Liposome- or LDL-administered Zn(II)-phthalocyanine as a photodynamic agent for tumours III. Effect of cholesterol on pharmacokinetic and phototherapeutic properties

The pharmacokinetic behaviour of Zn-phthalocyanine (Zn-Pc) has been studied in mice bearing a transplanted MS-2 fibrosarcoma using liposomes of dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine containing 15% moles of cholesterol as drug delivery systems. The presence of cholesterol optimizes the Zn-Pc localization in the tumour inducing a significantly larger uptake as well as a better selectivity. Experimental photodynamic therapy of the MS-2 fibrosarcoma has...