Prednisolone-containing liposomes accumulate in human atherosclerotic macrophages upon intravenous administration

  • Fleur M. van der Valk
  • , Diederik F. van Wijk
  • , Mark E. Lobatto
  • , Hein J. Verberne
  • , G Storm
  • , Martine C M Willems
  • , Dink A. Legemate
  • , Aart J. Nederveen
  • , Claudia Calcagno
  • , Venkatesh Mani
  • , Sarayu Ramachandran
  • , Maarten P M Paridaans
  • , Maarten J. Otten
  • , Geesje M. Dallinga-Thie
  • , Zahi A. Fayad
  • , Max Nieuwdorp
  • , Dominik M. Schulte
  • , Josbert M. Metselaar
  • , Willem J M Mulder
  • , Erik S. Stroes*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Drug delivery to atherosclerotic plaques via liposomal nanoparticles may improve therapeutic agents' risk-benefit ratios. Our paper details the first clinical studies of a liposomal nanoparticle encapsulating prednisolone (LN-PLP) in atherosclerosis. First, PLP's liposomal encapsulation improved its pharmacokinetic profile in humans (n. =. 13) as attested by an increased plasma half-life of 63. h (LN-PLP 1.5. mg/kg). Second, intravenously infused LN-PLP appeared in 75% of the macrophages isolated from iliofemoral plaques of patients (n. =. 14) referred for vascular surgery in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. LN-PLP treatment did however not reduce arterial wall permeability or inflammation in patients with atherosclerotic disease (n. =. 30), as assessed by multimodal imaging in a subsequent randomized, placebo-controlled study. In conclusion, we successfully delivered a long-circulating nanoparticle to atherosclerotic plaque macrophages in patients, whereas prednisolone accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions had no anti-inflammatory effect. Nonetheless, the present study provides guidance for development and imaging-assisted evaluation of future nanomedicine in atherosclerosis. From the Clinical Editor: In this study, the authors undertook the first clinical trial using long-circulating liposomal nanoparticle encapsulating prednisolone in patients with atherosclerosis, based on previous animal studies. Despite little evidence of anti-inflammatory effect, the results have provided a starting point for future development of nanomedicine in cardiovascular diseases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1039-1046
Number of pages8
JournalNanomedicine : nanotechnology, biology and medicine
Volume11
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2015

Keywords

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Macrophages
  • Nanomedicine

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