Aerosolized Liposomal 9-Nitro-20(S)-Camptothecin in Patients with Advanced Malignancies in the Lungs

Introduction: Topoisomerase-I inhibitors have the capability to eradicate human tumors in xenograft models. Therefore human cancer cells are extremely sensitive to camptothecin [1]. Camptothecin analogues are nevertheless not curative in clinical settings probably because of poor distribution of the camptothecin lactone to the tumor cells in humans. We hypothesized that a modification of the formulation and a systemic delivery that avoids first pass in the liver may increase the therapeutic index. Aerosol delivery of liposomal 9-nitrocamptothecin (L-9NC) could also possibly have delay the opening of the lactone…