The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7452 p579
19 May 2007

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“Minicells” could deliver drugs direct to tumours

A technique involving the delivery of chemotherapy to specific cancer cells using bacteria-derived “minicells” is described in a study published last week (Cancer Cell 2007;11:431).

Researchers produced the 400nm minicells — described as a microreservoir-type carrier — from both Gram+ and Gram– organisms, and targeted the minicells via bispecific antibodies to receptors on cancer cell membranes. They discovered that the minicells could package a range of chemotherapeutic drugs (such as doxorubicin, paclitaxel, irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, carboplatin and vinblastine) regardless of their different structures, charges, hydrophobicity and solubility. Tumour growth inhibition and regression was seen with the administration of minimal doses of drug in animal models.