RESUMO
The present investigation reports on the efficacy of 5-FU encapsulated in liposomes for the treatment of leukemia using a murine model of gamma radiation-induced transplantable leukemia in ICRC strain of mice. Multi-lamellar vesicles (MLVs) or large unilamellar vesicles (REVs) prepared using phosphatidyl choline and cholesterol in a molar ratio of 8:2 for neutral and 7:2:1 for charged vesicles were administered as a single i.p. dose in mice. 5-FU encapsulated in MLVs at a concentration of 0.6-2.5 mg/kg had no effect, whereas REVs at a single i.p. dose of 9 mg/kg increased survival of leukemic mice with T/C = 138%, decreased peripheral blood count and considerably reduced infiltration of leukemic cells in different tissues (supported by histopathology) as compared to 60 mg/kg of free drug (LD10 = 70 mg/kg).