Vincristine-Loaded and sgc8-Modified Liposome as a Potential Targeted Drug Delivery System for Treating Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Cytotoxic compounds vincristine sulphate (VCR) is widely used to against hemato-oncology, and especially the acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, VCR's full therapeutic potential has been limited by its dose-limiting neurotoxicity, classically resulting in autonomic and peripheral sensory-motor neuropathy. Therefore, we developed a targeted liposomal drug delivery system (sgc8/VCR-Lipo) for improving the therapeutic effects of VCR against leukemia and reducing its systematic adverse effects. sgc8/VCR-Lipo could specifically bind to CCRF-CEM cells and significantly inhibit proliferation of cancer cells in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. The sgc8/VCR-Lipo nanoparticles may improve the anti-tumor efficacy of VCR and reduce side effects induced by non-specific drug release. These results suggest that our findings provide scientific evidence for developing novel aptamer-based targeted drug delivery systems for leukemia treatment.