Interferon-γ liposome: a new system to improve drug delivery in the treatment of lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the main causes of death worldwide. Published data show the use of interferons (IFNs) in treating lung tumours. IFNs also have potential for their antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, immunoregulatory and proapoptotic effects. IFN-gamma functions as an anticancer agent against various forms of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effect of IFN-gamma liposome (nano) on peripheral lymphocytes from 20 individuals in each group: lung cancer patients compared to healthy individuals. The effectiveness of IFN-gamma liposome against oxidative stress was also evaluated in this study. A concentration of 100 U.mL(-1) of IFN-gamma liposome was used to treat the lymphocytes in the Comet and micronucleus assays based on the preliminary test for the optimal dose. The lymphocytes from lung cancer patients presented with higher DNA damage levels than those of healthy individuals. In healthy individuals, IFN-gamma liposome did not cause any DNA damage in the lymphocytes. Also, it caused a significant reduction in DNA damage in the lymphocytes from lung cancer patients in both the Comet and micronucleus assays. The 100 U.mL(-1) of IFN-gamma liposome significantly reduced the oxidative stress caused by H2O2 and appeared to be effective in both groups using the Comet and micronucleus assays. Results from both Comet and micronucleus assays were consistent. The data obtained indicated that IFN-gamma in both forms (IFN-gamma bulk and IFN-gamma nanoliposome) may potentially be effective for the treatment of lung cancer and showed the ability of IFN-gamma liposome to reduce DNA damage more than the bulk form.

Automated summary

The study showed that IFN-gamma liposome significantly reduced DNA damage in lymphocytes of lung cancer patients and effectively reduced oxidative stress caused by H2O2. Results from both Comet and micronucleus assays were consistent, indicating the potential effectiveness of IFN-gamma liposome in treating lung cancer.