Targeted gene therapy of LS174T human colon carcinoma by anti-TAG-72 immunoliposomes

Anti-tumor-associated glycoprotein ( TAG)-72 PEG-immunoliposomes (PILs) were prepared by conjugation of Fab' fragments of recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody, HuCC49, to sterically stabilize unilamellar liposomes ( 90 - 110 nm in diameter) to target TAG-72-overexpressing cancer cells. The liposomes consisted of 1-palmitonyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine ( POPC), 92 mol percent, O,O'-dymyrisyl-N-lysyl aspartate ( DMKD cationic lipid), 4 mol percent, distearoyl-phosphatidyl-ethanolamine-polyethylene glycol 2000 ( DSPE- PEG(2000)), 3 mol percent and DSPE- maleimide ( DSPE- PEG(2000)-Mal), 1 mol percent. These anti-TAG-72 PILs were able to adhere to the surface of TAG-72-overexpressing LS174 T human colon cancer cells more effectively than conventional liposomes. Also, in vitro gene transfection of the LS174 T cells by the anti-TAG-72 PILs in the presence of a high concentration of fetal bovine serum ( up to 60%) was greater than that by conventional cationic lipoplexes. Intravenously administered anti-TAG-72 PILs efficiently localized in the LS174 T tumor tissues, while the non-targeted conventional liposomes did not. Intravenous administration of the anti-TAG-72 PILs containing plasmids encoding antiangiogenic proteins, such as angiostatin K1/3, endostatin and saxatilin, significantly inhibited in vivo growth of LS174 T tumors and angiogenesis in the tumor tissues. These results demonstrated the potential of TAG-72-mediated targeting of immunoliposomes as a modality for systemic gene delivery to human colon cancer cells.