Arsonoliposomes, a novel class of arsenic-containing liposomes: Effect of palmitoyl-arsonolipid-containing liposomes on the viability of cancer and normal cells in culture

Purpose. Arsonolipid-containing liposomes have been recently prepared. The demonstrated antileukemic action of arsenic trioxide prompted us to study their effect on the viability of several types of cancer cells to investigate the possibility of relevant applications. Five different cell types, three malignant (HL-60, C6, and GH3) and two non-malignant (HUVEC and RAME), were used. Methods. Liposomes containing the palmitoyl side chain arsonolipid (with different lipid compositions) were incubated with a given number of cells. Cell viability was estimated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazo 2-yl)-2,5-dimethyltetrazolium bromide assay. Morphologic studies were also performed. Results. Our results reveal that arsonoliposomes cause a dose (initiated at 10(-6) M)- and time-dependent inhibition of survival in all three malignant cell lines studied. No significant effect on the survival of the normal cells studied was observed at these, as well as at 10-fold higher, concentrations, although arsenic trioxide was toxic to HUVEC cells at equivalent arsenic concentrations. Microscopy studies reveal that although morphologic changes were initiated in HL-60 and C6 cells after incubation with arsonoliposomes, no changes in HUVEC and RAME cells were observed. Conclusions. Considering the numerous advantages of liposomal systems in therapeutics, it is concluded that the arsonoliposome system is very interesting and future applications should be exploited by further studies.