotericin B solubilized in the product particles. It was noted that the solution was slightly opaque. The sample was scanned from 250 nm to 500 nm. For comparison, AmB-containing particles prepared by the procedure described in Example 6 were examined. The results are shown in Fig. 12. The region of the spectrum arising from AmB (300-500 nm) is quite distinct between the two samples.
  • AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles inhibited 90% of C. albicans growth at 0.03 ⁇ g/ml. A corresponding ED 0 of 0.4 ⁇ g/ml was obtained with AmBisome ® . In the case of A. fumigatus, AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles inhibited 90% of fungal growth at 0.1 ⁇ g/ml, whereas a concentration of 2.5 ⁇ g/ml AmBisome ® was required to achieve the same effect. In a similar manner, AmB-containing particles were effective at inhibiting C. neoformans growth at a five-fold lower AmB concentration than AmBisome ® .
  • Camptofhecin-containing bioactive agent delivery particles were prepared as follows: A 7:3 molar ratio of DMPC:DMPG (5 mg total) was dispersed in buffer (20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.0) by vortexing for 1 minute to generate a dispersion of phospholipid bilayer vesicles. Ten microliters of a 10 mg/ml solution of camptothecin in DMSO was added to the phospholipid bilayer dispersion. Two mg of recombinant human apolipoprotein A-I (0.5 ml of a 4 mg/ml solution in 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.0) was then added, and the sample was then subjected to sonication. The clarified sample was then centrifuged at 13,000 x g for 3 minutes and the supernatant recovered and stored at 4° C.
  • FIG. 11 A fluorescence spectrum of the camptofhecin-containing particles, in comparison with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solubilized camptothecin, is shown in Fig. 11. Fluorescence measurements were obtained on a Perkin Elmer LS 50B luminescence spectrometer at an excitation wavelength of 360 nm with emission monitored from 400 to 600 nm. The blue shift in fluorescence emission maximum elicited by camptothecin in SDS micelles (Fig. 11 A) compared to camptothecin incorporated into bioactive agent delivery particles (Fig. 11B) suggests that the drug localizes to a more hydrophobic environment in the micelles versus the delivery particles.
  • SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate
  • a preparation of AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles was prepared for freeze fracture electron microscopy as follows: A sample of DMPC:DMPG (7:3 molar ratio) AmB bioactive agent delivery particles (3 mg/ml protein), prepared as in Example 6, was quenched using a sandwich technique, and liquid nitrogen cooled propane. The cryo- fixed sample was stored in liquid nitrogen for less than 2 hours prior to processing. The fracturing process was carried out in JOEL JED-900 freeze-etching equipment and the exposed fracture planes were shadowed with Pt for 30 seconds at an angle of 25-35 degrees, and with carbon for 35 seconds (2 kV/60-80 mA, 1 x 10 "5 Torr).
  • the replicas produced in this way were cleaned with concentrated fuming HNO 3 for 24 hours followed by repeated agitation with fresh chloroform/methanol (1 : 1 by volume) at least 5 times.
  • the replicas cleaned in this way were examined on a JOEL 100 CX or a Philips CM 10 electron microscope.
  • FIG. 9 An electron micrograph obtained from freeze fracture of AmB-containing particles as described above is shown in Fig. 9. Electron micrographs taken from several freeze-fracture preparations indicate the presence of small protein-lipid complexes in high concentration. The apparent diameters range from about 20-60 nm with high frequency around 40 nm. The apparent diameter of particles as observed by freeze fracture electron microscopy is larger than values obtained by native pore limiting gradient gel elecfrophoresis. The difference may be due to the effect of sample handling or the staining procedure used to visualize the particles by electron microscopy.
  • mice Six to eight-week-old female BALB/c mice (20-25g) are housed and maintained under standard laboratory conditions.
  • mice Groups of three mice each receive a dose (e.g., 1, 2, 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg AmB) in a dose (e.g., 1, 2, 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg AmB) in a dose (e.g., 1, 2, 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg AmB) in a dose (e.g., 1, 2, 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg AmB) in a dose (e.g., 1, 2, 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg AmB) in
  • mice Following injection, the mice are observed for any general reaction, for example, abnormal movement or posture, difficulty in breathing, ruffled fur, or inability to obtain food or drink. Observation for abnormality or mortality begins immediately after administration and continues twice daily for seven days. Body weight is recorded daily for the same period.
  • Blood is collected from mice prior to eufhanization. The blood is assayed for liver enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase to assess the degree of liver specific damage
  • a clinical isolate of C. neoformans that is susceptible to AmB is cultured and prepared as an inoculum for infection at a concentration of 2 x 10 6 conidia/ml. Each mouse receives an inoculum of 1 x 10 5 conidia in 0.05 ml of normal saline intracranially under general anesthesia.
  • Anti-fungal agents are administered intraperitoneally in 0.1 ml volumes daily for
  • mice receives AmBisome ® , one treatment group receives AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles, and a control group receives no therapy.
  • Infected mice are monitored twice daily and any signs of illness or mortality is recorded for up to 28 days. Body weight is recorded daily for the same time period.
  • mice are sacrificed one day after the last day of treatment.
  • the kidneys and brains are removed aseptically and weighed.
  • Tissues are homogenized and serially diluted in normal saline.
  • the homogenates are cultured for 48 hours on PDA (potato dextrose agar) plates to determine the colony forming units (CFU). Fungal burden of CFU/gram of tissue is determined.
  • Blood, liver, kidney, lung, and cerebrospinal fluid samples are collected from infected mice at time points of 10 minutes, 2, 8, and 24 hours after intravenous injection of AmB bioactive agent delivery particles or AmBisome ® at 0.8 and 2.0 mg/kg doses. While mice are under general anesthesia, whole blood is collected from axillary vessels. A thoracotomoy is performed, and tissue samples perfused with normal saline and then removed surgically. Tissues are homogenized with methanol containing l-amino-4- nitronaphthalene. Serum and the supernatants of tissue homogenates are preserved until analysis.
  • the concentration of AmB in each sample is determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), as described in Granich et al. (1986) Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 29:584-88. Briefly, serum samples (0.1 ml) are combined with 1.0 ml methanol containing 1.0 mg of an internal standard, l-amino-4-nitronaphthalene, per ml and mixed by vortexing. After centrifugation, the supernatant is dried under reduced pressure followed by redissolving with 0.2 ml of methanol for injection onto a HPLC column (C ⁇ 8 reverse phase).
  • HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography
  • wet tissue samples are homogenized in 10 volumes of methanol containing 5.0 mg internal standard per ml with a glass homogenizer and centrifuged.
  • the mobile phase is a mixture of acetonitrile and 10 mM sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.0; 11:17 (vol/vol)), at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min.
  • the concentration of AmB is determined by the ratio of the peak height of AmB to that of the internal standard.
  • Bioactive agent delivery agent particles are prepared with a VIP targeting moiety attached to the lipid binding polypeptide component.
  • the lipid binding polypeptide component of the camptothecin-containing particles may be generated in recombinant form in Escherichia coli (E. coli) that have been transformed with a plasmid vector harboring the coding sequence of the lipid binding polypeptide.
  • Escherichia coli E. coli
  • a plasmid vector harboring the coding sequence of the lipid binding polypeptide for example, recombinant human ApoA-I may be employed.
  • E. coli cells harboring an ApoA-I expression plasmid are cultured in media at 37 °C. When the optical density of the culture at 600 nm reaches 0.6, ApoA-I synthesis is induced by the addition of isopropylthiogalactoside (0.5 mM final concentration).
  • the bacteria are pelleted by centrifugation and disrupted by sonication.
  • the cell lysate is centrifuged at 20,000 x g for 30 min at 4 °C and apoA-I isolated from the supernatant fraction.
  • a recombinant lipid binding polypeptide chimera is produced by engineering ApoA-I to include an N-terminal and/or C-terminal peptide extension that corresponds to the 28 amino acid neuropeptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP).
  • ApoA-I-VIP chimeras may be employed to create bioactive agent delivery particles comprised of phospholipid, camptothecin and Apoo A-I-VIP chimera.
  • an ApoA-I-VIP chimera may be constructed by synthesizing complementary oligonucleotide primers corresponding to the coding sequence of the VIP sequence possessing terminal Hind HI and ba I sites.
  • the ohgonucleotides (-100 base pairs) are annealed to generate double stranded DNA with the desired "sticky ends" and subcloned into the ApoA-I coding sequence-containing plasmid vector that has appropriately placed Hind HI and Xba I restriction enzyme sites.
  • the plasmid DNA is isolated and subject to automated dideoxy chain termination sequence analysis.
  • production of recombinant ApoA-I-VIP chimera is performed in E. coli, as described above for wild type ApoA-I. Purified recombinant chimera is then evaluated by gel elecfrophoresis, mass spectrometry and for its ability to generate bioactive agent delivery particles of the invention in a manner similar to wild type ApoA-I, as described in Example 8.
  • ApqA-I-VIP chimera-camptothecin-containing bioactive agent delivery particles may be used in breast cancer cell growth inhibition studies to measure the extent of lipid particle targeting.
  • the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 is obtained from' the American Type Culture Collection and maintained at 37°C in a humidified 5% CO 2 incubator as monolayer cultures in modified Eagle's media supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum a d the antibiotics penicillin and streptomycin.
  • Isolated wild type ApoA-I or ApoA-I-VIP chimera is radioiodinated and incorporated into camptothecin-containing bioactive agent delivery particles of the invention and incubated with the cells.
  • Cell- associated radioactivity is determined after incubation of labeled camptothecin-containing bioactive agent delivery particles with cultured MCF-7 cells at 4 °C.
  • the ability of VIP to compete for binding of ApoA-I-VIP chimera or bioactive agent delivery particle-associated ApoA-I-VIP chimera to MCF cells is determined in competition binding assays. Cell binding data is evaluated by Scatchard analysis.
  • the extent of MCF-7 cell intemalization of ApoA-I-VIP chimera bioactive agent delivery particles is evaluated in incubations with radioiodinated ApoA-I-VIP chimera-containing bioactive agent delivery particles at 37 °C. After incubation and washing, trichloroacetic acid soluble radioactivity is determined, providing a measure of lipid binding polypeptide degradation.
  • Example 13 In vivo Assessment of Toxicity of AmB-containing Bioactive Agent Delivery Particles [0161] A study was performed to determine safety and toxicity of AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles. The particles were prepared as in Example 6. [0162] Female BALB/c mice (6-8 weeks old, 20-25 grams in weight) were divided into groups of 3 mice and each group was treated with 1, 2, 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg AmB formulated in bioactive agent delivery particles and delivered as a single dose in a 0.1 ml volume in • phosphate buffered saline (PBS) intraperitoneally (IP). A control group received only PBS.
  • PBS phosphate buffered saline
  • IP intraperitoneally
  • mice were observed immediately, 2 hours, and 6 hours post-administration and at least twice daily for 7 days thereafter for weight loss or abnormalities in appearance and behavior. Blood was drawn 24 hours after administration. Markers for liver damage (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) and kidney damage (urea and creatinine) were quantified. [0164] Table 3 below shows the in vivo safety/toxicity profile of bioactive agent delivery particles containing AmB.
  • a dosage of 15 mg/kg was found to be toxic in mice. At this dosage level, there were no immediate deaths or abnormalities but 2 out of 3 mice died the day following administration. AmB-containing particles at doses of 10 mg/kg or less were found to be safe. As shown in Fig. 14, nominal weight loss was observed at dosages of 5 mg/kg and below. In mice treated with 10 mg/kg, significant weight loss was observed on day two with subsequent recovery of up to 90% of body weight by the end of the week. At this concentration of drug, modest signs of nephrotoxicity (0.16 mg/dl creatinine at 10 mg/kg versus 0.1 mg/dl at 0 mg/kg; no change in urea) and no hepatotoxicity was observed.
  • mice Female BALB/c mice (6-8 weeks old) were divided into 4 groups of 10 mice each. Each mouse was inoculated with 5 x 10 5 blastospores of Candida albicans ATCC strain 90028. Two hours after inoculation, mice were treated with Fluconazole, an orally- administrable anti-fungal treatment (30 mg/kg via oral gavage), AmBisome (5 mg/kg IP), AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles (5 mg/kg IP) formulated as described in Example 13, or control "empty" bioactive agent delivery particles without AmB but with an equivalent protein load to the particles containing AmB.
  • mice Treatment was continued once a day for 5 days. Throughout the study, mice were monitored for mortality and abnormalities in appearance and behavior. 24 hours after the last treatment, mice were sacrificed and kidney and brain tissues were excised for assessment of fungal burden. For survival evaluation, mice were observed for 29 days and examined twice daily for mortality, weight loss, and failure to ingest food or water.
  • mice treated with Fluconazole survived the term of the study.
  • One mouse treated with AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles died on day 2 of the study. Due to the timing of this mouse's death and the absence of toxicity related to the AmB-containing particles at 5 mg/kg (see Example 13, above), it is unlikely that mortality was related to efficacy of the particles. Conversely, all mice treated with "empty" disc particles died and only one of the AmBisome treated mice survived.
  • mice treated with AmB-containing bioactive agent delivery particles exhibited only nominal weight loss ( ⁇ 2%) over the course of the study.
  • Fluconazole and AmBisome treated mice exhibited a maximum weight loss of 14% and 23%, respectively, during the course of the experiment.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne des compositions et des méthodes destinées à l'administration d'un agent bioactif à un individu. On utilise des véhicules d'administration renfermant un agent bioactif dans des particules discoïdales comprenant un ou plusieurs polypeptides se liant aux lipides entourant le périmètre d'une bicouche lipidique dans laquelle se trouve l'agent bioactif. On utilise également des polypeptides se liant aux lipides chimériques pouvant conférer des propriétés fonctionnelles additionnelles aux particules d'administration.
EP04780277A 2003-10-01 2004-08-06 Vehicule d'administration de medicament lipophile et methodes d'utilisation de ce vehicule Withdrawn EP1677763A1 (fr)

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PCT/US2004/025412 WO2005039534A1 (fr) 2003-10-01 2004-08-06 Vehicule d'administration de medicament lipophile et methodes d'utilisation de ce vehicule

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EP1596828B1 (fr) 2003-02-14 2011-12-28 Children's Hospital & Research Center at Oakland Vehicule d'administration de medicament lipophile et methodes d'utilisation correspondantes
GB0329958D0 (en) 2003-12-24 2004-01-28 Univ Manchester Treatment of viral infections
GB0404374D0 (en) 2004-02-27 2004-03-31 Univ Manchester Treatment of bacterial infections
GB0513096D0 (en) * 2005-06-28 2005-08-03 Strathclyde Treatment of microbial infections
WO2007025719A1 (fr) * 2005-08-29 2007-03-08 Technische Universitaet Muenchen Protéines de soie arachnéenne modifiées
WO2009158678A1 (fr) * 2008-06-27 2009-12-30 Children's Hospital & Research Center At Oakland Véhicule d'administration d'acide nucléique lipophile et ses procédés d'utilisation
JP5781929B2 (ja) * 2008-07-15 2015-09-24 ノバルティス アーゲー 免疫原性の両親媒性ペプチド組成物
US8734853B2 (en) 2008-11-17 2014-05-27 University Of North Texas Health Science Center At Fort Worth HDL particles for delivery of nucleic acids
US9901616B2 (en) 2011-08-31 2018-02-27 University Of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. Apoptosis-targeting nanoparticles
EP2745834B1 (fr) 2012-12-18 2016-09-28 Jens Frauenfeld Particules de Salipro
WO2015036549A1 (fr) 2013-09-13 2015-03-19 Löving Robin Antigène et son procédé de production
US10398663B2 (en) 2014-03-14 2019-09-03 University Of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. Mitochondrial delivery of 3-bromopyruvate
US20160346219A1 (en) 2015-06-01 2016-12-01 Autotelic Llc Phospholipid-coated therapeutic agent nanoparticles and related methods
AU2017205337B2 (en) * 2016-01-07 2022-09-08 Tesorx Pharma, Llc Formulations for treating bladder cancer
US11180535B1 (en) 2016-12-07 2021-11-23 David Gordon Bermudes Saccharide binding, tumor penetration, and cytotoxic antitumor chimeric peptides from therapeutic bacteria

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