Growth inhibitory effects of liposome-associated 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine

The growth inhibitory effects of 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (ET-18-OCH₃) and various liposome compositions of ET-18-OCH₃ were compared in a standardized growth inhibition assay utilizing a diverse tumor cell line panel including cell lines expressing multidrug resistance. ET-18-OCH₃ and ELL-12 (4∶3∶1∶2, dioleoylphosphatidylcholine/cholesterol/dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine-glutaric acid/ET-18-OCH₃), an optimal liposomal ET-18-OCH₃ formulation, inhibited growth in the micromolar range in drug-sensitive and-resistant cells. In general, ET-18-OCH₃-liposomes were about twofold less growth inhibitory than ET-18-OCH₃. However, the known hemolytic effects of ET-18-OCH₃ were greatly reduced, up to 20 or more times, by liposome association. The effects of ET-18-OCH₃ and ELL-12 were compared in intracellular [Ca²⁺] modulation and DNA fragmentation assays. ET-18-OCH₃ elicited both concentration- and serum-dependent transient and permanent increases in intracellular [Ca²⁺]. In contrast, ELL-12 did not modulate intracellular [Ca²⁺]. ET-18-OCH₃ and ELL-12 similarly affected DNA fragmentation, which may be indicative of apoptosis. The results suggest that, although the specific growth inhibitory effects of ET-18-OCH₃ and ELL-12 are similar, associating ET-18-OCH₃ with stable well-characterized liposomes eliminates nonspecific cell membrane-associated lytic effects.