LIPID ASSEMBLIES COMPRISING NON-LIPOSOME FORMING AMPHIPHILES

摘要

The present invention concerns a stable lipid assembly comprising a biologically active lipid having a hydrophobic region and a polar headgroup, wherein the atomic mass ratio between the headgroup and hydrophobic region is less than 0.3, and a lipopolymer having a hydrophobic lipid region and a polymer headgroup, wherein the atomic mass ratio between the headgroup and hydrophobic region is at least 1.5 and optionally a lipid matrix composed of liposome forming lipids. Specific lipid assemblies according to the invention comprise the biologically active lipid, ceramide, a lipid derivatized with polyethylene glycol (lipopolymer) and optionally in combination with a phospholipid (e.g. Egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC) and hydrogenated soybean phosphatidylcholine (HSPC)). The lipid assemblies of the invention exhibited a therapeutic effect in vitro in tumor cells as well as in vivo in animal models and they deliver the biologically active lipid to the disease site.