Application of fusogenic liposomes containing fragment A of diphtheria toxin to cancer therapy.

Previously we reported that fusogenic liposomes, prepared by fusing simple liposomes with Sendai virus particles, could introduce their contents directly and efficiently into the cytoplasm. In this study, we examined the anti-tumour activity of fusogenic liposomes containing fragment A of diphtheria toxin (DTA). Fusogenic liposomes containing DTA showed high cytotoxicity against sarcoma-180 (S-180) cells in vitro. When these liposomes were administered into the abdominal cavity of ddY mice carrying S-180, tumour cells completely disappeared in four of six tumour-bearing mice without decrease in body weight. Neither simple liposomes containing DTA nor empty fusogenic liposomes had any effect on tumour suppression. We conclude that fusogenic liposomes containing DTA are new and potentially effective tools for the treatment of ascites tumours without any severe side-effects.