The Design of a Pharmaceuttcally Acceptable Liposomal Formulation of Recombinant Interleukin-2 (Ril-2) for Locoregional Anticancer Immunotherapy

Abstract

Liposomes composed of egg-phosphatidylcholine and egg-phosphati-dylglycerol containing recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) were prepared and characterised for use in locoregional anticancer immunotherapy. During the encapsulation studies it was observed that the protein precipitated. Therefore, the impact of the precipitation phenomenon on the characteristics and in vivo performance of rIL-2 liposomes was studied. Recombinant IL-2 was diluted in various aqueous media and the amount of precipitated protein determined. Also, the in vitro bioactivity, chemical stability, and in vivo antitumor efficacy of liposomes prepared with precipitated rIL-2 or non-precipitated rIL-2 were assessed.

Massive protein precipitation (60 up ± 95% of total protein) was observed upon dilution of rIL-2 in salt-containing media, but not upon dilution in 5% glucose or water. Liposomes prepared with precipitated rIL-2 were shown to release 50% of the entrapped rIL-2 over a three-day period at 37° in protein-containing media. Loss of rIL-2 bioactivity and chemical integrity was observed during storage at 4° over a 4-week period. Locoregional administration of precipitated rIL-2 in the guinea pig Line 10 tumor model resulted in significantly more tumor growth inhibition than administration of non-precipitated rIL-2. Liposomes containing non-precipitated rIL-2 were found to elicit similar antitumor effects as precipitated rIL-2. The results point to the importance of proper characterisation of new rIL-2 formulations as the physical properties of formulated rIL-2 may strongly influence its bioactivity.