Long-circulating sterically stabilized liposomes in the treatment of infections.

The administration of antimicrobial agents encapsulated in long-circulating sterically stabilized liposomes results in a considerable enhancement of therapeutic efficacy compared with the agents in the free form. After liposomal encapsulation, the pharmacokinetics of the antimicrobial agents is significantly changed. An increase in circulation time and reduction in toxic side effects of the agents are observed.

Ciprofloxacin in polyethylene glycol-coated liposomes: efficacy in rat models of acute or chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

In a previous study in experimental Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia, the therapeutic potential of ciprofloxacin was significantly improved by encapsulation in polyethylene glycol-coated ("pegylated") long-circulating (STEALTH) liposomes. Pegylated liposomal ciprofloxacin in high doses was nontoxic and resulted in relatively high and sustained ciprofloxacin concentrations in blood and tissues, and hence an increase in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC). These data correspond to data from animal and clinical studies showing that for fluoroquinolones the AUC/MIC ratio is associated with favorable outcome in serious infections.