| abstract |
The present invention involves a method for therapeutic administration of retinoid to an animal. This method, in a preferred embodiment, comprises the basic steps of: preparing liposomes comprising phospholipid and retinoid; and parenterally administering a quantity of the resultant liposomes to the animal, said quantity containing a therapeutically effective amount of the retinoid. The animal being administered the liposomes may bear a tumor impeded by retinoids and the administering step serve to impede growth of said tumor. The most preferred retinoid is all-trans retinoic acid although other retinoids may prove useful. In certain cases, the retinoid may be retinol, particularly all trans-retinol. The phospholipids of the present invention may be one or more of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerol, sphingomyelin and phosphatidic acid. These phospholipids, their derivatives and those of analogous structure and hydropathic properties may be used to prepare the liposome-encapsulated retinoids of the present invention as would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant arts upon examination of the present descriptions. The phospholipids of these retinoid-containing liposomes, in a preferred embodiment, comprise dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol, still more preferably in about a 7:3 ratio. |