Bleomycin Delivery

Bleomycin Delivery

Bleomycin (BLM) are a group of glycopeptide antibiotics, originally derived from Streptomyces verticillium, that can cause double-stranded DNA breaks. As one of the most effective broad-spectrum chemotherapeutics, bleomycin has antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo.

Overview of Bleomycin

As one of the most effective broad-spectrum chemotherapy drugs, BLM does not have the myelosuppressive effect of most chemotherapy drugs and is often used in combination with other anticancer drugs to treat cancer, nausea, lymphatic tumors and various warts. In addition, BLM instillation in the pleural cavity can treat malignant pleural effusion, and instillation in the bladder can treat bladder cancer. But BLM has significant skin and lung toxicity and can cause inflammation of the lungs, leading to pulmonary fibrosis. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, hair loss, fatigue and weakness, and severe allergic reactions may occur.

The structure of bleomycin. (Yu Z, et al., 2016)

Mechanism of Bleomycin

Bleomycin is cytotoxic by binding to DNA, resulting in single- and double-stranded nucleic acid breaks. In addition, bleomycin can also inhibit the incorporation of thymidine into DNA. Specifically, bleomycin can chelate metal ions (mainly iron ions) to form an enzyme-like chelate. The chelate can react with oxygen to generate superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals that damage DNA and can also promote lipid peroxidation and the oxidation of other intracellular molecules.

Bleomycin Delivery System

Drug delivery refers to the transport of drug compounds to the target site to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, including delivery methods and techniques. An ideal drug delivery system can vary the rate and timing of drug release to produce sufficient or sustained drug concentrations after drug delivery to target cells, target tissues, or target organs. The systems currently used for drug delivery are mainly nanocarriers, including dendrimers, liposomes, polymers, and virus-like particles (VLPs).

VLP for Bleomycin Delivery

Although bleomycin is one of the most effective broad-spectrum chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer, its clinical application is still limited due to its poor drug delivery ability and the side effects that easily cause pulmonary fibrosis. As a delivery system for bleomycin, VLP can greatly improve its bioavailability, and in addition, the cytotoxicity of bleomycin is greatly reduced when delivered together with VLP.

How We Can Help

As a global leader in the production and application of VLPs from VLPlant^TM platform, CD BioSciences leverages its expertise to help our customers deliver bleomycin. We are good at tailoring our services to the needs of our clients. Please contact us if you are interested.

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Reference

1. Yu Z.; et al., Targeted Delivery of Bleomycin: A Comprehensive Anticancer Review. Curr Cancer Drug Targets. 2016, 16: 509-521.